* * *

After careful examination by its subcommittee on fields, the Board of Education voted to unanimously adopt a proposal by the Parks and Recreation Department to turn maintenance of the school fields over to the town. All equipment needed will be turned over. The only funding the board will turn over is $13,900 which has already been budgeted for seed and fertilizer. Scheduling and overall supervision of the fields will also have to be worked out.

* * *

Sandy Hook Center was closed to traffic and electrical power was shut off in storefronts on either side of the street for a half hour Tuesday morning after propane leaked from a truck on Church Hill Road. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company Chief Bill Halstead said the power was shut off and traffic was diverted from the center with the help of the Newtown Police, as a precaution against explosion caused by sparks after the call was received at 11:28 am.

* * *

Members of the Board of Education have appointed A. Winthrop Ballard, assistant superintendent of schools, as interim Superintendent of Schools in Newtown. His contract will run July 1 through December 31. “I hope to turn the school system to the new superintendent in good order,” said Mr Ballard.

* * *

According to Newtown Park and Recreation Director Bill Davis, finding a site for a BMX racing track in Newtown is a “priority” with the P&R Commission. A park and rec subcommittee is inspecting property in the area for possible track sites. One obstacle that could hinder the project is a lack of space for car parking, since BMX nights usually draw sizable crowds.

* * *

Senior citizens who pitched in to sort and mail the town’s tax bills last week were a tremendous help, said Tax Collector Carol Feeley. She said the town “rushed” to get the bills out before July 15 because of the delay in setting the mill rate. With the seniors as well as various town employees helping, the usual three-week process was condensed to one week.

* * *

The Board of Directors of Congregation Adath Israel of Huntingtown Road, Newtown, is pleased to announce the appointment of Randall J. Konigsburg as rabbi for the coming year. Rabbi Konigsburg, who will be the congregation’s first full-time rabbi in 44 years, will begin his duties the first week in August.

 

July 20, 1956

The Newtown Park Commission announces the appointment of Miss Kay Dolan, member of the faculty of Newtown High School as supervisor and life guard at the swimming pond in the Dickinson Memorial Park. In order to secure the maximum amount of safety, the Commission feels that even though a life guard is now at the park, it is still advisable that an adult accompany any children to the swimming pond.

A new piece of equipment went into operation at The Bee this week. It is a Teletypesetter, and we believe The Bee is the first weekly newspaper in the state to install one. A Teletypesetter, by way of explanation, is an attachment which is put on a Linotype, so that it will set type mechanically from a tape. The tape is cut from the original news copy by a typist who runs a perforator, much as a person runs a typewriter.

* * *

Frank Mack, Newtown cartoonist, who is touring North Africa and Europe under the auspices of the USO Camp Shows, reports from Libya that his chalk talk series has been well received at the American installations where he and his group have performed. They next go to Greece, Turkey and Germany, then by way of Rome and Paris, where they will leave for the United States, probably next week.

* * *

NEWTOWN GENERAL STORE: Main Street Newtown Tel. GArden 6-2546 Shurfine Evaporated Milk….6 for 79 cents. Andy Boy Broccoli….2 for 49 cents. Choice Boneless Rolled Chuck Roast…69 cents lb. Genuine Spring Legs of Lamb…69 cents lb.

* * *

The seven Herald Tribune Fresh Air children who arrived in Newtown last Thursday have spent the week happily getting acquainted with their hosts and families and are enjoying the countryside, according to Mrs Charles G. Rudolph, local chairman of the Fresh Air Fund. The children have another week here before they return to their homes in New York City.

* * *

An American chestnut tree, growing along Route 35 in Gray’s Plain District, is now in bloom. This is the fourth season of Bloom and bearing fruit. The tree has been under the watchful eye of Walter Sherry of Great Quarter Road, who is anxious that the tree be spared by the highway workers or utility workmen who might not recognize it and cut it down. American chestnuts are almost extinct, but if this young tree can survive the blight, perhaps it is the advance guard of new generations.

 

July 17, 1931

In the severe electrical storm of Tuesday afternoon, lightning struck the residence of Harry B. MacClymon in Berkshire, tearing a chandelier apart. Another crash put a floor lamp out of commission. A call was put into the Fire headquarters, and the pumper and a force of firemen responded. Although their services were not needed, Mr and Mrs MacClymon desire to thank the fire company for their promptness in responding to their call.

* * *

Trinity Parish: Our clerk, Frank Wright, has uncovered some interesting documents relating to the purchase of the bell which now hangs in the tower. A list of the subscribers and a letter from the Meneely Company, showing their careful attention to the proper casting of the bell, as well as letters expressing the satisfaction of Newtown people generally with the tone of the bell, are among the documents.

* * *

Bill Durgy, a young man about 21 years old, the son of Mr and Mrs Louis Durgy of Whisconier Hill, Brookfield, figures in a real head-liner sensation. He was returning to his home about 12:30 am Saturday, when he stopped by the side of the road to fix his engine which had stalled. A handy bandit poked a gun in his side, make him get out of the car, took his money and then taking the wheel after they had filled the care with gas, Bill started on a ride not to Brookfield but for New York City. Durgy is a member of the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Co and a young man of good standing…He was directed to the 123rd street station and told them his story.

* * *

Yale University has made a gift to the town of Newtown of the former Newtown Inn site and the double house next south, formerly known as the annex, for the site of the new Cyrenius H. Booth Memorial Library, for which plans have been drawn by Architect Sunderland of Danbury.

* * *

The Jolly Junior Canning Club met, Monday, at the home of Mrs Waterbury with six members present. Laura Gower and Caroline Kelsec demonstrated how to make current jelly. After canning the jelly was sampled and Mrs Waterbury served cookies and punch.

* * *

The largest crowd in the history of Riverside on Lake Zoar spent the Fourth of July holidays at the development. Practically every cottage was occupied, and bathing and boating were enjoyed to the utmost. The carnival and dance given at the club house the night of the Fourth was largely attended, and Miss Eleanor Meade was the happy recipient of the canoe which was given away.

 

July 20, 1906

A swarm of bees have established themselves in a cornice at the Brick store, Sandy Hook. A special sale in honey is looked for when the cool weather comes on.

* * *

We have a High School which has won its way to the good will of all our people. It is not too much to say that there is no more popular institution in town than the High school. It draws a good number of pupils from the surrounding towns and so gives us the benefit of their tuition to the amount of $200 a year. But the Town does not own a High School building. The building which we occupy is rented from the Newtown Academical Association and we pay in the neighborhood of $200 a year for rent. There is now an opportunity to secure the building for a town High school at a price which is merely nominal.

* * *

George Higgins’ Independents were defeated by the score of 10 to 1 at “Lange Park” on July 14, by the All Stars. The Independents are a fast team, having won ten games this season and losing only one, but they met their match in the All Stars. The game was very fast, both teams playing gilt-edged ball up to the eighth inning and then Higgins took a trip to the clouds and when the storm cleared away the All Stars were nine runs to the good.

* * *

As the editor was returning from Southville, Saturday, when near the division line between Newtown and Brookfield a deer appeared in the roadway 50 feet ahead of his carriage. It leaped a rail fence, and stood on an elevated portion on the hillside watching the team.

* * *

By dint of energy and perseverance and the kindly co-operation of friends Mrs Emily A. Bennett expects to clear about $50 when the returns are all completed in the sale of the pretty book marks which have been on the market since last winter. Many of her former pupils have nobly responded and many a letter of appreciation and love for the dear old Methodist church in Sandy Hook have been received.