October 13, 1989

At almost precisely noon, Saturday, October 7, the Grand Union super market on Queen Street was the scene of an unusual robbery. According to police, the scenario began when approximately ten to 15 “gypsies” filtered into the store. While several of them distracted the front office manager, others removed an undetermined amount of cash from the office. In a mass exodus, the gypsies fled the store and left the premises in three different vehicles. One of the vehicles sideswiped a parked vehicle and hit a shopping cart, which collided with a second parked car. A customer whose baby was in the shopping cart saw the car coming in time to grab the child from the cart.

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The state giveth and the state taketh away — a power more apparent lately to Newtowners looking for the resolution of lawsuits and outcome of imminent negotiations concerning a proposed state jail. While the $52 million jail is being built here to alleviate crowding, state officials have expressed anger and impatience with town lawsuits and action by the first selectman to delay construction or ensure environmental accountability. Town department heads say residents have been circulating rumors that state funding and some future settlement may be jeopardized by the town’s litigious stance. Locally, municipal administrators dispelled rumors about the availability of routine state funding.

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Nestled in a wooded area of Sandy Hook lies a community which some area residents may not know exists — Parkside Lodge at Eagle Hill. It is an inpatient treatment facility geared toward the treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse. Parkside Lodge offers comprehensive programs which include everything from films, lectures, and recreational therapy to medical and nutritional supervision, and individual and group counseling.

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Police and firefighters responded to an accident scene on Route 25 on the morning of October 7, after a fuel truck hit 10 guardrails and snapped a utility pole, downing live wires on the road. For more than three hours, traffic was detoured. A Northeast Utilities spokesman said 28 customers lost power from 8 am to 3:18 pm.

October 16, 1964

Latest school enrollment reports from the Newtown High School indicate that Newtown is one year ahead of projections. The current enrollment of 939 is only one less than the 940 projected for October 1, 1965. The Board of Education and superintendent are seriously concerned with the increase in secondary enrollment. The existing junior-senior high school can reasonably house 1,000 students. At present rates of growth, this will be reached next year, rather than in 1966, as had been previously anticipated.

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Three business establishments were broken into last week in the town of Newtown. Two were service stations, Karcheski’s Texaco and Glen Shell, and the Village Store in Sandy Hook. Alfred J. Karcheski, owner of the South Main station, said he lost 10 tires. Frank Daily, an employee of Helen and William Terrill, who own the Village Store, said entry was made by breaking a glass door, and that a large number of items were taken. Some cash was also taken. Glen Shell Service in Sandy Hook was broken into sometime Friday night. Over $100 in bills and some change was taken, said B.R. Newman, an employee, as well as four gallons of Prestone. Five windows were broken.

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Five fires on Wednesday kept Newtown’s firemen busy and reminded residents that the long dry spell has left its touch in the fields and woods, in spite of some rain. A brush fire burned most of the day, charring about five acres in Pootatuck Park, Sandy Hook. There was a house fire at the home of Harold Ness on Taunton Lake Road, a brush fire along the tracks in Botsford and another on Evergreen Road. The fifth involved a burning utility pole caused by a car crash on Whisconier Hill.

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As of press time, as many as 200 new Girl Scouts, mostly Brownies, are joining the 235 girls already registered in the program in Newtown. This has involved the formation of five new troops, making a total of 15, and the recruitment of many new volunteer leaders. The response to the program is most gratifying, but there is still great need for adult leaders.

 

October 13, 1939

The regular meeting of the Charles Howard Peck, VFW, will be held this Friday evening at 8 o’clock at the Fire House. A Department President will be on hand to meet all ladies interested in forming an auxiliary at the court room on Friday evening at 8 o’clock.

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To revive and preserve one of the traditional customs of this countryside, Mr W. Farnam of Cascade Farm, New Milford, organized a horse-pulling contest. It was held on the property of the Cascade Farm on September 30. The event was finally won by the roan team owned by Mr Butensky of Hawleyville. This team was driven by Will Lynch. The team weighed about 3,450 pounds. They pulled a total for 5,100 pounds.

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Attorney John N. Boyle was appointed by Governor Raymond E. Baldwin on Friday to succeed Edward R. Hampton as Judge of the Newtown Town Court. Because of the Dual Job ban and the fact that Judge Hampton is one of Newtown’s two representatives in the Legislature, it became necessary for the Governor to replace him as judge in the local court.

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Due to the unusual dryness which has prevailed throughout the summer and fall months, Earl A. Taylor, District Fire Warden for this locality, makes a special appeal to all persons for their cooperation in preventing forest fires. Precaution should also be taken by motorists, not to dispose of lighted cigarettes of tobacco while traveling along in their cars, and homeowners should be particularly careful in burning leaves.

 

October 16, 1914

The Bi-Centennial celebration in honor of the founding of the local Congregational church will take place on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, October 18, 19, and 20. All the services are free. A cordial invitation to the public is extended. SUNDAY morning. SUNDAY AFTERNOON Service begins at 2 o’clock. SUNDAY EVENING At 7:30 Christian Endeavor Rally. MONDAY AFTERNOON Historical Service, beginning at 2 o’clock. MONDAY EVENING At 7:30. Musical Service. At the close for the musical service there will be a social hour for the reunion of old friends. All present are urged to remain. TUESDAY Meeting of the Fairfield County Association of Churches and Ministers at 11 am. Rev L.F. Berry of Stamford, will preside and make an address. Addresses will also be made by Rev Charles R. Brown of New Haven, by Rev G.H. Beard of Bridgeport, and by Hon John H. Perry of Fairfield. The choir will assist in the musical part of the service.

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The dancing school of Mrs Burt Thrall has opened for the winter in Glover’s hall, Sandy Hook. Lessons every Friday evening, teaching the Fox-Trot, One-Step and Lullu-Fado; also two-step and waltz.

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The electric juice was turned on, Wednesday night, for the first time at the store of R.H. Beers & Co. The Danbury & Bethel Street Railway Co. promised the lights by the 15th and have kept their word. Much praise is due the company for the energy shown in pushing the project through. Those who have not wired for electricity will do well to have the work done at once.

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A.S. Green was in town, Monday, making arrangements for electric lights. He will maintain a complete equipment of Electric bulbs for the use of the Electric Light Co of the new Mazda type. Will also have a complete assortment of electric heating appliances and vacuum cleaners and will also maintain men in this territory to care for any electric requirements.