Concerned that students are not spending enough time in the classroom, the Newtown Board of Education is exploring ways of adding more days to the school calendar. On February 10, the board approved the following statement for submission to state legislators: “The Newtown Board of Education considers Connecticut law requiring school systems to close for all state-approved holidays not to be in the best interest of scheduling our school year for maximum instructional effectiveness.” The Board asks state representatives to seek a change in the current law which would permit a school system to stay open if it would celebrate the holiday through educational activities.

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The driver of a town snowplow lost control of the truck on Route 302 on February 9 at 10:44 am, during a snowstorm, and hit the utility pole at the intersection of Elm Drive. The pole was snapped and the CL&P and SNET companies responded to temporarily brace the pole.

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An estimated 1,000 people attended the Newtown Bridle Lanes Sleigh Rally last Sunday at Dickinson Park, where gaily dressed drivers drove horse-drawn sleighs in a demonstration of transportation from the past that was also a competition. The only hitch in the day came when a sleigh tipped and tossed its driver, and a loose horse caused spectators to scramble. Order was soon restored, however, with no one hurt.

February 16, 1962

West Street was sort of a “Lonesome Road” early this Thursday after the two-day snowfall deposited more than a foot of wet snow and winds whipped it into drifts. Despite the snow’s tendency to drift there was plenty of dampness left in it to cling to trees, overhead wires, and to bow down shrubs under its weight. Winter, which has been sporadic and mild up till last week, hit Friday with a heavy snow followed by sub-zero temperatures that reached as low as 16 degrees below zero in Sandy Hook.

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A consensus taken by the League of Women Voters membership recommended that Newtown adopt the Uniform Fiscal Year, and that the town begin to implement the changeover by October 1962. Adoption of the Uniform Fiscal Year would mean that the town would begin a “pay-as-you-go” basis as of July 1963 and the fiscal year would run from July to July with semi-annual tax payments, instead of the present October to October with one annual tax payment. The town now operates essentially on borrowed money for seven months of the year.

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The Board of Education at its meeting Tuesday night discussed with the superintendent and the principals of the three schools the matter of school homework and, at the end of the extended exchange of ideas, the superintendent was requested to submit to a future board meeting a statement of overall policy with respect to homework, beginning at kindergarten and going right through the 12th grade.

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A group of Newtown men are meeting each Sunday, from 11 am to 1 pm, in the High School gym, practicing the not-quite-so-fast break, the overstuffed press, and the high bounce dribble. Those men interested in joining this cage clique are asked to call GArden 6-2965. Eligibility requirements: men must be Newtown residents past their 20s and over 36, in the waistline, that is.

February 12, 1937

At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Newtown Savings Bank, held on Friday, February 5, Arthur T. Nettleton was elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of David C. Peck. It will be gratifying to Mr Nettleton’s host of friends and unusually wide acquaintances to know that he will now serve as president of the Bank, in addition to so capably filling the office of treasurer, which he has held since 1898.

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A commendable piece of work is being carried on by Supervisor William D. Corbett and his force of State workers in keeping the hills well sanded after each storm. It has been necessary over the past week-end and on several previous occasions for the entire crew to work far into the night. Often they are sanding in the early hours of the morning.

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An appreciative audience gathered Sunday afternoon in the Guild rooms of Trinity church and listened intently to the superb playing of Urico Rossi, violinist, and the colorful singing of John Shepherd, tenor.

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On Thursday afternoon, February 4th, the Newtown Chapter of the Future Farmers of America visited Mr Godfrey’s poultry plant in Stepney. Mr Collins, the manager, very kindly escorted the group about, explaining the construction and the purpose of each part of the building and equipment as he did so. The boys were very much impressed with the plant and actually saw how much of the labor on a poultry farm can be eliminated.

 

February 16, 1912

Last Saturday, the Newtown High school basketball team opened its season with the Gunnery 2d team at Washington. While the local team met defeat, the score hardly does credit to the plucky game that was played by the High school boys. In the games to come they anticipate better luck and should be able to give a good account of themselves at the end of the season. Score: Gunnery 2d: 34 – Newtown High school: 10.

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Frank Carey of New York, who purchased the F. Wachtals farm in Hanover (formerly the Finnell place), is making extensive alterations on the house, including a wide veranda on the south side.

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John Hart, who had been known about town as “Cricket,” was found by the side of the highway on the Palestine road, Saturday morning, frozen to death. He was 53 years old and was said to be a native of Bethel. The burial took place on Monday, Rev Alexander Steele officiating.

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The residence of Henry Schopick on Botsford Hill was burned to the ground, Saturday night, about midnight. Mrs Schopick was awakened by a snapping noise and aroused her husband. She insisted someone was trying to force entrance to the house. Mr Schopick said he thought not, and went to sleep again. A little later, she again awoke her husband who put on his felts, took his revolver, and went across the hall to the sitting room. As he opened the door to the kitchen the flames came in his face. He set about getting his family out. The women hastily seized clothes and dressed in the zero air outside. The fire had gained such headway it was impossible to save a thing. The house was known as the “Daniel Botsford place.”