August 6, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Sharon Maher.

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Wilder Balter Partners LLC (WBP), of Elmsford, N.Y., proposed a redevelopment called Renaissance at Fairfield Hills as a master-planned, gated, nine-hole golf course community combining market-rate and affordable housing, recreational and commercial uses, plus open space. WBP, the primary developer of the project, and its golf course developer, Bergstol Enterprises, have extensive experience in planning and developing including the rehabilitation of historic structures into multi-family housing, according to WBP. … WBP proposes a total of 550 New England-style housing units in four residential neighborhoods.

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The two men charged with murder in the July shooting death of Jason Gowdy, 15, of Sandy Hook, made appearances in Danbury Superior Court Tuesday. Appearing in court were Roberto Lugo, 19, of Stratford, and Alejandro Melendez, 19, of Bridgeport. Each man is charged with felony murder, first-degree robbery, and conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery. The charges are punishable by life in prison.

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The joyful sound of laughter emanated from the Dickinson Park pavilion Tuesday morning as campers took part in a giant game of Simon Says. On that day, comedian/Simon Says guy Steve Max! was in town telling jokes, juggling bowling balls, and creating lots of fun for all. Mixed with all the commotion, the White Plains comedian tossed in a few of life’s lessons, reminding kids to work together, to accept each other’s differences, and most importantly, find time to laugh. During his first visit to Newtown, Steve Max! balanced a 12-foot ladder on his chin, then followed that up by using his chin to balance a lawn chair and the young camper sitting in it.

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Police officers John Cole and Christopher Vanghele have been promoted to sergeant, filling vacancies in that rank created by a past promotion and recent retirement. Police Commission members Tuesday night unanimously promoted Cole and Vanghele to the supervisory positions. Cole fills the sergeant’s vacancy created in March when Michael Kehoe was promoted from sergeant to captain. Vanghele fills the sergeant’s vacancy created by the recent retirement of Martin Pytko.

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Being part of the same regular foursome, Scooch Dunleavy and Wayne Ramey have traversed the Newtown Country Club nine-hole layout numerous times together. But last Sunday, Dunleavey and Ramey left the other two guys at home and went out there — on a steamy hot morning — to fight over 36 holes for the NCC men’s club championship. And it was Dunleavey earning that title, defeating Ramy 7-and-6 to capture his first ever club championship in his first ever appearance in the final round.

August 2, 1974

At a special meeting on Thursday, July 25, the Newtown Park and Recreation Commission awarded a contract for construction of a tennis court to Costello Construction Corporation, of Newington, an associate of New England Seal Coating Company. The company, which specializes in tennis courts, offered the low bid of $8,695 for a single court with the town to do the rough grading. The bid does not include the fencing. The company’s bid for a second court to be constructed at the same time was $7,695. The Newtown Tennis Association will try to raise $8,000 to finance building a second court and fencing the two.

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During the first six weeks of Newtown’s Junior Olympics tracks and field program 27 records have been shattered. Leading the record breakers in the women’s age group division is 13-year-old Pam Dickerson. She has bettered four previous marks with a 13.0 clocking in the 100-yard dash, a 30.7 in the 220-yard dash, and a tremendous 15 foot, 1½ inch leap in the long jump. She also tied with her sister Wendy in establishing a new high jump mark of 4 feet, 8 inches. … In the men’s division, Greg Wertz, 12, has also bettered four previous marks: 28 feet, 9¾ inches in the shot, 12 feet, 11½ inches in the long jump, 4 feet in the high jump, and 1:12 in the quarter mile. His brother Andy has broken two records with a 19 foot, 9¾ inch shot put and an 11 foot, 7½ inch long jump.

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The new traffic light system which has been installed on Queen Street and Church Hill Road is finally operative after being set on blinking for several days. Motorists are reminded that the new system has an advanced green light for those who are making a left hand turn onto Queen Street.

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It doesn’t seem that long, but the Newtown Water Company is acutely aware that it has not had a rate increase since 1961, thirteen years ago. However, Company officials believe it deserves one now. Consequently, they have filed an application with the Public Utilities Commission for a rate increase to add $29,737 more to its annual revenues. This amounts to a 29.4 per cent general increase based on 1973’s revenues of about $100,000.

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On Sunday afternoon, July 28, Mr and Mrs Harrison Alderman were honored at a surprise party to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Forty-three friends and relatives attended the party at the home of Mrs Alderman’s sister, Mrs May R. Miller, in Hawleyville. The party buffet table featured a three tier wedding cake with a gold 50 on the top, and among the many gifts was a golden money tree made by their friends from West Haven. Jennie Frances Sturges and Harrison Burton Alderman were married at the bride’s home in Hawleyville, July 30, 1924, by the minister of the Congregational Church, the Rev G. Herbert Ekins.

July 29, 1949

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — THE PUBLIC MUST BECOME MORE VOCAL: Midsummer is not the logical season to expect largely attended meetings. Yet, everyone who has been swimming in Lake Zoar this year, or who is at all familiar with the pollution of the Housatonic river, will not need a second invitation to attend the meeting of the Housatonic Valley Clean Waters League, scheduled for next Friday evening, August 5, at the Emond Town Hall gymnasium … At that time the League will show a Kodachrome motion picture, entitled “Clear Water” which has been produced at considerable expense by the General Electric Company and in which the pollution problem is graphically portrayed. A similar meeting of the Litchfield County League of Sportsmen’s Clubs was held in Woodbury on July 15th and did much to arouse public support in that area for the abatement of pollution in our streams. It is high time that the general public did become thoroughly aroused over the constant and disgraceful pollution which has been allowed to spoil this state’s streams for so many years. … The public, however, must become much more vocal on the subject. Hence the Housatonic Valley Clean Waters League is to be complimented for the work which it is doing to arouse you and me to a situation urgently in need of prompt correction.

