* * *

Despite efforts by the director of Newtown’s school lunch program to hold the cost of the lunches at the same level as last year, rising costs and fewer government subsidies have forced the Board of Education to increase the prices by 10 cents. Starting in September of the 1981-82 year lunch prices will increase from 80 to 90 cents for the high school students, 75 to 85 cents for middle, and 70 to 80 cents for elementary and $1.15 to $1.35 for adults.

 

* * *

Firefighters from Newtown Hook & Ladder and Sandy Hook fire companies diligently fought a fire at the Fireside Inn on South Main Street on Wednesday morning, July 29. According to Hook & Ladder chief Bill McCarthy, 38 firefighters from Hook & Ladder and 15 men from Sandy Hook responded to the call. There was heavy damage to the storage area where the walk-in coolers are located. Also reported was fire damage to the kitchen ceiling and smoke damage to the bar area and kitchen.

* * *

Wearing signs bearing such slogans as “Dangerously understaffed and underpaid,” union delegates of the Fairfield Hills Hospital Council of Delegates of District 1199 gathered on the top steps of the hospital’s administration building Wednesday afternoon to express their concerns regarding their upcoming negotiations leading to their contracts. Kevin Doyle, a former union organizer, said the results of a fact-finding committee would be released next week.

* * *

Fozzie and another Muppet character, Animal, will join in the fun at the Summer Festival Block Party to be held in Queen Street Shopping Center this Saturday evening, August 1. Music, food, roller-skating and games of skill and luck will be just some of the offerings available that evening.

* * *

It was a happy occasion for the members of Newtown Congregational Church on Thursday, July 23, as ownership of the former Yankee Drover property on Main and West Streets officially changed hands. Lor-Al Inc, a corporation based in Newtown, sold the 2.5 acre property to the church for $225,000. There are no immediate plans for the property.

* * *

Citing its concern that traffic congestion would be increased, and that the site would become a gathering place for students, Newtown’s Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday rejected a zone change plan to provide a neighborhood shopping center on Route 34, across from Newtown High School.

 

August 3, 1956

The borough tax rate was reduced from two mills to 1.75 mills for the coming year, 1956-57, at the meeting of the taxpayers of the borough of Newtown held last Thursday evening, July 26, in Edmond Town Hall. Dr Russell Strasburger, warden, presided. The new rate is levied on the estimated borough grand list for the next fiscal year of $3,704,640 as compared with $3,362,260 last year.

* * *

St Rose Church grounds were jammed by a crowd of bargain seekers estimated at close to 1,000 on Saturday, July 28, when the “attic treasures” auction for the benefit of the St Rose School Building Fund was held, which netted more than $2,000, according to co-chairmen Mrs Matthew Winkle and Mrs William Gannon. Auction articles sold included modern, new and antique pieces.

* * *

August 5 is the 251st anniversary of the founding of Newtown, a date which brings to mind the colorful festivities of last year’s 250th anniversary celebration. Colonel James A. Tobey, chairman of last year’s celebration, calls attention to the fact that copies of the profusely illustrated souvenir booklet are still obtainable at Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Main Street for the actual cost price of one dollar.

* * *

Robert (Skip) Gifford of Main Street was injured Wednesday afternoon, August 1, when he was dragged ten feet by a runaway Jeep. He had got out of the Jeep, after pulling the emergency brake, but when he turned around, he saw that the brake hadn’t held, and that the Jeep was rolling. He then got partially back in, in an attempt to stop the vehicle with the foot brake. His foot slipped off the brake, however, his trouser cuff became caught, and the Jeep, gathering momentum, dragged him ten feet, rendering him unconscious. It was believed he may have suffered a concussion, as well as bruises and lacerations.

* * *

Sixty-two young swimmers were honored at Dickinson Memorial Park last Monday afternoon, July 30, and received their American Red Cross certificates from Harry King Tootle, chairman of the Newtown branch of the American Red Cross. Members of the teaching staff assisted Mr Tootle in making awards and also gave their assistance in running off the swimming races.

