January 2, 1998

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — A NEW YEAR IN NEWTOWN: There is much that is new about the New Year in Newtown. The town has a new sewer system, a newly refurbished high school and Hawley School, and a new library … will actually open to the public next week. Newtown also has a completely new Board of Selectmen to oversee the administration of these various new facilities, and as we send out our best wishes for the New Year, we reserve particularly good wishes for them. They will need all the help they can get. … The work that the selectmen will do in the coming weeks and months on preparing a town budget in conjunction with the Legislative Council and Board of Education will help set the tenor of financing for the future. … Newtown has made some significant investments in buildings and a sewer system, and the town’s operating budget will have to underwrite the maintenance and protection of those investments. The challenge for the selectmen, as always, will be to come up with a financing package that the town will support. It is not enough for a budget to be prudent, efficient, and responsible, it must be perceived as such by the taxpayers who pay the bill. And that depends, in large part, on the ability of the town’s leaders to coordinate their work and convey to the public the facts and rationale that have led to their budget proposal. It will require political skill and a willingness to compromise.

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For the fifth year in a row, the town is expected to show a significant surplus. The recently released town financial support for 1996-97 (ending June 3) shows the town ended the year with an undesignated fund balance of $2.36 million, the highest surplus in town history, up 8.7 percent from a year ago. The $2.36 surplus represents five percent of the entire $50 million 1996-97 budget.

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Ninety-three properties in the residential Appleblossom Lane area will be connected to the United Water public water system as a health precaution. Those properties either have domestic water wells contaminated with industrial solvents or have wells at risk of becoming contaminated. Construction work to extend United Water’s service to the properties is slated to begin in April, Donna McCarthy, director of environmental health for the Newtown Health District, said Tuesday.

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The IBM corporation recently donated a personal computer system to the Family Counseling Center, Inc, located at 121 Mount Pleasant Road and serving individuals who live or work in the greater Danbury and Southbury area. It was Nancy Haas, current vice chair of the center’s board of directors, who made the original request for the computer. Ms Haas is also a project leader for the IBM Benefits Program that made the donation utilizing a Funds for Community Service Grant.

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Thomas Maxwell, scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 370, was awarded the wood badge at the fall Court of Honor. The training for the wood badge consists of two parts: practical and application. The practical phase is an outdoor experience where outdoor skills are emphasized and participants develop their zeal for the scouting program. After the practical experiences are finished, the scout applies what he knows. Through this time period, each person works with a counselor who acts as a source and evaluator. Six months must pass between the practical experience and final certification. The successful candidate receives a certificate, a distinctive wood badge neckerchief and slide, and the “Wood Badge” — two wooden beads on a leather thong. The wood badge is a very high honor for adult leaders of Boy Scouts and Mr Maxwell is to be commended for his hard work and diligence in pursuing this goal.

December 29, 1972

Under the sponsorship of the Chamber of Commerce, Santa paid a visit to town on December 23 and greeted the children at his old stand in the gymnasium of the Edmond Town Hall. Difficulties with his helicopter necessitated his arrival by fire truck.

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John A Morgan of Pond Brook Road is presently serving as Junior Class vice president at Canisius College, Buffalo, N.Y.

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A large old tree has been cut down at the corner of the Boulevard and Church Hill Road, and a call from a concerned resident of Newtown has caused The Bee to look into the reason for the tree’s removal. Actually the State had planned to take the tree down within a year because it was in bad condition. Also, there have been many complaints received by the First Selectman from persons using the intersection about the bad sight lines caused by the tree and a stone wall it stood by, and the trees branches were interfering with wires of a nearby utility pole, even though they had been cut back many times.

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Volunteers from the United Fire Company of Botsford and Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 were delayed in reaching a fire at the Miller residence on Platts Hill Road Christmas Eve because the fire emergency number was not used in sending in the alarm and the call came in to the Town Hall through Danbury. The men from the two companies were at the house for almost three hours, and since the call came in near midnight, the volunteers spent their early Christmas morning at the fire. The fire was contained to where it started, in a bedroom closet, and the area around the closet received heavy heat and smoke damage. … Residents are reminded that the fire emergency number is 426-4425, and it is this number which should be called, not the switchboard. The emergency number is for the purpose of having the fire companies dispatched as quickly as possible. … Minutes can make a difference in a fire!

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Malcolm Reventlow, chairman of the Board of Trustees, happily rang the bells of the United Methodist Church in Newtown for Christmas Sunday worship. The bells have been silent for seven months during which time the sanctuary was moved from a small lot on the north side of Church Hill Road to a 14-acre site on the south side. A formal re-dedication of the church and new parish hall will take place when the redecorating and restructuring are completed in the spring. Meanwhile the congregation, worshiping in Wesley Hall since May, called being back in their familiar pews “the best Christmas present we could possibly have!” The Methodist parish was founded in Newtown in 1805.

December 26, 1947

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — REAL BEAUTY IN OUTDOOR DISPLAYS: Amid the festivities and various forms of holiday observance, we hold particular fondness for outdoor lights and doorway decorations. It is always a pleasure during the Christmas season to drive about the country-side, to observe the homes adorned with lights and decorative displays — many of them expertly done and most effective. … We compliment the local VFW Post for taking over the decoration of the large fir tree on the plot of the War Monument at the head of Newtown’s Main street, which was formerly lighted by the Chamber of Commerce. … It is to be hoped that, another year, the doorway contest once conducted in Newtown will be revived … True enough, a bough-draped doorway, a lighted tree, or a gaily ornamented building may be only an outward symbol. Yet to us it is a clear indication that the spirit of Christmas which prompts it, lies deep in the hearts of those who have taken the means to show it and would share it with others.

