November 6, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Edie Tschorn.

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A total of 7,545 Newtown voters (60 percent) showed up at the polls Tuesday to participate in what is believed to be the most expensive mid-term election in American history. For the most part, Newtowners voted for the status quo. Locally, some of the faces have changed following the election, but voters continued to reaffirm their preference for Republicans. For national office, however, Newtown residents voted for the Democrats, sending Christopher Dodd and Jim Maloney back to Washington to represent them.

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The Newtown Police Commission has approved installing traffic signs on high-visibility portable safety barrels on Main Street to warn motorists they must yield to pedestrians who are in crosswalks. After lengthy discussion November 4, commission members approved spending $500 to get the warning signs and safety barrels installed.

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Newtown CPT test scores continue to be good at Newtown High School. Although down slightly in interdisciplinary studies and language arts, Newtown’s sophomores retained good scores in math. This year, sophomores scored higher than last year in science. NHS Principal William Manfredonia said the school has had a “steady increase for three years, and this year we stayed closer to where we were last year … We know this is a tough test. I think it’s one of the best state-sponsored tests I’ve seen.”

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For the third year in a row, the residents of Newtown offered a strong show of support for a contest at the middle school that represents the work of a group of Discovery and gifted art eighth grade students. The 3rd Annual Sculpted Scarecrow Contest was held October 24 through November 1. A collection of 25 scarecrows of various shapes, sizes and forms was set up on the front lawn of Newtown Middle School, representing teams of students who had spent five weeks researching the purpose of scarecrows and their design. The teams were challenged not only to create their own larger-than-life scarecrow, but to also decide on a charity they would like to help through votes. … Michael Taylor and Maggie Lyon, who created a truly frightening man-eating Venus flytrap scarecrow, were this year’s winners. Anthony Altieri and Jack Sparacino, who created a tall, very intimidating tin man scarecrow, and Emily Brolet, Lindsey Hudson-Tolles and Melissa Heil, with their headless horseman scarecrow, shared second place honors. Austin McChord and Brett Boles, who developed a dancing mobile based on a work by the American sculptor Alexander Calder, won third place.

November 2, 1973

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — STEVE SAUTER: The members of Hook and Ladder Company, and in fact the members of all the fire companies in Newtown, lost a true friend on Wednesday evening when Stephen Sauter died of a heart attack while actively engaged in fighting a fire. The accident occurred at a call on Gray’s Plain Road in Sandy Hook. To the members of Hook and Ladder, Steve represented all the qualities of a volunteer fireman. He was active in every aspect of the operation of the company, serving as chairman of the house committee and filling the shoes of second assistant chief when duty called. His record of attendance, both at meetings and at fire calls, was almost unchallenged and his reliability was steadfast. A fireman such as Stephen Sauter, and above all a friend, will long be remembered in Hook and Ladder Company.

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The Newtown Forest Association devoted much of its annual meeting October 30 to a discussion of the recent gift to the Association by Howard T. Nettleton of 23 acres on the slope of Castle Hill, commanding one of the most beautiful views in Newtown. Thomas Cheney, secretary, described it as the most important gift received by the Association so far, and suggested that a committee be appointed by the president and directors to study the land and determine the best way to use it.

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The 118th meeting of the corporators of The Newtown Savings Bank was held last Thursday, October 25, at the Stony Hill Inn in Bethel at 5:30 pm. Reports of the officers showed that the bank had another successful year. One of the highlights of the meeting was the election of Richard F. Burdett as a trustee of the bank, with recognition paid to him through a resolution of appreciation for his years of service.

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Mrs Hilda Walsh was sworn in as Borough Tax Collector by Borough Clerk Ethel Connor on October 30. Mrs Walsh is filling the unexpired term of Tax Collector Margarete Knauer, who is moving with her husband to Florida. Mrs Knauer has been Borough Tax Collector for fourteen years. The Board of Burgesses, at their last meeting, accepted her resignation with regret and with thanks for her fine work and long service to the Borough residents. Mrs Walsh was appointed by unanimous vote of the Board of Burgesses to fill Margarete’s term which runs until May, 1975.

October 29, 1948

Following last Sunday morning’s service at the Newtown Congregational Church, most of the worshippers attended the laying of the cornerstone of the new Church House being erected at 41-A Main Street, at the rear of the parsonage. Among those to take part in the ceremonies were Rev Paul A. Cullens, pastor; Arthur T. Nettleton, chairman of the Ecclesiastical Society; Arthur W. Reynolds, chairman of the Building committee; Fred Jensen and James Gies, flag bearers; Richard Hibbard, superintendent of the Sunday School; and James B. Forbes, chairman of the Ways and Means committee and in charge of Sunday’s ceremonies.

