September 3, 1999

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — SEE YOU AT THE PARADE: Taking a walk through the center of town is one of our favorite things to do. We never know who else we will meet along the way, what old friends might wave as they pass, what interesting sights will be spread before us by passers-by on Newtown’s wide Main Street. In our experience, there is no better time to walk through the center of town than between 10 am and noon on Labor Day. There are two modes of perambulation available to Newtowners at that time: you can walk in an organized way, in costume or uniform if you wish, as part of the parade, or you can amble up or down the street according to your whims, as part of a large and friendly crowd. Either way, you will meet many old friends along the way, and the interesting sights… well, you just have to be there to see.

* * * * *

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Frank Hufner.

* * * * *

The Board of Selectmen Monday voted in favor of a lease agreement with a cellular phone company looking to erect an antenna beneath Newtown’s famous rooster weathervane inside the Meeting House steeple on Main Street. A spokesperson from OmniPoint Communications, Inc said the non-microwave antenna would be hidden from view and would bring in $18,000 in annual revenue for the town. A radio transmitter box, about the size of a freezer, would also be located on the site. … Also, a second or even third antenna may also be installed, doubling or tripling the amount of revenue brought in, according to the company’s proposal.

* * * * *

Fire officials report that unknown vandals overnight August 26-27 set afire a heavy dump truck which was parked behind Sandy Hook School in connection with a sewer building project. The fire caused an estimated $30,000 damage, totally destroying the truck belonging to PJF Construction of East Hartford. There were no injuries. “That had to be burning all night,” said Fire Marshal George Lockwood, who estimated the blaze was set sometime around 10 or 11 pm. Firefighters were alerted to the blaze about 7:30 the next morning, he said. When Sandy Hook firemen arrived, they found the smoldering hulk of the destroyed vehicle.

* * * * *

Newtown Tennis Association members were saying “oh no, not again,” earlier this week as the coveted Bertram J. Strook Tennis Tournament cup turned up missing … just a day before the annual tournament’s finals. The trophy had been on display in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library since early August, but when NTA officials went to pick it up Saturday in time for the finals on Sunday, it was missing. The NTA was in a similar predicament a few years back when the cup, which contains all past winners of the local tourney, suddenly became lost.

* * * * *

Newtown Social Services in conjunction with the Newtown Junior Women’s Club has been handing out backpacks to local K-8 students who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Each backpack is filled with pens and pencils, calculators, notebooks and other assorted school supplies. The program name is Back-to-School Backpack Program. A few backpacks are still available.

August 30, 1974

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — GROUND RULES: Everyone we have talked to since last Friday night, and Saturday morning, who had anything at all to do with the Public Hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission considering the pros and cons of Eagle Hill, agrees that it went on too long and even might have set some sort of “length of hearing” record. Beyond the time element, the degree of agreement seems to fade. … A news story on this page carries the account of the hearing and several letters have been sent to us and appear in the “Letter Hive.” … While we are certain that both parties will get a fair shake from the members of the commission, who will be able to sort through the reams of material and come out with the pertinent facts, future hearings might be able to take a lesson from last Friday’s event. Obviously the need for shorter presentations was brought out and it is the opinion of many who we have talked to that this is possible and still leaves no stone unturned. Also the proponents, opponents and those there just to listen and possibly speak must be well aware of the ground rules, ie, the order of the hearing and both the time and right to be heard.

* * * * *

The public hearing conducted by the Planning & Zoning Commission for nearly nine hours last Friday evening and Saturday morning, August 23-24, can best be summed up in one word: incredible. The hearing, on William H. Johnson’s application for a special exception, in accordance with the Newtown zoning regulations, for Eagle Hill, a therapy and treatment center for alcoholics, went from 8 pm to 4:50 am and, apart from the very lengthy presentations of both the proponents and organized opponents, was marked by strong defense, and opposition to the plan, attacks on P&Z because of the length of the hearing, and a considerable dose of emotionalism.

