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In the charter revision questions, voters rejected the proposal for abolishing town meetings and eliminating the Board of Selectmen. They approved making the tax collector’s position an appointed office, and ratified the set of so-called “miscellaneous” charter changes. Commenting on the results, Gary Fetzer, chairman of the Charter Revision Commission, said, “It’s a Democracy, and the people have chosen. I hope it was an informed decision that they made, rather than an emotional decision,” he said.

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The Conservation Commission Wednesday ordered the owner of the recently drained Morgan Pond to restore the water body to its original state by December 2. The restoration work must be done in accordance with town inland wetlands regulations and the dam safety program of the Department of Environmental Protection.

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“It was a special day, not to be forgotten,” said Head Coach Brian Pesce, speaking of the Newtown boys’ cross-country team. Newtown earned the title of Class L Division Champs on Saturday, October 30, at Wickham Park, in Manchester. Newtown’s closest competitor, New Milford, came in second to Newtown with 83 points. Newtown won the race with a total of 51.

November 9, 1962

One of the highlights and welcome blessings of Election Day was the fine coffee bar and food sale conducted by the Episcopal Churchwomen of Trinity Parish, Newtown, at the Budd Residence, opposite Edmond Town Hall. The excellent cakes, bread, sandwiches, and piping hot coffee went like hotcakes on the brisk day, and the community is indebted to these women for their regular Election Day sale.

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The Rev Edward H. Cook, new rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, and Mrs Cook and their children will meet members of the church and their families at an informal reception on Friday evening, November 9, from 7 to 8 o’clock, in the parish hall. The Rev Mr Cook will conduct his first services at Trinity Church on Sunday, November 11, at 8, 9:15, and 11 am.

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Between 800 and 1,000 people braved the poor weather Saturday afternoon to take part in an open house tour at the S. Curtis and Son packaging plant in Sandy Hook. Those who were able to attend were treated to a well-organized and enjoyable tour that entered into every phase of the company’s operations. The last time the Curtis Company conducted an open house was in 1956, and a great deal has changed since then.

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In keeping with a policy established two years ago, your two elected representatives to the General Assembly plan to hold meetings with townspeople to listen to any suggestions for proposed legislation. We will hold the first meeting on Saturday morning, November 17, at 10 o’clock, in the old Court Room at Edmond Town Hall. Edward J. Coleman, Sarah Frances Curtis

 

November 5, 1937

At the suggestion of The Bee that honors for a bigger and better something-or-other must be returned from Southbury to Newtown, it is most interesting to hear from Mrs Oscar Johnson of Sandy Hook that her garden has produced a white icicle radish weighing five pounds. This particular specimen measures 19 inches round and 16½ inches long. The top was three feet wide. We’ll gamble this is the world’s largest radish, which is taking in quite a territory, but who can beat it?

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The notoriety attaching to Newtown through the Grace Moore purchases was interestingly reflected at the Flag Pole Fountain restaurant on last Saturday and Sunday. The writer personally directed no less than 33 cars to “Great Ring Mountain” and the Grace Moore property. At one time Sunday, there were four different carloads at the same time, all awaiting directions. — Harold F. Smith

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About $2,000 worth of jewelry and $24 cash, lost recently in Bridgeport by Miss Alvah Peck of Main street, was returned to Mrs Peck on Wednesday of last week by a woman and her husband who stated they found it on Tuesday among some pajamas on the counter of a Main street store.

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Local people will find of interest the fact that there was a Methodist church building in Newtown, preceding the present church edifice in Sandy Hook. The Bee is indebted to Arthur T. Nettleton and also Johnson’s History of Newtown for the information that the first Methodist meeting house in Newtown, dedicated in 1831, stood just north of Marcus Hawley’s residence, now Hawley Manor. In 1850 that building was sold and the present church built in Sandy Hook. The old building was removed near the Newtown railroad station, and became the carriage shop of C.H. Gay, and later burned while the property of C.H. Bassett. The site is about where the present Gajdosik home is located.

 

November 8, 1912

Charles B. Glover of Hanover has recently passed a few days in Kent, enjoying the hunting. While there, he was the guest of Ed Chase, who is noted through Kent and all of Western Connecticut for his skill with the 12 bore. While in Kent, Mr Glover was fortunate in finding a genuine Schaghticoke arrow point, where it had been turned up by road builders.

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Miss Anna Murphy, the teacher at Half-Way-River school, gave a very enjoyable Hallowe’en party to her scholars and their parents on Wednesday evening. On arrival at the schoolhouse in the darkness of the early evening, one beheld on the school lawn a lighted fire under a gypsy kettle. The kettle was presided over and constantly stirred by a witch in pointed cap and flowing robes of inky night. A very pleasing program was rendered consisting of selections on phonograph, recitations, also two miniature plays by the children of the school. After the program a bountiful variety of dainty cake and delicious coffee was served to all.

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The pupils of Zoar School were made happy, Tuesday afternoon, by being permitted to enter into the spirit of the day. Ballots, appropriately decorated, were declared open, with the teacher as booth tender. The count showed that the following votes were cast: Republican 9, Progressive 5, Democrat, 4. The High School pupils voted for president, Tuesday, with the following results: Wilson, 40; Taft, 7; Roosevelt, 17; Chafin, 4.

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The Willy-Overland Co. are offering one of the biggest values of the season in autos in a 30-horsepower, five passenger touring car, completely equipped with self-starter, top, windshield, Prest-o-lite tank, Warner speedometer, tires, and with a liberal wheelbase of 110 inches, all for $985. See the car at Wakelee’s Garage.