December 12, 1997

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — A TOWN IS A GIFT: The season’s first significant winter storm decorated the landscape with a beautiful white mantle of snow and the roadways with tow trucks Wednesday night. For those out in the mess, it was the best of times and the worst of times. Small hills became Everests for motorists who quickly learned their all-weather tires had been misnamed … Later in the evening, when most people were safely home, we stopped briefly at the town Christmas tree in the Ram Pasture to look at the lights softly glowing under the new covering of snow. In the view across Hawley Pond and up a glittering Main Street, the town looked like it had been wrapped up in a beautiful package with the shining tree standing like a bow in the middle. A town and its sense of community, after all, is a gift that people give to each other — a gift that can make the worst of times the best of times.

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The first major snowstorm of the season swept through Newtown Wednesday night during the evening commute, leaving long lines of motorists waiting at the base of slippery hills and providing a long night of opportunity for tow-truck operators and snow plow jobbers. Newtown police reported numerous accidents and motor vehicle incidents on Wednesday from about 4 pm to midnight, when the town was blanketed with heavy, wet snow that turned into ice after vehicles drove over it and compressed it. On Thursday morning, the opening of Newtown’s schools was delayed for two hours. On the positive side, the sticky, wet snow clung to everything in sight, creating a spectacular winter wonderland, bringing photographers out to mingle with the shovelers.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) has elected member Stephen Koch to serve as chairman for a one-year term. Daniel Fogliano and Heidi Winslow were also elected as vice chairman and secretary, respectively, at the December 4 session of the P&Z. P&Z members also elected Janet Burns to be the agency’s administrative clerk at their offices in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. Mr Koch has served as chairman since April, when he was elected to fill the chairmanship vacancy created by the resignation of Republican John DeFilippe from P&Z.

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The Rotary Club of Newtown was at it again last Saturday, serving up pancakes for all those looking for an all-you-can-eat meal. This was the 37th straight year the civic organization put on the event and some 700 people showed up at the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall. That is more than usual, according to coordinator Kim Danziger. The hungry crowd began pouring in around 8:30 am and continued for most of the morning. No problem for the Newtown Rotary Club, which has gotten its pancake routine down to a science. Rotarian Gary Fetzer calls it the science of pancake-ology.

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Last Sunday afternoon, Main Street accommodated a tremendous amount of traffic, both on foot and in cars and shuttle buses. More than 1,200 people turned out for one of the largest events the town hosts each year. The 12th Annual Holiday Festival, a six-hour event that benefits the Family Counseling Center, Inc, offered visitors of all ages something to revel in. The event raised nearly $27,000 for the counseling center. Maureen Crick was this year’s festival chairman.

December 8, 1972

First Selectman Frank R. DeLucia has just returned from attending a Congress of Cities conference in Indianapolis, which took place from November 27-30. Mr DeLucia attended the conference as a member of the Connecticut Conference of Mayors and also a member of the Congress’ committee on Intergovernmental Relations. The theme for this year’s Congress of Cities was “Your City’s Role in the Urban System.” The goal was to seek a better understanding of the forces and conditions which are not normally the concern of city hall; decisions of national private industry, national mobility factors, ethnic group movements, regional trends, and federal and state government policies.

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Unless Newtowners generously respond to the Summer Festival Committee’s plea for help, the 1973 activities which have been a part of the summer scene in Newtown for many years will have to be canceled. Each year, contributions from local banks, industries and residents support the summer activities, which include a fireworks display on the Fourth of July week-end and a large Labor Day parade. This year, however, contributions have dropped considerably.

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THE BOSS IS ON THE MEND: Although he is still a patient in Danbury Hospital, Editor Paul S. Smith is feeling much better and is having daily disputes with his doctors as to when he’ll come home. On December 3 he celebrated his 70th birthday, and now his room, which is festooned with cards and abounding with flowers, is the most decorative one in the hospital. He is also keeping abreast of the news, letting us know who in Newtown comes in and out of the hospital, so that we refer to him as our Danbury Hospital correspondent.

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Sgt Michael Fekete of Newtown Police Department announces the flagpole ball was ruined when it was topped by a hit and run truck on Monday evening, December 4. This makes the second time that an errant vehicle has hit the pole and managed to bring down the ball. The case is being investigated by Officer Owen Carney under the supervision of Sgt Fekete. So far no plans have been made to have the ball repaired and put back atop the flagpole.

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Christmas cards, featuring a lovely black and white drawing by artist Nina Blake of Trinity Church and the Flagpole are being sold by the Newtown Jaycees this month. The inside verse, by Edwin Markham, was chosen by the Jaycees because it is hoped it reflects the true spirit of this season and yet is meaningful throughout the year. The cards are also available through some of the Newtown merchants. They are sold in packages of 25 cards and envelopes at $2 per package. Proceeds from the sale of the Christmas cards help to support community projects of the Newtown Jaycees such as the Town Health Day (scheduled for March, 1973), the Holiday Traffic Rest Areas, Junior Champ Athletic programs, and Special Olympics.

December 5, 1947

Growing interest in local sports, fair weather and a well-chosen hour for the game conspired to bring a record crowd to witness the trial of skills between the Hawley High school and the SAC six-man teams on Taylor field at 10 o’clock, Thanksgiving morning. It was a festival occasion. Many seldom seen at school games were present in holiday mood. Cheer leaders sprung up from nowhere for both sides and a good-natured rivalry of players and their supporters was in keeping with the spirit of the day. With a lively game ended, the Newtown High school six-man football team closed its season Thanksgiving morning with another win over the Social and Athletic Club team of Sandy Hook by a 44-8 score.

