September 19, 1980

The proposed tax limitation ordinance asked by the Newtown Concerned Taxpayers came under a scorching denunciation by the executive director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Wednesday night in the first of two nights of testimony being presented by various speakers to the Legislative Council’s ordinance committee.

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The virus of decay and neglect — which seems to have taken its toll on parts of the town’s school buildings, including most of the roofs, is apparently continuing to spread to the playing fields at the high school. Based on observation and reports from coaches and some of the parents using the fields, the fields are in poor condition.

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Seven Newtown industries coordinated their efforts for the first time to reach a quota of 110 pints of blood for the American Red Cross September 16 at Trinity Church undercroft.

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Karen Segalla, program director for the Fairfield County Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America, led a workshop on stained glass quilting at the Newtown Congregational Church House on Monday, September 15.

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Within weeks, another chapter in the history of the Newtown General Store will close, as Grace and Earl Meyers turn over the business to Ruth and Charles Rudnick of Newtown who plan to continue operating the business in “country” tradition.

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Boys and girls in 3rd–8th grades are invited to attend a meeting of the AWANA Club which begins its eighth season at 7 pm, Thursday, September 25 at Sandy Hook school. AWANA is an international youth organization. The club does not promote any specific religious doctrine, rather giving priority to the Bible as The Word of God.

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They’ll take it. After trailing and being outplayed for nearly the entire game, the Newtown High football team finally took advantage of one too many Bethel mistakes to snatch a 13-9 opening day victory last Saturday at Bruce Jenner Stadium. The loss was a heartbreaker for the Wildcats, who scored on their first possession and held the lead until the game’s final two minutes.

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A fire truck, a local tree surgeon — and even Ma Bell — responded to the pleas of a Botsford cat lover last Thursday afternoon to save a kitten whose tree climbing ability far outmatched her practical experience in getting back down. The grey and white kitten… was discovered stuck in the tree Wednesday night by Adria Henderson, of Bear Hills Road. She fairly burnt up the telephone lines, calling the police, fire department and finally, in desperation, Southern New England Telephone Company. United Fire Company of Botsford showed up, but found they couldn’t reach her. Chief Belair suggested that Mrs Hendrson call Mike McCarthy, a local tree tender. “Annie’s” aerial vigil finally ended at 7:30 Thursday evening as the athletic young treeman zipped up the trunk, scooped her up and deposited her in a bag and returned to earth, all in about “ten seconds,” said Adria Henderson.

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September 23, 1955

At the suggestion of the high school principal, James F. Hinckley, the following ruling was presented to the Board of Education, and was adopted by the board effective immediately: “The wearing of blue jeans, dungarees, slacks, shorts, or any variation thereof may have its place elsewhere but such garments are not considered proper wear for young ladies attending Newtown High School, and will not be worn in the school. Judgment as to what constitutes proper attire for a school situation will be the responsibility of the school administration.”

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Pertinent questions on town planning posed by the League of Women Voters and townspeople were answered Tuesday night in an open meeting which filled the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. The meeting, sponsored by the League, gave voters who will act on an ordinance to create a town planning committee in special town meeting this Friday night an opportunity to hear the views of the group sponsoring the ordinance.

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 A record attendance opened the meetings of the Newtown Parents and Teachers Association for the new school year Wednesday night in the auditorium of Newtown High School. The program was devoted to a review of the growth of the Newtown schools and present problems by members of the Board of Education and school officials.

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 A benefit showing of “A Man Called Peter” at the Edmond Town Hall theatre on Thursday, October 6, will aid in the purchase of a microscope for a medical missionary in Southern Rhodesia, Africa.

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The St Rose School Building Fund campaign entered its most active phase Wednesday night as the Most Rev Laurence J. Shehan, Bishop of Bridgeport, blessed the approximately 90 campaign workers who will carry out the drive in the parish during the next six weeks.

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Bertram A. Stroock announced that contributions to the A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial now amounted to $1,890.50. For the past few months, the members of the commission have been making a comprehensive study of swimming pools and have now come to the decision that the cost of a cement pool would be prohibitive. The construction of a natural swimming pond seems to be more feasible.

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Newtown High Notes: Miss Anderson has announced there will not be a girls’ soccer team this year. Unfortunately, many schools are not continuing girls’ soccer and it has been impossible to arrange any games.

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September 19, 1930

 Joan Crawford, Anita Page and Dorothy Sebastian who gave movie fans something to talk about with the highly entertaining “Our Dancing Daughters” and Harry Beaumont who directed the silent film hit, have gotten together again and between them have produced what is without a doubt one of the most sparkling, invigorating and dramatically interesting talking pictures to be seen Wednesday, September 24, at the Edmond Town hall theater in a long while, namely: “Our Blushing Brides.”

 The Beacon Miniature Golf course, which is located south of the Liberty Garage, opened on Sunday afternoon and has enjoyed excellent patronage from both local and out of town players.

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The garage of Louis C. Lovell was broken into by burglars sometime after midnight, Tuesday night. A Buick sedan owned by Frederick A. Stoddard, who lives a few doors away from the garage, was stolen, and tires and spark plugs valued at about $800 were taken. The cash register was opened and a quantity of pennies stolen.

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Newtown lost a substantial and splendid citizen in the death on Friday noon of Alfred Mead Briscoe, who was 80 years of age. Born in Taunton district, the son of Isaac W. Briscoe and Cornelia Fairchild Briscoe, in his early life he worked at the meat business with his father. As a young man he often assisted his father in driving cattle from a Mr Mead’s farm at North Salem, N.Y., with whom he dealt largely. In 1906 he purchased the farm of Frederick Sanford, and with his son, Louis T. Briscoe, engaged in farming and the wagon and harness business.

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Seventy-five years ago on September 15, the first deposit was made in the Newtown Savings bank, an institution in which our citizens take a real and lively interest. To celebrate this anniversary, as already noted in The Bee, the trustees last week declared a regular dividend of 2½ per cent and a special anniversary dividend of ½ per cent, making total dividends of three per cent for the six months payable October 1, 1930.

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For the third year in succession the Mendelssohn Male chorus of 60 voices from Waterbury will sing in Newtown. Each year their fame has increased and it is indeed a pleasure to welcome them, and hear some of their new songs and some of the songs that never grow old.

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September 22, 1905

On the night of the Bi-Centennial day Mrs R.N. Betts lost in Newtown Street a gold coil pin, with a bit of coral ornament in the center. Mrs Betts values the pin for the associations connected with it, and would be thankful for its return.

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The public-spirited ladies and gentlemen of Sandy Hook and Newtown are requested to meet at the Fair buildings, Saturday afternoon at 2, for the purpose of decorating the buildings. Parties having bunting to spare are requested to bring it along.

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The year of 1905 will witness the 10th annual fair of the Newtown Agricultural society. From the beginning, in 1896, the growth of the fair has been remarkable. It now ranks among the first of the 38 agricultural societies of Connecticut.

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In accepting the resignation of our pastor, Rev Otis W. Barker, we, the members of the First Ecclesiastical society of Newtown, desire to bear testimony to his faithful and earnest ministry in this place. The society has prospered, while in numbers the congregation has increased, despite deaths and removals from town.

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While playing football in the Street, Saturday afternoon, about 3 o’clock, Rodney Shepard had both bones in the right leg broken. Dr Gale was about starting out to visit a patient, and was stopped just in time. Football is a rough game at the best, and if indulged in by boys, should be under the supervision of trained teachers.