November 15, 1996

Searching for ancestors will be easier for area residents now that a new Family History Center has been established in Newtown. It is a spiritual mission that has prompted the Mormons to create Family History Centers domestically, in places such as Newtown as well as overseas. But all are welcome to use the materials which emanate from the main library in Utah, a repository of more genealogical information than is found in the National Archives — or anywhere else in the world. The Newtown location opened in June, joining ten already in Connecticut and 2,650 centers in 64 countries and territories.

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In the face of strong opposition to their controversial proposal to build 100 single-family houses in Sandy Hook, the developers of Newtown Village have withdrawn their application to the Conservation Commission for a wetlands construction permit and plan to submit a new application. D&H Homes LLC of New Milford and Fairfield 2000 Homes Corp are seeking Conservation Commission approval to alter wetlands on a 32-acre parcel where they want to build 100 homes, 25 of which would be designated as “affordable housing.” The former sand and gravel mine lies north of Berkshire Road and south of Bishop Circle.

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Nestled into the hillside behind George’s Restaurant & Pizza, Dodgingtown Cemetery seems an unlikely spot for an environmental disaster to occur. But, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection, the old cemetery on Cemetery Road remains contaminated more than a month after a tanker truck crashed along Route 302, spilling a river of more than 9,000 gallons of gasoline into George’s parking lot and down the hill into the cemetery.

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NOW PLAYING by Alexander Paul III: When I think of Al Pacino, I think “urban,” “gritty.” Iambic pentameter is about 99,999th on the list. Despite his formidable, though basically unheralded, stage credits, the respected actor is an unlikely choice to bring Shakespeare to the masses, though that be his aim in the new film Looking for Richard, now playing at Bethel Cinema.

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Donna Howard probably will stop using her Roseville pottery vase as a doorstop now that she knows it is worth $400 to $500. That’s what she learned last Saturday when the Sandy Hook merchants sponsored a fall shopping day to benefit the Children’s Department of the Booth Library. Ms Howard, her mother Dorothy Howard, and Pamela Pagant were among several dozen residents who visited The Mill Antiques, bringing boxes and bags of items to find out how much they might be worth.

November 19, 1971

As of this Wednesday, the town is involved in 30 legal actions, a number of which the townspeople are beginning to question. Of these, eight have been brought by the town and 22 are actions by others against the town. The decision to condemn part of the Boyle property off Boggs Hill Road for a school site, taken by referendum in December 1970, seemed to trigger a higher level of interest in suits by and against the town. The Board of Finance will meet Thursday night to vote on appropriating $5,400 for the legal services account which has been depleted.

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First Selectman Timothy Treadwell met with a member of US Sen Lowell Weicker’s staff this week to enlist the senator’s support on Newtown’s behalf regarding the problem of traffic through Sandy Hook Center because of the closing of the I-84 ramps. This Friday representatives of the Department of Transportation will be in Newtown to survey the problem. And next Wednesday Mr Treadwell will go to Hartford to confer with members of Gov Thomas Meskill’s staff. Selectman Sidney Seligmann said the town should adopt its own regulations regarding traffic control but Mr Treadwell said both Church Hill Road and Route 34 are state, not town, roads.

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About 250 area square dancers joined the Rocking Roosters for the 10th anniversary dance on November 7. The group started in 1961 when 10 venturesome Newtown couples got together to form a community square dance group. Driveways, barns and basements became places to dance and Bob Paris, the group’s caller and teacher from the start, was paid by passing the hat. Newtown’s then director of athletics, Coach Harold DeGroat, frequently opened the school cafeteria and sat with the group while members learned and danced. In 1962, the Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club officially became a club, taking its name from the rooster atop the Congregational Church.

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The women of the United Fire Company of Botsford’s Ladies Auxiliary celebrated their 20th year with a service this week. Among those attending were Mrs Thomas Goosman, the first president; Mrs Clinton Stephens, president; and Mrs Aimee Harrison, charter member. Also Mrs Samuel Nezvesky, second president; Mrs Albert Rasmussen, charter member; Ms John Simmons, charter member; and Mrs Herbert Hempstead, third president.

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An election was conducted on November 11 in which the Newtown teachers voted to be represented by the Education Association of Newtown (EAN). The 134-105 vote made EAN, rather than the Newtown Federation of Teachers (NFT), the official bargaining agent. NFT had challenged EAN over issues of salary, fringe benefits, and working conditions. NFT, which is affiliated with the AFL-CIO, based its challenge on the belief that negotiations last year between the Newtown Board of Education and EAN did not meet its expectations of a fair contract.

November 15, 1946

Robert E. Fulton Jr of Newtown, who conducted the first air tests of the new “Airphibian” combination automobile and airplane from Danbury airport last Thursday, is making daily flights between his home in the Huntingtown District and Danbury from a small landing field in the rear of his house. Mr Fulton is present of Continental, Inc, the company producing the new dual-purpose craft designed to solve the problem of time-consuming ground transportation between the airport and final destination. On the ground, the “Airphibian” looks like and is an unconventional two-passenger automobile which can travel up to 45 mph. In the air, it can travel 400 miles on its 30 gallons of gas at a top speed of 120 mph. The demonstration last week was witnessed by some 50 newspaper reporters and photographers. When put into production, the “Airphibian” is expected to sell for between $4,000 and $5,000.

