Full Text:

THE WAY WE WERE

MARCH 8, 1974

With recreational facilities already overcrowded and a sharp increase in

demand expected, Park and Recreation Commissioners and Recreation Director Lee

Davenson are appealing to townspeople to support their budget requests. Since

the gasoline shortage has already curtailed winter travel plans for Newtown

people, it is reasonable to expect more residents to look to local programs

and facilities for their summer recreation.

At the Planning and Zoning Commission session on Friday, March 1, a change in

the septic system plans for the proposed Newtown Mart Shopping Center on South

Main Street caused the application to be withdrawn. This disclosure occurred

after a spirited public hearing on a zone change that would enable a different

type of shopping facility on Route 34 in Sandy Hook.

The long-awaited opening of Newtown's new dog pound at the town's landfill has

been officially scheduled to take place at 10 am on Friday, March 8. State and

local officials will be on hand to mark the event, to which the public is

invited. The 20-run pound, built at a cost of $35,598.56 from federal revenue

sharing funds, will finally provide a permanent home for the town's canine

operations, which have been in a state of flux since August, 1973. The town

has used the old kennel on the Sedor property off Mt Pleasant Road, until the

state closed down the operation in August because of unsanitary conditions. A

temporary kennel facility was located on property of Mr and Mrs David Johnson,

on Hattertown Road, but the town lost its occupancy there over disagreements

with the kennel's owners, in November, 1973. After this, facilities at the

Newtown Animal Clinic on Route 25 were used temporarily, until the new town

pound was completed.

The Board of Selectmen authorized First Selectman Frank DeLucia to sign a

letter of intent to the Police Department's union, local 337, of the

International Brotherhood of Police Officers, seeking to resolve a grievance

filed by the union on assigning of sergeants to dispatcher's desks. The

grievance was filed on December 1, 1973, said Officer Richard Stook, president

of the local. According to the manpower clause in the police contract, two men

are to be on the road, and a sergeant on duty, at all times. A dispatcher or

patrolman is to be at the dispatcher's desk.

The week of April 22 to 27 has been designated as the time of a town-wide

spring cleanup coordinated by the Newtown Beautification Committee. Timed to

coincide with the statewide Rid-Litter Day, Arbor Day and Earth Day, appeals

for a cooperative effort are being sent to every civic organization in

Newtown.

Newtown's Meals on Wheels Inc now has an address, a phone number and may, in a

few weeks, be serving its first hot meals to convalescents and shut-ins in

Newtown, it was announced at the Board of Directors meeting on March 4 in

Edmond Town Hall. Mrs Betty Parrella, one of the founders of MoW, said that

rumors saying that MoW couldn't find people to enter the program were

absolutely false. She stated that already one convalescent had offered to

serve as a bellweather participant to test the program. Several other people

had called her, Mrs Parrella said, saying that they needed to have hot meals

delivered to them in their homes. With regret, Mrs Parrella said she had

turned down the requests because the program was not underway and food was not

available. "Delay is causing us to lose participants," she said.

The Berkshire Farmers Club of Newtown elected officers at its meeting on March

3. They are as follows: president, Barbara Jean Laware; vice president, Dean

Arno; secretary, Ann Laware; treasurer, Gary Laware; reporter, John Arno. It's

almost show time again. The 4-H Fair will be August 10-11 at the Goshen Fair

Grounds. Club members also attended a dairy judging talk and plan to do some

judging at five farms.

A town fiscal officer will "serve at the pleasure of the hiring authority," it

was agreed at the March 6 meeting of the Charter Revision Commission.

Commission members decided they should follow contemporary business principles

in determining the parameters of the fiscal officer's job.

MARCH 11, 1949

As was pointed out in last week's Bee, the task of making a complete

reappraisal of all taxable property in the town of Newtown is now well under

way. The New England Survey Service, Inc, and E.T. Wilkins and Associates of

Boston are doing the job. According to William C. Moberger, field appraiser in

charge of the local project, work will continue from this point until

completed, which should be at the end of July or the very first of August.

