August 28, 1992

Much youthful creativity and premeditation has been expended over the years in creating false identification to circumvent the state law establishing the drinking age. In high schools and colleges, traffic in false IDs picks up at the beginning of each new school year, and owners of package stores and bars brace themselves for the onslaught of forged licenses and other IDs. Some are more vigilant than others. Whatever the reason, each year several vendors are penalized with fines and liquor license suspensions for selling to underage drinkers. Last week, one bar owner who was tired of shouldering the entire blame for violations redirected some responsibility to the underage drinkers. The owner of a cafe in Enfield is suing five of his patrons who used false ID to get into his bar.

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If you happened to be driving along any of the roads within miles of the Bridgewater Fair last weekend, it might have seemed as if everyone were headed there. Some went to have a good time and eat some fried chicken while others went to compete in the contests which make a real country fair. Such was the case this year for the young five-year-old Jesse Rogers of Bridgeport, nephew of Caroline Jessup, owner of Lakewinds Kennels at Hanover Pond House in Newtown. Jesse entered the parade of "most comically dressed pet," and came away with the blue ribbon. Sharing the honor was "Rosie" who was dressed as an Indian, complete with headdress and war paint on her rolls of flesh. It was a proud day for Jesse, while Rosie took it in stride.

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An attorney hoping to add amendments to the local zoning regulations that would allow car washes in town touted his clients' proposal as desirable at an August meeting. "People now have to make a 10-mile trip to have a car wash," said attorney Robert Hall. "There are certainly enough people in Newtown to want a car wash. It's less obtrusive than a gas station." No provisions for car washes exist in town land use regulations. Mr Hall has proposed amendments to several Planing and Zoning rules to allow car washes.

Square Dance on Sept 4. The Rocking Rooster Square Dance Club will feature guest caller Dave Muller in a "plus level" square dance from 8 to 11 pm on Friday, September 4, at the Edmond Town Hall. Round dancing will be cued by Harold and Lorraine Roy. Admission is $3 per person and open to all club level square dancers.

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Louis Howe of Sandy Hook recently attended a five-day estate and financial planning school conducted at Dartmouth college in Hanover, N.H., by Metropolitan Life. Mr Howe is an account executive with the firm's office in Shelton. The course curriculum included information to help Mr Howe serve his clients' financial planning and insurance needs.

September 8, 1967

Our Apologies. This is the fourth week The Bee has been published on its new Goss Community offset press. And, in company with all the other newspapers which have changed from letter press to offset printing, we have been having our troubles. The change in operation is not easy to master. We were warned in advance that such would be the case, but we did not expect a serious press break as part of the initiation. That catastrophe occurred last Thursday. As the result of a frantic call to Chicago, a factory serviceman was hurried here from Massachusetts where he was installing a new press, but he did not arrive until Friday afternoon. The press run was then completed, but a day late. In some cases, mail delivery to subscribers was even later than that. Apologies are offered to all subscribers and advertisers.

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The Government Study Group, a project conceived under the previous administration and now beginning its work under First Selectman Francis J. Hiney, has had its organizational meeting and named Edward Coleman as chairman. Mr Coleman is a former first selectman of Newtown and representative in Hartford. The group is nonpolitical, made up of four Republicans and four Democrats, and is authorized to study forms of government in other towns of a similar size to Newtown. Many have already switched over from the traditional town meeting form of government to other forms they feel are more in keeping with problems of today's growth.

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Townspeople are reminded of the importance of a public hearing scheduled by the Planning and Zoning Commission this Friday evening, 8 o'clock in the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium on proposed subdivision regulations. The purpose of this meeting is the expression of opinions of townspeople on the subject and a large turnout is hoped for by the commission.

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Tax Collector Beatrice Pittelkow announced that the sale of land in Newtown for nonpayment of taxes has been canceled on advice of counsel. The land involved was listed in The Bee of June 23 in real estate pages. The public auction of it was scheduled for August 25, then postponed to September 8, and now is called off.

