November 12, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Tom McNeil.

* * * * *

Moviegoers who went to the early show at Edmond Town Hall Theatre on November 6 discovered at 7 pm that they were in for more than just a screening of the romantic comedy The Runaway Bride. The audience at 45 Main Street that night was also treated to the wedding of Sandy Hook residents Christine Harpell and John Wheway. The ceremony was performed on the town hall’s stage for a collective of invited friends and family, right along with the ticket-holding strangers who had gone to see the recent release starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.

* * * * *

Karen Blawie, the three-term member of Newtown’s Legislative Council, once called the “conscience of the council,” will step down later this month, leaving behind a legacy of leadership, courage and an abundance of laughs. As one fellow council member pointed out, they just don’t make them like Karen Blawie any more. Mrs Blawie opted not to run again earlier this year to spend more time with her family. Her term runs out at the end of the month.

* * * * *

The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has started reconciling the differences between the 1995 construction plans for the Walnut Tree Village condominium complex and the complex that was eventually built. Walnut Tree Developers made many changes to the 1995 plans during the complex’s construction during the past five years. To reconcile the differences between the construction plans and what was actually constructed, the developers sought P&Z amendments to their original development approval.

* * * * *

There were several local runners among the throng of 33,000 athletes who took to the challenge of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, but of course none of them could match the stride of Joseph Chebet, a Kenyan who won the Boston Marathon earlier this year before winning the New York Marathon with a 2:09.14 time. Bruce Goulart of Newtown finished at 3:47.34, Bob Collier finished at 4:06, and Leah Begg came in at 4:23.31. Mark Fries and his daughter Emily started and finished the race together, at 4:43.06. Robert Fisher finished at 4:52.10.

* * * * *

Inge Hilberts’ journey to Newtown High School began August 4 with a one-hour delay on the tarmac of Amsterdam’s airport and a five-hour delay in New York due to bus problems. The hindrances of travel aside, the 17-year-old Dutch student has settled into life at NHS, where she is to remain for the rest of the year as an American Field Service exchange student. … Thus far, Inge describes her stay in Newtown as something akin to a dream.

* * * * *

About 20 people turned out at Trinity Church Sunday afternoon to celebration the 30th anniversary of the organization called FISH of Newtown. FISH, founded in November 1969, is made up of volunteers who provide transportation for those in need of a ride to medical appointments, etc. Al Goodrich, who was present on Sunday, was the only original member present. He wrote the first schedule for drivers.

November 8, 1974

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — BEYOND BEING FUNNY: For the most part, Halloween is a time of year when the young people have fun and the adults enjoy watching them have it. Candy is passed out in rapid fire to open hands and even some of the youngsters remember to ask for a contribution to UNICEF. …that is Halloween for the great majority. At a bit older level, shaving cream fights and egg throwing seem to be in vogue, sports which generally can be considered harmless when out of aim of vehicles and homes. … However, Halloween does not seem to stop here, but usually some sort of vandalism is recorded. While we believe that the people of Newtown were quite well behaved this October, there were a few cases of destruction which were uncalled for. In particular, Rock Ridge Country Club again suffered damage to its facilities, as well as insulting writing in paint directed against the members. Also, some mailboxes were the targets of other destruction, acts which cause undue cost to the homeowner. Halloween is a time for fun, as most of us know. It is too bad that there are always those few who wish to make it otherwise.

* * * * *

Nominally Republican Newtown this year went along with the statewide Democratic landslide that returned Abraham Ribicoff to the US Senate and elected Ella Grasso the next Governor. Congresswoman Grasso and Sen Ribicoff both carried the town, which went for Congressman Ronald A. Sarasin, Republican, in the 5th District, and Democrat Toby Moffett in the 6th District. One big story in the local elections was that Democrat John Anderson, challenger in the 106th Assembly District, upset nine term Republican State Representative Sarah Frances Curtis to become the first Democratic representative from the district since 1948, when John Holian won. The other was that Republican Benjamin B. Blanchard was reelected Judge of Probate.

