* * *

Newtown’s Summer Festival 1981 will continue on Saturday evening, August 1, with a townwide Block Party at the Queen Street Shopping Center from 6:30 pm to midnight. Stores in the center will be closed, and all parking banned there after 6 pm. Highlighting the evening’s events will be the varied music of Eight To The Bar, a band well-known in New England for its selections which range from swing to rock, and its appeal to all ages.

* * *

Attempts to fill the superintendent of schools vacancy are moving along right on target according to the chairman of an eight-member citizens search committee. The group has received 50 applications for the post and expects a total of 100–150 by the end of August when the application period ends.

* * *

A stream of wine trickled across the floor at the Newtown Package Store at 20 Church Hill Road after bottles displayed in the window were smashed along with two large plate glass windows just before noon last Friday when a car struck the front of the store. According to police, Preston W. Edmonds of Father Panik Village in Bridgeport parked his car in front of the store and got out, after which a three-year-old passenger moved into the front seat and placed the vehicle in drive. Mr Edmonds was given a warning for failure to set his parking brake.

* * *

Between 10 and 15 miles of town road will be upgraded within the next two or three weeks by a process known as chip sealing. First Selectman Jack Rosenthal says although this procedure has been successfully used in other communities, this is the first time it has been used in Newtown. “This is less than half the cost of paving,” Mr Rosenthal said.

* * *

Three Newtowners were among the six swimmers who completed a 16-mile swim of Candlewood Lake last Friday, July 17, which helped raise over $4,000 for the Danbury Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. John Daniak, John Hiteshew and Mark Atkinson were part of a group led by Roland Risberg of Sherman, a 40-year-old Brookfield High School teacher who was swimming the lake for the 11th time.

* * *

The result of a ballot by 24 members of the Newtown police union on whether they will discontinue attending meetings of the Board of Commissioners as long as Ronald Costa remains its chairman is expected to be announced Monday. Officer John Kotch, union president, explained the ballot was caused by a series of disputes union leadership has had with Mr Costa regarding vacation scheduling and hiring practices employed by the board.

 

July 27, 1956

The summer recreation program officially ends on August 1, six weeks after its starting date, but many activities will continue throughout the month of August, Coach Harold S. DeGroat announced this week. Among the important activities to continue are the swimming lessons at Dickinson Memorial Park, where, thanks to the cooperation of a number of mothers, classes with just minor changes in scheduling remain active for another month.

* * *

At a special town meeting held in Edmond Town Hall gymnasium last Friday evening, July 20, a majority of the 450 to 500 townspeople present approved a resolution authorizing the Board of Selectmen to borrow $4,150 on notes of the town for the purpose of enabling the Town Planning Commission to hire outside professional help to prepare a comprehensive plan for the town.

* * *

Newtown cooperated in the national “Operation Alert 1956” last Friday, July 20, by remaining indoors and off the highways, Civil Defense personnel reported after the 15-minute test period that afternoon. Many motorists were stopped within the boundaries of the town, it is true, but for the most part they were transients on their way through, and they cooperated in the test 100 percent. The “take cover” period lasted from 4:10 to 4:25 here as elsewhere.

* * *

The strike of the servicemen of the Housatonic Public Service Company continues in Danbury, involving some 70 employees in the service department who walked out July 1, when company officials and union representatives failed to reach and agreement on a new contract. The area served by the Housatonic Public Service Company includes Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield and Newtown with electricity, and Danbury, Bethel and some customers in Newtown with gas. While the strike has raised no great amount of excitement in the area, The Bee senses a growing sentiment for settlement before some real emergency does arrive.

* * *

Last Saturday’s deluge washed out the league game scheduled for the Mighty Midgets and the Redding Bugs. This is the first game to be cancelled because of rain for either SAC team this season although there have been many cloudy and damp mornings that have just cleared up by game time.

* * *

Largely through the efforts of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, railway express service in Newtown has been expanded to include free pick-up and delivery within a certain area. Arrangements have been completed by the Railway Express Agency with Kenneth Shaw for this additional service, which he started on Friday, July 20.