Superintendent of Schools John Sommi reports that 3,140 students attended Newtown schools on Wednesday, September 6, the first day of the new school year. All faculty openings have been filled with the exception of grade 8 science, but several elementary school positions are filled only temporarily.

September 4, 1942

A large attendance is expected at the dance sponsored by the Sandy Hook Fire Department, which will be held at the St Rose hall this Friday night. "Al" Brundage and his King Street Pioneers of Danbury will furnish the music for round and square dancing. Irving Beers is chairman of the affair and proceeds will go toward the building fund.

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While it comes on short notice, next Tuesday's town meeting, called to consider the establishment of a town fire department, will afford a welcome opportunity for Newtown to set its house in order in the matter of fire protection. Under the General Statutes, there is proper authority for the proposed set-up, under which the cost of fire protection in Newtown will be borne equally. Equipment and funs will be equitably distributed between the various units, which will also be in a much better position to cooperate efficiently in fighting fires.

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The Sandy Hook ball team took a 5-4 victory from Bethany on Sunday afternoon in Pine Grove Park and thus gained the first in the best out of three series; another win in the play-offs putting them in the finals for the League title. The game was well played throughout, Sandy Hook coming from behind in the 9th inning. With two out, "Mim" Grabowski faltered and walked two men, his pitching rival George Wiemann, and Barchi, and then Biglin promptly singled them home for two runs and the ball game.

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Townspeople are urged by William Hunter, local salvage chairman, to save their tin cans, starting at once, in the campaign which is now being conducted throughout the state. The towns of Danbury, Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield and Newtown have combined in chartering a railroad freight car and Friday, September 25, is the date when cans will be collected and shipped away. Newtown's quota is two tons, and Mr Hunter is hopeful that, with general cooperation, this figure will be exceeded by a generous amount.

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A couple of "unplanned casualties" popped up Wednesday night's blackout, when Warden William Hunter wrenched his knee, stumbling down a bank in the dark, and "doc" Desmond broke his glasses when he ran smack into a car. Chief Air Raid Warden Stuart had not figured on these mishaps, though he did plan a lot of others.

August 31, 1917

A member of Company 1 of the 56th Infantry. Dear Aunt Mary and Uncle Will: Received your letter today at noon. Had no chance to write today or yesterday for that matter, so I thought I would go to the YMCA where there was a little light and write a few lines tonight. Was working all day yesterday fixing some roads around the barracks, putting in tile across some of the driveways. Today I was working on the rifle range. Didn't have to work hard, but it was a dirty job. Am glad that Uncle Will felt that he could go on the trip to Massachusetts. Hope he got back OK and enjoyed it. He must be pretty tired.

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The Sandy Hook band will give a concert in front of Town Hall, Newtown Street, on Labor Day evening, September 3, at 8:15 o'clock. A collection will be taken up for the purpose of defraying expenses and adding to the treasury of the band. Following the concert the band will give a dance in the hall.

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Sheriff M.D. Beers opened his new market for business in the E.W. Troy building on Wednesday. A new floor has been put down in the market and the sheriff is stepping about as lively as a 16-year-old boy. He has the smile that won't wear off.

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E.N. Sipperley, Sr, the expert artisan well driller, has just finished a well for Charles B. Crother, and is now drilling one for C.N. Hurtz at Huntingtown. A good opportunity is offered now for anyone wishing to have a well drilled while Mr Sipperley is in town.

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The hen roost of John W. Ray was invaded by thieves, Wednesday night, and about 50 pullets and hens were stolen. They carried away also, a valuable rooster. Mrs Ray had taken much pains with her poultry , and this outrage is too bad. If this sort of thing keeps up it will be necessary for the Borough authorities to furnish an officer to patrol the streets. Unless something is done, residents will have to move poultry into the front parlor at night.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.