It all started with a farmer in the middle west who was saddened watching struggling southern farmers trying to feed their cattle during the worst drought in many years. He organized the first “haylift” to the south by donating his own hay and trucks. The donated hay began to feed the hungry cattle. This very first “haylift” has spread across the farmlands of the country and has touched off a response here in Newtown. Three Newtowners, two cattle farmers and a horseman, have donated upwards of 300 bales of hay. Charlie Ferris III, of Ferris Acres, donated 100 bales; Steve Paproski of Castle Hill Farm donated 150 bales, and horse owner Thomas Lutz donated 80 bales of hay.

***

A Newtown chapter of Regional Hospice in Danbury is being formed. Jeannie Hawkins, a registered nurse, was elected chairman of the group at a meeting on July 31. Other officers elected were BJ Geerer, co-chairman, and Teddy Jameson, treasurer. The chapter is open to men and women in Newtown interested in supporting hospice. Those joining the chapter will be participating in fund raising and informational events, as well as providing home care and visits to families with a terminally ill member.

***

After lengthy debate and in the absence of an expected and revised merit pay plan for town employees, the Legislative Council voted unanimously Wednesday night to transfer $67,694 to the contingency fund to cover across the board pay raises of 7 percent. Debate on the absence of a merit pay plan and on the danger of setting a precedent by awarding what some considered a relatively high, across the board percentage increase, lasted for nearly an hour.

August 11, 1961

By decision of the merchant members of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Sales Days and Shop and Win in Newtown will not be held this summer, as they have been for the past several years. While there will be no special summer sales events by the merchants of the town, an effort is being made, through advertising in The Bee and radio announcements, to bring shoppers to Newtown.

***

Superintendent of Schools, James F. Hinckley, has announced that Newtown’s application for Per Pupil Aid for Public School Operation has been filed in Hartford and the computation shows that Newtown will receive a grant of $196,960 during the coming school year, as compared with $146,588 during the past school year.

***

Newtown’s baseball team ended the regular Pomperaug Valley Baseball League season on Sunday by defeating Roxbury, 6 to 2, and compiling a record of 10 victories and two losses. First place Newtown can only be challenged by Oakville, if the Oakville nine can get past Middlebury next Sunday.

***

The block dance held on Tuesday, August 1, in honor of the new AFS exchange student from Norway, was a wonderful success. Reidar made many new friends, and has already become a fixed member of the community. About 75 of Newtown’s students attended the event, which was made possible by the combined efforts of the Commission and the Newtown Summer Recreation Program.

 

August 7, 1936

Well over 300 voters and taxpayers crowded the Alexandria Room to attend last Thursday’s special town meeting and reject, with but a few voices in favor, the matter of obtaining a paid police force in Newtown, as well to vote down all the other matters slated for consideration. As a working model of government by the people, the meeting was quite deficient. We, who boast of our town, should be able to spend an evening together more agreeably than was the case. In the case of police protection, the meeting was quite inconsistent when it voted down the resolution and then expressed itself later in the proceedings as of an opposite mind.

***

All golfing and tennis activity came to a halt at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon at the Newtown Country Club when the married men and the single men engaged in a lively game of softball. The spectators were treated to an exhibition of tight infielding, heavy hitting off the bat of Rev Mr Wright, and several close decisions. At any rate, the laurels went to the married men who won the game 17-13 and now await the challenge for a return engagement.

***

Newtown, Brookfield, Bethel, and sections of Danbury were in darkness for a few minutes, Friday night about 10 o’clock, when three transformers and two regulators of the Danbury and Bethel Gas and Electric Company burned out at their Triangle Street sub station, causing several thousand dollars damage. A number of spectacular explosions resulted as oil in the units became overheated, illuminating the night sky.

***

Under the supervision of the school board, considerable work is being done at the Hawley school to put it in shape for this fall. The floor of the gymnasium has been newly painted, the work of George G. Canfield and his helpers. Albert Nichols and his helpers have painted the cement work and staircases. William Ready has been doing his share of the renovating. Altogether the school presents a very attractive appearance inside and out.

 

August 11, 1911

The barn on David Epstein’s place at Huntingtown was burned to the ground, last Sunday evening, with all its contents. The house on the place was burned a few yeas ago. The place was formerly known as the George French homestead. The barn was discovered to be on fire about 8 o’clock in the evening, but had gained such headway that nothing could be done. Mr Epstein loses, besides the barn, about 12 tons of hay and several wagons.

***

While in Bridgeport last week, Wednesday, A.W. Bassett’s car was struck broadside by a trolley and shoved 30 feet along the track. Fortunately the car did not go over, although it was a hair-raising experience for all in the car. The trolley car was going at a tremendous rate of speed. One wheel of the auto was smashed and the machine somewhat shaken up. It was a miraculous escape from death for all.

***

Signor Santelle’s new big show, everywhere recognized as the world’s largest and best one-ring circus, will give an afternoon and evening performance in Newtown, Saturday, August 19, on C.B. Taylor’s lot near the garage. This ever popular tented amusement enterprise improves with age and on no part of the globe may be found a greater array of peerless arenic stars.

***

The residence of the late Daniel Harrigan of Walnut Tree Hill was burned to the ground, Tuesday, about 2 am. It had been occupied of late by Timothy Harrigan, who was not present at the time. The fire was discovered by Miss Mary Finnell, who notified William Egan, but by the time Mr Egan arrived, the roof had fallen in. At first it was feared Mr Harrigan had perished, but he was found late Tuesday morning in Sandy Hook.