* * * * *

After its initial request for a rate schedule hike was turned down by the Public Utilities Commission as “more than just and reasonable” the Newtown Water Company submitted another rate hike proposal about half as big, which was accepted on October 18. The first request of the water company was for an increase in rates of an average of 29.4 per cent, resulting in additional revenues of $29,737. The approved rate schedule is 14.387 per cent higher than existing rates to produce $15,153 in additional revenues. Though the new rates became effective on October 23, Newtown customers of the service won’t really get the impact of the change until meters are read in late December and quarterly bills are mailed out thereafter.

* * * * *

An enthusiastic group of over 80 cub scouts and parents left Sandy Hook School in a motorcade of thirteen cars on a brisk, clear Saturday morning to attend the Yale-Dartmouth game November 2. They were treated to the excitement of a cliff-hanger which saw Yale continue its unbeaten streak. This marks the pack’s first outdoor activity for the 1974-75 scout year. Thanks go out to Frank Denton, outdoor activities chairman, for the splendid job of coordination.

* * * * *

With a three-car household, Mrs William Senello of Turkey Roost Road is a really pleased winner of 100 gallons of gasoline, a prize in the St Rose Home and School Association raffle drawing at the Nifty Fifties Dance. She bought $5 worth of tickets and will collect her winnings from Amaral Motors. Her husband drives to Danbury to work and her daughter commutes to WesConn.

November 9, 1949

Ghosts and goblins have departed for another year but traces of their one-night stand still remain. Among those acts of Hallowe’en vandalism reported, B.A. Strook of Buckeye Farm, Dodgingtown district, is known to have lost a gate during Monday night’s activities and would like to have it returned. It is a white gate four feet high, 50 inches wide and is part of a three-rail fence. Also, Mrs J.A. Miller of Valley Brook Farm, Huntingtown road, reports the loss of an expensive name sign off a high post in front of her home, and a number of “no trespassing” signs. A mail box belonging to Herman Newman of Huntingtown district was knocked over and a number of signs were reported missing from the Curtis Box Company. The pranksters may not know it, but such acts are punishable by law, and knocking over mail-boxes may be fun but it involves a Federal offense.

* * * * *

Mrs Paul A. Cullens, who has been spending some time with her mother, Mrs Samuel R. Robinson at St Petersburg, Florida, returned on Tuesday. Friends will be pleased to know that Mrs Robinson, who has recently been quite ill, is now somewhat improved in health.

* * * * *

Maurice S. Nezvesky and Max Newman of Huntingtown district are collecting contributions for the United Jewish Appeal for 1949.

* * * * *

Mrs William C. Lewis was honored at a surprise birthday party given at her home in Hattertown district last Wednesday evening, October 26th, by her family and friends. A native of Perth, Australia, Mrs Lewis has been a resident here for three years. Refreshments were served and Clayton Lewis of Danbury showed moving pictures of Mr and Mrs Kenneth Canfield’s wedding, Mrs Canfield being a sister-in-law of the honored guest.

* * * * *

The Newtown Board of Selectmen has named Charles M. Goodsell to membership on the Board of Assessors to fill the vacancy caused by the recent resignation of William E. Cutler. The appointment holds until the bi-ennial election in the fall of 1951.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Paul S. Smith spent the week-end at Natick, Mass., visiting their daughter, Mary Starr, who is a senior at Walnut Hill School.

October 31, 1924

Ella L. Skidmore, wife of Lauren Skidmore of the Borough, died on Saturday, as the result of an apoplectic stroke. Mrs Skidmore was a most estimable neighbor and friend, and her death is deeply regretted. Mrs Skidmore was 68 years old, the daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Horatio Northrop. The deceased is survived by her husband and one brother, Turney Northrop, of Stepney. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, Rev R.H. Gesner officiating. The pallbearers were Clark Walker, Stanely Northrop, Elliott Northrop and Charles Bong. The burial was in the Newtown cemetery.

