October 17, 1997

Federal Bureau of Investigation agents have been brought in to assist the Newtown police with the investigation of several incidents of an intruder in the Riverside section of Sandy Hook last summer. Four FBI agents, several state police officers, and members of the local department canvassed homes in Riverside last week to reinterview the homeowners. Newtown Police Detective Robert Tvardzik said the FBI has taken a keen interest in the case because it is similar to cases in other parts of the country and a profile of this type of offender has been developed.

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A decision last week by Newtown’s Board of Selectmen to hire the same Stratford architectural firm that ten years ago recommended Newtown as the best site for a state prison has drawn criticism from those who fought — and lost — the protracted battle to keep the correctional facility out of Newtown. The selectmen selected Antinozzi Associates of Stratford October 6 to conduct a story of the town’s need for more office space.

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Planning and Zoning Commission members are reviewing a planning study which analyzes Hawleyville’s potential for economic development and natural resource conservation extending to the year 2017. The $100,000 study, which was prepared for the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials (HVCEO) by Barakos-Landino, Inc, of Hamden, finds there is an opportunity for significant economic development without adversely affecting the basic character of Hawleyville or overburdening its natural or built environment. HVCEO members endorsed the study in September.

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When artist Virginia Zimmermann-Gutbrod, a Queens, N.Y., native, was suddenly transplanted in 1987 to Minot, North Dakota, she was almost overwhelmed by her new environment. The broad expanse of sky, a trademark feature of the northern prairie, offered limitless views from horizon to horizon. It was something she had never experienced before, not while growing up in Queens, and certainly not in Paris, where she had studied art at Parsons School of Design. Now, nearly seven years after she and her family left North Dakota, Ms Zimmermann-Gutbrod feels settled in Sandy Hook. A collection of her work, “An Unobstructed View,” with pastel paintings and charcoal drawings completed during the artist’s four years in North Dakota and shortly after the move to Connecticut, is the current exhibition at McLaughlin Winery in Sandy Hook.

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A disqualification in the 200 medley relay put the Newtown Nighthawks in a position to lose its South-West Conference meet with Pomperaug on Tuesday, but their guts, determination and belief put them back in a position to win. The ‘Hawks overcame a deficit as large as 16 points to steal a victory away from the Lady Panthers, 95-91, with a dramatic finish in the final event of the meet, the 400 freestyle relay.

October 13, 1972

The Bee wants to report that its editor is doing well. Paul Smith suffered a slight stroke on Sunday night and is now recuperating at his home on Currituck Road. We know that his many friends will be glad to know that he is on the mend.

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At the October 4 meeting of the Sixty Plus Club, Gustaf Nelson of the Brookfield Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons gave an interesting and informative talk on state legislation for the elderly and a considerable increase in the number of citizens over 65 in the state of Connecticut over the past few years. He included many topics in his talk, among them the three most important necessities for good health: good clean air, fresh water, and nutritious food. He urged the elderly to attend meetings and whenever possible take advantage of their privilege to vote on such matters as taxes including personal income tax, sales tax, school taxes, etc.

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The Sandy Hook Women’s League reports the following figures as high scores for bowling on October 10. High single was Freida Gauthier with 124. High three was Katy Pierwola with 322. High no-mark was Sophie Laukaitis with 87. Team scores were high single, Spades, 383; high three, Clubs, 1,084.

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At the third annual meeting of the Newtown Arts Festival on Friday, October 6, a new board of directors was voted into office. Heading the officers of the corporation is Robert D. Macdonald of Queen Street as president. Seth O.L. Brody became Chairman of the Board. Paul S. Smith was re-elected treasurer, and Ellen Fahrenholz is secretary. Vice-president in charge of tickets is Mrs James Boyd; vice-president in charge of mailings is Mrs Robert DiGiovanni; vice-president in charge of publicity is Mrs Douglas Rogers; vice-president in charge of finance is Mrs Malcolm Bowen. New on the Board are the two vice-presidents in charge of student liaison, April Forbell and Cathy Roberts. Alvah Cramer, principal of the Newtown High School, was re-elected as vice president in charge of arrangements, and Mrs Enzo Domini heads the program committee.

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First Selectman Frank DeLucia spoke to the Newtown Welcome Wagon Club at the Land ’N Lake restaurant on Thursday, October 12. Mr DeLucia’s speech focused on the proposed racetrack and what he called its potential problems. Mr DeLucia reminded those in attendance that Newtown is under the Town Meeting form of local government, which “is literally accomplished by vote of the Town’s citizens gathered together at a Town Meeting called for that purpose.” Mr DeLucia also reminded everyone that recent changes in statutes governing voter eligibility means “any person of voting age who has been a resident of the community for one day is entitled to cast his ballot in the affairs of our Town, at either a Town Meeting or at an election.” The prospect of “transient employees of a racetrack in Newtown,” he said, “would make it essential to give serious thought to changing the present form of our Town government, which is one of Newtown’s cherished and respected traditions, to enable us to retain an influential voice in the conduct of our own affairs.”

October 10, 1947

Newtown’s far-famed, 100-foot tall flagpole, long a landmark for motorists from all parts of Connecticut and many surrounding states, was a special center of interest last Friday and Saturday when, with the 75-foot derrick of the A.M. Larsen Company of Waterbury supporting the two shafts that compose the monument, repairs were made to overcome the weakened condition of the base wood. The operation, provoking comments and questions from hundreds of passing motorists, marked another historical date in the preservations of one of the scenic characteristics of the town.