First step in the undertaking after a town meeting of last fall had approved

the plan and an outside firm of appraisal engineers had been retained, was the

"flying" of the entire town on the part of Fairchild Aerial Surveys, Inc.

Taking a series of aerial photographs from a height of 1,000 feet last

December 13th, each shows a strip of familiar terrain from a not so familiar

perspective. Since dozens of overlapping strips were thus flown, every

building, whether occupied or not, every road, lane, stream and tree, shows to

advantage.

Members of the Newtown Board of Education, it is reported by Raymond L. Hall,

a member of that board, held an informal meeting recently with Russell Von

Beren, architect of the firm of Brown and Von Beren of New Haven, who planned

the new addition to Hawley school. Mr Von Beren submitted a revision of the

plans he had previously made for the board in 1941 for a new high school. At

that time the enrollment in grades 7 through 12 was approximately 180 and the

school had been designed to accommodate about 260 with several possibilities

for future additions. The revised plans showed ten rooms more than the

original plans, so that 500 pupils could be accommodated in home rooms. Recent

figures indicate our enrollment in Grades 7 through 12 will be about 400 by

1959. Thus allowance is made for a safe margin of increased enrollment, and

also for the possible temporary absorption of an overflow from the elementary

grades.

The card party to be given by the Rosary Society of St Rose Church will be

held on St Patrick's evening, Thursday, March 17, at 8 o'clock, with Mrs

William Mannix as chairman. There will be musical entertainment appropriate

for the occasion by a group of young people headed by Marie Cavanaugh.

For what promises to be a gala evening, the local youth clubs are meeting this

Friday at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium for their annual get-together. Plans

for the affair, which were begun weeks ago by representatives of a majority of

the clubs, have been completed and an evening of entertainment is scheduled.

Beginning at 7:15, the various groups will assemble in the rear of the gym

behind their own color guards. Led by the Sandy Hook Fife, Drum and Bugle

Corps, the clubs will march around the floor dropping off at their designated

places.

Two changes in the board of the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association have been

announced following Tuesday's regular monthly meeting. Mrs Mortimer B. Smith

will replace Mrs Arthur Carmody, resigned, and Mrs Renwick Brown will replace

Mrs C. Sidney Haight as secretary. Mrs Haight was forced to tender her

resignation at the time of her recent hospitalization.

Fire, said to have started while painters were using paint remover which came

in contact with an electric outlet causing a short circuit, considerably

damaged the kitchen in the home of Bayard Hoppin of Currituck road Tuesday

morning. According to Deputy Fire Marshal Henry Wachsmuth, the fire was

brought under control by water from a booster tank of the Newtown Fire

Company. Damage has been unofficially estimated at $500.

Last Saturday two students from Hawley school, Martha Jones and Roy Bresson,

accompanied by Miss Kay Dolan of the faculty, attended the fourth annual

session of the Herald Tribune Forum at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. The

morning meeting was devoted to a discussion and appraisal of the Marshall

Plan.

The Newtown High School girls have captured the Housatonic Valley Schoolmen's

League basketball championship for the third time in five years, under the

fine guidance of their coach, Miss Ann Anderson. On the Washington High school

floor last Friday night, the Newtown girls, leaders in the Southern half of

the League, won handily from the Thomaston girls, leaders in the Northern

half, by the score of 32.21. Members of the team pictured were: Jean Taylor,

manager; Marilyn Platt, Patricia McMahon, Rosanne Hunihan, Alice Mary Carey,

assistant manager; Joan Pully, Joan Weeks, Joan Glover, Catherine Quinn,

Audrey Wood, Joan Pelletier, Gertrude Ray, Maude Billings, Marie Ferris,

Shirley Weeks, and Evelyn Hrivnak.