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On July 15, the Rev John W. Mutton, record of Trinity Episcopal church, Newtown, and minister in charge of St John’s Episcopal church, Sandy Hook, received an invitation to become rector of Trinity Church in Norwich, Conn. In accordance with the canon law of the Episcopal church, a special parish meeting was called to accept Mr Mutton’s resignation. The meeting was held in the Guild Room of Trinity church Monday, June 27, when the resignation was accepted with “regret, and sincere appreciation of Mr Mutton’s eleven years of service for the Master in Newtown.”

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Prior to their departure on vacation, the Rev John W. Mutton, rector of Trinity church, and Mrs Mutton were entertained at the Flying Goose on Route 202 by Addison M. Metcalf, a member of the parish.

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Howe F. Smith of South Center district has become a distributor of Watkin’s Quality Products and Mary King Toilet Articles. He started on Tuesday of this week, taking over the route which includes Newtown, Bethel, Stepney, Monroe and Huntington.

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Pfc. Richard J. Rideout, son of Mrs Walter Stevenson and the grandson of F. Robert Mount of Botsford, was home on leave for three days. Dick, as he is known to all of his classmates and friends, is a graduate of Hawley High school, class of 1948. He is now attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron of the Fourth Air Base Group, Langley Air Force Base, Va. He received his basic training at Lackland Air Base, San Antonio, Texas, with flight 4019, Squadron 3708, entering the service February 28, 1948, from the Bridgeport recruiting office.

July 25, 1924

Newtown lost a substantial and highly respected citizen in the death on Friday about midnight, of Arthur L. Peck of Sugar street. He was 74 years old, a son of the late Mr and Mrs Lauren Peck. Surviving him is his wife, one daughter, Miss Edythe M. Peck, and four grandchildren, and one brother, Edward M. Peck, of Still River. The funeral was largely attended on Monday afternoon, from his late residence in Sugar street, Bishop Frederick Foote Johnson officiating. There was a beautiful array of floral tributes. … The burial was in the Newtown cemetery. In attendance at the funeral from out of town were: Mr and Mrs Edward M. Peck, Mr and Mrs G.W. Hatch, of Still river, Mr and Mrs Ward Burr of Bridgeport, Mr and Mrs George Peck of Danbury, and Mr and Mrs J. Howard Peck of Brookfield.

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There was a flag raising at Sandy Hook on Friday morning, not in the interest of Coolidge, Davis or La Follette, but for the great Chautauqua. Dr Arthur J. Crowe was head official, assisted by Editor Smith, and the magnificent banner was floated from the balcony of Corbett & Crowe’s store. Dr Crowe made a few pertinent remarks, but the audience below on the pavement was not as large as his eloquent words merited. He has been asked to report the speech, but seems rather bashful about doing it. If this banner stays out as long as Dr Crowe’s Danbury fair banner, the guarantors of the Chautauqua will owe Messrs Crowe and Smith a banquet.

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To the many friends who by their gracious and kindly attentions remembered us in so many ways during the time of the death and funeral of Mr Peck, we wish to return our sincere and heartfelt thanks. Mrs Arthur L. Peck. Miss Edythe M. Peck. Newtown July 2, 1924.

August 4, 1899

Rev and Mrs O.O. Wright of Sandy Hook were the recipients of a very delightful surprise on Friday evening of last week, July 28. It was the 25th anniversary of their marriage and the congregation of St John’s church took this opportunity of showing their appreciation of the faithful services of their record and the great regard which they have for both Rev and Mrs Wright. Part of the people assembled at the residence of Smith P. Glover and others at Mrs Warner’s and meeting at the rectory gate took possession of the house much to the astonishment of the rector’s wife. Miss Lucy Wright, who has been let into the secret, assisted her mother in caring for the assembled company until the arrival of the rector. A considerate friend of the latter had thoughtfully taken him for an evening drive so that when they returned the house was filled to overflowing, much to the amazement of the rector.

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Walter Glover lost a valuable heifer, killed by lightning in Saturday night’s storm. It was not insured.

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P.J. Bolan, the genial Waterbury hardware merchant, who is a Newtown boy by birth, is passing the summer with his family at Woodmont, where he has taken a cottage. Mr Bolan says there are some 350 cottages at Woodmont now, many costing ‘way in to the thousands.’

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Mrs Hermon Peck, probably the oldest person in town, pleasantly celebrated her 92nd birthday on Tuesday, July 25. She was the recipient of many handsome bouquets of flowers and other gifts. Her visitors included Rev and Mrs George T. Linsley, Mrs Dennis Nash, William B. Prindle, Mrs Lauren Peck, Mrs E. L. Johnson, Mrs D.C. Bason, Mrs W.H. Prindle, Miss Jennie Northrop, Mr and Mrs C.C. Corson, Miss Shepard, Dr and Mrs E.M. Smith, Mrs Daniel G. Beers and Miss Helen Beers. That this estimable lady may live to reach the 100th milestone on life’s journey, was the sentiment expressed by her visitors. Her daughter, Mrs Hermon Peck, and Mrs Morris assisted her in receiving.

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.