October 29, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Betty Presnell.

* * * * *

The state Department of Correction (DOC) has moved 60 of the state’s “most problematic” high-security prisoners from Garner Correctional Institution on Nunnawauk Road to a state prison in Virginia as part of a DOC plan to better manage its incarcerated felons. As of Tuesday morning, TransCor America, Inc had moved the prisoners via road from Garner to Wallen’s Ridge State Correctional Facility, a comparable prison in Big Stone Gap, Va., said DOC spokeswoman Captain Heather Ziemba. TransCor also transported 20 inmates from Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, she said.

* * * * *

The Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company began its annual fund drive Sunday at an open house at the fire station at 55 Dodgingtown Road. Firefighters displayed and demonstrated firefighting apparatus to area families. They explained the importance of fire prevention. Fire trucks, a portable water tank, accident extrication equipment and the full range of tools used by firefighters were displayed in front of the fire station. A fire demonstration trailer was parked at the rear. Inside, firefighters explained to children and their families how to be prepared in the event of a fire.

* * * * *

SCT students at Head O’Meadow School assembled bags of Halloween goodies to give to families unable to get out for trick-or-treating this year. The students collected bags brought in by school families, each bag having an assortment of coloring books, crayons, pretzels, toaster pastries and bracelets.

* * * * *

Erin Kostecki finished 10th overall at last week’s South-West Conference championship meet to lead Newtown to a sixth-place team finish. The junior runner tore through the 2.4-mile Bethel course in 17 minutes, 14 seconds on her way to her best finish of the year. A total of 15 runners competed in the race.

* * * * *

The Newtown Fund this week launched its annual Holiday Basket project. Residents and businesses are encouraged to sign up to adopt a family that will receive food baskets and gifts on Depot Day, December 18. Donations are also welcome, as is help on Depot Day itself. Newtown Fund board members Colleen Honan, Doreen Kostecki and Judy Rosentel are coordinating this year’s project.

October 25, 1974

Eagle Hill, the proposed treatment center for alcoholics, received a unanimous five to zero disapproval from the Planning & Zoning Commission in the early hours of Saturday, October 19. The vote to disapprove came after a lengthy discussion by the Commission in which its members went down the list of nine requirements governing granting of special exceptions under the Newtown zoning regulations. Official wording of the reasons has not yet been voted on by the Commission; however the negative vote was based primarily on the P&Z members’ feeling that, due to the density of the land use, the soils would not be able to safely handle the effluent which would be produced.

* * * * *

The Planning & Zoning Commission acted swiftly on a referral from the Board of Selectmen last Friday night, approving with stipulations use of a 7.35 acre parcel on industrial land located near the town landfill for location of a new municipal garage. The referral, which was requested of the Commission the day before the October 18 meeting, enabled the Planning & Zoning members to express their non-binding opinion on the use. It is part of the zoning process which the Selectmen and the Public Building Committee must go through. Next step is a public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals, on November 6, since the Town is seeking a variance from the setback requirement of 150 feet from roads for the land, which is in an M-2 zone. The property is on the corner of Route 25, and Ethan Ellen Road, which leads to the landfill.

* * * * *

Mrs Rosemary Mead was surprised at a luncheon at the Newtown Inn on October 18 to celebrate her completion of 25 years as clerk of Newtown’s Probate Court. Joining in the occasion were many of the area’s attorneys as well as Judge and Mrs Benjamin Blanchard. Town Hall employees joined her in a second celebration on Monday afternoon, October 21.

* * * * *

The Board of Education heard from the public again at its regular meeting on Tuesday night, as public participation took over the major portion of the program. Most of the speakers came to register complaints. Before it all began, the Board members, at the request of member Mrs W. Nelson Roberts, asked Superintendent of Schools Dr Albert Brinkman to prepare a report on what continuous-progress and open classroom education actually means within the Newtown school system. The Board also asked the Superintendent for a description of the structured programs in the system so that people can be given the report to see and question.

* * * * *

Mrs Gerda Treat has presented her late husband’s complete collection of “LIFE” magazine to the Cyrenius Booth Library in his memory. The 110 bound volumes and several loose copies date from November 1936 to the magazine’s closing in 1973 and include every issue of the pictorial weekly ever published, and were collected by Roger Treat during a busy writing career. … Eleven of his books, including “Encyclopedia of Professional Football,” are in the Booth Library collection. Mrs Treat, who was active in Town Players’ productions for many seasons, has sold her Taunton Hill Road home and will soon move from Newtown.

* * * * *

Benny Goodman brought his clarinet and his ensemble to Newtown last Saturday night, and did they ever make music for two hours! It was great, and, that is just about all I can find to say about the first concert of the Newtown Arts Festival 1974-75 series. It was great, and I enjoyed every happy, sentimental and jumpin’ moment of it.

