* * *

After three years of maintaining the school fields on a $50,000 budget, the Parks and Recreation Commission is considering giving the responsibility back to the Board of Education. “I’m getting tired of phone calls,” complained Parks Superintendent Henry Kniese. He said several circumstances had prevented his crew from keeping the fields mowed to everyone’s satisfaction.

* * *

A one-floor house on Huntingtown Road was extensively damaged in the early hours of June 9 when it was hit by two separate fires which Fire Marshal George Lockwood believes were set by an arsonist. The small house has been leased in the past, but was vacant for some time. The second fire was not a “rekindling” of the first, because it occurred in the kitchen, which is located at the opposite side of the house.

* * *

The idea of Mike Hammond and Student Council President Sue McMahon, NHS Classes of 1981 and 1982, finally reached fruition last week at Newtown High, just in time for graduation. The bold marquee at the entrance of the high school will keep the school and town population informed about scheduled events. The signboard was purchased after several years of vigorous fundraising through the Student Council.

 

June 19, 1959

Returns have come in well in the postcard poll which has been conducted among Newtown property owners to determine their opinion of the one-acre lot size now in effect under the existing zoning regulations. The purpose of the poll was to determine if the townspeople would rather have a one-acre minimum all over town, or prefer to have the town divided into areas of various lot sizes.

* * *

Anyone want to own his own Post Office? Opportunity awaits, because the US Post Office Department is looking for an investor to build a new office for Newtown. The department has an assignable option on the land, 15,000 square feet, on Queen Street near the shopping center, and plans and specifications are available for the building and grounds.

* * *

Dr J Benton Egee is one fisherman who can henceforth brag about his angling ability with good reason. While on vacation in Bermuda with his family, he caught a black fin tuna, weighing 32 and a half pounds, establishing a Bermuda record for this fish. Asked if he had brought the fish home to be mounted, Dr Egee replied, “No, we just had a big tuna fish salad.”

* * *

The Board of Managers of the Danbury Hospital has selected Friday, June 24, for the dedication of the new South Wing. In light of the wide interest shown in the South Wing thus far, hospital officials expect several thousand area residents to make the tour. Of particular interest to the public will be the new emergency suite, pediatrics and maternity departments, children’s play court, and the modern, spacious lobby.

June 15, 1934

Edmond Town Hall Theater, Friday and Saturday, June 15 and 16. Manager Smith presents one of the outstanding pictures of the year, Friday and Saturday, at the Edmond Town Hall. Wallace Beery takes the part of Pancho Villa, the bandit, in “Viva Villa!” Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19 and 20, Adolphe Menjou in “Little Miss Marker,” and John Barrymore in “20th Century.”

* * *

The people of Newtown and vicinity had the pleasure, as worshipers and listeners, of attending an evensong service of “Choral Music As a Ministration,” at Trinity Church on Monday evening — “Feast of St Barnabas.” The choir under the splendid direction of Sherman J. Kreuzberg, Master of the Choristers, presented a program of choral music truly exemplifying the spiritual benefit received through the medium of God’s gift to mankind, the human voice.

* * *

Miss Caroline Ruutz-Rees, who is a highly valued member of the Newtown Hospital Board of Trustees, brought to the hospital, last Sunday, Mr and Mrs William Towson Taylor, and according to the report, between 300 and 500 patients were charmed into absolute silence as Mr Taylor sang various groups of songs, including negro spirituals which were especially attractive to the inmates. So intense was the attention, it would have been possible to have heard a pin drop. Mrs Taylor played the accompaniments.

* * *

The activity of the local constables in looking after motor-law violators is most commendable, but it is being done in such a vigorous fashion that people in Danbury and neighboring towns are beginning to talk about local police officers as the general public have been talking about certain officials in Trumbull. What many in our town would like to see in Newtown would be a small paid force of police officers.

 

 

June 18, 1909

W. Greenberg of Botsford Hill had the misfortune to lose a $10 bill, last week, which was found by Patrick Campbell’s son at their grist mill, who hearing of Mr Greenberg’s loss on Friday, returned it to the owner. Mr Greenberg is very grateful to the young man for his kindness.

* * *

A new feature of the Newtown High school Commencement, this year, will be the Class Day exercises. In addition to a one act farce, the entertainment will consist of the class prophecies, class grinds, and the class history. The dance will be given on Class night., following the exercises, instead of on Commencement night. Bentley’s orchestra of Bridgeport will furnish the music for the program and for the dancing.

* * *

The automobile fever has surely struck the good old town of Newtown. One of Newtown’s leading citizens has recently purchased a touring car. Last Sunday, he took his family out for a little spin. All of a sudden something let go and everything stopped, and like David Harum’s old horse, refused to go. After a few timely suggestions from his wife and a few passersby, the atmosphere grew hot, yes hotter than election day. The bulls suddenly grasped the market and gasoline began to flow, the batteries made sparks equal to any heavy thunder storm. The citizen pulled himself from under the car, adjusted the goggles, scraped the mud from his new duster, grasped the steering apparatus and with one of those smiles that won’t wear off, was soon lost from view.

* * *

FLOURISHED A PISTOL AND GUN In Wild Western Style. A man giving the name of John Bahan was arrested, Saturday, on the charge of assault and carrying concealed weapons. It appears he took a revolver and going to Thomas Cavanaugh’s drew it on him. The pistol was taken away, but he soon came back with a gun and his arrest followed.