July 3, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Ina Iwertz.

* * * * *

“Anyone who has ever taken a vacation with two kids in the back of a station wagon, and multiplies that by 30, has some idea of what it is like to be a school bus driver.” Prefacing his remarks with that comment, Superintendent of Schools John Reed thanked retiring school bus drivers Lee Glover and George Mattegat for their combined 57 years of service to the community. George Mattegat drove school bus No 17 for 33 years. Lee Glover drove bus No 21 for 24 years. Neither one ever had an accident that was their fault.

* * * * *

The state is marketing a 185-acre section of Fairfield Hills which it hopes to sell intact to a single developer who would redevelop the site, converting almost one-third of the former mental institution’s grounds for some new land uses. State and town officials are now talking openly about the possibility that the Town of Newtown might want to be that single developer. Before the state can sell the land and buildings at the core campus to a private firm, state law requires that the state offer to sell the 185-acre parcel to the town. The price — $10 million or less — may prove to be tempting for the town.

* * * * *

The last week of June was a milestone for the Curran family. Moira Curran graduated from high school, and her father, Thomas F. Curran, was ordained as a permanent deacon in the Roman Catholic Church. He will serve in his own parish, St Rose of Lima. “Moira and I have been students together for the past four years,” Mr Curran said. The ordination of Tom Curran and ten other men from the Bridgeport diocese took place at St Thomas Aquinas Church in Fairfield on Saturday with Bishop Edward M. Eagan officiating.

* * * * *

The front bedroom of the Matthew Curtiss House has probably never looked prettier. On Friday and Saturday, June 26-27, The Garden Club of Newtown presented “A Colonial Day” at the property. Emphasis throughout the standard flower show was on fresh flowers, and somehow the displays of flowers and plants managed to look beautiful even in the oppressive heat of Friday’s temperatures. Members from Newtown, and three additional garden clubs, participated in the two-day show. Entries were accepted in five design classes, and 35 horticulture classes. There were also two special exhibits. Beth Danziger’s special exhibit, “Color Me,” concerning plants used for dyes, was so well received by the show’s judges she was invited to present the educational exhibit at the state flower show in Hartford next March.

June 29, 1973

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — FINALLY, A BUDGET: At long last, Newtown has a budget. We feel that such news should be surrounded by a border of waving flags and exploding fireworks, for it was a long, hard trek from the first budget put to the townspeople to the one which sailed in with a unanimous say-so on Monday evening. With the exception of the removal of the winter swimming program from the budget of the Board of Selectmen, little concern was voiced over the other cuts made by the Board of Finance. However, there was a definite feeling at the meeting that too much had been removed from the funds of the Board of Education and that the budget, with its first cut of $100,000 and now the final one of $130,000, was inadequate.

* * * * *

The Town of Newtown, represented by First Selectman Frank DeLucia and Theodore Whippie, president of the Newtown Conservation Commission, was recognized for its “significant contribution to the improvement of the state’s environment” on Friday, June 22, in Hartford. Also honored with Connecticut’s Environmental Awards were 12 other individuals and organizations, receiving their framed certificates and citations from Governor Thomas Meskill and Commissioner of Environmental Protection Dan Lufkin.

* * * * *

The sounds of the traditional processional, Pomp and Circumstance, filled the auditorium of Newtown High School last Friday evening as inclement weather forced the commencement exercises indoors. This move limited the audience and each senior was given four tickets to be passed out to family and friends. With the exception of an empty seat here and there, the hall was filled and the walls were lined with a row of eager photographers each waiting for a shot of his favorite grad. While each of the 246 seniors walked across the stage to accept his diploma, the official certificate was handed out after the ceremonies to avoid any confusion in order.

* * * * *

The Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company members had elections of new officers recently, and Jack Tremblay was re-elected Chief. Other officers for 1973-74 are as follows: First assistant chief, Al Skvorz; second assistant chief, Kash White; captain, William Schwaneman; lieutenants, Andrew Loya, Nufer Bolmer and Harold Dunleavy; fire commissioner, Nufer Bolmer; first engineer, Raul Camejo Sr; second engineer, Jack Richardson. The newly-elected president is Joseph Loya, with William Schwaneman as recording secretary; William St Arnauld, corresponding secretary; Jack Cochran, treasurer; and Byron Andrews, assistant treasurer. Board of Directors, Henry Wachsmuth, John Kocet and Charles St Arnauld; exam committee, Paul Carolla, Henry Wachsmuth and John Kocet; grievance committee, Al Skvorz, Kash White and William Schwaneman; entertainment committee, John Kocet, Bernie Wheeler and Michael Krause; good and welfare committee, Henry Wachsmuth, Jack Cochran and Jack Dunleavy.

