Date: Fri 13-Aug-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Muppets-In-Space-jacket

Full Text:

The Blue & Gold & "The Muppets In Space"

If you go to see the new Muppets In Space movie this summer, be sure to look

for an old Newtown High School varsity jacket stuck in one of the scenes.

It's in there along with big screen legends Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and

the rest of the Muppet cast. The Bee got wind of this story earlier this week

after receiving a call from former Newtown resident Harriet Judkins, of

Savannah, GA. She is the mother of 1971 NHS graduate Courtney Hough, an

all-state football player.

"I remember when he bought it. He got it at half price," Mrs Judkins recalled

this week. "You know the jacket, it's royal blue with those mustard colored

sleeves."

Following Hough's graduation in 1971, the jacket was stored away in the attic.

Eventually, the varsity jacket fell into the hands of Courtney's cousin, Carl

Espy, who has since become involved in the motion picture industry. When the

call went out for an old high school jacket, Carl somehow arranged for the

"good old blue and gold" to get the audition.

Courtney Hough is considered one of the greatest football players ever to wear

the NHS colors. He now lives in Stamford. His son, Dave Hough, was a standout

baseball player, graduating from NHS in 1991.