* * * * *

The Newtown Labor Day Parade is set for 10:30 am of September 2. Five divisions of floats, bands, organizations, and dignitaries will march from the monument on Main Street south past the flagpole to the corner of Route 25 with Glover Avenue. The parade will turn onto Glover Avenue and then onto Queen Street north past the reviewing stand to Church Hill Road and from there to the Grand Union parking lot. Honorary marshal Richard D. Hibbard will lead the parade with cars carrying Mrs Paul Furlotte and Robert McCulloch, the parade co-chairmen, and Mr and Mrs Sutherland Denlinger, chairmen of the Summer Festival, following right behind.

* * * * *

Wednesday night the rains came down — in spades — and by the time the deluge was over, the highway department and residents have more than their share of woes by having to cope with bad road washouts. Hardest hit was Pootatuck Park, with at least eight roads so badly washed out that they were rendered impassable. According to Road Superintendent Edward Napier, at least two-thirds of the park was isolated because of the washouts. “There was absolutely no drainage,” said Mr Napier, “just washouts.

* * * * *

With its first goal of $3,500 by September 1 almost within reach, the Newtown Tennis Association thanks all those who have contributed so generously so far to the fund raising campaign for tennis court number five. The $3,500 will enable the association to place a down payment for the court’s construction. NTA’s goal now is to raise an additional $4,500 — for a total of $8,000 — to finance the full cost of the court.

August 26, 1949

A decisive vote, 266 to 82, defeated the resolution presented at last Thursday evening’s special town meeting, held in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall. The purpose of the resolution was to increase the present 6-man membership of the Board of Education to seven members, four of the major political party in power and three minority members. The meeting had been called by the Board of Selectmen, in compliance with a petition presented to them.

* * * * *

The Board of Managers of the Edmond Town Hall, at their monthly meeting on August 3rd, accepted with regret the resignation of A.C. Griscom as a member of the Board. George Jackson was named to fill the vacancy, until the annual town election in October. Mr Griscom had served as a member of the Board of Managers since the Board was first organized in 1931, following completion and dedication of the Edmond Town Hall, which took place on August 22, 1930. … It will be of general interest to know that the Board is having iron railings installed on the Town Hall steps and on the steps at the north and south sides of the building. These railing are being made by the Huckleberry Hill Forge in Brookfield and are due to be installed by September 7th.

* * * * *

It was more than two years ago that the local post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, began its campaign for a Newtown Veterans Memorial building to be erected and dedicated in honor of Newtown fighters who died in World War II. Members of the Charles Howard Peck Sr and Jr Post 308 had purchased a site opposite the Newtown Country Club and on the road leading to Fairfield State Hospital. … The Post building committee and other Post members are hoping to have the building closed in and ready for occupancy this fall. Plumbing and heating are still to be installed and all the interior work to be done. The building campaign has been carried on under three Post commanders and is now being continued under the leadership of Commander William Slocum. William Weiss is building committee treasurer.

* * * * *

A number of the grandchildren from as far away as Detroit, Mich., were present Sunday, August 14, to help in the celebration of the 81st birthday of Mrs Vincent Denaro, at the home of Mr and Mrs Denaro on Riverside road, Sandy Hook. Present were Louis Dolce, former well-known shoemaker of Sandy Hook, son of Mrs Denaro, his daughter, Evelyn, and son, Eddie; Mrs Bertha Dolce and daughter, Louise, Mr and Mrs George Dolce and son, George, Jr., all of Detroit, Mich. Louis Dolce is now on the staff of the Fairfield State Hospital.

* * * * *

Members of The Bee staff, with their families, enjoyed an outing held on Saturday at the cottage of Editor and Mrs Paul S. Smith at Candlewood Knolls. There were thirty-eight present for the occasion.