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Some 20 students at Hawley School staged an impromptu “strike” on Monday, on the grounds that the day — Armistice Day — should have been observed as a school holiday. Ten boys left school at noon, followed by about the same number of girls who departed during the afternoon. Called into the office on Tuesday, the students admitted they were wrong and agreed to accept whatever punishment was handed down. It was decided they should be required to make up 5½ hours for each one-half hour of school time that was lost by their absence.

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A fatal accident occurred on “dead man’s curve” on Route 25 at 9 pm on Wednesday when a truck chassis traveling south collided with a 1928 Ford sedan being driven in the opposite. State Police said the driver, a Bridgeport man, was driving the unmounted truck chassis toward Bridgeport when he swung wide and struck the side of the sedan. The truck driver was catapulted from his unprotected seat on the truck chassis and landed on his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull.

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Don’t stay home this Thanksgiving. Have dinner at a local restaurant instead. An old-fashioned dinner with fruit or shrimp cocktail, celery, olives and radishes; turkey, beef or Virginia ham, apple or cranberry sauce, candied sweets or mashed white potatoes, mashed turnips, green peas, creamed onions; Waldorf or fresh green salad, hot biscuits, and pumpkin, mince or apple pie, cheese, nuts, mints, ice cream and coffee will be $2.50 at The Parker House. Pat’s Newtown Log Cabin has a six-course Thanksgiving dinner for $1.50. Mr and Mrs W.A. Bowen invite diners to the Hawley Manor for dinner, $2.25. Stonehenge in Ridgefield will have a $10 feast that includes a cocktail and wine.

November 18, 1921

In accordance with our usual custom and in conformity with the proclamation of Gov Everett J. Lake, a community service of Thanksgiving will be held in the Congregational church on next Thursday evening, Thanksgiving day, at 7.30. Rev E.O. Grisbrook will preach the Thanksgiving sermon. In the Governor’s proclamation he says, “Let the people gather in their churches and in their homes to offer humble and hearty thanks to Almighty God for the abundant harvests in our land, that have enabled us to share His bounty with the starving multitudes of other countries.”

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A WORD OF APPRECIATION FROM C.S. BLACKMAN: Some way or another I must express my gratitude to my old customers who have been so loyal; to the new customers who have responded so promptly to my opening announcement. Really I did not expect to do much business for a few days but it started right off with a bang. The facts of the matter are that in the six years that I have carried on the garage business in Newtown, I have never been in the position to serve you as I am at the present time. New garage, new tools, new stock, and a man in charge of the repair department who is capable, reliable and experienced. The only thing a city garage could do for more than we is to charge you more. —Newtown Garage

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A meeting of the Church School cabinet was held on Wednesday night at the residence of Mr and Mrs L.C. Morris. It was decided to repeat the Christmas pageant given last year on Christmas night. Mrs Arthur W. Reynolds, Mrs Seaman Mead and H. Carlton Hubbell were appointed to have charge of the pageant arrangements.

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The whist at the Newtown Library on last Thursday night was well attended. There were 11 tables, which enjoyed the game. The prize winners were Mrs W.H. Hubbell and Mrs Wallace Mitchell for the ladies and Miss Gerde Anderson and W.O. Pardee for the gentlemen. Punch and wafers were served and the proceeds for the evening was $36.40. Mr and Mrs E.L. Kingman and Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Smith entertained.

November 20, 1896

THE EDITOR’S FAMILIAR CHAT: Next week The Bee will go to press on Wednesday night, in order that all its force of workers may enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Correspondents will favor us by sending their communications as early in the week as possible. | The first snow of the season fell on Friday, the 13th. It came furiously, bringing to mind all the old fashioned storms and blizzards we ever heard or read of. It remained on the ground in shaded locations about 48 hours. We hope it will not come to stay till nearer Christmas. | The demolition of the flag by wind, which for several years has graced the liberty pole in the State on state occasions, suggests the need of a town flag. Several have suggested starting a subscription paper for this worthy cause, and no doubt it would meet with a hearty response on all sides. Let “Old Glory” forever wave!

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Mrs Peter Agnew has recently returned from a visit with friends at Roxbury. She brought back with her several fine specimens of the rock and garnets quarried from the Roxbury mines, which she presented to George S. Turner for his collection. Mr Turner has also received a number of nice mineral specimens from other sources.

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The union Thanksgiving service, this year, will be held in the Baptist church, on next Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock.

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We are happy that Mr Fall “lingers in the lap of summer” so long, but when she becomes disgusted she will push him off for the more frosty fellow. The frosty gentleman is equally a favorite with those who like sleigh rides and the enchanting dance.

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.