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Due to the illness of Miss Joan Collet, the Women’s Finals in the golf tournament at the Newtown Country Club, scheduled to be held last Sunday, will take place this week-end.

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The Society of the Hawley Family met for luncheon and reunion at Hawley Manor on Saturday. Miss Eunice Avery of Longmeadow, Mass., was the speaker, following the luncheon.

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Hugh Quinn, Jr., who is stationed in Tokyo, made a telephone call home on Saturday night at ten-fifty. The time in Tokyo was 12:50 p.m. The call came through very distinctly. His voice has become very deep. It was indeed a great thrill and pleasure for his family to speak with him, after being stationed over there one year.

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Miss Jean Hazard became the bride of Elwood Watkins, son of Mr and Mrs Reginald Watkins of Sandy Hook, last Friday morning at 10 o’clock at Trinity Episcopal church, with the Rev John W. Mutton, rector, officiating. The bride wore a beige gabardine suit with brown accessories and an orchid corsage. Her maid of honor was Miss Shirley Shannon, who wore a maroon suit with gray accessories and a carnation corsage. Floyd Mainwaring was best man for Mr Watkins. The bride was given in marriage by Mrs William A. Bowen of the Hawley Manor, where she has made her home for the past year. A reception and breakfast followed at the Hawley Manor for relatives and friends, after which the happy couple left for a week’s honeymoon in New York.

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For the information of Newtown parents and students, Principal Carl A. LeGrow states that the dates for issuance of student report cards during the school year are: October 14, December 2, January 27, March 16, May 4 and June 17.

October 6, 1922

THE DANBURY FAIR “A HUMMER” — The Danbury fair is breaking all records, this year, in attendance, and Hon G. Mortimer Rundle and his fellow directors are all smiles over the fine weather, and record breaking crowds. The vaudeville attractions in front of the grand stand are best ever, presented on the fair grounds. The trotting has been extra good, this year. Tuesday’s sensational race was won by the horse driven by the veteran Nelson of Katonah, 81 years old. He received a fine send-off from the grand stand crowds as he drove ahead under the wire at the finish. This was his 26th year driving at the Danbury fair and he always has a good one.

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On another page of The Bee will be found the 67th annual statement of the Newtown Savings Bank. It shows deposits of $1,736,454.98. Compared with a year ago Mortgage Loans show an increase of $124,239, Railroad Bonds a decrease of $12,500, The Surplus Account is $125,000, and Profit and Loss Account, or undivided earnings $51,530,44. In addition to the regular divided on four per cent the bank also paid two extra dividends the past year; one quarter of one per cent April and one quarter of one per cent October 2, making the total rate paid for the year four and one half per cent. The statement shows the bank has had a very good year and is in strong condition.

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James B. Nichols caught at Taunton lake, Friday, two bass weighing two and three pounds each and one on Wednesday morning weighing four pounds.

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James and Margaret Christopher have sold their farm in Dodgingtown to Emile Kopff of New Rochelle, N.Y.

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Orrin B. Smith, a respected resident of Center street, died Monday morning, having suffered a stroke of apoplexy. Mr Smith was 77 years old. He was a hatter by trade, but retired some years ago. The greater part of his life had been spent in Bethel, although he resided for a few years in Newtown. He is survived by his wife, and one daughter, Mrs Eugene Bevans, of Greenwood avenue. The funeral service was held at the house, 32 Center street, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The burial was in the Newtown cemetery.

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Mr and Mrs George G. Canfield attended the light opera, “Madame Butterfly,” at Poli’s Palace in Bridgeport, Sunday afternoon.

October 15, 1897

The trial of the men arrested for illegal liquor selling at the fair grounds during the progress of the fair, was held at the Town hall on Saturday morning of last week, at 11 o’clock. The cases were brought before Justice George Kane of Bridgeport, and in each instance they were found guilty by the court. They paid dearly for their ill-gotten gains and fun, for on Wednesday they each paid for a license from Uncle Sam that cost them $20 apiece, and the raid of Thursday will surely cost them as much more before they are through with it.

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DODGINGTOWN AND VICINITY: Mrs Shaffer of Brooklyn, N.Y., is spending a few days at Pleasant Hill cottage, the house of Mr and Mrs James P. Barnum. | Mr and Mrs P.C. Durant of Bethel passed Sunday with their parents, Mr and Mrs Lorenzo Durant. | Mrs Hawley and son of Great Plain has [sic] been spending a few days with her sister, Mrs J.W. Behn. | Miss Georgia M. Ferry has been entertaining her cousins from Bethel. | Andrew James spent Sunday with his brother in Botsford Hill. | Mrs Lorenzo Durant has been entertaining relatives from Westport. | Mr and Mrs A.E. Bevans passed Sunday the guests of their parents. | Mrs George Crane is on the sick list. | Mrs J.W. Behn is entertaining relatives from Bethel.

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HATTERTOWN: Mr and Mrs William Patchen of Waterbury have been spending several days visiting with relatives and friends in this place. | Charles Lane of Providence, R.I., has visited his brother, Reuben Lane, at Maple Corners. | H.P. Morgan and son, Charles, returned Monday, after a two months’ trip on Long Island. | William Fletcher entertained company from Bridgeport, Saturday. | Miss Davis has been the guest of Miss Nettie Benedict. | Mrs H.A. Pratt has been quite sick with the grip, and was obliged to close her school for a week.

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Edward Egan of Walnut Tree hill, accompanied by his son, Rev Edward Egan of Seabright, N.J., sailed on October 6, from New York on the steamer, Germanic, of the White Star line, for a European tour.

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.