NOTE: Beginning this week, we are expanding this popular column to include a second photo and a look back at Newtown news of 125 years ago, in addition to the longstanding segments sharing local news of 25, 50, 75, and 100 years ago.

July 12, 1996

Carol Luf, co-chairman of the Newtown Summer Festival, used paint and brushes donated by the Newtown Color Center to mark the thermometer in front of Fleet Bank, reminding residents that while the Labor Day Parade is fast approaching, donations are lagging. The festival committee has collected only about half of the $11,000 needed to stage the annual parade. Donations should be sent to the Newtown Summer Festival c/o Fleet Bank. “Any little bit will help,.” Ms Luf said. Anyone interested in helping with the parade should call her or co-chairman Kym Stendahl.

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A severe thunderstorm with a heavy downpour and winds that gusted up to 100 miles per hour tore through sections of Fairfield and New Haven counties Tuesday evening, knocking down trees, branches and power lines. Margo Jackson-Douglas, spokesperson for Connecticut Light & Power, said Monroe was the hardest hit, with 5,930 customers without power at the peak of the outage, about 10:30 pm. Nearly 3,200 customers in Danbury lost power, 2,600 in Bethel, 1,799 in Ridgefield, and 458 in Newtown.

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It seems befitting that Newtown’s Number One Dog, Digger Wismar, has a real heritage. Of the 1,197 dogs licensed by June 30, Digger’s name was drawn by Town Clerk Cindy Curtis to receive the honor of bearing the No. 1 tag. The Italian greyhound also was given a coupon for a free rabies vaccination at next year’s clinic and a 25 lb bag of his favorite food (Pedigree, of course) — both donated by the town clerk’s office staff.

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Al Cashman arrived in Newtown to begin his teaching career in 1962 and he’s been here ever since. The well-known assistant principal at Newtown Middle School recently announced he would be stepping down from his post in January after serving Newtown schools for nearly 35 years. Mr Cashman, 56, known for his upbeat personality, love of children and close relationship with the staff, said the Newtown school system has become a piece of him, and he will miss it dearly.

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James E. Lysaght, Jr, 47, is scheduled to be sworn into office at the town’s new police chief in a ceremony Sunday. He will take command of the town’s 36-member police department Monday. The town has had two temporary chiefs of police for the past 16 weeks since former chief Michael DeJoseph left town in late March to take a management post with the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Virginia. Lieutenant Owen Carney, head of the police department’s special investigations unit, has served as acting chief since June 13.

July 16, 1971

On July 13 the Board of Education was told for the second time why there wasn’t a successful school newspaper at the high school. This time they were told by the members of the newspaper staff. The first time they had been told by Harry McCaffrey, head of the English department. The two stories differed completely. At the June 27 meeting, Mr McCaffrey cited “student apathy and a lack of real talent.” He also claimed that students were “turned off” by school newspaper work all over the country — a point which Board member Dana Fradon did not accept. On July 13, Kerry O’Connor, one of the school paper’s editors, explained the problems that the student staff had in its attempt to print a newspaper. By the time the students finished, they had the sympathy of the Board and a promise of help and cooperation.

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I-84 HEARING: Residents of Newtown and Southbury are reminded of the public hearing called by the state on its revised plans for the route of I-84 through Sandy Hook into Southbury. The hearing will be at 8 pm on Wednesday, July 21, in the auditorium of Newtown High School on Route 34. Newtowners are reminded that the ramp from I-84 Route 34 has been removed and that they must go down Church Hill Road to reach Route 34.

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Newtown’s Rep Sarah Frances Curtis is one of the legislative leaders invited to a cookout at the Governor’s Mansion in Hartford at 6 pm Monday, July 19. Husbands and wives of leaders are not included. There has been much speculation that strong opposition to the state income tax may be a reason for this meeting. Governor Meskill and state legislators have been receiving mountains of mail.