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At a special meeting of the Newtown Fish & Game Club held in the Edmond Town Hall last Thursday evening, Preston C. Beers was elected president for the coming year. Other officers elected were: Frank Gilbert, vice president; J. Robert Lockwood, secretary; and Michael Rusinko, treasurer. Don Stickles, president for the past year, presided at the Thursday night session and Mr Lockwood served as secretary. Mr Beers’ first duty as incoming president was to appoint an entertainment committee consisting of Don Stickles, chairman, and J. Frederick Seman and Robert S. Leahy, members.

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Last week the New Yorker Magazine featured the first of two articles by Alva Johnston on the subject of Jo Mielziner, noted scene designer who lives in the Palestine district. Many references are made to Mr Mielziner’s family background and to his mother particularly, Mrs Leo Mielziner of Hawley Manor. One of the more interesting Profiles to be turned out by the New Yorker in recent months, it will be concluded with the current issue of that magazine, out this Thursday.

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In its organization meeting last Friday night, October 22, the Newtown Board of Education, with William A. Honan presiding, re-elected him chairman. Raymond L. Hall, a former member, and teacher at the Harding High school in Bridgeport, was installed as secretary. Mr Hall defeated Mary N. Boyle for a place on the board at the Republican caucus in September.

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The volunteer fire crew of the Newtown Chapter of the Future Farmers America went to help extinguish a fire covering fifteen acres in North Newtown last Friday. This is the fifth time this year that the boys went out to help stop fires. The training the boys received last spring in putting out fires came in handy fighting this last blaze. State Forest Ranger Leo Cody of Ansonia was at the scene of the fire and was a great help in showing the boys how to check the fire line so as to be sure of having the fire under control.

October 26, 1923

Following close upon a benefaction that gave Newtown an imposing and modern high school building, the announcement of another important gift to the community by Miss Mary Elizabeth Hawley will redouble the gratitude her practical philanthropy has earned. The trustees of the Newtown Village Cemetery Association, through Arthur T. Nettleton, have officially confirmed the report that Miss Hawley is to erect a memorial receiving vault and two monumental gateways in the Newtown Cemetery. These structures, together with the necessary landscaping, will involve an expenditure of approximately $100,000. The contract has been awarded to the Presbrey-Leland Company of Fifth Avenue, New York City. Preliminary engineering work and the concrete foundations are nearing completion.

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Attorney Charles G. Morris of Zoar attended the sessions of the World’s Dairy Congress in Washington D.C., Philadelphia and Syracuse from October 2 to 9th, and the National Dairy Show at Syracuse the following day. As President of the National Ice Cream Manufacturers’ Association he was one of the vice presidents of the Congress.

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While in Washington, Mr Morris appeared before the United States Geographic Board to present the belief of this community that no outsider has any right to force a name on Lane Zoar which is not acceptable to the people who live on its shores and in its vicinity.

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Mr and Mrs Henry M. Smith of [illegible] Corners, N.Y., and Dr and Mrs R.D. Smith were guests of dinner, Wednesday evening, of Mr and Mrs A.J. Smith.

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About 25 friends and neighbors of Mr and Mrs John L. Gilbert gave them a complete surprise Monday evening, it being the 15th anniversary of their marriage. The evening was pleasantly spent with cards, music and games. Delicious refreshments were served. The couple were the recipients of several handsome gifts. The guests departed wishing them many happy returns of their anniversary.

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E.M. Peck, the successful Huntington farmer, has on exhibition at Morris & Shepard’s store, four mammoth potatoes grown on his farm. They are of the Green Mountain variety and the four “spuds” tip the scales at [illegible] and are all fine smooth specimens, not freak potatoes.

November 4, 1898

HATTERTOWN: Frank Pratt and wife of Bridgeport have been spending a few days with his brother, H.A. Pratt and family. | Orlando Platt is quite sick and under the care of Dr Green. | Andrew J. Summers and a Mr Lacy of New York have been here for a week’s hunting, stopping with John H. Summers. | Monroe Hawkins of Danbury has been hunting with J.C. Lewis for a few days. | Mrs Ralph Benedict has been confined to her bed suffering with heart trouble. Dr Hill is in attendance. | Henry Morgan, who is always making some improvement to his property, is building a reservoir near his barn and expects to pipe the water to his house and lawn. | Mrs Charles M. Penny of Bridgeport is a guest of Mrs J.W. Penny. | Mrs Ralph Benedict is prostrated with a severe cold. She is attended by Dr Hill.

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About 35 voters “have been made” thus far by the selectmen. The final session of the board for making voters before election occurs next Monday.

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George Ferris came in from Buffalo, last week, with a fine load of Canada steers, two year olds mainly.

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Jacob Beck & Sons have erected a 35 foot brick chimney for W.C. Johnson, in place of the old iron smoke stack. Quite an improvement. The same firm has laid over A.L. Peck’s chimney.

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.