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Fulfilling an invitation extended more than a month ago, Mrs Edith C. Parker entertained last Wednesday evening the members of the Boys Social and Athletic Club of Sandy Hook at a roast turkey dinner which included cranberry sauce, celery and olives, and all of the fixings of an old-fashioned Thanksgiving dinner, ending with the time-honored ice cream and cake. The boys had been anticipating the event since the receipt of the invitation and all members of the Parker House staff and its home guard have been equally diligent in preparing for the event.

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Last Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock, Miss Eleanor Mae Holcomb, daughter of Mr and Mrs Ralph Holcomb, became the bride of Francis Burton Hubbell, son of John Baldwin Hubbell and the late Mrs Hubbell. The ceremony, performed by the Rev Paul A. Cullens, pastor of the Newtown Congregational Church, took place before a lovely setting of white chrysanthemums banked before ivy and palms. Donald Griscom played the traditional wedding music. Miss Holcomb was given into marriage by her father.

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The Ladies Auxiliary of the Raymond L. Pease Post 163 held its meeting and election in the Probate Court room, Edmond Town hall, on Monday, November 24, at 8 p.m., with Mrs Toland, third district president, as guest of the evening. Pending installation of the recently formed auxiliary, all officers were elected in acting capacity. Those elected were: Mrs George May, president; Mrs Eleanor Zimmer (resigned as acting secretary), junior vice president; Miss Audrey Lamson, secretary; Mrs Josephine Wright, treasurer; Mrs May Gilbert, sergeant-at-arms; Mrs Esther Liksin, assistant sergeant-at-arms; Mrs Belle Lockwood, chaplain; Mrs Lauvisa Lane, historian.

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Pvt William Caroll would like his friends to know that he is now in Japan. His address is Pvt William Carroll, 12282387, Headquarters 5th, Airdrome Sqd., A.P.D. 710, Care of Postmaster, San Francisco, Cal.

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Miss Mary Cullens and her two roommates from Dana Hall at Wellesley, Mass., spent Thanksgiving Day as guests of Rev and Mrs Paul A. Cullens.

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Miss “Pat” Bowen and Jim Bowen, students at the University of Connecticut, and Ralph Bowen, a student at the Wooster School in Danbury, spent the Thanksgiving holidays with their parents, Mr and Mrs William Bowen of Hawley Manor.

December 1, 1922

A CARD: To our dear neighbors and friends, who, by their kindly words and loving deeds, have in some measure helped to brighten the burden of our bereavement, we return out heartfelt thanks. [Mr and Mrs Thorpe, Mr and Mrs Turney Northrop, Mr and Mrs John H. Wheeler, Mr and Mrs Stanley Northrop, Mr and Mrs Elliot S. Northop, Mr and Mrs Charles E. Bond.

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The ladies of Trinity Parish, Newtown and St John’s Parish, Sandy Hook gave a supper to the men of the two parishes in Trinity Guild Room last week on Thursday evening, which was a most successful social occasion. The menu included soup, meats, baked beans, rolls, pie and coffee and all the fixin’s that go to make up a delicious meal. After the supper was finished and cigars passed around, the rector, Rev J.L. Lasher called on Villeroy Hard, who gave an interesting talk on the old St James church in Zoar, C.F. Beardsley and W.C. Johnson gave short talks on affairs of interest to the audience, Rev Mr Coburn of St James church Danbury gave a most interesting address on the Passion Play given at Oberammergau and which he witnessed last summer, and Rev Mr Cunningham of Redding gave a brief talk on the Nation Wide Campaign.

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Miss Lauretta Northrop of Bridgeport passed Sunday at the home of her mother on Sugar street.

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Mr and Mrs Robert Logan of Taunton have closed their home and will spend the winter in New York.

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Mrs Addison Smith and Miss Edith Smith of West Springfield, Mass., were guests on Sunday of Mr and Mrs A.J. Smith.

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Mr and Mrs Cornwall Hoag of Wingdale, N.Y., have been guests for a few days of Mrs Jane Ruffells of Palestine.

December 10, 1897

Miss Nellie Wilton of Huntington has been the guest of her sister, Mrs W.S. Powell of Hawleyville.

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John Dre, now with Brown, Thompson & Co., of Hartford, passed Thanksgiving day with his parents.

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Sylvester Dibble of Hawleyville, one of the efficient baggage handlers at the Station at that point, made a flying trip to Waterbury on Sunday.

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Frank Burr, whose home was in Huntingtown some 40 years ago, but who is now a resident of Rhode Island, was at Botsford for a short call, one day this week.

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There are two sign boards down near the Housatonic river bridge at Sandy Hook which must perplex travelers. On the Sandy Hook side we read “Newtown 3 miles.” Journeying across the river into Southbury, a quarter of a mile more or less farther away, we read, “Newtown 2 1-2 miles.” By what hypothesis these conclusions were arrived at we are unable to state, but we suggest that Selectmen Glover and Mitchell should get together some day and swap sign boards.

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Hawleyville people did their part to make the entertainment at the Town hall a financial success, bringing out a party of 20 or more. A.G. Baker brought down a big load, and Frank Drew, E.C. Platt and Fred Lake came with their teams.

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