October 3, 1997

The Newtown High School contingency fund appears to be running on empty. Last month the Board of Education was informed that about half of the project’s million-dollar emergency fund still remained. However, several surprisingly large bills arrived in the mail recently, sending contingency expenses through the roof. Two of these bills have put an additional $330,000 dent in the fund, which is set to cover unforeseen costs on large projects. Another $660,000 has already been used to cover change orders at the site. Some of them are still pending. “My understanding is we’ll have enough to finish the job, but we’re monitoring it very closely,” Board of Education Chairman Herb Rosenthal told the Legislative Council’s finance committee Wednesday night.

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Newtown resident Jo-Ann Smith Dempsky, director of the Northern Fairfield County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), spoke Tuesday, September 30, at the Senior Center, urging more individuals age 55 and over to become involved. “You have the time, the experience and the talents to make a difference,” said Ms Dempsky, who was accompanied by Danbury RSVP Coordinator Rhona Gordon and Don Pollock, also representing the Danbury chapter. Newtown and Sandy Hook residents who already participate in RSVP have knitted more than 110 afghans for the homeless, created quilts for AIDS babies, made teddy bears for children at Danbury Hospital, and lap robes for those in wheelchairs and the homebound.

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Dick McEvoy, a Newtown artist who had a solo show of paintings at McLaughlin Vineyards’ Winery during the month of September, won awards at two recent shows. Mr McEvoy was presented honors by judges of the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod and the Connecticut Pastel Society Annual Members Show.

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Christopher Majewski comes to Newtown well versed in environmental issues, having served in several natural resource conservation posts. With a background in forestry, geology, and water resource protection, Mr Majewski serves as the town’s conservation official, working as a technical adviser to the Conservation Commission, the agency that acts as Newtown’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. Serving as Newtown’s conservation official since May, Mr Majewski’s duties include written reports on all the applications pending before the Conservation Commission.

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Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) celebrated the beginning of the 1997-98 club year with a dinner meeting and “Pass The Gavel” ceremony. The club’s new presidents, Lorelei Sowe and Leslie Trudell, received the club gavel from past president Sheila Gervais. This year’s officers also include L.J. Cox, treasurer; and Nicole Christensen, secretary. A new member meeting is planned for Monday, October 13.

October 6, 1972

A cross section of Newtowners and area residents met in front of Edmond Town Hall on Sunday afternoon, October 1. More than 500 signed petitions opposing a racetrack in Newtown and 80 volunteered their services in a campaign. The sentiment of many was “Horses, yes — but a racetrack here, no.” People who missed Sunday’s meeting are asked to write their feelings to Citizens Committee, PO Box … Newtown. Petitions now circulating — over 2,000 names were given in four days time — should also be sent to that box number before October 11.

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The annual town meeting took place on Monday evening, October 2, in the gymnasium of Edmond Town Hall. Thirty-two persons were present, most of them members of various town boards and commissions. David Larson was named moderator, and Town Clerk Barbara Parker read the call to the meeting. Those officials who were present to read their annual reports were Dr Thomas Draper, Health Officer; Maurice Nezvesky, chairman of the Building Commission; Mrs Thomas Ineson, secretary of the Board of Education; Dr James Boyd, Superintendent of Schools; Theodore Whippie, chairman of the Conservation Commission; James Smith, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals; and Mrs Harvey Hubbell, registrar of voters. First Selectman Frank DeLucia waived reading of the Selectmen’s report but did read a resolution asking for a formal acknowledgement of the late Timothy B. Treadwell, his fulfillment of duties as first selectman, and the Town’s mourning of its previous leader. The resolution was granted unanimously by those who were present.

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The audit of the financial transactions of the Borough of Newtown for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1972 has been made and is now on file in the Borough Clerk’s office for public inspection, according to an announcement by Borough Clerk Ethel E. Connor.

