* * *

Every dark cloud has a silver lining, and in this case the dark clouds really do exist: the weatherman predicts another rainy weekend. The silver lining, less literal, is a benefit few may have noticed as they wearily weather another series of showers. The gypsy moth caterpillars are dying off. According to Howard Kemmerer, agricultural agent with the state’s Cooperative Extension Service, the rain has had a “devastating effect on the gypsy moth.”

* * *

In spite of some press reports that Rocky Glen Dam cannot withstand another heavy rainstorm, the Department of Environmental Protection said that the dam’s condition is not an emergency situation. The dam, located near the old Fabric Fire Hose Plant of Glen Road, was damaged by water backlash from previous rainstorms, according to Victor Galgowski, maintenance for the DEP’s water resource unit. The dam was the only one of the 63 inspected which the corps reported had “suffered some damage,” from the heavy rainstorm which hit the area June 5 and 6, he added.

* * *

A dog which was worrying geese and chickens was shot Wednesday morning , June 16, near a bus stop where several children were playing. At the time of the shooting, the dog was allegedly inside a fenced-in area where geese and chickens were kept. The dog was shot with a .22 caliber rifle from a second floor window from a distance of 100 feet. In the line of fire, about 30 feet further away, four children between the ages of 6 through 12 were waiting for the Sandy Hook school bus, police said. After the dog was hit, the dog crawled toward the children, who helped Patrolman Thompson put it in his car. The dog survived, but is apparently paralyzed, police said. The coop door was open and the geese and chicken flew the coop. The fowl later returned to the coop, and none were injured.

* * *

For three months Robison Inc of Yalesville worked on widening and realignment of the intersection of Route 25 and 302, with the final work now being completed, including new traffic signals and painting of lines to establish traffic lanes.

* * *

Jim Byron won first prize in the Parks and Recreation Department’s “Name That Rooster” contest with “Beau” after the famous French General Rochambeau who camped in Newtown during the Revolution. But the name also connotes a gallant companion, and the handsome, eight-foot tall fiberglass rooster is definitely that. Jim will receive two tickets and transportation to Yankee Stadium to the Yankee vs Oakland game.

* * *

“Providing shelter” sounds like something you build with sticks, but providing a temporary home to a youth in crisis requires more than sticks and brush. And for the past two years, the family of Don and Charley Schuman has done just that at their Newtown home for 19 youths. The 18 Main Street shelter has since had to close for lack of funding and other support says the Rev Steven P. Gordon, one of the prime movers in a local effort among several churches to relocate the shelter. While the Schumans remain committed to the youth home ministry concept, it has become obvious that a new location is necessary.

 

June 21, 1957

Blind people in this vicinity are hoping to profit by a sale of their hand-made products, which will be held under the auspices of the State Board of Education of the Blind at the Edmond Town Hall, Wednesday, June 26 from 10 am to 4 pm. The items will consist of ironing board covers, aprons, holders, luncheon sets, dish towels leather belts, purses, wallets and a variety of other handiwork.

* * *

A fully loaded 14-wheel tractor trailer pulled into Newtown early this Wednesday to deliver to the town a complete 200-bed hospital. The truck was carrying 24,000 pounds of medical equipment. First Selectman Edgar J. Coleman, on the scene to direct the unloading and storage of the hospital, explained it is a Civil Defense Emergency Hospital that, in the event of a disaster, could be set up in the schools or Edmond Town Hall.

* * *

The most popular place in town during the heat wave of the past has been the Dickinson Park pond, where the sale of stickers surpassed even the record temperatures, soaring to over 100 for this week. Walter Kobin of South Center has been appointed life guard at the pond and will be on duty from 10 am to 5 pm. Revenue from the stickers is the only source of income at this time for park improvement.

* * *

Jim and Esther Howard, proprietors of the Village Coffee Shop on Church Hill Road, Newtown, announce the completion of a new addition to their restaurant. The restaurant has been beautified with the extension to the building which houses a new service bar, a new office, and an addition  to the kitchen, which sparkles with new stainless steel sinks. The change is also noticeable from the exterior, with the new roof topped off by a perky cupola.

