August 26, 1994

The Bee’s 1994 King and Queen Dog Contest had an exciting finish this week, as supporters of the winning candidates swung the tide of voting back and forth in the election’s closing days and hours. When the results were in, a 1½-year-old Basset hound named Buster was crowned King, and a 14-year-old spaniel named Cindy was crowned Queen. The contest caught the imagination of Newtown, as neighborhoods, businesses, and extended families and friends of dog owners rallied behind their favorite canines, hoping to bring them recognition and honor, a place in the Labor Day Parade and Newtown’s No. 1 or No. 2 dog license tags. All told, more than 86,000 votes were cast (at 10 cents a vote). The beneficiary, the Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN), will receive more than $8,600 from the contest. SNAN Executive Vice President Rigi Evans was thrilled by the windfall for the organization.

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The Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room was buzzing with activity last Sunday as people came to honor two women who have devoted many long years to the building. Betty Lou Osborne and Sarah Mannix, with a combined total of more than 80 years on the Town Hall Board of Managers, received congratulations from all attending and special awards during a brief ceremony. Sandra Motyka, chairman of the board, welcomed guests and noted that the red gladioli which decorated the stage were the favorite flower of Mary Hawley, Newtown benefactress who gave the town the Edmond Town Hall. The mums on the stage, yet to bloom, will be planted in the gardens in front of the building. Betty Lou Osborne was the first woman appointed to the Town Hall Board of Managers on February 6, 1952, and she retired this year on February 16. Sarah Mannix was named to the board on July 10, 1956, and she also retired last February. First Selectman Bob Cascella expressed his pleasure in being able to work in such a fine building. He complimented the board for its dedication to maintaining the building and pointed out that it is people such as the two being honored who make it all possible.

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It’s back to school in Newtown on Thursday, September 1. Then, after going to school Friday, September 2, public school students won’t return until Wednesday, September 7. Monday, September 5, is Labor Day, and Tuesday is the first day of Rosh Hashana. Transportation Director Mary Kelly advises that elementary and middle school students should be at the bus stop 12 minutes earlier than last year. She said all public elementary schools will start 12 minutes earlier and Newtown Middle School will start 10 minutes earlier. Newtown High School will start at the same time. School dismissal hours will not be changed. Superintendent John Reed explained that the additional minutes were added because last school year the state Department of Education determined that Newtown, along with many other towns in the state, didn’t have enough instructional time.

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You might prefer the name “Ivy Lane,” or “Blueberry Bush Road,” but town officials say it’s not acceptable to name your own road in Newtown. The names of all roads, public and private, must be approved by the office of the first selectman, according to a reminder issued by town officials this week. “It’s a public safety issue,” said First Selectman Bob Cascella. “We’ve had emergency calls in which ambulance, police, or fire responders had trouble finding the house because the location that the caller gave wasn’t listed on our E911 maps.” The problem has arisen in areas where there are many private roads and long driveways and easements, he said. Mr Cascella urged, at the minimum, to put their house numbers on the mailbox or house. “It helps to put the street number on your house so the emergency responders will know they are at the right location.”

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Police report a case of product tampering which constitutes reckless endangerment. Police said a person went to the police station at 6 pm on August 23 to report that a banana he had bought at the Super Stop & Shop at Sand Hill Plaza on August 20 had a metal object lodged in it. Police said the person, who ate the banana at lunchtime on August 23, was not injured. Police said they notified the supermarket of the incident and will notify the state Department of Consumer Protection.

August 15, 1969

The 27th Annual Fairfield County 4-H Fair ended on Sunday, August 10. The estimated 7,000 people attending enjoyed themselves to the fullest. Among exhibits were crafts, art, clothing, food, and animals — all made or raised by 4-H members. On Friday evening at the block dance, the King and Queen were crowned. They are Jack Layda, son of Mr and Mrs John Layda of Danbury, and Miss Birgit Englebrektsson, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph Englebrektsson of Brookfield. Named to the Court of Honor Miss Kim Pistey of Newtown, Miss Eileen Hubbell of Stratford, Bruce Ireland of Brookfield, and Marcel Moreau of Ridgefield. A new feature this year was the ox cart rides. The Canine Corps of the Bridgeport Police Department gave an excellent demonstration of police dogs at work. Another popular feature was the greased pole climbing contest. A 25-foot pole liberally greased with lard presented a challenge to many boys and girls for the $5 prize which awaited the winner. No one was able to claim the money until Sunday when eight or ten strong boys formed a pyramid of sorts. By standing on the shoulders of two boys at the top of this human ladder, Miss Nina Boynton of Trumbull reached the top. This was one of the most exciting events of the day.