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A large group joined to participate in the Christmas Vesper Service which was held Sunday afternoon at the Congregational church under the auspices of Mirah Chapter of the Easter Star of Newtown. The Rev Paul Cullens, chaplain of Hiram Lodge, AF and AM, led the service. Mrs Ben Smith, Worthy Matron, took charge of the arrangements; the offertory was taken for the Christmas Fund of the Masonic Home at Wallingford. The senior choir, under the direction of Mrs Charles Goodsell, organist, sang the cantata “Ruth,” Harriett Ferier sang Naomi; Gloria Nash, Ruth; Vivian Mayer, Oprah; and Charles Goodsell, Boaz. After the service the ladies of the Eastern Star served tea for members of the choir and guests at the Masonic Temple in Sandy Hook.

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Monday night’s special town meeting held in the gymnasium of the Edmond Town Hall, voted by a count of 99 to 71 to accept the report and recommendations of the Permanent School Building Committee and to proceed with the construction of an addition to Hawley School for elementary school use.

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FOR 1948: May each Flood Tide at morn bring on its crest, / Something to fill your life with happiness; / And may the Ebb Tide at the close of day / Bear all your troubles out,—and far away. —George E. Crump, Newtown.

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VISITING NURSE REPORT: The incidence of illness in the Newtown area was low for the past month and the main interest of the nurse was centered in school health. The dental program in regard to screening for defects was completed on December 12th. Dr Yanosy, with the assistance of Miss Kline, Mrs Duncombe, Mrs Brodie, Mrs Clowes and Mrs Carmody, examined 383 children. Notices were sent to the parents in regard to this program. Other school tests were continued in regard to vision and correction of defects. The Junior Tuberculosis Seal Program was started out in the schools with early indications of its being a great success. There were 48 visits made to the homes in regard to illnesses. The nurse attended the social workers meeting and the regional nursing meetings. Respectfully submitted, MARTHA KLINE, RN, Newtown Visiting Nurse.

December 22, 1922

The program presented by Miss Anne Varnet Baker under the auspices of the Adelphian club on Saturday night was acclaimed a huge success by all present. The profits, approximately $25, have been turned over to the Parent-Teacher association. The Adelphians wish to thank all those who helped to make this entertainment a success.

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Paul S. Smith is enjoying a vacation at the home of Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Smith from his studies at Amherst college. He came on Tuesday and on Wednesday Earl W. Smith, who is a student at Lafayette college, Easton, Pa., is home for the Christmas holidays.

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Hecker’s Gold Medal, Pillsbury’s flour, fancy tub butter, 1775 blend of coffee, Dexter’s rye bread, Parker house rolls.—{H.G,. Warner & Co., Adv.

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Miss Ella Blake of Bridgeport passed Sunday with her sister, Mrs Martin Lullis.

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We have just received a new supply of candy and pop corn balls. We have the finest assortment in town. S. Nalevsky, Huntingtown.—[Adv.

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A nice line of Christmas cards and Christmas confections at the store of Morris & Shepard.—[Adv.

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At the special town meeting held on December 9, Arthur J. Nettleton was chosen chairman, and Oscar Pitschler, Town clerk, was clerk of the meeting. Proposals were read from various contractors, after which a contract signed by the selectmen was read. A proposal from Michael Noonan of Bridgeport, to build a new abutment to Black Bridge, for $2,700, was accepted.

December 31, 1897

Manager Breinig, of the Bridgeport Wood Finishing Co., has generously given the paint for painting the new Hawleyville chapel. Mr Breining chanced to be at Hawleyville, and learning of the earnest effort to raise funds for the building, he offered without solicitation to give the paint. The gift was greatly appreciated. A lady from Washington has also given a reading desk and pulpit. The chairs have been ordered, and are expected in a few days. The chapel is now completed and has been nicely decorated with greens. It is likely a dedicatory service will be held in the near future.

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DODGINGTOWN AND VICINITY: Miss Minnie Hinman of Newtown has been spending a few days at C.F. Wilsons. | Mr and Mrs Lorenzo Durant entertained their children and grandchildren on Christmas day. | Miss Susie Baldwin is visiting relatives in Brooklyn. | The Flat Swamp school closed Friday, December 24, for one week’s vacation. The following are the names of the scholars who attended school regularly: Willie, Walter, Howard, Harry and Lottie Behn, George and Willie Ferry.

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Rodney Proctor, who is now at school at Lawrenceville, N.J., passed Christmas with his grandparents, Ex-Sheriff and Mrs Aaron Sanford. W.H. Sanford of New York was also at home over the holidays.

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Michael Kane, better known as “Smiler,” shot a large red fox in Hanover, last week, in front of Michael Cavanaugh’s dog Roc.

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Mr and Mrs F.B. Drew of Hawleyville entertained quite a party on Christmas day, including Mrs Starr Blackman, Miss Lottie Blackman, C.J. Blackman, John S. Drew and Prof Wilkins of Hartford, T.J. Donovan of Springfield, and J.S. Saunders.

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.