October 21, 1949

The marriage of Miss Mary Theresa O’Connor, daughter of Martin O’Connor of New York City, and the late Kathleen Keane O’Connor, to Robert Albert Weber, son of Mr and Mrs Edward Weber of Southbury, was solemnized last Saturday morning at nine o’clock at St Rose church in the presence of a large gathering of friends and relatives. Rev Walter R. Conroy, pastor, performed the marriage ceremony and officiated at the nuptial Mass which followed. … The bride was attired in a gown of white satin, fashioned with a sweetheart necklace and fitted bodice, long sleeves with French lace panels from shoulders to wrists, full skirt with French lace on either side of front and back, terminating in a long sweeping train. Her illusion fingertip veil of lace and net was caught from a tiara of pearls and she carried a bouquet of white pompoms.

* * * * *

The Newtown Chapter of United World Federalists held its annual meeting in the lecture room at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Monday evening. The meeting was called to order by James B. Forbes, chairman. The reports of officers show the chapter to be in a healthy condition both as to membership and finances. The following officers were elected for the coming year: chairman, James B. Forbes; vice-chairman, Franklin Macgregor; secretary, Jay Dolan; treasurer, Julie Howson. Committee chairmen who were appointed include: Arthur Manzo, program; Jerome P. Jackson Jr, ways and means; Rudolph Berkemann, membership; Ben Day Smith, publicity.

* * * * *

Pohtatuck Grange conducted a successful bean supper at the Grange hall on Tuesday night, serving more than 60 guests. The bill of fare included home baked beans and home made rolls, cole slaw, pickles, fruit jello and whipped cream. Arrangements were under the chairmanship of Mrs Arnold Hill. Mrs Hester Scott was in charge of decorations and Mrs Vincent Gaffney supervised the kitchen staff composed of men and women of the Grange.

* * * * *

Members of the United Nations Secretariat were entertained this last week-end by members of the Newtown League of Women Voters and their friends. Arrangements were made by Mrs Herbert Wilde through Mrs Margaret Otis of the UN Volunteer Services at Lake Success. The Newtown activity is part of a larger plan being carried out in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey to acquaint UN personnel from other lands with American home life and people.

October 17, 1924

About 100 voters were present at the democratic caucus, Monday night, at the Town Hall. Arthur J. Gallagher, chairman of the democratic town committee, was made chairman and Judge Oscar Pitzschler, clerk, Ephraim D. Briscoe and Patrick F. Keating were nominated as representatives by acclamation. Judge Oscar Pitzschler was renominated as candidate for judge of probate. The following were nominated as candidates for justices of the peace: James L. Gibert, P.H. McCarthy, John M. Beers, Edward S. Pitzschler, Carlos D. Stillson, Michael F. Keating, J. Robert Beecher, John Wilcox, and William Egan. Ephraim D. Briscoe, one of the representative nominees is a veteran of the Civil War and has served three years as first selectman. Patrick F. Keating is a resident of Middle district, a farmer.

* * * * *

The Republicans had a short and harmonious caucus at the town hall, Tuesday evening. Arthur T. Nettleton was named as chairman and Allison P. Smith as clerk. Levi C. Morris and Newton M. Curtis were nominated for representatives by acclamation. For justice of the peace the following nominations were made: Frank Platt, George M. Stuart, Sanford Mead, Charles M. Beresford, Samuel Nalevsky, Wallace N. Mitchell, Anna G. Murphy, Amos T. Camp and Robert W. Camp. The town committee was given power to fill any vacancies on the ticket that might occur. No nomination was made for judge of probate, it being voted to leave this office blank.

* * * * *

Clark C. Walker, the popular local plumber, wishes to announce that he is prepared to do all kinds of plumbing and repair work. Mr Walker also has pipeless heaters which he will install at short notice.

* * * * *

Mrs Austin L. Peck, Mrs Clark and Edward Peck, with chauffeur of Hartford were recent guests of the Misses Wheeler.

* * * * *

William C. Johnson, the popular and capable local state road supervisor, who was laid up in the house for three weeks with a severe bronchial cold, is now out again, a fact his many friends will be pleased to learn.

* * * * *

Miss Bessie Peck of Schenectady, N.Y., was the guest over Sunday of Miss Julia Hawley of Berkshire.

October 27, 1899

Charles L. Briscoe has about 300 bushels of potatoes in his cellar and they are as fine a lot as you ever set your eyes on.

* * * * *

Miss Maud Elliott of Taunton district, who has been quite poorly, is now much better.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs William Gorham of Wilton mourn the loss of their youngest child, which died last week. Mrs Gorham formerly lived with Mr and Mrs William Maynard of Taunton district. Mr and Mrs Maynard attended the funeral.

* * * * *

Mrs John N. Jillson of New Haven was a guest, last week, of her son, William H. Jillson, the popular blacksmith at Hawleyville.

* * * * *

Mrs Eugene Jillson of New Haven was a recent guest of Mrs William H. Jillson of Hawleyville.

* * * * *

Thieves entered the premises of Benjamin Nicols, last Saturday night, and took all of his cauliflowers, also some choice hand picked apples, that were near by. Not content with these, they went into C.S. Curtiss’ orchard and took some King apples that were in bags, all there were of this kind of apples on the farm.

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.