August 9, 1991

The town's jail settlement task force met August 6 with a state official, to discuss implementation of the so-called "Jail agreement" reached between the town and state earlier this month. It was the first time the task force met with a state rep to discuss how to work out the agreement's details. The agreement indicates that about 45 acres near Nunnawauk Meadows would be given to the town. Town officials would prefer this land be deeded Newtown Housing For The Elderly Inc. Ways could be found to get around wording of the agreement, which specifies that the land be given to the town.

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A public hearing will be held Wednesday, September 4, on the proposal for revising the town's solid waste ordinance, proposed by the Legislative Council's ordinance committee. The hearing will be at 7:30 pm in the Alexandria Room. Most changes are to comply with state statutes pertaining to solid waste issues, particularly recycling. The ordinance would provide for the town's plans for introducing a program for the collection of recyclables from residents' homes.

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The Newtown Lions Club is selling raffle tickets at $10 each for a 1991 Mazda Miata Roadster. All proceeds will benefit charitable and civic causes. The drawing will be Wednesday, November 27, at 8 pm at the Fireside Inn.

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Four Monroe youths were charged with simple trespass August 5, when Newtown police officers caught them jumping off the "silver bridge" in Newtown. While on patrol approaching the bridge over Lake Zoar, police reportedly saw a youth climbing onto the railing from the road. As police approached, two other youths were reportedly already over the railing and one youth approximately half way up in the bridge's framework. All the youths were wet and stated they had been jumping from the bridge "because it was fun." Jumping and diving from the bridge is illegal.

August 5, 1966

At approximately 8:45 am on Saturday, July 30, a dump truck laden with 12 tons of hot asphalt went out of control on Routt 25 near the Newtown/Brookfield line smashed in to John Jones's house on Farrell Road, and overturned.

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Preparations are now underway for the sixth annual flower show of the patients' garden club, The Gardeners of Eden, at the Fairfield Hills Hospital on September 26. The hospital's garden therapy council will assist in the weeks before the show. Patients attended a workshop this week under the Hubbard Heights Garden Club's direction.

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The ladies auxiliary of Botsford Fire Company is planning a rummage and food sale for Saturday, September 24, at the Botsford Firehouse. A white elephant table will be featured. Donations of clothing, clean and in good condition, and other saleable items are requested.

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Mrs Myrtle Abbott returned to her work at the first selectman's office this Monday after a six-week absence after major surgery. But the real news, she says, is the birth of her granddaughter Susan on July 15 at Travis AFB in California. Susan's parents Capt and Mrs Thomas Abbott plan to come here to live in the fall after Capt Abbott's discharge from the Air Force.

August 1, 1941

It will be of general interest to townspeople, and especially to those patrons of the Newtown Post Office who are boxholders, that Postmaster P.H. McCarthy has made arrangements whereby the post office lobby will remain open for boxholders' convenience until 7 pm on each week day excluding holidays. The Chamber of Commerce discussed the matter of inconvenience at a recent meeting, and the Chamber Secretary requested that the lobby remain open each week day until 7 pm.

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Next Thursday, August 7, will mark an important date in music in this community, for the Orchestral Society will begin its tenth season with a concert at the Edmond Town Hall. It is a far cry from the little group of seven amateurs who founded the society in 1932 to the capable full symphony orchestra of today. The many friends of the orchestra are urged to be present at what promises to be a memorable concert.

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William Karcheski's barn was struck by lightning during a severe electrical storm last Thursday afternoon, and despite local fire company efforts, was completely destroyed. The barn was partly filled with hay and some tools, all of which burned. The loss was about $4,000 and partly covered by insurance.

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A group of ladies interested in the Motor Corps Course given under the American Red Cross auspices met at the home of Mrs Bayard C. Hoppin to discuss plans. Everyone brought a picnic lunch and a very pleasant and profitable time was had by all.

August 4, 1916

The Sandy Hooks defeated the North End baseball nine of Bridgeport Sunday afternoon, the score being 8-4. William Conger and George Ray Conger were the battery for Sandy Hook. There was some great batting by the Sandy Hook boys, two home runs being made. Frank Harris sent the ball sailing twice, making a two-bagger and a three-bagger. Joseph Keane and Philip Hickey made two sensational catches in the field. The North Ends have the reputation for fast playing and were taken by surprise as the rattling defeat sustained. Altogether it was a great game and well worth witnessing.

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The Dodgingtown Fire Co. are to hold their annual carnival fair and Wild West show on the grounds adjoining the fire house in Dodgingtown on August 10 and 11 and 12. The committee in charge have made every effort to exceed the affairs the Company have ever held in the past. Cake, cream, candy, soft drinks, in fact everything will be found there that go to make up a first class affair, even to the all-hot man. Admission to the Wild West is 15 cents to all. Tell your friends and get them to join you.

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Arthur J. Smith, business manager of The Bee, Mrs Smith, Paul and Earl Smith, and Mrs Harry Yates of Stratford left by auto Wednesday morning. Mr Smith has taken a cottage at Joe's Pond, West Danville, Vt., which they will make headquarters for auto trips about Vermont.

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A strong and pleasing program has been arranged for Saturday night at the town hall in "The Gilded Fool" as played by Nat Goodwin and showing William Farnum at his best. The Variety Film Co. of New York have agreed to send one of their funniest comedies as a curtain dropper.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with

The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.