July 2, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Becky Smith.

* * * * *

In investigating a June fire which extensively damaged a landmark Botsford house, fire officials theorize that someone sometime after 7 am June 8 kicked in the back door of 8 Huntingtown Road, looked through the 1815 farmhouse, spotted a large, black Craftsman toolbox full of automotive and household tools, and while inside the building set one, and possibly two fires in closets before fleeing with the tools. Several hours later, a passing motorist noticed smoke coming from the building and called 911, alerting firefighters to a stubborn blaze which burned for hours, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage to the house filled with antiques.

* * * * *

Conservation Commission members have approved an application from a communications firm to install underground fiber optic cable through the western section of town. The cable run will be part of a new nationwide communications network optimized for Internet technology. Conservation Commission members unanimously approved the application June 23.

* * * * *

Members of Hiram Lodge #18 of the Masons held a hamburger and hot dog dinner at the Sandy Hook Firehouse on Riverside Road last Friday night to raise money for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association and the fire company’s thermal imaging fund. … In addition to donations of food by Stop & Shop, Grand Union and Jeff John of Pepsi, Police Officer Robert Haas donated the salad. The event raised $1,000 — $500 each for the nonprofit organizations. A thermal imaging camera allows firefighters to see through smoke and darkness and locate objects — including fire victims — that might otherwise be obscured.

* * * * *

Despite three regular-season losses to Gold Insurance — all in the final innings — the players of Bob Tendler Real Estate knew they were good enough to win. And when they got that opportunity, in the championship game of the Babe Ruth 13-Year-Old Prep Division, they didn’t waste it — avenging those losses and winning the division title with a 7-3 decision.

* * * * *

Last Sunday Selectman Bill Brimmer presented a proclamation designating that day as Monsignor George Birge Day in Newtown, as the pastor of St Rose of Lima Church prepared to leave the parish he has served since 1986. Hundreds of parishioners attended a catered reception for Msgr Birge in the parish hall after last Sunday’s noon Mass and patiently waited their turn to say goodbye to their pastor. The proclamation cited Msgr Birge as a “kind, compassionate, gentle soul who has touched many hearts in many different ways” and wishes him well in his new position as pastor of Holy Trinity Parish in Sherman. Msgr Birge, 72, was scheduled to begin his new duties on July 1.

June 28, 1974

If the members of the Newtown High School Class of 1974 got together and said some special prayer for good weather on commencement night, their efforts were certainly more than successful. When 6 pm came on June 22, it was a benevolent sun which shone in a clear blue sky as 253 seniors filed to their seats in the high school stadium. … It was a perfect graduation, a little over an hour long, with every moment running smoothly and every speaker’s words heard clearly. Giving the valedictory address was Cynthia St. Jean, and the commencement address was delivered by a member of the graduating class, Kathleen Addis.

* * * * *

The VNA Well Child Clinic was conducted June 11 in the Congregational Church House under the direction of Dr Phillip Kotch and VNA nurses, Mrs Nunes and Mrs Norwell. A total of seven children were seen. Six physicals, one DPT immunization, one oral polio immunization, two boosters, one measles and rubella, two tine and one hematocrit were administered. Board members assisting were Lorraine Borrelli, Amy Haase and Sally Schwerdtle.

* * * * *

The Olmstead Water Company of Riverside has passed into temporary receivership, Judge Santaniello ordered on Wednesday, June 26 in Superior Court in Bridgeport. The temporary receiver, Frederick Black of Watertown, is ordered to activate the water system which has been out of operation for several weeks now, producing what the Public Utilities Commission considered a “condition of emergency to public safety.”

* * * * *

Despite heavy rains last Friday evening over 225 people turned out for the cocktail preview party opening “An Exhibition of American Folk Art from Connecticut Collectors,” a benefit for the Newtown Historical Society. The show was held in the Matthew Curtiss House on Main Street, under the direction of Miss Mary Allis of Southport, the guest curator. Miss Alice Winchester of Newtown served as honorary chairman. … The show, arranged to exhibit some pieces of folk art which were just not culled from museums and to raise money for the society, accomplished both aims. Many of the things in the show were out for public viewing for the first time, through the generosity of some Connecticut collectors, and at the end of the accounting the Society had benefited to the tune of $1550.

* * * * *

First Selectman Frank DeLucia cut a ribbon across the doorway of a small store in Sandy Hook on Saturday, June 22, to signal the opening of the Newtown Food Co-operative. With 63 families already enrolled as customer-operators of the food outlet, the new organization handles only bulk commodities and home-grown produce. No meats, canned foods or taxable merchandise is handled, and only members many purchase foods from their co-operative, located in a former real estate office.

June 24, 1949

In its first public concert last Thursday evening in the Edmond Town Hall theatre, the Community Chorus of which William B. Jones is musical mentor and director, shared a program with Leonard Seeber, young Hartford concert pianist, who was playing a return engagement in Newtown. Both chorus and soloist delighted their audience.

* * * * *

Recently elected officers of the Newtown Lions Club figured in a group installation of officers held in Hotel Green, Danbury, last Thursday night in ceremonies sponsored by the Danbury Lions Club. Deputy District Governor Carleton Scofield of Ridgefield was the installing officer. He was assisted by zone chairman Kenneth Pohlman, of Danbury. The Newtown officers represented one of nine clubs whose officers were installed at the same time. … At the election recently held at the Hawley Manor, George W. [illegible] was re-elected president and all other officers were returned excepting secretary, who had resigned because of the pressure of business. The other officers are: Raymond J. Trimpert, first vice president; Dr George B. Kyle, second vice president; Harry F. Greenman, third vice president; William Bechert, secretary; Louis Oetjen, treasurer; Willis R. Tomlinson, Tail Twister; William Bowen, Lion Tamer; and board of directors: John Paul V. Cavanaugh, Henry G. Carlson, Arthur W. Carmody and Harry D. Randall.

