December 23, 1994

ABOUT OUR COVER. Ever since The Bee moved its printing press to Commerce Road, changes have been taking place at our place of business at 5 Church Hill Road. New offices are now in the basement and plans are in the works for more renovations on the other two floors. As this process takes place, nooks and crannies are being explored for the first time in many years and may things are turning up. Two weeks ago, we uncovered a small collection of pictures in the attic and among them was the illustration which appears on the front page this week. It was 40 years ago this week that this same work was printed on our front page, bringing holiday wishes to all of our readers and advertisers. Few in town today will remember artist Frank Mack. He was a portrait artist and would often show up at public functions and sketch people attending. Illustration also took part of his time and The Bee has used several of his works.

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Sandy Hook and Hook & Ladder firefighters respond to a hydraulic fluid spill which threatened the waters of the Pootatuck River on December 20. The problem occurred when a garbage truck sprung a hydraulic fluid leak at Curtis Packaging. Some fluid went down a storm drain and into a river tributary. Firefighters tended to booms where the tributary passes under Toddy Hill Road. Hook & Ladder firemen went to the Pootatuck at Mile Hill Road. The driver of the garbage truck and workers at Curtis Packaging used absorbent materials to trap hydraulic fluid, but some drizzled into the storm sewer. Even further downstream from Mile Hill Road where the wooden footbridge crosses the river in Sandy Hook Center, firefighters were stationed with booms as a precaution. One of the firefighters’ main weapons against spills is the boom, made of spun polypropylene. The booms absorb the spill as it passes by while letting water pass through.

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Top of The Mountain. One of the reasons I like Christmas, aside from the increased probability of shrimp tumbling to the kitchen floor, is that it is one of the few times in the year when human beings actually adopt cat-like contentedness. Sitting before the fire late on Christmas eve, when the house quiets down and you can almost hear people purr. Of course, that doesn’t last for long. Dawn comes early at many homes, and the cat purr of a long winter’s nap gives way to the hound’s howl of kids eager to attack the presents under the tree.

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When Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in Prose; Being a Ghost Story of Christmas, which is the full title of the work we have come to know as A Christmas Carol, he wrote in the preface that he endeavored to … “raise the ghost of an idea, which shall not put my readers out of humor with themselves, with others, with the season, or with me. May it haunt their houses pleasantly.” Through the use of a “dream and reformation” format, plenty of drama and humor, and a character named Ebinezer Scrooge, Dickens transported readers from “bah humbug” holiday blues to the uplifting experience of personal generosity and a genuine enthusiasm for goodwill. His message of repentance and hope is fully realized with the celebration of Christmas.

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To The Editor: On behalf of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Board of Directors, I wish to thank the Newtown High School Key Club members and advisors, Mr Richard Pesce, for their help with the Annual Fund Drive mailing. All the students who helped are to be commended for their leadership, concern and effort. Thank you for a job well done. Your assistance is greatly appreciated. Sincerely yours, Kathleen Madzula

December 19, 1969

Road Crews Kept Busy As First Snows Fall. Newtown had its first real snowfall of the season Sunday, December 14, and highway crews were kept busy plowing and sanding town roads. The crew began working at 9:15 Sunday morning and completed its work by 4:30 Monday evening. This was the first major snow in Newtown for Highway Superintendent Richard Monckton who said the plowing and sanding went smoothly. Regular town crews were at work along with a few reserves called in to relieve those who had been working long hours.

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Mrs Edrick Durgy of Old Hawleyville Road had the misfortune to fall downstairs at her home, sustaining injuries to both legs as well as body bruises. After emergency treatment at Danbury Hospital, she was placed in the care of her family physician.

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The Junior Gardeners of Newtown had their Trim-The-Tree party at Cyrenius H. Booth Library on December 14 from 2 to 4. Because of the snowstorm that afternoon the crowd was not as large as anticipated; however, those who braved the elements and came had a good time. Gail Paynter charmed her audience with singing folk songs and playing guitar. Several children did readings. After refreshments the afternoon was toped off with the singing of Christmas carols. If you didn’t help trim the tree, stop by and see it. The Gardeners think it is quite pretty.

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Windsweep Flossie 6041440, a five-year-old Holstein, produced 21,900 pounds of milk and 845 pounds of butterfat in 305 days. Sprucegate Emmajean, 6671394, a three-year-old, had 25,380 pounds of milk and 823 pounds of butterfat in 305 days. Both are included in the herd tested for Dan Lufkin, of Newtown.

December 15, 1944

Sandy Hook children are enjoying their second week of hot soup with their lunch at school. Last week 78 children bought soup and milk and this week 84 have bought. This represents quite a majority, as several go home for lunch. The program is sponsored by the PTA with Mts George Heinemeyer employed to prepare the soup, and two volunteers to help serve each day. Mrs Heinemeyer is an excellent cook and the school is very fortunate to obtain her services. Children are asked to bring their 25c Friday each week for the following for the following week’s soup and milk.

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Ernest Maulik, who recently underwent an operation at Danbury Hospital, is making good progress and is expected to return to his home on Main Street in about a week.

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Miss Pauline Feli entertained several friends recently on her fourth birthday. Games were played and refreshments of sandwiches, cake, and ice cream and fruit punch were served. Pauline is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Paul Feli of Cedar Heights View, Hawleyville.

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It is safe to say that most of us have a philosophy of life, but if asked to put it into words, we would find difficulty in doing so without faltering. Some of us have never taken the time to think about it; others are not quite sure in their own minds just how they should best conduct themselves to meet life and the problems of living. And so, we print with great interest the code by which the late “Tom” Cullen chose to lead his life. Tom always carried a copy of his “Philosophy of Life” with him. He didn’t need to, because he so successfully lived every part of it. Perhaps others will adopt it for their own. Here it is: “Keep your heart free from hate, your mind from worry. Live simply; expect little, give much; fill your life with love; scatter sunshine. Forget self. Think of others, and do as you would be done by.”

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Tech Sgt. Elzie Hunnicutt, who recently returned from England after having completed 30 missions over enemy Europe aboard a Flying Fortress, has spent several week-ends as the guest of Mr and Mrs Horace A. Smith of Dodgingtown.

December 12, 1919

Daniel Ken is able to be out once more, a fact that is pleasing to his many friends.

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Mr Dean of Botsford has sold his farm to James Nemeth of Bridgeport. Thomas Cavanaugh of Bridgeport has sold his property at Sandy Hook to Daniel O’Connor, also of Bridgeport. Another sale was that of Abraham Kline who sold his property in Sandy Hook to Mr Knapp of Springsdale, Fla. All of these sales were made through the agency of Stanley Botsford of Stepney.

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Curnel Beard of the United States battleship, Savannah, passed Thanksgiving with his parents, Mr and Mrs Arthur Beard.

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The Boys Club will play a town team Saturday night at the Town hall. Dancing after the game.

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Lee F. Armstrong of Bennington, Vt., a former resident, was in town calling on friends, a few days last week. Adolph Benz is visiting his daughter, Mrs Nufer, in Jersey City.

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.