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There were 471 ambulance calls made through September. This is 111 more than during the same period of 1971 — over a 30 per cent increase. The ambulance made 60 trips, 35 daytime and 25 nighttime, traveling 1,485 miles, serving 38 residents and 24 non-residents during September. Nine of these trips were made to locations other than Danbury Hospital. The calls were classified as: medical emergencies, 18; non-emergencies, three; hospital transfers, nine; highway accidents, 11; other accidents, 11; miscellaneous, eight. First Aid was administered 20 times and oxygen ten times by the 23 volunteer corpsmen serving during September. The Newtown Ambulance Driver Corps welcomes four new members that joined in September: Mike Brokaw, Clayton Lasch, Dave Lydem and Jim Saunders.

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According to John Roger, project engineer for the State Department of Transportation, the reconstruction of Route 25 on Whisconier Hill will probably be completed by mid-November, dependent on weather conditions. The work is to straighten a 1,300-foot length of road which has been the source of numerous accidents in the past, due to the difficulty cars and trucks experience when they attempt to negotiate the curve there under slippery road conditions. The worst accident happened in July 1996 when an asphalt-laden truck crashed into a house, then owned by John Jones, of Farrell Road, on Whisconier, filling the basement and kitchen of the home with asphalt. Total construction is expected to cost about $190,000.

October 3, 1947

The Bethany ball club played better baseball than the Newtown Bees to win the final game in the play-off series on Sunday afternoon at Taylor Field, taking the Pomperaug Valley League championship home with them, where it will remain until another season opens up next summer. Bethany had won the first game, 5-3, in a closely contested contest at Taylor Field on September 14th, to be followed by a Newtown win of 12-6 on the 21st, when the Bees went on a batting spree. Tension, therefore, was high for last Saturday’s deciding tilt, and after giving up an early two-run lead, the Bees faltered in their pace and folded rapidly to allow the visitors to run up a 10-2 total. There was no doubt as the game ended, that Bethany had played better ball and had earned its title.

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House Jameson of Main street returned to the air on Thursday evening, October 2nd, when The Aldrich Family resumed after a hiatus of 13 weeks. This radio program is starting its ninth year. During the summer vacation, Mr and Mrs Jameson, accompanied by Mr Jameson’s mother, Mrs R.H. Ward of Austin, Texas, motored through the White Mountains, spent several days at Bar Harbour [sic] and explored the coast of Maine. Mrs Ward returns to Austin the latter part of October to spend the winter in Texas.

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Miss Ruth Jones and Mrs Sarah Hampton entertained Monday night at the Newtown Country club for the weekly bridge party. High scorer for the evening was Lester Furbush. Mr and Mrs George Tower will be the hosts for next week.

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Miss Marilla Jane Hook sailed on Friday aboard the Queen Mary for her return to her home in England, following a visit of two months with Mrs F.F. Johnson and other of her relatives in Newtown. Though, of course, glad to return home, Miss Hook much enjoyed her visit here and the new experiences which it provided. Her mother is well remembered as the former Miss Marilla George, whose father, the late Rev James H. George, was rector of Trinity church from 1902 until his death in 1917.

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Last Friday might have been just another busy day for “Doc” Crowe at Corbett & Crowe’s drug store, so far as the popular pharmacist’s regular routing was concerned. However, the date marked the 43rd anniversary of “Doc’s” arrival in Newtown to start his long and useful career as druggist and merchant. The Bee offers its congratulations and best wishes for the future. “Doc” Crowe stands high in the regard of all who know him, and we don’t mind telling him so.

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SATURDAY CLOSINGS CONTINUE: The schedule of Saturday morning closings, which has been in effect all summer, will continue at The Bee office during October. The public is asked, therefore, to continue its cooperation and transact business with us during the other five working days of the week, when phone or personal calls will be welcome at any hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. —Paul S. Smith, Editor

September 29, 1922

The Dental Clinic conducted by The Hawley School Parent-Teachers’ association opened on Friday, September 22, at The Hawley School. Fifteen children gathered for the morning session and when summoned into the school came with lagging feet. When Dr Brennan was ready to begin work and asked who would like the honor of being the first child treated at the Dental Clinic, no one responded; so Earl, the smallest boy in the room, was selected. Earl was a little bit doubtful but did his best to be brave and made no sound while several teeth were filled and several extracted. When he stepped out of the chair and said he had not been hurt he was treated as a hero by the boys.

