***

The Giant Tag and Antique Sale, held last weekend on the former Yankee Drover property at the flagpole, was an overwhelming success. About $12,000 was raised at the event to benefit the Milford Point Preserve, according to Allan Springmeyer, sales manager for the Newtown office of William Raveis Real Estate, which cosponsored the event with the Connecticut Audubon Society. More than 4,000 people stopped by the tent over the weekend to check out the wares.

***

The Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company has completed another banner year on the parade circuit, winning 28 trophies — including six of the coveted “Best Overall” awards, the most such awards ever won in company history. The company took home the “Best Overall” trophies at the following parades — Oxford, Prospect, Thomaston, Bridgewater, Canton, and in Newtown’s Labor Day Parade.

***

A Trumbull man has filed suit against the Zoning Board of Appeals over a July 2 ruling that kept him from building a home on lots in the Housatonic Heights subdivision on Great Quarter Road. Salvatore N. Feola filed suit on September 23 in Danbury Superior Court. In May, Mr Feola sought to build a single-family house with a driveway as access over a right of way, but former Zoning Officer Richard Baldelli denied the request. Mr Feola charges that the ZBA’s decision renders the property of no use or value to him, since it cannot be developed without the access road.

October 6, 1961

Culminating a campaign notable for its lack of issues, but a campaign that did generate a surprising turnout of voters, Republicans, led by First Selectman Charles W. Terrell, Jr, swept all contests and piled up a more than two-to-one majority in Monday’s biennial town election.

***

More than 200 friends gathered at the Yankee Drover Inn last Thursday evening to pay tribute to Sgt James M. Costello, who was recently given the status of sergeant in the State Police Department. Sgt Costello has been Newtown’s resident officer for the past four years, and the success with which he has discharged his duties was warmly praised by all who spoke following the dinner.

***

The long-awaited unofficial “opening” of the interchange of new Interstate 84 and Route 6 at the intersection of Church Hill Road and the new highway began last Friday when the new cloverleaf road from Route 6 to Southbury was opened. Then on Tuesday, the cloverleaf junction on the east-west road was also opened. In this way, there is no longer any necessity for through traffic going west, and that going east, to pass through the center of Sandy Hook.

***

On the occasion of the funeral of Miss Florence Gaffney, this Friday, all Newtown schools will be closed in tribute to a teacher of two generations of Newtown children. Miss Gaffney completed 46 years of teaching in June, all of them in Newtown. St Rose School will also be closed. Services for Miss Gaffney, who died Tuesday evening, will be held at the Honan Funeral Home at 8:30 am, with a Requiem High Mass at St Rose Church at 9 am.

October 2, 1936

Over 800 patients, employees, and guests enjoyed the concert given Sunday at the Fairfield State Hospital by Professor William Connors and a group of students from Danbury. The concert, which took place shortly after 3 o’clock, consisted of group and minstrel songs which were then followed by the singing of spirituals.

***

On this Thursday evening at the St John’s parish rooms, Sandy Hook, the ladies of the church will serve a baked Virginia ham supper, starting at 5:30 o’clock. The committee in charge of this event have worked hard to make this supper a success and a large attendance is expected.

***

Vincent P. Gaffney, vocational agriculture teacher at the Hawley school, took eight of the students in his course on a trip to the Eastern State’s Exposition at Springfield, Mass., on Thursday last week. The boys were particularly interested in the Milk Judging Contest of the North Atlantic region, and the Poultry, and Public Speaking Contest, in which boys taking vocational agriculture competed.

***

The Bazaar given by the Women’s Federation of the Congregational Church, last Friday afternoon and evening, proved to be a very successful affair. The Edmond gymnasium was prettily decorated for the occasion with the tables attractively arranged. A cafeteria supper was served during the early evening at one end of the gymnasium.

 

October 7, 1911

Selectman T.F. Brew, while driving home, last Monday night, from Newtown Street after the election, when near the depot, had his wagon struck by an auto and was thrown out, quite badly bruising his side, but fortunately was not seriously injured. Mr Brew’s injuries were looked after by Dr Kiernan and he is now able to be about.

***

Mrs Ada Parmelee recently upset a large can of cream in her well. The cream at market rates was worth $9. As Mrs Parmelee intended to transmute the cream in to delicious, high-grade butter, the loss was in excess of that amount. H. Penny churned out the water and restored the well to normal.

***

The Town election, Monday, brought out the remarkable vote of 659. Representative William C. Johnson was elected first selectman, defeating S.A. Blackman by a vote of 312 to 281. Hon W.H. Hubbell was moderator of the electors’ meeting and filled the difficult part to the satisfaction of all. A 16-mill tax was laid and the working of the roads was left with the selectmen.

***

The High School at present has an enrollment of 87 in the High School department and 27 in the Eight Grade. The honor lists for the present year may be somewhat smaller than heretofore, as they will be made up of those who have a grade of 90 or more, instead of 80, as has been done previously.