* * * * *

Newtown’s Planning and Zoning Commission met briefly Tuesday night to approve the minutes of its meetings for the past few months before outgoing alternate John D’Addario leaves the Commission and new alternates take office July 2. P&Z meets in regular session Friday, July 6, at Edmond Town Hall.

* * * * *

This week’s compliments from the Newtown Beautification Committee go to the Newtown Manufacturing Committee for the charming, peaceful waterfall and stream, and to Four Seasons for a new planting of flowers and shrubs in front of the building and parking lot.

June 25, 1948

The Edmond Town Hall was the scene, Thursday evening, June 17, at 8 o’clock, of the annual Hawley High School Commencement exercises. Twenty-nine seniors, 16 boys and 13 girls, participated in the graduation services, the theme of which was the Conservation of the World’s Resources. The procession, which opened with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” was made especially impressive by the Junior girls who lined the center aisles and formed an archway with ferns. Following a brief salutatory by Donath James, five essays were delivered. … The valedictory was given by Eric Johnson, followed by the presentation of the Newtown scholarship awards by George W. Trull, president of The Newtown Scholarship Association, to David Eaton and Don James. … The graduates were next presented to Mr Honan, president of the Board of Education, by Eric Johnson for their diplomas, after which the graduates and the Hawley chorus joined in singing the “School Song,” the words of which were written by the late Mrs. Ada Blakeman. The Rev. John W. Mutton pronounced the benediction.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Ernest H. Beardsley of Southbury announce the marriage of their daughter, Jane Marie, to John Clinton McGinley, Jr., son of Mrs John McGinley of Sandy Hook. The marriage was performed in Woodbury by Justice of the Peace William Fleming on Saturday, June 19, at 2:30 p.m. Attending the couple were Mr and Mrs Kenneth L. Peck of Palestine District, sister of the groom.

* * * * *

Mrs Jane Coons of Easton and Miss Vira de Sherbinin of Brookfield are assisting at The Bee office during the absence of Mr and Mrs Zaner Faust, two regular members of the staff, who are now away on their honeymoon trip. Miss de Sherbinin is an “old hand” at the Bee office, having spent the past two summers on the staff. She has just graduated from Wellesley College and plans to sail in July for a stay in Europe. Mrs Coons is well known to many Newtown people, having long been active in Town Players.

* * * * *

The Mothers Club held its annual election of officers Monday evening, June 21st, in the Trinity church parlors after which Miss Helen Clark of the Farm Bureau spoke and refreshments were served. A motion was made and passed to investigate the laws concerning the sale and use of fireworks in the town. Mrs Thomas Goosman was elected chairman. The new president is Mrs Richard Hibbard; vice-president, Mrs Raymond Jandreau; secretary, Mrs Lily Goosman; treasurer, Mrs John Fox.

June 22, 1923

H.N. Greenman of South Center is driving about in a new Dodge car, bought of F.A. Judd, the local representative.

* * * * *

Clear View Rest, which is located on Lake Zoar at Bennett’s Bridge, is enjoying excellent business. This place commands an excellent view of the Lake and surrounding territory and is an ideal spot to visit. The large parking space has been made for the benefit of the autoist and an excellent supply of candy, tobacco, ice cream and soda will be found at all times. The place is under the management of Rick & Johnson.

* * * * *

Wanted. Girls to work at tea packing, $2 per day while learning. Upham Food Products Co., Hawleyville, Conn.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Thomas Jennings and daughters, Helen and Dorothy, passed Saturday and Sunday in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

July 1, 1898

Thomas Carlson, who is employed at the Newtown Inn, was badly burned by an explosion of powder, Saturday afternoon. He was in his room at the home of his mother in the Street, smoking. A drawer in the bureau before which he stood was open in which was a bag of powder. He took the cigar from his mouth, and laid it upon the bureau. It rolled into the drawer, ignited the powder and the explosion followed. He was seriously burned about the face and hands and a younger brother, Adolph, was also burned slightly. Dr Smith was summoned to attend to his injuries.

* * * * *

T.J. Donovan of Springfield has recently visited his parents in Hawleyville.

* * * * *

A.C. Winkemeier, captain of the Berkeley Athletic club football team of Brooklyn, N.Y., is in town for a few days, at the Newtown Inn.

* * * * *

A horse owned by Philo Northrop dropped dead in Newtown Street, Tuesday morning. It had been in good health, and was being driven from the Newtown station to the store of E.F. Hawley, when it expired without a struggle. J.A. Blackman kindly furnished a team to convey Mr and Mrs Northrop to their home in Taunton district.

* * * * *

During the past week Charles J. Hughes of the Stratford Granite Works, Bridgeport, has erected a very handsome Barre granite monument in the Newtown cemetery, for the family of the late townsman, William L. Terrill. The monument is in sarcophagus form, the die being highly policed, and ornamented at each corner of the top, with carving in bas relief. The die stands on two bases, on one of which is cut the family name in large raised letters.

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.