* * * * *

The annual meeting of the incorporators of the Newtown Savings Bank was held at the Bank on Tuesday, October 28, at 2 o’clock. The meeting was called to order by President David C. Peck. The first business was hearing the report of Treasurer Arthur T. Nettleton. The Bank is in a strong position financially and the report of the doings for the past year was heard with pleasure by the incorporators. The Newtown Savings Bank ... is a safe place to put money, under the present management. The trustees of the Bank for the coming year were elected and are as follows: David C. Peck, John B. Wheeler, Theron E. Platt, Cornelius B. Taylor, Henry C. Curtis, Frank Wright, Hobart H. Curtis, Arthur T. Nettleton, Edward S. Lovell, Robert C. Mitchell, Eli B. Beers, William T. Cole, Arthur J. Smith, Carlton Hubbell, Thomas M. Holian, Levi C. Morris. David C. Peck was elected president; Cornelius H. Taylor, John B. Wheller and Theron E. Platt, vice-presidents, and Arthur R. Nettleton, secretary and treasurer. To have a bank of such high standing financially is a credit to any community, and we are all proud of it.

* * * * *

Coroner Eli Mix in a finding made, last Friday, exonerated Charles G. Morris, of Newtown, democratic candidate for Governor, of all responsibility for the death of Mary Kiraji, nine years old, who was struck and killed in Wallingford, Tuesday. The Coroner finds the brakes on Mr Morris’ car were in good order; that he was driving cautiously; that he did everything he could do to avoid striking the child; that his view was cut off by four vehicles parked along the easterly edge of the highway, and that the death was not due to the omission or carelessness of Mr Morris or any other person.

* * * * *

A CARD: To the friends and neighbors who so kindly remembered us at the time of the death and funeral of Mrs Skidmore we wish to return sincere and heartfelt thanks. Lauren Skidmore, Mr and Mrs Turney Northrop, Newtown, October 30, 1924.

* * * * *

Donald B. Ferris of Sugar street is riding out in a new sports model Dodge roadster presented by his father, Charles D. Ferris, bought through the local agent F.A. Judd, of Redding.

* * * * *

Mrs John Shepard of Huntington district has been passing a few days in Nichols, the guest of Mrs H.E. Botsford.

November 10, 1899

The money fished out of the Housatonic river, last summer, by Charles B. Glover of Hanover, has already led to a law suit. On Thursday of last week Sheriff Rodgers attached for $2000 the real estate of Attorney Charles H. Northrop, custodian of the money found by Glover, for Edward Wheeler of Oxford, executor of the estate of the late Dwight Washband, and the attachment is returnable the first Tuesday in December in the Superior court for New Haven county. In regard to the cash Mr Northrop stated to a reporter of The Bee, that should the matter not be settled (which is likely) and come to trial he will file a disclaimer, as he is simply custodian of the money. Mr Glover, or any other party claiming the money, will have to be cited in as defendant, as Mr Northrop has no claim to it.

* * * * *

HATTERTOWN: Mrs Annie Booth is spending several weeks with her son, E.B. Booth, while her daughter, Miss Sophia Booth, is visiting her brother, Charles E. Booth, in Lebanon, Penn. | Mrs Merton Hubbell of Roxbury, who has been visiting her daughter, Mrs Edward Lyon, left for her home on Monday, accompanied by Mrs Lyon. | Miss Walden, who is conducting religious meetings in this place, is stopping with Mrs J.W. Penny. | Mrs S. Belfield of Springfield, Mass., has been a guest of E.B. Booth and family. | Very interesting, and we trust profitable, religious meetings have been held in the schoolhouse during the past two weeks, conducted by Miss Walden, one of the field workers of the State Sunday School Association, and assisted by Rev Messrs Braman and Rollins of Stepney. The meetings have been well attended.

* * * * *

William Hamlin, now living on Dea William Fairchild’s farm, has bought the James Barnum place in Dodgingtown district. It is understood that Mr Hamlin will not remove there this year.

* * * * *

The Bethel and Newtown turnpike beyond A.W. Fairchild’s corner has been greatly improved by substantial work put on it by A.W. Fairchild and son. Through an arrangement made with the bethel selectmen dirt was taken from a knoll on the highway in Bethel and carted just over the line on to the bad places on the Newtown road. It was an economical and sensible arrangement.

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.