November 29, 1996

Children at Merryhill Child Care Center on Queen Street held an early Thanksgiving feast Tuesday noon. Zachary Dent, 4, was among the children to max out on mashed potatoes.

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Asbestos abatement at the Cyrenius Booth Library will be completed this week, as originally scheduled, but rather than move back into the building, the Board of Trustees has chosen to set up shop for six months at the Fairfield Hills campus until the entire expansion project is completed. Materials will be moved to Stratford Hall as soon as possible, and limited services will be offered to the public by the first of the year, according to Gordon Williams, president of the Board of Trustees.

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Following a three-week investigation into the circumstances of the death of a Bridgeport man who was shot and killed while hunting small game in Lower Paugussett State Forest in Sandy Hook, state police have charged an Oxford hunter with criminally negligent homicide. On Monday, state police charged David M. Alechnowicz, 38, with criminally negligent homicide and first-degree reckless endangerment in connection with the November 2 shotgun death of Scott A. DiBecelle, 28, according to state police spokesman Sergeant Dale P. Hourigan.

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When speaking with James Ritchie, a Sandy Hook resident since 1975 and Superintendent of Plainville Public School System since 1984, it is easy to see why he was chosen Connecticut’s Superintendent of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents. Dr Ritchie projects exactly the kind of quiet confidence that is needed to reassure parents, guide school board members, and inspire trust in community residents who do not want to spend extra tax dollars on education unless they are convinced school administrators know what they are doing.

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Sitting in the police dispatcher’s chair provides a range of experiences, some funny, some grim. Lois Pratt of Botsford is retiring from the dispatch center, a place she has worked for the better part of 30 years fielding telephone calls both humorous and dire on the midnight shift. She started work 30 years ago, working in the dispatch center then located within Edmond Town Hall. She retires having moved to the dispatcher’s booth at the police station.

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It was like a pay-per-view battle between two top-ranked heavyweights when Newtown and Masuk tossed their unblemished 10-0 records into the ring on Friday night, November 22, to determine the South-West Conference football championship. On Newtown’s second play from scrimmage, after forcing Masuk to punt on its first possession, Newtown’s Patrick Reilly exploded, virtually untouched, 49 yards for an electrifying touchdown. Masuk never really recovered. It set the tone for the ensuing 28-0 Newtown TKO.

December 3, 1971

Newtown Police Department has a new member, a German shepherd named Lion. Lion was purchased by Newtown Lions Club for the department from Tom Macek of Canine Security at the suggestion of Police Commissioner Robert Hayes, who is a member of the Lions Club. When he joins the force, Lion will live at the home of Officer Daniel Elliott. Lion came from Germany in August. He is two years old, which is said to be the ideal time for training police dogs. He will be used by the department for missing person searches, burglary and break-in investigations, and night duty.

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The Reverend Donald D. McGrath was installed as pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church during a 4 pm service on Sunday. Participating in the rite of installation were the Rev Ronald G. Froehlich, pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Trumbull; the Rev Hans A. Voss, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Danbury; the Rev Dr Robert E. Wolter, pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Milford; the Rev Michael F. Burt, pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, New Fairfield; the Rev John K. Kjoller, pastor of St Andrew’s Lutheran Church, Ridgefield; the Rev Eugene Craff, pastor of Newtown United Methodist Church, and the Rev John D. Buttrick Jr, associate minister of Newtown Congregational Church.

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At a special town meeting on Wednesday night, 30 voters approved an $80,350 appropriation for use of federal funds from the Emergency Employment Act which will be used by the town to hire three custodians, five men for the highway crew, and two for the Park and Recreation Commission. The state had listed 410 Newtowners as being out of work and encouraged the town to continue those hired under the emergency act in permanent jobs. Voters also authorized the Board of Education to apply to the State Board of Education for state aid for the purchase of equipment for an occupational training program at the high school. Voters rejected that appropriation of $5,400 for the legal account, however, which has been depleted.

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Newtown Shopping Center this week celebrated its 20th anniversary. Among the original tenants still there are Rudy’s shoe store, attorney John Holian, E. Miller, Newtown Paint and Hardware, and Mrs Anderson’s Foods. That latter store, which started out making the chicken and meat pies that brought Gertrude Anderson a loyal clientele, now turns out all manner of baked goods and other frozen goods which she sells through Walter Stewart’s in New Canaan and Southbury Food Center. Among the original tenants who have outgrown their quarters and moved to newer areas of the shopping center are Connecticut National Bank, Cashman’s Drug Store (later Drug Center), and The Luncheonette, operated by Joe and Martha Spiriti for the past 18 years.