 

July 24, 1931

Arrangements have been made for a sale and exhibition of fancy and useful articles, made by blind people in their homes throughout Connecticut, to be held at the home of Betsy Page, Church Hill, Newtown, from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday, August 4. The articles which will be on sale will consist largely of basket work, ironing board covers, wash cloths, towels, holders, clothespin bags, aprons for children and adults, braided rag rugs and an assortment of excellent homemade candy.

* * *

A pajama party sponsored by Mrs Fay Koenigsberger at the hall of J. Goosman in Huntingtown district, Saturday night, was largely attended by local and out of town people. Two prizes were awarded for the prettiest pair of pajamas. Entertainment features and dancing were enjoyed until midnight.

* * *

James Solen, the popular proprietor of the Pines Inn at Botsford, has just added an up-to-date Rossitiere to run in connection with his inn. Mr Solen has offered as a feature chicken and waffles for 85 cents. He will also serve three course dinners from $1.50 to $2.25.

Unique, beautiful and rich in its furnishings and appointments, Hawley manor was formally opened to the public on July 3. As one enters the main hall of the Manor, on the right is the office of W.F. Scott. At the left is the reception parlor. The guest rooms on the second floor are beautifully and tastefully appointed, many equipped with private baths and all with running hot and cold water. The Manor and its spacious grounds are rich in historic and legendary associations.

* * *

The Eden Hill Golf Club which is located in Hattertown, Newtown, is receiving excellent patronage, from both local and out-of-town golfers. The club was started last year by Harry Batten, who has had wide experience as a golfer and a builder of golf courses. The farm on which the course is laid out consists of 253 acres which commands a view of the surrounding country for miles.

* * *

At the special town meeting Wednesday afternoon, at the Edmond Town hall, the following resolution was unanimously passed: Voted: That if and when the selectmen shall approve of the layout and construction of the new road as proposed by the Trustees of the Fairfield hospital and the said new road shall be conveyed to the town fully ready for use, the selectmen shall have full authority to close and declare closed that portion of the present road which lies within the area of the hospital grounds and is superceded by the new road.

 

July 27, 1906

Ray Rollston, 11 years old, a son of Mr and Mrs Samuel Rollston, was drowned in the Housatonic river near the Mitchell place about 3 pm, Wednesday. Fred Pierce made an attempt to locate the body and nearly lost his life in so doing. Dr Kiernan was summoned and worked over the boy for some time, but life was extinct. Mr Rollston lost another boy from a mad dog’s bite in March last.

* * *

Lightning played a peculiar freak on Thomas O. Murphy’s pasture lot, last Saturday afternoon. It struck one pair of bars, splitting the post and roads, tearing up the earth and knocking down the wall. It split another bar post, split the rail, then took a turn at right angles and went out into the lot about 10 rods, plowing up the earth on its way and coming to a large chestnut tree plowed around the roots but did not touch the tree. The leaves of the tree have all withered and are falling off.

* * *

The committee of arrangements for the High School picnic met, Monday afternoon, at the High School building. The picnic will take place Tuesday, July 31, at the south end of Taunton Lake. The committee has secured eight boats, and there is a fine bathing beach. As in skating so in boating and bathing, Mr Jewell will require pupils under 15 years to bring permission from home. Field sports and a clam bake are among the features of the day.

* * *

Those expert fishermen, Hermon H. Peck and Fred L. Northrop, accompanied by Mr Northrop’s son, passed Saturday at Taunton lake. The net result of their day’s sport may be briefly summarized: Mr Peck, one nibble; Mr Northrop and son, seven skinny little shiners. Better luck next time, brethren!

* * *

The Newtown fair is now a trifle over two months away. Plan to make some exhibit, even if it is a small one. Cultivate town pride, if you are lacking, and join in the good work of promoting the fair’s prosperity. The dates are September 25, 26 and 27.