September 6, 1991

Main Street was full of marchers and spectators for Monday's Labor Day Parade. The theme of the parade - Newtown, an all-American Town - this year honored the town's returning Persian War veterans.

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There is nothing like the clutter of text books, three-ring binders, yellow pencils, and lunch bags on and around the kitchen table to remind us that education cannot be quantified by funding formulas, curricular strategies, and coded comments on a report card. As anyone knows from surveying this accumulated paraphernalia, education is often a messy process that at times seems barely under control.

Parents can only hope that the professional educators have a better grip on the process.

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The Welcome Wagon of Newtown will kick off the new year with a brunch on Wednesday, September 11, at 10 am in the undercroft at the Trinity Church, 36 Main Street. Anyone who is new to Newtown, newly engaged, or expecting a baby is encouraged to join new and returning members to learn about various activities.

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Does anyone want to purchase a 1991 Dodge Stealth? The Democratic Committee has one they would like to sell. The committee had intended to raffle off the car on Labor Day after selling 500 $100 tickets. But with the money from only 63 tickets actually deposited, the committee decided to drop what had been their major fundraising effort. The committee will meet next week to come up with new fundraising ideas.

September 2, 1966

Newtown Schools are scheduled to open on Wednesday, September 7, with an enrollment of 2,999. As the Bee goes to press, there are 1,080 at the high school, which finished last year with 984. Hawley School has 731 against 666, Middle Gate 613 against 575, and Sandy Hook 575 against 564. Total enrollment is up 206 pupils over the close of school and up 273 over October of last year. The growth was apparent when the high school graduated 118 last spring with more than 300 registered in kindergarten.

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The swimming pond at A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park will close for the season on Labor Day. No lifeguards will be on duty after that date, and townspeople are reminded that anyone swimming after day will be doing so at his own risk. The park will remain open for tennis and picnicking, and boating and picnicking will continue at Lake Lillinonah.

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The Newtown combined fire companies will hold their annual Ball on Saturday, October 8, at the K of C hall in Newtown on Route 6. Jerry Pannazzo's band will provide entertainment from 9 pm to 2 am. A delicious buffet with plenty to eat will be served from 10 to midnight.

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Saturday, Sunday, and Monday will be the Fifth Annual Progress Festival in Newtown. The committee would like to express its thanks to all those who have bought booster tags and particularly to those organizations and businesses who are this year serving as sponsors

August 29, 1941

On this Sunday the A.C. will meet Oakville at Pine Grove Park in the first game in a series of three for the championship of the Pomperaug League. Both teams are reported to be in great shape for battle and so the baseball enthusiasts are assured one of the best games to be played in Newtown in recent years.

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The fourth in a series of Square Dance Parties sponsored by the local chapter of Bundle for Britain and Belgians in Britain, will be held in the gymnasium at the Edmond Town Hall on Saturday, August 30. These dances have proved to be such a success that the committee wishes to announce a fifth dance will be held in September. Everyone is urged to attend both of these parties.

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Mr and Mrs W.M. McKenzie entertained a number of their friends at their home on Queen Street, Saturday afternoon and evening. During the evening Mrs McKenzie showed a number of her colored films which were much enjoyed by those present. An outdoor supper was served.

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Mrs Louis L. Grimes opened her home on Main Street to a number of her friends for a dessert bridge, last Thursday afternoon. Dainty refreshments were served and a well-filled punch bowl was very popular during the afternoon. Attractive prizes were awarded to Mrs Arthur Judd Smith, Mrs Mary Pennell, Mrs Fan McKenzie, Mrs Charles H. Peck and Miss Ireland.

September 1, 1916

Frank A. Blackman discovered a new method of getting a balky car started, the other day. With Mr Wheeler, he departed for Taunton Lake to angle for the big bass. After they fished, they came ashore but could not succeed in getting the Ford car to start. The car stood on an incline and it was suggested that Mr Blackman should get in and steer down the hill , while Mr Wheeler gave it a push. The plan worked well but in the excitement Frank forgot to apply the brake when he came to the water's edge so the Ford rolled into the lake. Mr Wheeler then secured a boat, rowed in front of the Ford, and cranked the engine and it started at once. Mr Blackman then backed the car out of the lake and he and his friend went on their way rejoicing. Mr Wheeler said it was the first time he had ever cranked a car from a boat. But then those Fords, they ramble right along!

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The ladies of the Congregational Church held a very successful fair and food sale last Thursday, netting $128. The table for fancy work was presided over by Miss Mary Lamport. Mrs L.C. Morris had charge of the table with home-made bread and cake Miss Doherty and Miss Ann Smith looked after the candy table and soon sold out the unusually large supply. By six o'clock not even a stray piece of fancy work could be found and the Ladies Aid Society congratulated itself on the success, and thanked all who helped make the fair a success.

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The little daughter of Mr and Mrs John W. Ray chopped off the end of her finger Wednesday with an axe. Dr W.H. Kiernan attended to her injuries.

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A bridge gang is at work strengthening the highway bridge over the Housatonic River, putting in new steel girders. The work was made necessary by the heavy truck traffic. The workmen are stopping at the Sandy Hook Hotel.

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 , 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.kendra@thebee.com