June 21, 1991

The talk around town is, the Newtown Shopping Center is dying. Talk among tenants reflects mixed feelings: an awareness that business has dropped off and a determination not to abandon what they call "the best business location in town." "A lot of people seem to think the shopping center is going to die, and I think they're totally wrong," said My Place pizzeria owner John Tambascio. "I believe tenants will come." Others are also hopeful, and aware of the difficulties in trying to market space in a recessionary climate.

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Some 200 people turned out to honor three Newtown educators to celebrate their retirement and to pay tribute to their influence on a fast-changing community. Mary Lucey, English teacher; Lou DePaul, cooperative work program head; and Earl Smith, assistant principal at the high school, were all applauded and ribbed just a little during a party held at the Fireside Inn.

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Police are investigating two acts of vandalism which occurred over the weekend which may possible be linked. According to police, both crimes involved the use of rocks to damage personal property. In addition, the crimes occurred within close proximity to one another and happened within hours of each other. Both a car windshield and home siding and storm windows were damaged.

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Police from Newtown and Bethel and corrections officials joined forces to run with the mentally retarded in the annual "Torch of Hope Run" Wednesday, June 19, marking the beginning of the 1991 Special Olympics. The Olympics are scheduled to take place at the Yale Bowl. Newtown Police Department members participating are Chief Michael DeJoseph, Lieutenant Owen Carney, Detectives Harry Noroian and Richard Stook, and Officers John Reilly and Stephen Ketchum.

June 24, 1966

A perfect evening on June 20 brought over 1,000 proud parents and friends to the front lawn of New-town High School to witness graduation ceremonies for the class of 1966. The American flag fluttered in the soft June breeze as the High School Band struck up the processional and the 115 blue-gowned graduates filed solemnly to their seats beneath an arch of ferns. Marjorie Kaufman, valedictorian, noted that graduation marks the procession from security to the competitive world where the self-reliance of each individual would be tested.

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Dr Thomas Draper, town health officer, has asked The Bee to point out that the pond at the town park is a swimming pool, not a "Laundromat." The current fad of swimming in the same cut-off blue jeans worn to and from the park can become a health problem. Only legitimate suits or trunks may be worn in the water.

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The Connecticut Water Resources Commission has announced that 52 boats will be needed to cooper-ate in an overall control project on Lake Zoar. Depending on when algae is at the proper growth for treatment, pounds of copper sulfate will be dropped in the water from Shady Rest to the Stevenson Dam.

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Mrs Eloise Bowen and George Wheeler of Venice, Florida, came to Newtown this week to attend the graduation exercises of Robert Leibold, who is a member of this year's graduating class at the high school. "Bob" is the son of Mr and Mrs Robert Leibold of Glover Avenue and Mr Wheeler's grandson.

June 20, 1941

A combination of masterful pitching and lusty slugging by Bill Kayfus brought the Newtown Country Club softball team its initial victory of the season on Sunday afternoon at the club diamond. The Clubbers turned back the Dead Enders, a combination of Danbury and local players, 13-4.

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In impressive exercises held at Edmond Town Hall on Monday evening, twenty-four Seniors of Hawley School received their diplomas and said goodbye to high school life. The exercises were effective and sincere and a tribute to the graduating class. Addressing the seniors, Secretary of the State Mrs Chase Going Woodhouse called them "pioneers in mental situations," pointing to the uncertainty of the world into which they are stepping. She said she had no specific advice, but she lauded their ability to face a situation, and advised that democracy is well worth fighting for.

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The spirited contest among local schools in collecting tin foil for the Newtown Committee for Child Refugees ended last Friday, with the pupils of Hawleyville School, Miss Burr, teacher, emerging victorious. Out of a total 449 pounds, the bustling girls and boys of Hawleyville accounted for over 82 pounds, putting them well in the lead over their closest rivals in Mr Lupi's class at Hawley School, which turned in 61 pounds.

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The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company will hold a dance on July 4 at St Rose Hall. Music will be furnished by the Woodbury Boy Strummers, with modern and old fashioned dancing. The committee in charge including Bob Lockwood, Irving Beers, Bill Hanlon, Don Manwaring and Pete Stefanko hopes for generous support and promises all a good time. Admission is 40 cents.

June 23, 1916

The Country Club will be open July 4, which promises to be an interesting event to all the members. Watch next week's Bee for full particulars. Work on the tennis courts and grounds is being rapidly pushed forward.

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On Monday afternoon, Mr and Mrs W.B. Glover and Miss Hazel H. Smith motored to New Milford, where they picked up Allison P. Smith. The journey was continued to New Preston where the party enjoyed a delightful dinner at The Gray Squirrel. From there they proceeded to Washington Depot and a meeting at the Washington Grange. The journey from New Preston to Washington was made in the rain. Just as the party were crossing the railroad tracks, a terrific flash of lightning nearly prostrated the ladies of the party.

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Last Friday evening the teacher, Miss Anna Murphy, gave the people of Gray's Plain district an entertainment that was enjoyed by all. With music from the Victrola and singing and dancing by the pupils, she has certainly made great progress here, and all who send children appreciate her effort. Any community fortunate enough to secure a live-wire like Miss Murphy is in its ascendancy.

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A good-sized audience enjoyed the lecture of J.B. Howell at the library Tuesday night on "China," which was illustrated by stereopticon views. Mr Howell took the place of his son, Lawrence Howell, who was called to Philadelphia to join his regiment in the Pennsylvania National Guard. Mr Howell's lecture was very interesting and the views clear and fine.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.