March 10, 1995

HE STILL NEEDS A HOME: Kita, a one-year-old black and white Akita, is still looking for a loving home. Pound Keeper Pat Anzellotti says this fellow likes kids and adults but would not be happy with other dogs. Anyone interested in more information can call the Newtown Canine Shelter at 426-6900.

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Police learned on March 4 of a case of third-degree criminal mischief at a Platts Hill Road home. Police said someone entered the property and pushed over a gas grill, moved a planter into the back yard, placed two pieces of outdoor furniture near the street, removed three driveway reflectors and broke two of them. Police are investigating.

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A male Newtown High School student was charged with possession of a dangerous weapon after he was found to have a double-edged knife, known as a “dirk” knife, at the high school at about 1 pm on February 28, police said. The boy, who police did not identify because he is under 16, will be referred to juvenile court for a disposition of the case. High school principal William Manfredonia has suspended the student until an expulsion hearing in front of the Board of Education can be organized. School board policy calls for a student, caught with a weapon in school, to be expelled for a maximum of 180 days. Mr Manfredonia said the student had no intention of being violent with the knife but just wanted to show off.

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WINE WISDOM BY STEVE SMALL: One of the most interesting things about wine lovers is we seem to enjoy reading about wine almost as much as drinking it. I recently had some time to catch up on my wine readings, and I would like to share some tidbits with you. After years of secrecy, the Gallo brothers published an autobiography entitled Ernest & Julio, Our Story. The way they tell it, their success seems to have just happened through hard work. One success built on the previous success and they eventually became the largest winery in the United States. Somehow, the book makes it sound so easy. I learned the history and the nuts and bolts of the Gallos’ growth, but I still would like to know more.

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First Selectman Bob Cascella made his debut onstage last year in Jack and the BeanStalk, and was a hit. This year he is making a return appearance as a silver-haired grandfather in this year’s melodrama, written especially for Literacy Volunteers Read-In Day by Paula Hopper. Appearing with him is Mae Schmidle, as is his beloved granddaughter, Peggy Rose, and Doug Rogers, widely known crop circle expert, who will read the part of radio announcer and narrator. Literacy Read-In day will be held at the Newtown Meeting House on Saturday, March 25, beginning at 10 am.

March 6, 1970

Bee Editor Paul S. Smith returned to his home on Currituck Road on Tuesday, where he is recuperating from a week’s stay as a surgical patient at the Danbury hospital.

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STORY HOUR: Town Players will again hold their monthly story-hour at the Cyrenius Booth Library this Saturday morning at 11 am. Margo Rogers and Ellen Fahrenholz will read stories to the 4-7-year-olds, and with the children joining, sing songs. Parents are asked to bring their children to the side entrance on the library’s lower level and pick up their children at noon promptly.

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The keys and title to the Blackman house on Blackman Road were turned over to Newtown Historical Society on Monday morning in front of a large fireplace in the main living room. Accepting for the society was Edwin Storrs, president, with Union Trust Company officer Anthony Sasso. A meeting of the society’s board of directors and planning committee is planned for Thursday evening at 8 pm at the house to discuss the dwelling’s future.

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Two people were admitted to Danbury Hospital after a one-car crash on Taunton Lake Road on Saturday. George Allen, 16, of Taunton Lake Road and driver of the car, received a broken arm. His sister, 13-year-old Mary, dislocated her left hip in the mishap. A third passenger, Gay Engleberger, 13, also of Taunton Lake Road, was shaken up but did not require the hospital. According to Newtown police officer Augie Fernandes, the Allen car hit a tree after the driver apparently took his eyes off the road for a moment to adjust the radio.

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The Newtown Park and Recreation Commission will sponsor a program in Baton Twirling for girls in grades 4 through 8. The one-hour class will be once a week for eight weeks. No fee will be charged. The program will begin shortly. Girls may register for lessons by calling Charles Chamberlin, recreation director, at 426-6365.

March 2, 1945

On Sunday Mr and Mrs Willis Tomlinson observed their 18th wedding anniversary by entertaining more than 20 relatives and friends from Port Chester, N.Y., New Haven, and Danbury.

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Dear Mr Smith: Since my letter of last month regarding the “Great Quarter” section of Newtown, I have received several letters and phone calls which indicate that quite a number of people are interested in the territory along the banks of the old Housatonic River. For that reason, I am sending you more recollections of events which occurred along the lower valley of the river more than sixty-five years ago. Probably very few people are aware that before the old railroad between Bridgeport and Pittsfield was built, there was Stage-Coach service between New Milford and New Haven. Or that toll gates with an attendant collected toll between Derby and New Haven. One site for a toll house was on property now owned by the New Haven Water Co., at what is now the Maltby Lakes. There was a hotel on the old Jackson place, about two miles above the Stevenson Dam. The stage with its driver and passengers stayed overnight at this hotel as it was about the half-way point between New Milford and New Haven. In the fall of that year, shortly before Thanksgiving, large flocks of turkeys were driven down the river to New Haven markets. At sunset the turkeys went to roost in nearby trees. In the morning after feeding, they resumed their “march of death.”

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After a long rest period, the ROMP committees are planning to resume their former activities this Friday evening at the Edmond gym. We have had time to prepare an active program and wish to assure all of an enjoyable evening. Entertainment and refreshments will be provided. The ROMP committee wishes to extend an invitation to all seventh and eighth graders. Admission is 20 cents and will be collected at the door. We expect a large crowd to be there at 8 o’clock and you will not miss any of the fun. —Velma Kovacs.

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A subscriber to The Bee, located on R.F.D. 1, Danbury, in renewing his subscription for another year, writes, “We sure enjoy your paper.” Such compliments are always a source of satisfaction to The Bee staff, indicating a job well done and spurring members on to continued efforts to make of The Bee the very best weekly paper possible.

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Friends will regret to learn that Mrs A.C. McArthur is a patient at the Evans hospital in New Haven where she is confined with a broken leg suffered in a fall at the home of her son, William McArthur, with whom she has been spending the winter months.

February 27, 1920

Constable Thomas Carlson took Mrs Minnie Robinson to the Hillside Home at Bridgeport, Wednesday, as she was suffering from mental delusions. She became unmanageable there and the Bridgeport authorities were obliged to transfer her to Connecticut State hospital.

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John Stefanko, who has been laid up for 10 days with a severe cold under Dr Kiernan’s care, returned to work this week, in the Premier Manufacturing Co.’s establishment.

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Miss Anna May Corbett, who has had quite a serious time with an abscess in her ear with grip complications, was able to sit up, Wednesday, for the first time.

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Frank Banks has added a handsome roll top desk to his office. All Frank needs now is a typewriter and a beautiful young lady stenographer to operate it.

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Ambrose Conger was a visitor in the Park City, Wednesday.

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.