April 28, 1995

The White Birch Inn, long an eyesore in the middle of town, is scheduled to be demolished next Thursday, May 4... Several months ago the building’s lead paint, asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials obstructed plans by local firefighters to burn it down as a training exercise. The State Department of Environmental Protection said toxic fumes could be created by the fire. The volunteer firefighters held several drills in the building, creating artificial smoke inside to test their skills at rescuing victims from burning buildings.

***

The Silver Screen. The Big Screen. The Movies. The name may have changed over the years, but the popularity of sitting in a darkened theater and being captivated by a story projected on the screen has not. So why did attendance at Edmond Town Hall theater drop dramatically during March? “Because of the [dollar] price increase,” said theater manager Tom Mahoney... In February the Board of Managers decided to increase matinee tickets to $2; evening performances to $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and children aged 12 and under... “there is a certain amount of resistance to any change,” said Mr Mahoney.

***

Newtown joined communities around the nation in mourning the deaths of those who perished in the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City last week. On Thursday afternoon, April 25, the aerial truck of Newtown Hook & Ladder lowered the town flag at the top of Church Hill Road to half staff. The flag remained lowered until Monday.

***

Walnut Tree Associates has started site development work on Walnut Tree Village, a condominium complex planned for an 18-acre site to the east of Walnut Tree Hill Road, near the intersection of Walnut Tree Hill Road, Evergreen Road, and School House Hill Road. Walnut Tree Village is the town’s first condo complex.

***

Perhaps inspired from its April 20 visit to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the Newtown High School baseball team got right down to business upon its return home, getting three outstanding complete-game pitching performances and plenty of offense in routs of Joel Barlow and Abbot Tech, and methodical 6-2 win over defending WCC champion Pomperaug.

***

Attorney William Denlinger, representing property owners Ed Raymond and Gordon Anderson, presented a proposed amendment to the zoning regulations on April 20 which would allow certain residential apartment uses in B-3 zones. P&Z members took no action on the proposal. They are expected to act on it at an upcoming session. The proposal stems from the two property owners’ desire to create three apartments on a parcel they own at the intersection of Taunton Lane and Mt Pleasant Road. The parcel formerly held the business known as The Little Red Shoe House.

April 24, 1970

Follow up calls are now being made by census enumerators on those whose forms have not been received at headquarters and those whose forms, although filed, are incomplete. The callers will identify themselves as enumerators. If you have any doubt of the caller’s authenticity, call the area supervisors Mrs Harvey Hubbell at 426-4907 or Miss Ann Rapp at 263-2741.

***

Newtown’s tax rate will increase by about three mills, slightly less than ten per cent, if the figures recommended to the budget meeting of May 5 are accepted by the town, according to a Board of Finance estimate... The appropriations on which the town will be asked to vote are thus $2,065,439.45 to operate the town fiscal 1970-71 and $3,988,493 for the town’s schools.

***

Mrs John Allen of Hilldale Drive, Sandy Hook, has a geranium which persists, in its wayward fashion, in throwing blossoms of two different colors, pale rose and deep salmon simultaneously. This is apparently not a one-time “sport,” as this is the second year the plant has carried on like this.

***

The zoning board of appeals has denied the applications of the Mobil Oil Corporation to operate a filling station at the northwest corner of Church Hill Road and I-84. Two special exceptions and a variance were asked, as well as a certificate of approval to build the station at that site. Denial was based on the fact that the land is in a M-2 zone with the minimum of six acres required, but Mobil, the lessee, would construct the building on 34,780 square feet, less than one acre, with the building, parking area, and outdoor storage space covering considerably more than the permitted 50 per cent.

***

About a year ago, over 400 people signed a petition asking the US Post Office Department not to consolidate the Newtown and Sandy Hook Post Offices but to maintain a separate facility in Sandy Hook. Copies were forwarded to the offices of Sens Abraham Ribicoff, Thomas Dodd, and Rep John S. Monagan. On Monday, April 20, Rep Monagan reported that a separate facility will be maintained. Within the next week, bids will be advertised for lease of an existing building to the Post Office Department with a larger space both indoors and for parking.

***

Newtown’s “Earth Day” program will be launched on Wednesday, April 29, with the showing of the film “Alone in the Midst of the Land” at 8 pm in the undercroft of Trinity Church. The film, which is on loan from the RESCUE Center in Bridgewater, portrays the future plight of America if those living in the 1970s do not take immediate action to repair the damage done to their environment. The United States has finally faced the fact that it is in the midst of an environmental crisis... Following the film on April 29, a panel of knowledgable individuals in the field of conservation and environmental health will discuss problems of our environment.

April 20, 1945

The disturbing news of the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt reached The Bee office last Thursday afternoon, after the printing of last week’s issue had been completed, and therefore too late for any mention to be made. The news spread like wildfire and the whole town seemed to be stunned as people gathered about their radios to learn such details as were available. Commercial programs were cancelled and for the next three days the air was dominated by a deeply religious note as men and women from all walks of life paid their tributes to one who will undoubtably go down as a great figure in history... On Monday, many listened to President Truman’s first address to Congress, in which he recognized the staggering problems which we face, and called on Americans of all parties to help in keeping our nation united in defense of those ideals which had been so eloquently proclaimed by President Roosevelt.

***

Pfc. Michael Lucas, Jr, Son of Mrs Stanley Korzeniewski of Sandy Hook, Who Was Wounded In Action In Germany On February 12th. Following His Recovery at a Hospital in Paris, Frost Bitten Feet Being One Of His Troubles, Private Lucas Is Now Back With His Regiment. He Has Been Awarded The Purple Heart, the Medal Having Reached His Mother. He Is Serving In The Infantry With The 78th Division.

***

Miss Helene Woodward, who has been a teacher at Hawley High School, recently resigned her position to join the American Red Cross. She reports to the American University in Washington, D.C. on April 23rd to begin a three-weeks course, following the completion of which she will do recreational and rehabilitation work as a Hospital Staff Aide in a veteran’s hospital in the North Atlantic area.

***

The employees of the Fairfield State Hospital and their guests were again the happy participants in an evening of dancing and amusement at the Spring Dance held Wednesday evening, April 11, in Bridgeport Hall of the hospital buildings. One of the dining rooms had been cleared for dancing, and the music, under leadership of Bob Hatch, was both lively and tuneful. Both modern and square dancing were enjoyed. Another of the dining rooms had been set aside with a huge buffet supper table laden with beautifully and tastefully arranged viands.

***

A Small Farm. Six perfect acres, with shade trees, a young apple orchard and a running brook. Under the trees, an old house, completely modernized; an electric kitchen, every convenience. Four rooms and lavatory downstairs; four rooms and 2 baths upstairs; a large attic. The living room has two fireplaces and opens onto a fine terrace overlooking a velvety lawn, which slopes gently to the brook. The place is both beautiful and productive. $30,000. May be seen by appointment by dealers or prospective buyers. Mrs Rea Irvin. Newtown. Phone 376.

***

Help is very greatly needed for work on surgical dressings and much credit must go to those workers who responded to the call last week, but they were few in number. This is a service we dare not neglect. Stop now and consider whether house-cleaning, dressmaking or shopping is really more important than rolling bandages. Try to fit a period of this work into your week’s plans.

April 16, 1920

The microfilm containing 1920 Newtown Bee editions is kept at the C.H. Booth Library, which is temporarily closed due to coronavirus health precautions.

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