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At the Newtown PTA Council’s Candidate Night on October 23 at the Middle School, both First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and his Republican challenger Joseph Borst agreed on the need for the town to spend more money to maintain town schools. Mr Borst said the school system has “excellent teachers” and many fine students, but that the buildings have not been kept up as they should have been.

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A fire broke out in the debris of the Lloyd Lumber Company on Commerce Road on October 23 in an area where there was chlorine, paint, and turpentine, forcing the firefighters to wear airpacks while controlling the fire. First Assistant Chief Tim Geis said the chlorine fumes were so thick the airpacks were needed to breathe. Another problem stemming from the toxic chemicals, he said, was the possible pollution of the Pootatuck River.

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Arthur Pavia began donating blood 33 years ago, and last Monday, October 21, he made his 152nd trip to a Bloodmobile location and donated at the Trinity church, making him a 19-gallon donor. Mr Pavia, of Danbury, was awarded a pin by Esther Tibbitts, chairman of the Newtown Bloodmobile, for making the donation. Due to cancellations and damage by Hurricane Gloria, the Red Cross lost thousands of pints of blood and issued a blood emergency early in the month.

 

October 28, 1960

Newtown’s newest fire apparatus, a Mack truck Model C-85, a 750-gallon per minute pumper with a five-man canopy cab forward, was delivered Saturday afternoon. The new truck will be used by the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company. It has a 500-gallon water tank and is powered by a 276 horsepower Mack gasoline engine.

* * *

Newtown Postmaster Albert H. Nichols has announced that a color guard of Explorer Scouts of the Pine Tree Patrol will raise the flag at the dedication of the New Post Office on November 12, when ceremonies will be held at 2 pm. The ceremonies will be held at the modern new Post Office on Queen Street, or, in the event of inclement weather, in the Newtown High School.

* * *

Frederick J. Pendergast of Walnut Tree Hill, Sandy Hook, post chaplain of VFW Post 308, has announced that the post has a hospital bed and mattress, as well as a wheel chair, which are all available to townspeople, whether or not they are veterans or families of veterans. There is no charge for the use of these items.

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Five community parties will be staged for Newtown’s “Trick or Treat” set on Monday evening, sponsored once again by the five fire companies as a bit of compensation to the youngsters who are diverting their Halloween loot to the poor children of the world, through the UNICEF collection. All elementary school children have been issued UNICEF material for their Monday evening “Trick or Treat” rounds.

October 25, 1935

For the first time in at least 15 years the annual business session of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau is being held elsewhere than in Danbury, and Newtown has been favored by the selection of scene for this year’s Farm Bureau gathering, which takes place on Tuesday, November 12.

* * *

Through the generosity of Judge Harry M. Greenman, Frank Strasburger and William C. Baxter enough money has been given to engage Officer William Blake of Sandy Hook to direct traffic in front of the Hawley school each morning and afternoon for the next three months. Automobile traffic at this point is dangerous to the life of the pupils. Eastbound traffic often attains a speed of better than 50 miles per hour as it passes the Hawley school.

* * *

Fathers of Connecticut State College students will be admitted free as guests of the Student Senate and the Athletic Association at the annual football game with Trinity College to be played at 2 pm, Saturday, at Storrs. A good close game is expected between these two traditional rivals.

* * *

Mr and Mrs William Harris will close the popular Maryland Tea Room on next Sunday evening for the rest of the season. The place has enjoyed one of its best years since being opened by Mr and Mrs Harris six years ago. They will leave about November 1, by motor, for Florida, where they will pass the winter.

 

October 28, 1910

There were 39 ballots thrown out at the recent election, 27 of these because there was no cross in the circle at the top of the column. If you don’t want to lose your vote, don’t forget to put a cross in the circle at the top of the column for the party for which you wish to vote. These columns are plainly marked.

* * *

A.J. Crowe, the handsome and popular druggist, is now a voter in Newtown in good and regular standing. His reading of the constitution so pleased the selectmen that he read two pages, until interrupted by the august board. One of the selectmen was said to be so impressed with his ability as an elocutionist that he suggest he be hired to teach elocution in the public schools.

* * *

The Borden’s Condensed Milk Co shipped in a carload of new milch cows on Friday for their patrons. They were a very fine lot of cows and the dairymen feel proud in securing this grade of cows.

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Dear Editor: Will you kindly publish a challenge for any 90 or 95 pound football team of Newtown. We will play the first game on Newtown’s ground if we can get a return game. [C. McKannor, manager of Pequot Juniors, 107 Calhoun Avenue, Bridgeport.]