September 14, 1990

A plan to expand the Quest program throughout the Middle School sixth grades has met with opposition. The Quest program was piloted by Wendy Bowen and John Ventresca, teachers in Cluster 6A, two years ago. The Quest program is designed to introduce students to a more structured decision making process. The idea is to help students to understand that they are responsible for their decisions, and can think out situations and the possible ramifications of the decisions before going ahead. Part of the program includes sex and drug education, and that is the area to which parents objected.

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Christina Kennedy, representing the Newtown Bridle Lane Association, said that she has been “shot at” while riding through preserves of the Newtown Forest Association (NFA). Susan Kirmal, of Old Hawleyville Road, said she has called the police several times about shootings near her home. Bobbi Iannetta, of Boggs Hill Road, said she has worried about her children playing on nearby NFA property. They were three of the speakers at the meeting of the Legislative Council’s ordinance committee. They offered their views on a proposal for a town ordinance that would ban the carrying of firearms and the discharge of firearms on NFA property and on property owned by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

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Junior David Brookes is vying with classmate Jeff Chontos for the starting quarterback position at NHS this fall. The Indians will play their first three games at Bruce Jenner Stadium, starting with the opener on Saturday, September 22, against New Fairfield. The Rebels are now directed by former Newtown Coach Pete Kohut, who guided NHS to eight Western Connecticut Conference crowns and a state title during his 24 years at the helm. Kohut retired after the 1987 season.

September 17, 1965

In years past and even more so in recent years as the Newtown Schools continued to grow rapidly, The Bee has found it increasingly difficult to cover all the events in the school system. So this year we have called upon the help of five of the students, selected by the school personnel. Each week they will report school happenings for the paper. This weekly feature will start with the next issue of The Bee.

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Judging from the turnout of 57 students for this year’s football team, the sport is not only here to stay, but is making good headway. Under the coaching of Pete Kohut, the team works out for two hours each day, with additional practices on Saturday. At this point, all efforts are being geared toward the opening game with New Milford on Saturday afternoon, October 2. Helping with the coaching duties is Norm Westlake and expected to see lots of action are seniors Steve Gass, Peter Mayberry and Bob McLachlan.

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Announcement is made by Dr J. Benton Egee that he will conclude his medical practice in Newtown and close his office at his home on Church Hill Road on September 30. Dr Egee has practiced medicine here for 30 years. In the immediate future Dr Egee will serve as a member of the staff of Danbury Hospital, taking charge of full-time coverage of the emergency room at the hospital. This position requires that he resign as Newtown’s health officer and as school physician, which he has done.

 

September 13, 1940

A serious and almost fatal auto accident occurred in Newtown Wednesday noon, when a large truck owned by the Clover Farm Dairy of Stepney overturned near Lovell’s Garage at the junction of the Bethel road. John Lovasz of Bridgeport, driver, and Charles Middlebrook, riding with him, escaped with minor injuries when they were pinned in the cab of the truck, after it had skidded into the highway fence, scattering milk cans all over the landscape. A car darted out of the Bethel road, and to avoid hitting it, he swerved to the right but could not round the curve and tipped over, narrowly missing a convertible coupe. The car which caused the accident disappeared without stopping.

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An audience of several hundred people attended with considerable satisfaction and pleasure the exercises at the Fairfield State Hospital on Wednesday afternoon in dedication of the buildings of the third unit. The principal speakers included Gov Raymond E. Baldwin, Ex-Gov Wilbur L. Cross and Robert A Hurley, Commissioner, Dept of Public Works, State of Connecticut. Dr Cross in his talk recalled the laying of the cornerstone for the first building nine years ago, when the project was started, terming the Fairfield State Hospital “One of the most humanitarian institutions in the state.” Mr Johnson, speaking for the WPA, described the underground work which that group has completed for sewers, tunnels, water and steam lines, as well as roads and landscaping. Statement was made by Dr Clifford Moore during his talk that the hospital can now play its full role with a rated capacity of 2,056 beds. Included in the third unit buildings are two continued treatment units for men and women, as well as two disturbed treatment units, a laboratory, farm buildings and utilities.

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An unusual case of thievery occurred at the Alva Peck auction on Main street, Saturday noon, when the cash box was stolen, containing the morning receipts of sales. The auctioneer, Eugene Swift of Stepney, had the box containing the money by his side, and while his attention was momentarily attracted elsewhere, the box disappeared. No trace has been found as yet. Mr Swift, who had complete charge of the sale, assumed all responsibility for the loss of the money, amounting to $285, and at the close of the sale, paid Mrs Peck the full amount.

 

September 17, 1915

Walter Ruffels of Palestine has been busy harvesting a crop of more than 1,000 baskets of peaches. His Elbertas are luscious and fine and he has had a big call for them, many driving to his orchard from Danbury. He also has a good lot of the white peaches.

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William Honan, son of Mr and Mrs Michael Honan of Taunton district, who had been missing since the evening of September 6, was found floating on the surface of Taunton lake about 6 am, on Wednesday, by William B. Glover, superintendent of the Newtown Water Co. Mr Glover secured the assistance of Mr Mannhart and the body was brought to shore. The accidental drowning of this exemplary and attractive young man has cast a gloom over the community. Mr Honan was a member of the Senior class at the High school, and was generally liked for his gentlemanly bearing and genial ways. William Honan was 18 years, 11 months, and 20 days old.

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Selectman W.M. Reynolds has done a piece of good work north of the underpass near the Houlihan place on the flat. He has filled in across the flat, torn out an old sluiceway, and put down a cement sidewalk and put on a bridge. The gravel for the fill was given by the railroad people and taken from the old bed of the railroad.