JANUARY, 1924

January 4: There was never a better time enjoyed than at the Newtown Country

Club last Tuesday evening, New Year's night. Most everyone was there to enjoy

the fine supper gotten up by the young ladies. They deserve special praise and

anyone that has Mrs Rodney Shepard, Mrs Sarah B. Mitchell, Mrs Irving S.

Jones, Mrs Frank H. Johnston and Mrs Fanny Beers Edwards plan for their

welfare in the culinary line can grow fat if they choose.

In spite of the icy traveling and rain Monday night, a good sized audience

enjoyed the watch night concert at the Congregational Church. F. Arthur Ekins,

the baritone soloist, was particularly fine.

The editor of The Bee entertained some unexpected and unusual callers, New

Year's morning. He was routed out of bed about 4 am by an automobile party

from Stratford, who had been spending the evening with Edward Scott and family

of Berkshire. They had a rented Ford limousine, which broke down about 4 am

near Mr Smith's residence.

January 11: Arthur W. Reynolds, owner of Currituck Farm, has promised to kill

one of his choice Aberdeen Angus steers for a roast for the Young People's

Institute to be held at the Congregational Church January 18, 19, 20.

Reports from school enumerators in every town in the state except Waterbury

show there are 4,530 more children of school age in the state than a year ago.

Newtown had 586 children in 1923 and 555 in 1922.

January 18: Friends of Mr and Mrs George W. Northrop gave them a surprise

party at their home last Friday evening, the occasion being the 43d

anniversary of their marriage.

The Men's Club held a very interesting meeting at the Parker House Tuesday

night, Rev. J.L. Lasher being host and Dr Thomas H. Young, a noted eye

specialist of the Yale Medical School being the speaker.

Mrs Marion Richardson of West Virginia, a prominent member of the League of

Business and Professional Women declares that women should learn the truth

about labor conditions in the soft coal fields of the United States. Such

knowledge, she says, will clear up a great deal of slanderous propaganda

against the bituminous industry. Contrary to the general belief, Mrs

Richardson says that miners live in good houses, their children have the best

schools and good roads and other modern conveniences are the rule and not the

exception in the coal fields.

January 25: The Hanover Road was very badly washed in the big rain of last

Wednesday, at a point below E.F. Northrop's and on the hill coming up into

Hanover Avenue. Big gullies were washed across the roads.

The radiator of a truck belonging to the New England Dry Milk Company of

Hawleyville froze up while coming from Bridgeport, Monday night, and the

driver was obliged to leave the truck on Toll Gate Hill.

The thermometer showed a record of two degrees below zero at Hawleyville

Tuesday morning. The thermometer in Taunton Tuesday morning registered at

zero. The ice crop for the dairy men is now in sight.

FEBRUARY, 1924

February 1: A house formerly owned by D.B. Parmalee and standing a few rods

south of his present residence caught fire Tuesday afternoon and in a short

time was entirely consumed. The building was owned by the Milford Land

Exchange Company of Bridgeport and had been occupied for a year or more by

William Whaley and his two sons. The youngest boy had just returned from

school, when the fire started from in or near the chimney. A strong wind was

blowing at the time which hastened its destruction. Neighbors who arrived soon

after the alarm was given saved most of Mr Whaley's goods.

Stephen Keane of Gray's Plain harvested his ice crop the first of the week,

Clark Page and son assisting him with the work.

February 8: There's going to be a big fire near the Flag Pole tonight (Friday)

at 7:30. Joseph Olean, distributing manager, will be there and he wants you

and all your neighbors to come and see how quickly and easily it will be

extinguished with Hanks Fire chemical. Gasoline, kerosene, acetylene gas, tar

and wood fires are quickly extinguished with Hanks Fire Powder. Don't fail to

attend this interesting and educational fire-fighting event. Veteran and

volunteer firemen are requested to attend this demonstration.

A grocery whist and dance for the benefit of the Newtown Library will take

place on Saturday evening at the Parker House. Tickets, 50 c. The first one to

correctly name the three managers of the event, Hon Lloyd George, Sir Ransay

McDonald and Samuel Gompers will be presented with a prize.