* * *

Existing facilities in Newtown High School are 11 classrooms, one-substandard classroom, one art room, one physics-chemistry laboratory, one biology-general science laboratory, one industrial arts shop, one vocational agricultural shop, one Vo-Ag classroom, one homemaking department, one girls gymnasium, one boys gymnasium for a total of 21 classrooms with a capacity of 525 pupils. To be gained through alterations to the existing building will be five regular classrooms, three special classrooms, for a total of eight added classrooms and an increase of 200 pupils.

* * *

PLAY TENNIS THE MAPLE GROVE TENNIS CLUB Orchard Hill Road NEWTOWN. Club Will Open With Exhibition Matches Monday, July 1st, 1957, at 5 pm. Thereafter Club Will Be Open To Members Daily From 8 am to Dark, except Thursdays. Children Weekday Mornings Only. Telephone Early for Your Membership Application GLADYS M. CORREA, Manager Phone GArden 6-2017

 

June 17, 1932

James Campbell, while working in a place on the old Maloney farm on Mile Hill was injured by the falling of  a porch roof after one of the supporting posts kicked out. Dr E.L. Kingman attended him and took him to the Bridgeport Hospital.

* * *

Thanks to the energy and courage of G. Herbert Beers, the plan of five would-be auto thieves of taking his auto was frustrated in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Mr Beers saw the youths moving his car out of his garage preparatory to making away with it. He immediately took down his faithful gun from the rack and opened fire without hitting any of the culprits. As soon as the young men started to make their getaway Beers went to the telephone an notified Town Prosecutor Paul V. Cavanaugh, who in turn summoned Constables Hiram Halon and Preston M. Beers, who started out and arrested them.

* * *

On Thursday morning, June 9, Miss May E. Sullivan was appointed Town Clerk of the town of Newtown by the Selectmen of the town. Miss Sullivan has been connected with the offices or Town Clerk and Probate Court under the late Judge Oscar Pitzschler since 1917.

* * *

Attorney Joseph H. A. Symonds is making local farmers and garden specialists sit up and take notice. On Tuesday his garden yielded a nice mess of peas for his table. John Ray and other local garden experts had better look to their laurels. Attorney Symonds exhibited specimen peas from his garden at a meeting of the executive committee of the George Washington Bi-Centennial committee, Monday night. Even a successful farmer like Hon Stanley J. Blackman couldn’t say a word.

* * *

“It was a pleasure to recommend your re-appointment in view of representations of those who know you best,” in part was the letter received Wednesday morning, from Washington, D.C., notifying Mrs Anna C. Tucker that she had been re-appointed for four years more to handle the important duties as head of the Sandy Hook Postoffice.

* * *

Al Bevans has just completed the redecorating of his attractive refreshment stand at Dodgingtown on the Newtown-Bethel State road. A new large dining room has been added, the grounds have been re-arranged, marine views have been painted on the screen and the place is now 100 percent Sunoco.

 

June 21, 1907

Parties visit O.E. Morgan’s pond in Hattertown nearly every day and go away with good catches of fish. There are lots of bull heads, carp and perch in the pond, this summer, and one is sure of getting a good string if he visits the pond.

* * *

On account of the poor health of her parent, Dr Allen of Hattertown is not able to get about and see her patients, but is always at her office in Hattertown where her patients can see her and get the medicine they may need.

* * *

Dr R.S. Todd, the well-known New Milford veterinarian, was in town, Sunday, to care for the horse of Allison P. Smith, which picked up a nail in one of its hind feet, on the state road between Newtown and Sandy hook. The throwing of rusty nails or pieces of glass in the highway is a practice which ought to land the person who does it in jail.

* * *

The grounds about the Botsford depot are nicely kept and are a credit to that part of the town. This week, the bank east of the station has been nicely graded and seeded down, which adds greatly to the appearance about the station. The section men of the railroad, assisted by P.F. Crowe, Charles G. Morris and H.C. Johnson with their teams did the work and are to be commended for their public spirit.

* * *

S.S. Green has just purchased of T.E. Platt & Sons of Newtown, a large mounted gasoline engine cutter and blower and a large silo for use at his farm on Stillson’s Hill.