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Miss Ina Lee Steinfeld, daughter of Mr and Mrs David Steinfeld of Huntingtown Road, Newtown, became the bride of Joseph Harel, son of Mr and Mrs Aaron Harel of Jerusalem, Israel, on December 23, 1970. Mr and Mrs Steinfeld attended their daughter’s wedding in Jerusalem with Mrs Max Newman, an aunt of the bride.

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Gary E. Gollenberg has received an appointment to the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. A graduate of Newtown High School Class of ’71, Gary is the son of Mr and Mrs George Gollenberg of Taunton Hill Road, Newtown. He will study marine engineering leading to a bachelor of science degree and a license as an engineering officer.

July 12, 1946

It was interesting to note the fine collection of old things and things more modern that already have been collected in connection with the second annual “Attic to Cellar Auction” which will be held on the grounds of Trinity Church on Main Street on Saturday, July 20, beginning at 10 a.m. Last year it was like an Old Home Week affair, eager buyers coming from far and near to find the very article for which long search had been made, to meet and visit with old friends and to have a fine luncheon served by the Woman’s Auxiliary of the church during a recess from the strenuous work of bidding.

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Newtown’s Pine Tree Patrol of Boy Scouts left Sunday afternoon for a two-weeks trip into the Canadian woods, under the leadership of their Scoutmaster, Rev Paul A. Cullens. A telegram reached Editor Paul Smith at The Bee office Tuesday noon, sent by Scribe Kenneth Kline, announcing their arrival at Three Rivers, Canada, as follows: “Go into the woods from La Tuque in the morning, Wednesday. All well. Weather fine.” Those making the trip were Jack Cochran, water boy; Fritz Heinemeyer, junior or cook; James Mainwaring, baker; Fred Jensen, handyman; Selwin Lane, woodman; Kenneth Pelletier, lighter; Theodore Hamlin, Assistant; Kenneth Kline, Scrube; and David Eaton, Senior.

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St Rose parish hall was filled to capacity Wednesday night as members of the parish, other townspeople and representative citizens gathered to do honor to Rev William J. Collins, pastor of the church from November, 1931, to June of this year. There was a most interesting program of brief addresses, recitations and musical numbers, followed by a reception and refreshments.

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EDITORIAL INK DROPS: The public support given the Newtown Fire Department in its first inaugural carnival has taken the breath away from even the most ardent optimist. Favored with six consecutive nights of clear weather, the fire fighters of the four local companies garnered in coin of the realm for a gross total of some $8,000 or more. While it is yet too early to determine the net results, it is obvious that the final figure will be a generous one. All of which should indicate to Newtown’s firemen that the public is behind them in their efforts to improve their equipment, their technique and their efficiency. In truth, the public, by its generosity, has placed an obligation upon the Newtown Fire Department to make of itself the best possible fire fighting unit. And we see no reason why Newtown should not have an exceptionally fine fire department. Younger men are now back from the war — ready and willing to do their part, along with the older members who have carried on for the past few years. A full complement of well-trained personnel, inspired with a spirit of cooperation and public service, is the first essential. Good equipment comes next. Lacking neither, Newtown will have less fear of fires.

July 15, 1921

There will be a special meeting of the Hillside club at its rooms on Saturday evening at 7:30 o’clock, standard time, at which all members are urged to be present. Important meeting. —P.H. McCarthy, President

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The Hewlett Construction Company are pushing the work right along on the new Hawley School and are making commendable progress. The grade courses are two-thirds set. The basement window frames are in place. The septic tank is excavated. Superintendent C.L. Hunt told a Bee reporter that they had 40,000 face brick on the job and that they would begin laying brick, Monday. The agricultural tile drains are laid at the base of the foundation walls and the waterproofing of the foundation walls is almost completed.

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Andrew Burk, of Gray’s Plain district, cut his leg quite badly, Wednesday, with an axe. Dr W.H. Kiernan was called and took several stitches to close the wound. Burk is about 15 years old.

