October 13, 1995

Newtown’s own Steven King, Rick Mariani, has done it again. Socko, as he is known around town, has further expanded the folly of his demented mind as Halloween — his favorite time of year — once again approaches. Socko’s Haunted Yard, which all began a decade ago as a two-man spook show on the front porch of the Mariani house, has blossomed into a full-blown, fright-fested fun house... This year’s hallowed grounds are those of Newtown Sand & Gravel, off of Toddy Hill in Sandy Hook, after having set up shop at Dickinson Park in each of the last two years... The Haunted Yard raised thousands of dollars over the past three years for Newtown Youth Services, but this year will benefit the Newtown Jaycees.

***

The Legislative Council last week voted unanimously to create a commission to look at the charter and decide whether it should be amended. The charter, which was first adopted in 1961, was last amended in November 1991. Its provisions specify that a charter review commission must be convened within five years after the last commission submitted its report.

***

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has recommended that the town acquire property in Commerce Park on Commerce Road to provide an access way to Fairfield Hills for industrial development... The selectmen have recently been considering a town purchase of 4.8 wooded acres at #6 and #8 Commerce Road... Any acquisition of the 4.8 acres for road construction would be subject to voters’ approval at a town meeting.

***

After a two-year investigation initiated by the Newtown School district, the state revoked former Newtown teacher Sandra I. Perkins’ teaching license, concluding she had a sexual relationship with a Newtown student and acted inappropriately with other students. The state did not name the student... but noted that he committed suicide by drug overdose a few months after Ms Perkins resigned as a special education teacher from Newtown High School in July 1993... Ms Perkins could not be reached for comment.

***

Could this possibly be the year for the Newtown High School girls’ cross country team to finally take the championship title away from rival Bethel? After nine consecutive years of winning the title, Bethel will be legitimately challenged by the Indians. Newtown runners have been cruising the cross country courses this season with confidence and definitely persistence and determination. One goal foremost in their minds — Winning the South-Western Conference Championship.

***

The way things were going, if the New Milford Green Wave had gained even an inch against the Newtown High School defense last Saturday, it probably would have thought it was a mile. Almost to the extent of putting a blanket over the collective heads of the New Milford football team, the Indians suffocated their Western Connecticut Conference rivals... The victory kept the Indians undefeated at 4-0 and at the top of the Western Connecticut Conference Briggs Division race.

October 9, 1970

Trinity Church has announced plans for a program of restoration and preservation in recognition of the Centennial Anniversary of the church building. The church tower, which has been a major landmark to all of Newtown for 100 years will be restored in order to preserve its place in the history of the church and town. The upper third of Trinity Church Tower will be removed and reset with modern binding materials.

***

Newtown’s annual town meeting drew a sizeable number of people, some 130, on Monday evening, October 5, and passed all items on the agenda in about an hour and a half. Perhaps the most important item was the establishment of a Historic District around Hattertown Green.

***

Newtowners are playing an important part in the 101st Danbury Fair, taking top honors in the oxen draw contests and also for their displays of the fall harvest in the Big Top... Through Tuesday, Harold Ferris’ team had taken two firsts... In the Big Top, George Mayer and Vincent Gaffney of Palestine District received top award for their centerpiece and also the quality and variety of their fruits and vegetables.

***

Nelson G. Curtis, president of S. Curtis and Sons Inc, Sandy Hook, has announced the purchase by Curtis of the tangible assets, excluding land and buildings, of Compressed Paper Box Corporation of Trumbull. Compressed will continue production until October 30 on its existing orders, but new orders will be transferred to Curtis, which is buying the printing plates and cutting dies.

***

It was a lonely day last Tuesday for goalie Bruce Aiken as Newtown’s soccer team took apart Masuk High, 4-0. Aiken touched the ball four times during the entire game as Newtown’s offense monopolized Masuk’s goalie. Jerry Shpunt made the first Newtown score with Kevin Griffith making the second. Adding a little insurance, Dennis Keane and Steve Gleason scored Newtown’s last two goals.

***

The Pop Warner Newtown Lions have an open date this week and the rest of the League will draw a sigh of relief, as the high scoring locals overwhelmed the Brookfield Packers last Sunday, running their season scoring output to 111 points. A large crowd was on hand to watch the offense-minded Lions pile up 407 yards on the ground, which included a strong 25-point spurt in the second half.

October 5, 1945

In the heaviest polling in a number of years, Republicans won a comfortable victory in Monday’s election for town offices. Three amendments to the State Constitution included on the ballots all received big majorities... Total votes cast numbering 1,743 is a long time town election record.

***

The third week of the United War Fund Drive in Newtown finds the town tragically failing in this effort. In order to meet the figured assigned to us, approximately $6,000, the citizens of Newtown must contribute generously before the close of the campaign on October 31st.

***

Twenty-six Camp Fire Girls and ten Blue Birds, all hale, hearty, and purposeful, gathered in the Parish Hall of St John’s Church, Sandy Hook, on Thursday, September 27, and registered with Mrs Austin E. Dinkler, Guardian, for another full year of fun, learning and service. Mrs John R. McMahon will be the new Blue Bird leader, and extends a warm welcome to all girls between the ages of seven and ten to join her Owaissa O-We Blue Bird group. All girls who are older than ten are invited to join the Kah i La La and Tan Da Camp Fire Girls.

***

The Home Economics Club met for the first time, Wednesday, September 26, in the Annex of Hawley School. There were thirty girls present, and we made many plans for the future. Our dues are to be five cents. Girls outside the Home Economics class, in school from the grades seventh to twelfth will be allowed to come into the club. Every month our club will devote one of its meetings to Junior Red Cross or some other organization.

***

Hawley high football players break into the season’s schedule next Monday afternoon against the strong Bethel team. This is the second time the game has been changed. Rain last Monday set it back a week. Hawley also will be playing New Milford on Friday of next week.

***

Gordon Durgy and Shirley Sedor were elected new team captains of Physical Education teams at Land’s End School for October. Edmund Farrell, Roy Myers, Joe Suhnousky and Jack Watkins were elected captains of the 9th and 10th grade teams.

September 24, 1920

The microfilm containing 1920 Newtown Bee editions is kept at the C.H. Booth Library, and not accessible until the library fully lifts coronavirus health precautions.

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