August 22, 1924

Royal Station Hotel, York, August 6, 1924. Dear Brother Allison and the rest of the Bee force: This is the last time you will hear from us until we get home. The last time I wrote you was from Beru, on August 1. It is a national holiday and compares with our Fourth of July, for Switzerland. In the evening they had fireworks and a real good time and everybody was out to see it. We came on the next day to Paris, France. … The next morning we left for London, going over from Calais to Dover, the shortest crossing in the channel. … The next morning, Raymond & Whitcomb had a car at our hotel and we are doing England and Scotland by auto. The scenery is very much like what you would get in the states, only the houses are of brick and the land is under cultivation. … If I were coming to Europe again, my pick would be Switzerland, for there you see nature as it really is. In Holland the people are very interesting. Hope everything is all right with the Bee and we will be home about September 1, if not earlier, the Lord willing. We leave here the 23rd of August. Regards to all the force and love to yourself and family.[Arthur J. Smith.

* * * * *

Mrs William Ford Prindle, beloved wife of William H. Prindle, died about noon, Wednesday, following an attack of acute indigestion. Mr and Mrs Prindle had been married 46 years, and their married life has been a happy one. Had she lived until October she would have been 70 years old. Mrs Prindle was a communicant of Trinity church, and for many years sang in the choir. She was a most excellent and kindly neighbor, and the news of her death was received with regret. Her death comes as a great blow to her husband, who is in poor health. The funeral will take place on Saturday at 2 p.m., from her late home, Rev G.H. Ekins officiating.

* * * * *

There was a reunion of the Peck family at the home of Mr and Mrs E.M. Peck on Sunday. Guests included Mr and Mrs Henry T. Peck and Miss Miriam Peck of New Haven, John and Dorothy Peck of Hartford, Mrs Mary Peck Russell and Miss Ann Russell of Bridgeport, Benjamin Russell of Stamford, Sterling Russell of Naugatuck, Mr and Mrs John Peck of Brookfield, Mr and Mrs E.M. Peck and daughter, Eleanor, and Mr and Mrs Tracy B. Peck of Newtown, Frederick Sherman and Elmer Banks of Monroe, and Edward Sherman of Bridgeport.

* * * * *

Mrs D.W. Parker is visiting her son, Landlord Parker, of the Parker House.

* * * * *

On Sunday morning about 30 members of Pootatuck Grange took their banner and assembled on the top of Peck’s Hill to greet the National Grange tourists as they passed by. The tourists were en route from Yorktown Heights to New Britain, where they went into camp, Sunday afternoon. They were given a fine dinner, and lemonade by the gallon free. The Gulf Refining Co had three large trucks there to furnish any Granger gasoline. This was free. Needless to say the tourists were delighted with their reception, and New Britain, Conn., will be remembered by them for some time.

September 1, 1899

Joseph Dayton, who has been in the employ of the Newtown Store Co for a number of months, left, last week Saturday. He goes to Bridgeport to enter into partnership with William Eastwood, at 991 Hancock avenue, in the bakery business.

* * * * *

Andrew Egan and John Haugh, who passed away, last week Wednesday, were both collectors for St Rose’s church from the time of its beginning until the time it was moved to its present location.

* * * * *

Howell Wright killed a big water snake in the Niantic mill pond, the other day. Birdsey Sniffin had put a 32 caliber ball through the same animal, but his snakeship didn’t mind a little thing like that. It was a wicked looking animal.

* * * * *

Birdsey Sniffen and Curtis Hawley explored the wonders of the Housatonic river, last week. They journeyed by canoe from Newtown to the Sound and had a high old time.

* * * * *

Dr L.A. Peck, the dentist, from Woodbury, visits Sandy Hook every Wednesday. He has his office at Mapleton and the people find it convenient.

* * * * *

William Ackley is now convalescing from his late severe attack of rheumatism.

* * * * *

Mrs Hawley is slowly improving from the effects of her broken limb, but is not yet able to sit up.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.