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Mrs Dennis Cavanaugh of the Boulevard has had her residence newly shingled. Contractor T.F. Brew is doing the work.

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Miss Gladys Campbell, whose illness was noted in last week’s Bee, is reported as convalescing rapidly at St Raphael’s hospital in New Haven and is expected home in a short time.

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A campaign is in progress to secure gifts of canned fruits and vegetables for the Danbury hospital. The hospital will furnish the cans if the people will fill them. The Hospital Auxiliary will come around about October 1 to gather in what has been canned. Mrs W.H. Kiernan is chairman for Newtown and her assistants in the districts are: Gray’s Plain, Mrs Eugene Peck; Half Way River, Mrs Arthur Beardsley; South Center, Mrs W.C. Johnson; Taunton, Miss Jennie Honan; Newtown, Mrs J.L. Lasher; Huntingtown, Mrs John Gilbert; Palestine, Mrs Albert Boyson; Walnut Tree Hill, Miss Ina Driscoll; Sandy Hook, Miss Amy Bantle; Gas Street, Mrs Fred Lockwood; Pootatuck, Mrs George Meyers; Zoar, Mrs H. G. Warner; Upper end Newtown Borough, Miss Charlotte Minor; Dayton street, Mrs Lillis; Hawleyville, Mrs Charles Jackson; Boulevard and Queen streets, Mrs W.B. Glover. It is hoped there will be a cordial and generous response of the housewives of the town to the appeal of Mrs Kiernan and her assistants. It is a good cause.

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Announcement is made of the engagement of Miss Lucy Baldwin, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Homer Baldwin, of Stratford, and Lester C. Lowe of Ardmore, Pa. No date has been set for the wedding. Miss Baldwin has accepted a position to teach in the public schools of Jersey City, N.J., for the coming season. Mr Baldwin was a former resident of Newtown.

July 17, 1896

“Oh!” writes one of The Bee’s most faithful correspondents, “that we could divest ourselves of our flesh and sit in our skeletons these hot days. It’s too hot to grind out news for people who are too hot to read it.”

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According to the announcement made, last week, a supper will be given in the Town hall on Thursday evening, July 23, for the benefit of the library. All are invited. This institution, which has met with such support in the past, ought to be remembered again, this season. The supper will begin at 5:30 p.m. It is requested that people respond to the call for food for this occasion without further invitation. Willing workers will be necessary early Thursday to prepare the tablets as there will undoubtedly be a grand rush to the library supper.

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(ADV) When we consider that the intestines are about five times as long as the body, we can realize the intense suffering experience when they become inflamed. DeWitt’s Cholera cure subdues inflammation at once and completely removes the difficulty. Edgar F. Hawley, Newtown; S.C. Bull, Sandy Hook; A.B. Blakeman, Botsford; B. Hawley & Co., Stepney.

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Mrs Stebbins of Bethel and Mrs Ralph Benedict of Hattertown were guests of Mr and Mrs John Benedict, one day last week.

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Miss Elizabeth Leavenworth, who passed a few days as the guest of Mr and Mrs C.W. Edwards, returned to her home in Newtown, Tuesday.

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PLEASED WITH NEWTOWN AND THE GRAND CENTRAL: Editor of the Newtown Bee, After spending such a pleasant summer in that “grand old village of Newtown,” during the year of ’95, I have only regrets that my lines are cast in other directions this year… I still have a longing to be with those who made it so satisfactory as it was, while stopping at the Grand Central. I can with perfect safety recommend it to any who are undecided. As regards to accommodation and complete service, etc., in the table cannot be surpassed, both in quantity and quality. … I still cling to the opinion, that one and all would give three cheers for the Grand Central and all those interested. I remain respectfully. —One of Last Year’s Guests, Bridgeport, July 13, 1896

Your memories are the ones we want to share! Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.