August 16, 1991

It could have been a disaster. Reportedly construction workers were replacing the drainage system on Currituck Road when they struck a residential gas line and allegedly failed to notify emergency officials. No one notified the fire department or the Newtown Police Department, said Chief Michael DeJoseph. The gas company came to the scene and shut off the line and repaired the damage.

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An artifact uncovered during the Newtown Meeting House restoration may be a "false window" about 190 years old. "It is almost certainly done before 1830," said Chris Wigren, project manager for the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation. He inspected the piece during a visit to town on August 12. He pointed out nail holes in the artifact removed during renovations. He believes it was used as decoration for homes or public buildings from the 1800s to 1830s.

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What may have seemed like a harmless prank was actually a thoughtless act of vandalism. Someone overnight between Sunday, August 11, and Monday, August 12, reportedly opened the flood valve to a dam at Rocky Glen Mill, emptying the water from a supply pond. The pond is used as a water supply for the building's fire suppression system. The Rocky Glen Mill is located off of Glen Road along the Pootatuck River.

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Newtown Police Detective Richard Stook and Newtown's Criminal Investigation Unit are investigating the theft of $17,000 worth of computer equipment from Taunton Press on South Main Street. Some-time during the evening hours of August 5 or 6, an unknown person reportedly removed computer equipment from the office area. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Newtown Police Department at 4260-5841. Calls will be confidential.

August 12, 1966

There is no telling when a bird of paradise will turn up, certainly one is not a customary sight in a New England apple tree. Just the same, there is a Paradise Whidah getting four meals a day at Peter's Pitch, the home of Mr and Mrs James Hess on Orchard Hill Road. The beautiful little bird was reported to The Bee on Friday by the Hesses. They were understandably intrigued by a flash of orange and black in the apple tree.

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The Bee has received a most unusual post card. It's a big one on heavy brown cardboard, with straight edges carefully scored and torn perhaps from the back of a pad or box. It's from Viet Nam, a long, long way from Newtown, and every one of those miles stretches between the lines of its message. Writer L/Cpl Howard Chappuis 3rd is 19 years old and a Marine. His father Howard Chappuis of Washington tells The Bee that his son enlisted and volunteered for duty in Viet Nam where he has been stationed for three months. For a time the family rented a farm on Mt Nebo Road. The young marine's message asks, "These marines would appreciate hearing from people in New England, where they are from. Mail is all we have to look forward to. Howard Chappuis 3rd 9th Marines, 1st Battalion, c/o FPO San Francisco, Calif.

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Golf tournaments at the Newtown Country Club are reaching for the home stretch. In the men's championship, Emmy Ferrell has already reached the finals for the 1966 golfing crown. The annual member-guest tournament is scheduled for August 27-28. Pairings and starting times will be announced at the buffet supper at 7 pm.

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Mr and Mrs Douglas Rogers, Scot and Cindy Lou Ella May spent last weekend visiting the Dave Paynters in Binghamton, N.Y. They report that the Paynters, still subscribers to The Bee, miss Newtown sadly, but since the Indians have finally left there is a chance Binghamton may improve.

August 8, 1941

A group of Newtown High agricultural students attended the Connecticut Association of the Future Farmers of America's annual conference held last week at the University of Connecticut. William Kearns and Louis Richmond were the appointed delegates and were accompanied by Raymond Bresson, Robert Liebold, William Lewis, Arthur Hawkins, and Chester and Howard Chappuis.

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Dr William F. Green, Clinical Director at the Fairfield State Hospital since July 15, 1940, has received military leave from his duties for the duration of the war emergency. As lieutenant for the Naval Reserve Corps, he reported for duty at the Naval Training Station in Rhode Island on July 7.

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Captain Pete Lawson's Country Clubbers lost their second straight decision on Sunday afternoon, when they were badly mauled by the McCrory team of Danbury at the Club Diamond. The final score of 11-7, however, does not tell of how close a game it really was. Until the eighth inning the two teams were deadlocked with five runs apiece. The Club defense then fell apart completely in the last two frames, allowing the visitors to romp home with the verdict.

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The Newtown Rotary recently voted to send a canning unit to the Rotary Club at Maidenhead, England, for use by the community there in canning vegetables and fruits for the coming winter.

August 11, 1916

Mrs Walter Jones entertained Misses Liddle, Cowling, and Chappel of New York last week. On Monday evening, a week ago, Miss Jones gave a party in honor of her guests to which she included many of the young people of Newtown. The evening was spent in playing games and dancing, after which refreshments were served.

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The interest in temperance matters in Newtown is at a low-ebb, if the meeting arranged by Reverend James A. Solandt of the Connecticut Temperance Union for Wednesday at the town hall, is a barometer. Only two men beside the speaker were present and so no meeting was held. Mr Solandt chose an unfortunate time for this meeting, as the farmers are all weary from the late harvest season, and are in no humor to drive several miles in the evening after a strenuous day in the harvest field.

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Charles A. Peale, Fabric Fire Hose Co. superintendent, is getting along comfortably. Dr Brown of Danbury was in Sandy Hook the other day, and with the attending physician Dr Kiernan, removed the splints and extensions. Everything was found to be getting along nicely. Mr Peale has been suffering from a great deal of pain at times, which is believed to be nerve pain.

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At a school meeting in the Toddy Hill district Saturday night, it was voted to raise the sum of $130, by taxation, to make necessary repairs to the schoolhouse, and to regularly assess the district. W.A. Can-field will do the painting. Selectman E.D. Brisco is the committeeman in the district.

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.