November 29, 1946

Residents of Newtown and visitors are showing a lot of interest in the facelift Parker House is getting. Refurbishing operations have included two new coats of paint on the building over a new back porch, new flooring in the lower and upper front porches, four new artistic columns on the front porch, two new colonial lamps for the tops of the old lamp posts, and the relaying of the flagstone walks. Mrs Parker said during the war years it was hard to keep going, but with the help of neighbors and friends, who supplied vegetables from their gardens, and even furniture and glassware, the restaurant was able to stay in business.

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The first youth clubs Jamboree of the season was held Friday night in the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium. The well-attended Jamborees are sponsored by Newtown Rotary Club to bring parents and other adults together with the young people in town and to give the clubs an opportunity to show each other what they are doing. Units of the Camp Fire Girls sang songs, danced, and performed pantomimes; then Miss “Bobby” Thumann, of Sandy Hook Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps, gave a twirling demonstration. The Senior Girl Scouts dressed up in costumes representing member nations of the United Nations and presented a pageant with a “One World” theme.

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WANTED TO RENT: Executive of Milford Company desires to rent a six- or seven-room house. A portable typewriter will be given to the person who will supply information resulting in rental of such a house. Telephone Mr Hayes at Milford 3347.

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Two young people were painfully injured on Route 25 at 12:30 am when their car failed to round a curve, went off the road, broke a utility pole, and landed upside down in a pond on the Charles Platt property. Roy E. Fulton Jr of Shelton and Gloria Wheeler of Shelton were in “fairly good” condition at Danbury Hospital after the accident this week.

December 2, 1921

EDITORIAL INK DROPS: The Red Cross seals were mailed to the local public, this week, by Mrs C.A Peale, who has the local matter in charge. It is hoped there will be a generous response on the part of the public. Let it be remembered that 85 per cent of the receipts go to the local Visiting Nurse Association for tuberculosis work.

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Some 20 or more persons interested in poultry met at the home of Harold Tomlinson, Hattertown, last Monday evening, and organized a Poultry club. The leader of the Farm Bureau, Mr Clark, of Danbury, was present.

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PERSONAL NOTES: Mr and Mrs Edgar C. Northrop and Mrs Sarah Penny were Thanksgiving guests of Mr and Mrs Chester Penny in Bridgeport. Mr and Mrs Birdsey Peck and two daughters, Misses Gladys and Anna Peck, were the guests, Thanksgiving day, of Mr and Mrs John Loucks of Danbury. Mr and Mrs Tomlinson and Miss Ellen Tomlinson spent Thanksgiving with Mr and Mrs Thomas Barrett in Woodbridge. Mrs George Hartley and Miss Betty Hartley spent Thanksgiving in Bethel, guests of Mr and Mrs Andrew Summers. Miss Angie Wakeman of Norwalk and Miss Edith Fairchild have been the guests of Mrs Ada Parmelee. Mrs Thomas Perkins is suffering with an attack of rheumatism. Mr and Mrs J.H. Jackson have been spending several days in Hartford.

December 4, 1896

THE EDITOR’S FAMILIAR CHAT: The road between Newtown Street and Southville is in a fearful condition, thanks to the work of the teams engaged in carting ties. In some places it is in a dangerous state. It would seem, almost as if there should be some law to compel the owners of these teams to repair the damage they do. | The resignation of Prof Platt from the presidency of the Library association is worthy of more than a passing notice. For 10 years both he and Mrs Platt have given unstintedly of their time and energy to promote the success of this worthy enterprise, which is not supported by the public as it ought to be. It is hoped the friends of the library will rally ‘round Mr Hawley, the new president, aiding him in every way possible.

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Boys and girls of the public schools in Newtown and vicinity, did you know that a special concession has been made to you? Almost everybody appreciates reduced rates on the railroad, and you certainly will appreciate it when you know that this reduced rate is given you at a lecture which it will be much to your pleasure and provide to attend. The lecture is that given by C.E. Bolton in the Town hall, Newtown, on Thursday evening of next week, December 10. The subject is “Russia and the Romanoffs,” one full of interest to every schoolboy and girl; 30 cents will buy for you a reserved seat on one of the first two rows on the main floor. There are only 32 of these seats. The seat charts can now be seen at the store of R.H. Beers & Co., in Newtown Street, and of Warner, Taylor & Curtis in Sandy Hook.

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Constable John H. Blackman was summoned to Hawleyville, Thanksgiving night, and placed under arrest John Donovan and Edward Gaffney for breach of the peace. They were brought before Justice M.J. Bradley on Friday. Gaffney was given 30 days in jail. Donovan, who has a baby a few days old in his hold, was let off with a reprimand.

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.