* * * * *

The art show at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, which is in its final seven days, is the cross section of one man’s search for enlightenment. The work reflects a struggle for recognition in two fields of art endeavor which are difficult to reconcile. The serious artist of today finds himself creating commercially after midnight for economic reasons, while attempting to play the prophet each morning. In the history of art this trick has rarely been accomplished. The artist’s mental processes allow one form of thought to influence the other and all of this work becomes cross-bred. The outstanding thing in Joe Hoffmann’s favor is that he has been prudent enough to become a serious student of the human figure. When he finally decides between the two courses to be followed in art, this figure knowledge will be his forte.

* * * * *

Mrs William Crawford White of Palestine district, Newtown, and New York City was recently elected president of the Wellesley College Alumnae Association at its annual meeting in Wellesley, Mass. Taking office July 1, Mrs White will serve in that capacity for three years. President of the Young Women’s Christian Association of the City of New York, she has been a member of the Board of National Missions of the Presbyterian church since 1943, and was president of the Women’s Association of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian church for two years. Long active in Wellesley alumnae affairs, Mrs White was also president of the New York Wellesley Club and is now regional vice-chairman of the College’s seventy-fifth anniversary fund campaign.

* * * * *

John Bergh, superintendent of Great Ring Farm in Sandy Hook, flew by plane on Tuesday of last week to Virginia, where he attended the annual Stud Ram and Ewe Sale at Staunton. He purchased the grand champion eye of the sale, which is now added to the flock at Great Ring Farm. Mr Bergh returned home on Friday.

June 20, 1924

HATTERTOWN PERSONAL NOTES: Mr and Mrs Thomas Kamas are the happy parents of twins, a boy and a girl, born Monday morning. | Miss May Pedberezuak of Ansonia was a week end guest of Mrs Thomas Perkins. | Edward A. Mills of Southport and Miss Maud E. Lewis of Bridgeport were over Sunday guests at the home of J.C. Lewis. | Mrs George B. Beers was a visitor in the Park City, Tuesday.

* * * * *

Clarence Patterson and Norman Sperry of Berkshire, both minors, were arrested by State Policeman Handford Bigelow, charged with taking an automobile without permission and operating without a license. They were arraigned before Justice P.H. McCarthy, Wednesday evening. It appears that Patrick Sweeney hired the boys to wash his car and when the job was finished they took the car out on the highway and wrecked it. The parents settled with Mr Sweeney for the damage. Justice McCarthy fined them $50 each for taking the car and Patterson $2 and costs for operating without a license. The $50 fine was suspended and they were allowed to go upon payment of $2 and costs amounting to $15.93. Before leaving court they were warned by the Justice that in any future violation they would be dealt with more severely.

* * * * *

The Men’s Club held its final meeting, Tuesday night, at the Parker House, until after the summer season is past. Mine Host Parker served a very fine fish dinner, which was greatly enjoyed. The speaker of the evening was Attorney George S. Sturges of Woodbury. He first gave an interesting exposition of the new tax measure passed by Congress. He then launched on the local school question. The State Board of Education has been making a survey of Newtown on the school problems, particularly taking up the transportation question which is now agitating so many of the towns. At the conclusion of his address he was given a hearty vote of thanks.

* * * * *

Among those from Newtown who were present at the Yale-Harvard baseball game, at New Haven, this week, were Mrs Fannie May Edwards, J.C. Beers, Herbert Beers, Rodney Shepard, Raymond Hall, and Miss Mary Hawley.

* * * * *

A well known lady in Newtown borough recently went into the family garden, and, discovering as she thought, the lima and pole beans coming through the ground wrong end up, proceeded to pull them up and has had the beans replanted, hoping the beans “will stay where they belong next time.” And she wonders why her friends give her the “merry haw haw” when she tells them about it.

* * * * *

William J. Brew and Victor Mackenzie of the Berbecker & Rowland office force, with Gilbert Silliter of the Hamilton Hardware Corporation motored over from Waterbury, Friday. Sandy Hook’s veteran fisherman, Homer Conger joined the party here and the forenoon was spent angling for trout on the lower Pootatuck. After a substantial lunch they spent the afternoon on the Housatonic, where they caught a large number of fine perch. They returned well pleased with the day’s outing.

June 30, 1899

Rev Otis W. Barker attended the 15th reunion of his college class at Amherst, Mass. He was a graduate of the class of ‘84.

* * * * *

Miss Shepherd of New York arrived in town, last Thursday, and opened her collage, “The Rest,” for the summer. Miss Stevens of Bronson, Mich., is her guest.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs George F. Taylor were in New Haven on Monday and attended the commencement exercises at Yale university. Edward A. Lewis of Brooklyn is a member of the graduating class, this year.

* * * * *

E.D. Barker of Brooklyn passed Sunday with his son, Rev O.W. Barker.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Samuel Post of Bennett’s Bridge returned, the first of the week, from a visit with New Haven friends.

* * * * *

CHARLES H. NORTHROP Counselor-at-Law and Notary Public, Agent for the White Star and American Line Steamers. Office at Residence, Newtown Street. Telephone, 248-14.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.