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Dr Robert S. Grossman, Blood Program chairman for the American Red Cross Danbury chapter, announced that during the month of August, 300 pints of blood must be collected to meet the quota. Dr Grossman stated that the ever-increasing need for blood was illustrated this past month, when 26 Red Cross motor Corps Drivers had to pick up an additional 144 pints from the Connecticut Red Cross Blood Center in Hartford and other state hospitals for use in our local hospitals. The Red Cross also sent 22 emergency volunteer Red Cross blood donors to the hospital.

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ADVICE TO A YOUNG MAN: Remember, my son, you have to work. Whether you handle a pick or a pen, a wheelbarrow or a set of books, digging ditches or editing a paper, ringing an auction bell or writing things, you must work. If you look around you will see them men who are most able to live the rest of their days without work are among the men who work the hardest. Don’t be afraid of killing yourself with overwork. It is beyond your power to do that on the sunny side of thirty. They die sometimes, but that is because they quit work at 6 pm and don’t get home until 2 am. It’s the interval that kills, my son. The work gives you an appetite for your meals; it lends solidity to your slumber; it gives you appreciation for your holiday. There are young men who do not work, but the world is not proud of them. It does not know their names even; it simply speaks of them as old so-and-so’s boys. Nobody likes them; the great busy world does not know that they are there. So find out what you want to be and do, and take off your coat and make a dust in the world. The busier you are, the less harm you will be apt to get into, the sweeter will be your sleep, the brighter and happier your holidays, and the better satisfied the world will be with you.

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Patients of Fairfield Hills Hospital interested in the mechanics of flower arranging are now attending workshops at the hospital in preparation for the ninth annual patients’ flower show, “Flight Into Space,” scheduled for September 15. The classes are sponsored by the Fairfield Hills Hospital Garden Therapy Council and are conducted by members of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.

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The annual summer picnic for the Sandy Hook Cub Scout Pack 170 members and their families will be Saturday, August 16 at Oberg’s Pond at Grays Plain Road beginning at 10:30. All Cubbers and Webelos Scouts who were members of the pack at the end of the scouting year in June are eligible to attend with their families. The menu includes hamburgers and hot dogs, potato chips, cold soda and watermelon and all for free.

August 18, 1944

ATTENTION BOOKMOBIL PATRONS: As a result of a change in the schedule of The Bookmobile, it will pass through Hawleyville and Taunton on Wednesday, August 23, and the following Wednesday, August 30 it will be in the Palestine, Grays Plain and Walnut Tree Hill sections. For the convenience of its patrons, all books will be automatically renewed to cover this change in schedule.

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Friends of Commander and Mrs Norton Sager Brown will be pleased to know that Mrs Brown received letters from her husband on Tuesday, which was the first news from him in over a month. Commander Brown is on an aircraft carrier of the Independence class and has seen considerable action in the Marianas. He writes that there was not much for the doctors to do, however, indicating that either our fliers are far superior or that the resistance was quite inferior, or both. Needless to say, this news from him was most welcome at home.

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Dr and Mrs Waldo F. Desmond and daughter, Susan, left on Monday morning for Weld, Maine, where they will visit their son, “Danny,” who has been spending the months of July and August at Camp Kawanhee at Weld. Dr Desmond will resume his practice on August 28, and Danny will return home with his parents, Mr and Mrs Ralph Desmond of Clintonville, Conn. Dr Desmond’s parents are occupying the Desmond home on Main Street during their absence. Dr J. Benton Egee is covering Dr Desmond’s calls during his much needed two weeks’ rest.

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It is announced by Al Boyson , Red Cross Water Safety chairman in Newtown, that no swimming classes will be held this week at the pool of Harrie Wood in Dodgingtown, because of lack of water.

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William Yanosy, local agent for the Metropolitan Life Insurance company, is enjoying two weeks’ vacation with his family at Martha’s Vineyard. He will resume his duties on August 28.

August 15, 1919

Henry Ford, the multi-millionaire and manufacturer of the Ford car, and Thomas A. Edison of New Jersey, the world’s greatest inventor along electrical lines, stopped at the farm of Robert N. Peck on Mt Pleasant, Wednesday about 6 pm. The eminent gentlemen had expected to camp for the night on the farm, but owing to the threatening weather, they motored on to Danbury. Messrs Ford and Edison spent about an hour on the farm, looking over the peach orchards and walking about the farm. Messrs Ford and Edison were courteously received by Mr Peck’s foreman, Harry Lake.

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The second town meeting is warned to act upon the petition of citizens for building a state-aid road from Stevenson to Berkshire. The meeting is called on August 16 at 2:30 o’clock.

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Martin Kelly, who was struck by an auto at Sandy Hook Saturday and quite seriously injured, is now at the Danbury hospital.

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Extensive improvements are being made at the South Center schoolhouse by Contractor T.F. Brew. The front entries are bong torn out, increasing the size of the schoolhouse. W.H. Shepard is doing the mason work.

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Joseph Keane has received his discharge from the United States Navy. He made 12 trips across the ocean on the Leviathan, transporting soldiers.

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.