December 23, 1988

The Christmas Tree on the Ram Pasture was vandalized last weekend, as somebody unplugged many of the strings of lights. Mike Siedman, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the problem was discovered on the morning of Monday, December 19. Tom Pasternoster plugged most of the lights back in, but because of the height of his ladder, he couldn’t reach the wire which controls the star on top.

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A year after the town first began efforts to block the building of a state jail here, taxpayers will have a chance to vote on whether to spend $150,000 to continue the fight. The money will come from the town’s audited surplus, which will be $500,000, or about half of what it’s been in the past several years, Finance Director Benjamin Spragg said. The money is normally applied to reduce residents’ taxes.

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A 6.5-acre piece of land located off Boggs Hill Road has been given to the Newtown Forest Association (NFA) by Trygve L. Slovang. The land, on both sides of what will be Willow Brook Lane, is adjacent to the property given to the association several years ago by the Raymond Fosdick family.

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Their biggest challenges are still ahead of them, but Newtown High School wrestlers turned in three impressive performances over the opening week of the season, winning their two dual meets and finishing third in a competitive field of seven teams at the Guilford Tournament. The defending Western Connecticut Conference champions dominated the 103-pound division at the tourney on Saturday, December 17, as senior Charlie Keyt took the first-place trophy and junior Sean Kimberley took a medal for placing second.

December 27, 1963

Snow and decorations have combined to give Newtown a festive air this year, nature combining with the handiwork of local residents and places of business to make the Christmas Decorations Festival a successful event. Nativity scenes and greens proclaim the Christmas season at the churches, particularly the large wreath on the front of the Congregational Church, the manger scene in front of Trinity Church across Main Street, and another manger scene at St Rose Church. Many of the local merchants have entered into the spirit of the Festival. Home decorations also run the full range, from simple wreaths to brightly lighted and fully decorated houses and yards.

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Ice candles, weighing 300 pounds each, prove unique Christmas decorations in the front of the Newtown Funeral Home of Wilmot, West and Goulding, South Main Street. The candles were carved by George Weising of Fairfield, world known ice sculptor, who was a gold medal and first prize winner at an international competition in 1954.

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The Newtown Junior Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its seventh annual Distinguished Service Award program to honor the outstanding individual in the community. In the weeks to come, a committee, headed by Jaycee Jack Schwerdtle, will be canvassing churches, businesses, clubs, and organizations to encourage people to nominate young men — 21 through 35 — who have contributed the most to the community during the year.

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Postmaster Albert H. Nichols wishes to express his thanks to patrons of the Newtown Post Office for their cooperation during the holiday season in separating local mail from out of town mail and for their courtesy in dealing with postal employees during this very busy period. No Christmas mails arriving at Newtown remained undelivered right up to and including Christmas Day, the postmaster said.

December 23, 1938

The Cyrenius H. Booth Library is unusually lovely in its decorations for this Christmas season. The large tree trimmed with lights and other ornaments stands near the center of the children’s room. New, this year, are the decorated mantelpieces in each of the two big rooms, and they are especially lovely after dark. The decorations of each consists of a long bracket of white candles in the center and sprays of greens laid in back and around the candles.

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Dr Lawrence Chasko has closed his office in Danbury and is now permanently located at the A.E. Brinton residence on Main street. Dr Chasko is a graduate of Georgetown University at Washington, DC, and has furnished his office with the latest equipment, including an X-ray machine.

The State Department of Motor Vehicles, in connection wit their Safety Promotion campaign, have released figures which show that a total of 22 persons have been killed up to December 19 in Connecticut. They urge the public to drive safer and make Christmas merrier for all.

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The Christmas Party held at the club rooms of the Newtown Country Club on Monday evening proved a huge success. Those attending brought gifts, which were later give to Pohtatuck Grange for its annual Christmas party for the children of Newtown. During the evening, apple pie and ice cream were enjoyed, following which six tables of contract bridge were in play.

 

December 26, 1913

Owing to the heavy rain of Tuesday night, the Christmas tree entertainment and Cantata to have been given in the Congregational church will take place on Friday night. The Sunday school Christmas entertainment occurs at 7 o’clock, followed by the Cantata “The Holy Night,” to be given at 8 o’clock in the church.

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Some of the citizens who live in Obtuse district in the town of Brookfield showed their public spirit in a novel way, a few days ago. It seems the Obtuse hill, portion of the road lying in Newtown, has been in rather rough shape. They asked permission of Mr Johnson, the first selectman, to put men and teams on and fix it. Mr Johnson cheerfully consented and cooperated by sending some of the town’s men and teams at the town expense. The result is a piece of road improved at small expense to the town.

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Joseph Bates, a colored cook in the employ of W.F. Hale at the Newtown Inn, was found dead in bed, Sunday morning. He was about 50 years old and had been in Mr Hale’s employ about a week. The burial took place at the Newtown cemetery, Tuesday, Rev J.H. George officiating.

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John Allen of Zoar district was taken to the Danbury hospital, Saturday night, by Dr W.H. Kiernan, as the result of injuries received in an accident, when he was knocked down and run over by a team. He suffered a broken leg and injuries about the head. Judging from his injuries and bruises, Dr Kiernan thinks several wagons may have passed over him, as he was found lying in the roadway.