Work was done this week to correct longstanding fire code violations at the Newtown Hook & Ladder firehouse. The changes are designed to make the upper level meeting room safer; as well as the stairway to that room. Fire-resistant material was being put on the ceiling of the room beneath the meeting room. The construction of a fire-resistant wall — in the middle of a space that formerly served as a bay for Hook & Ladder’s rescue truck — means that the space no longer can be used for that purpose. The bay door was being eliminated and replace with a brick façade. The rescue truck has been moved into tighter quarters.

June 25, 1965

Visiting Newtown for three weeks under the American Field Service program is Tore Schmidt from Norway. Tore spent ten months going to school in Baltimore, Md., and now, after having graduated, he had the opportunity to see New England. He is staying with the Robert Munger family. A three-week bus-trip will conclude his stay in this country and he sails home to Norway in late July.

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In response to public feeling against the decision to close the schools after 4:30 pm, the Board of Education at the Monday night meeting, determined to ask the Board of Finance to seek added funds from the town. A town meeting will be asked to allocate $3,700 for the purpose of reopening school facilities to outside organizations. This sum, which was said to represent custodial and utility charges, was the estimated saving when the board acted to prohibit community use of school facilities, starting with the next fiscal year.

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The first of another summer series of films of special interest will be “Two Women,” playing this Tuesday and Wednesday, June 29-30, at 8:30 pm, in the air-conditioned Edmond Town Hall Theatre. Sophia Loren stars with Jean Paul Belmondo, Raf Vailone and Eleanora Brown in the De Sica-directed story of the brutal experiences of a widow and her daughter in war-torn Italy.

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Shortly after noon on Monday a telephone call reported to Newtown High School authorities that a bomb had been planted at the school. Students were evacuated and a thorough search was made of the building. No bomb was found and in about 50 minutes students returned to their classes. Police are investigating.

June 21, 1940

Mr and Mrs Abraham Kay and family of New York City, who recently purchased Ronald Castle, have been passing several days in town. The new owners wish to announce that, while visitors are always welcome, they would appreciate at telephone call in advance to make an appointment to inspect the grounds and Castle.

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The Sandy Hook Garage, under the management of Carl Hornbeck and Peter Brazee, has just completed the installation of a new hoist for the lubrication of any make of car. This latest improvement will prove of great asset to both the garage and car owners, as it tends to make for a more complete job. This local garage has also accepted the authorized Studebaker sales and service for this vicinity and has on display a Studebaker Champion.

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Collection of foodstuffs is an important item in the relief work of the American Friends of France, and so it has been decided by the local committee that a different item will be collected each week at the various stores in town, for forwarding to New York headquarters and shipment to France. Mrs H.G. Warner, chairman, announces that canned milk will be collected this week. Last week, more than 300 pounds of sugar was donated, indicating the generosity which it is expected Newtown people will continue to show.

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After dropping two consecutive games in the Pomperaug League, the Newtown A.C. baseball team came back on Sunday to defeat Roxbury by the score of 11 to 3 in a well-played game on the latter’s home field. Going the route for the A.C. on the mound was John Leibold, who pitched spectacular ball, allowing six scattered hits. It was the first full game for Leibold as he has been suffering from a shoulder injury.

June 25, 1915

A celebration in honor of the turning on the street lights will be held on the evening of July 5, in front of the Newtown Inn. The Danbury Band of 23 pieces has been engaged and will give a concert beginning at 7 o’clock. Dancing in the hotel social hall. One of the finest displays of fire works ever seen in Newtown will be given. The Borough electric lights will be turned on that evening, a special display of electric lights being provided in the Street.

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Newtown Bee: Gentlemen: The Fabric Fire Hose Company, in common with all other subsidiary companies of the Rubber Goods Manufacturing Co, and the United States Rubber Co, feels that it has an obligation to do its share toward assisting in the defense of this country, especially in view of the uncertain times now with us. The company desires to encourage all of its employees, who will, to join the militia and serve in this organization enthusiastically. As a general policy, the company will pay members of the militia their full pay during their usual annual absence at camp and will endeavor to arrange their work and duties so that all reasonable calls upon their time by militia obligations can be readily met. Employers in the past have discriminated against members of the militia. It is desired to change this attitude in so far as this company may have been a party to it and lend our fullest support to the strengthening of our National Security at home. Very truly yours, W.T. Cole, President

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Taylor, Curtis & Co have installed one of the handy gasoline tanks of the Standard Oil Co, just north of the brick store. This arrangement enables the autoist to drive up and have the tank in the car filled without the trouble of handling any can.

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J. Edmund Skiff of Carnegie Hall, New York, who is in town for the summer, has arranged to teach voice culture in Newtown on certain days each week, at summer prices. Mr Skiff’s reputation as a teacher is unsurpassed and many young singers should embrace the opportunity offered. His summer address is Sandy Hook.