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John F. Murray, who had been ill for a week, died on Saturday at the home of his sister, Mrs James Elliott, aged 63 years. Mr Murray was a carpenter and painter, a natural mechanic and could turn his hand to almost anything. He was a man of genial, friendly nature, quick at repartee, and good company. The funeral took place on Monday at 10 a.m., from St Rose’s church, Rev Father Regan officiating. The pallbearers were James McMahon, Thomas Maloney, William Ready, Joseph Coles, E.S. Pitzschler and John Keating. The burial was in St Rose’s cemetery.

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A group of young people connected with the Congregational church met in the social rooms, last Sunday evening, and planned a series of Sunday evening gatherings for young people, which will be known as “Pleasant Sunday evenings.” The first meeting will be Sunday evening in the social rooms at 7:30 p.m. All young people of the community are cordially invited.

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Fire broke out shortly before 6 o’clock, Wednesday afternoon, in the top part of the large barn on the property of Dwight Wheeler, opposite the Newtown Inn. The fire was discovered by Gertrude Crowe and other High School girls coming up the hill. They came into The Bee office and telephoned to the Central office, and then hastened across the street and notified P.H. Gannon, foreman of the fire department. Mr Gannon had the horses in his yard and drove at once to the Wheeler place, and found the barn locked and the fire belching out of the top of the building. In a very few minutes the Hose cart was at the scene of the fire, a connection was made with the hydrant at the Brick building, and in less time than it takes to tell it the firemen had a stream of water playing on the flames. The top of the barn was practically burned off, but the bottom part is practically uninjured. It was a neat job on the part of the local firemen and they are to be highly commended.

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Sam Longo, the local shoemaker, is out riding in a new 1923 twin two Ford sport model. The car is a beauty and has attracted considerable attention.

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A large dog, near the Depot, bit Taylor Duncombe in the thigh, and he is now confined to the bed. The wound is a serious one.

October 8, 1897

Rev George T. Linsley of Newtown, Conn., preached at both services in Calvary church yesterday. Rev Mr Linsley is a powerful preacher, having a very pleasing voice and a fine presence. He held the closest attention of the congregation at both services. In the morning Rev Mr Linsley preached from Luke 8:5. “A sower went out to sow his seed. Some fell by the wayside, some fell upon a rock, some fell among thorns; some fell on good ground. The seed is the word of God.” —[Utica (N.Y.) Daily Press

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The need of another hotel in the Street was very apparent last week, when so many strangers stopped in town to attend the fair. Credit can be given Landlord Houlihan who so well accommodated the crowd that thronged to his hotel. It was a busy week for the hotel people and all mistakes and delays in service could be easily overlooked.

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At the citizens’ caucus, last Friday evening, at the Brick building, Patrick H. McCarthy was chairman and Frank Wright secretary. The nominations made will be found in another column.

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J.B. Downs of Stevenson was awarded a second premium on draft oxen under 3,000 at the Newtown fair, instead of third, as reported.

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Staunton Mullee of Naugatuck is the guest of his sister, Mrs Jane Mullee Gallagher, of Sandy Hook.

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Miss Etta Martin, a former pupil of our Academy and graduate of Mt St Joseph’s Seminary at Hartford, has passed a very successful examination and been admitted to the graduating class of the New York Normal College.

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Arthur S. Hawley left on Monday night for New York, where he takes a position with R.H. Ingersoll & Brother. Mr Hawley has been active in the social affairs of the town, and his departure is sincerely regretted. As president of the Library association and member of the Men’s club he has made his influence felt for good.

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.