Owing to other events on February 16 the date of the sophomore entertainment

has been changed to March 1. It will take place at Hawley School at 8 o'clock.

The program is as follows: Piano solo, Marjorie Peale, Monologue, Luella

Sperry, Dance, Kennedy sisters, Vocal solo, Ruth Ekins accompanied by Luella

Sperry, mandolin, Louise Nichols, ukelele, and Margaret McCarthy, piano. Piano

solo, Elizabeth Carlson, Play, Margaret McCarthy, Agnes Houlihan, Helen

Nichols, Sarah Farrell, Alice Carmody.

The neighbors in Taunton rallied, Monday and Tuesday and assisted Richard

Arndt and Daniel Honan in filling their ice houses, cutting the supply from

Taunton Lake.

February 15: A very pleasant evening was passed at the Newtown Country Club

rooms last Monday evening when the whist was in session. The scores ran higher

than usual and Mrs Frank H. Johnston was the leading lady, with Mrs Charles A.

Peale and Mrs Arthur J. Smith tied for second place. For the gentlemen, O.

Howard Hall and Charles A. Peale took the honors.

On Tuesday evening one of the most interesting meetings of this winter was

held at the Grange rooms with a goodly number present. The following program

was rendered: Song "America," Grange, Original paper, "Abraham Lincoln and

George Washington" two great Americans born in February, their contrasts and

their lessons for us. Rev G. Herbert Ekins. Vocal solo and encore, Lillian

Phillips. Recitation, "The Bell of Atri," Ada M. Blakeman. Reading from

Longfellow "The Happiest Land," Catherine M. Cavanaugh. Surprise number in

charge of Lydia A. Glover was the Virginia Reel.

Selectman J.J. Northrop has purchased a fine new flag for the flag pole in the

Street and it was thrown to the breezes on Lincoln's birthday.

On Saturday evening, February 16, Joe Whalen of Bridgeport and his troupe will

appear at the Town Hall under the auspices of the Virgilius Council, Knights

of Columbus. Mr Whalen has a reputation second to none in amateur theatricals.

The famous Palais Royal orchestra of Bethel will play for dancing.

February 22: Senator Philo T. Platt, who was overcome by gas while starting

his automobile, last Thursday and was found unconscious on the ground outside

the building, where he had fallen, was quite seriously ill for a few days but

is now convalescing and is able to sit up a part of the time.

The Men's Club had one of the finest meetings of the year Tuesday night when

Dr Walter Kiernan was the popular host. In spite of the snow storm, nearly the

whole membership was present. D.R. Zabriskie of Hawleyville, Charles G. Meeker

and O.S. Stoddard were guests of the club. The members were given a rare treat

in the address of Dr. Millard Knowlton of the Bureau of Preventable Diseases

of the Connecticut State Department of Health. Dr Knowlton declared that the

finest bit of machinery in the world was the human body and that often we

neglect it. We don't have to have diphtheria nowadays if we carry out the

immunization process.

D.R. Zabriski of Hawleyville on leaving Dr Kiernan's Tuesday night, from the

meeting of the Men's Club, got his auto into the ditch. W.C. Johnson, F.C.

Platt, H.G. Warner and Dr. Kiernan worked on his car for an hour, and finally

got it into the road and going.

Dr W.H. Kiernan, while on the way to visit a patient in Taunton, Wednesday

morning, had the pleasure of getting his auto stuck in a snowbank. Poland's

milk truck and C.F. Cavanaugh labored for a half hour in getting him out of

the drift. Then Stanley Blackman hitched up the faithful horse and drove him

to his destination.

February 29: The Jewish Farmers' Association of Newtown and Stepney will have

a meeting on March 16, beginning at 10 o'clock, at the residence of Max

Schimmerman. Editor Stone of the Jewish Farmers' Journal and the secretary, Mr

Kastelevsky, will be present and give addresses.

Charles D. Ferris and son, Charles, were visitors in New Milford, Monday.