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Nine-year-old Maureen McGovern’s suggestion for naming the story house in the upstairs fiction room was “The Booth” and that’s exactly what the area will be called from now on. The name was selected from about two dozen entries from school children in a recent “name the story house contest.”

* * *

At the tax sale on Saturday, June 17, Tax Collector Carol Feeley accepted high bids totaling $27,280 for eight properties auctioned off by the town because the taxes had not been paid. Properties purchased at the tax sale had to be paid for by June 21, or that property would be offered to the next highest bidder. For each property sold, a tax collector’s deed will be held for one year before it is filed into the land records. During this year, the former owner may redeem the property by paying the back taxes, interest and charges, plus 18 percent interest on the bid price.

* * *

A resident’s quick action resulted in the apprehension of three teenagers accused of destroying mailboxes Monday night, June 18. Police said they used a baseball bat to destroy the mailboxes. One of the resident’s description of the vehicle led to the arrest of the three occupants.

 

June 26, 1959

The Board of Education announced the selection of Joseph A. Ozanne as principal of Newtown High School, effective July 1. Mr Ozanne will succeed James F. Hinckley, present principal, who was recently appointed to succeed Carl A. LeGrow. As superintendent of schools, Mr LeGrow is retiring June 30 after 30 years of service. Mr Ozanne came to Newtown in 1948 to teach geography, history, and economics. He has served the past two years as part-time assistant principal.

* * *

The Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission, at its meeting Monday evening, formally adopted the amendments to the zoning regulations as presented at the public meeting held on April 30, and also adopted a map with revised zone boundaries, providing areas of varying lot sizes in town, ranging from 1-2 acre, to 3 or more acres.

* * *

The Musical Section of the Rehabilitation Department of the Fairfield State Hospital supervised the Spring Concert which was given by the patients in the Plymouth Hall auditorium, on the nights of Monday, June 15, and Tuesday, June 16. Thirty patients took part in the concert, which was presented to hospital doctors and staff members on Monday evening, and to the other patients Tuesday evening.

* * *

Lee W. Glover was re-elected chief of the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 at the annual meeting held recently. Joseph J. Wupperfeld, J. Thomas Anderson, and Kenneth Shaw were elected first, second, and third assistant chiefs. Albert H. Nichols was elected president.

June 22, 1934

A somewhat spectacular accident occurred Sunday afternoon at the corner of the Boulevard and Church street when cars driven by Lars Olson of Georgetown and Patsy Ferruci of Bridgeport collided. This is a corner where a stop sigh should be erected on the Boulevard road.

* * *

Allen Jones of New York City has purchased what is known as the Stillson farm, situated in South Center District, Newtown, from Thomas and Matilda Skverz of Newtown. The property consists of an early type New England farmhouse, two barns, together with 79 acres of land.

* * *

Georgetown continued its winning way, claiming the Sandy Hook Giants as their latest victim, last week end at the local ball park. Beardsley took the rubber for the local team and pitched invincible ball in every inning, except the second and seventh, fanning 12 batsmen.

* * *

The library takes great pleasure in announcing the opening of an exhibition of etchings and paintings by Martin Lewis, nationally known artist and a resident of Newtown. Mr Lewis’ work, which has many Newtown subjects, has been widely honored. During the past year, his etchings of the Newtown-Sandy Hook road, “Route 6,” was awarded the bronze medal by the California Society of Print Makers.

 

June 25, 1909

Dr Gale, the popular physician of Newtown street, was a leading actor in a collision which took place about 10 pm, Thursday night, near the residence of Mrs I.B. Harris. In the intense darkness a team driven by Mr Read, with Dr Gale as a passenger, crashed into the carriage of Allison P. Smith. Both horses behaved splendidly. Dr Gale and Mr Read were thrown over the dashboard, but were uninjured. After a time the wagons were unlocked, a lantern was secured, and Mr Read’s horse was gotten back into the shafts. Dr Gale was able to go on his errand of mercy and Mr Smith continued the journey home.

* * *

Last Sunday morning as Dea George Ruffles and son, George, and daughter, Miss Ruffles, were driving to church when at the head of Newtown street an auto frightened their horse which caused it to jump to one side, the wagon going into the ditch and throwing George Ruffles, Jr, out, badly bruising his right arm and shoulder. Fortunately, neither Mr Ruffles nor his daughter were thrown out and the horse did not get away.

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Huntingtown Jottings: There is a reform movement going in this section, and many no longer believe in the verbal inspiration of the Old Testament where it says “and thy beard (whiskers) thou shalt not shave.” Mr Meyer our blacksmith, cut his whiskers off the first time in a half-score years and looks two score years younger. Who will be next?

* * *

A sad fatality took place in Pootatuck, Tuesday afternoon, just across the Housatonic river, when Philip Lockwood, son of Willis Lockwood, accidentally shot Frederick Johnson, an eight year old son of Mrs Annie Johnson. The boy was killed instantly. Deputy Coroner Makepeace rendered a verdict of death by accidental shooting. The boy’s mother, who kept house for Edson Bennett, was prostrated by the terrible accident.