* * *

A request is made by Jack Rosenthal, head of the Sandy Hook Company, that sightseers and curiosity seekers refrain from rushing to fires in town, as they create traffic congestion, particularly on narrow roads, which often delays the fire trucks and firemen from reaching the scene of the blaze. Saturday’s false alarm created this sort of congestion in the Walnut Tree Hill area, although fortunately there was no blaze.

 

July 31, 1931

At Edmond Town hall: Up Pops The Devil, with Skeets Gallagher, Stuart Erwin, Carole Lombard, Lilian Tashman, Norman Foster. What happens? In these mad, modern days when the wife earns more than her husband and holds him on an allowance of money and love! Here’s the sparkling answer with a heart throb. From the popular stage play by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich. Directed by A. Edward Sutherland.

* * *

The members of Pootatuck Grange were given an excellent talk on the problems confronting society in dealing with criminals during the lecturer’s hour at their meeting, Tuesday night, when Attorney Earle W. Smith of Bridgeport and Newtown presented his subject, “The Crime Problem,” in a forceful manner, bringing to his hearers the vital importance of the utmost care being exercised by parents in the bringing up of their children, in order that the characteristics of good citizenship may be developed in children at an early age.

* * *

A marked keenness was shown by all when several members of the Church Army arrived in town, last Saturday, to conduct a special Evangelistic week end in St John’s chapel. The ladies of the parish arranged a welcome tea on the rectory lawn, and short talks were given, each man telling of the work he was doing and why he joined the society. This special service greatly enjoyed by all.

* * *

There is good cause for concern about our elms. The expected outbreak of the elm leaf beetle is developing, and literally thousands of trees have lost or are doomed to lose all of their foliage, within a few weeks. This injury occurs in localities where the insect was abundant last year and at least somewhat numerous in 1929. It is somewhat generally limited to trees standing near buildings, especially of the older type, in cities, villages and in the country.

* * *

In the heavy electrical storm of Friday afternoon, the house of Mr and Mrs Joseph Arreghini at Botsford was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. The fire was discovered in a bedroom by James Waggoner, a neighbor, who saw smoke issuing from the Arreghini’s residence. The Newtown Fire Department and neighbors quickly responded to the alarm but the fire was beyond control. A cow belonging to Michael F. Keating of Huntingtown district was killed by lightning during the storm on Friday afternoon.

* * *

The various committees in charge of the annual carnival and dance to be held under the auspices of Virgilius Council, Knights of Columbus at St Rose’s Casino on the nights of July 31, August 1, 7 and 8, met at the Casino, Monday night, to perfect plans for the big event. All the members are working hard to make this affair sponsored by the local council a big success, socially and financially, and are receiving generous cooperation from the various councils of the district. The big feature on the closing night of the carnival will be the giving away of the $20 gold piece.

 

August 3, 1906

The curtain factory of Allison Co. at Hawleyville is now getting in fine working condition, under the charge of Harvey Pope. They are doing a fine quality of work, have 35 on the pay roll, and are turning out from 600 to 700 pairs of curtains a day. It is expected the output will be materially increased later in the season.

* * *

Construction work for the Water Co. received an added impetus, last week, 12 Italians being added to the working force. Foreman Phelan estimates one-third of concrete work on reservoir is done. The lake end will be opened this week. Contractor William B. Glover broke ground, last week, for foundations of the power house at the lake.

* * *

A dog belonging to Mr Durand bit John Everetts in the leg, the other day, inflicting quite a wound. The dog sprang at Mr Everetts’ throat, but he was able to ward off the attack, only to be bitten in the leg.

* * *

As already noted in The Bee, a special town meeting has been warned for Saturday, at 2 pm, to act on the question of the town buying the property of the Newtown Academical Association, now used by Newtown High School. As the property is centrally located for high school purposes, and is offered at a very low figure, The Bee believes the action to buy will be favorable and unanimous.

* * *

BOOKS ADDED TO THE NEWTOWN LIBRARY: Camp Life in the Woods, William Hamilton Gibson; The Dawn of To-Morrow, Frances H. Burnett; The Awakening of Helena Richie, Margaret Deland; Cap’n Eri, Joseph C. Lincoln; A Yellow Journalist, Meriam Michelson; Mrs Tree, Laura E. Richards; The Jungle, Upton Sinclair; Pigs is Pigs, Ellis Parker Butler.