July 19, 1996

The confident Newtown Babe Ruth 14/15-year-old All Star team looked like a force to be reckoned with as it swaggered through the first three games of the Babe Ruth District 4 Tournament behind a pair of strong right arms and the musical tones of lively aluminum bats. After losing a 12-2 debacle to Danbury on July 15, Coach Rich Barillari’s team did away with Danbury the following night, 13-3, winning the District 4 championship for the second straight year.

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Nancy M. Markey, an attorney who works for the state’s Office of Labor Relations in Hartford, has been hired to fill the newly created position of personnel director for the town of Newtown. Mrs Markey, 36, will start the $40,000-a-year position with the title of human resources director on August 5. She will join the staff in the first selectman’s office in Edmond Town Hall.

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The Legislative Council voted Wednesday night to send the $840,000 Town Hall South renovation project and a proposal to spend $650,000 on road reconstruction to a town meeting for voter approval. First Selectman Bob Cascella said a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held next Tuesday to schedule the town meeting.

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Some people speaking at a July 11 public hearing think that the Planning and Zoning Commission’s proposal to limit retail and wholesale stores to a maximum of 40,000 square feet is a good idea, while others think it’s not so smart. P&Z members conducted the hearing to gauge public sentiment over limiting new stores to 40,000 square feet, a move that would effectively prevent so-called superstores, such as Wal-Marts, K-Marts, and Home Depots from being built here.

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Town Clerk Cynthia Curtis, left, administered the oath of office to new Police Chief James Lysaght in ceremonies July 14 in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. Chief Lysaght began work the next day. Looking on were Mr Lysaght’s family: wife Linda, and children Patrick, Julia, and Andrew.

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McLaughlin Vineyards of Sandy Hook will continue its 1996 Hillside Jazz Series of concerts with a performance by pianist Alan Simon and vocalist Nicole Pasternak on Saturday, July 20, beginning at 6 pm. Concerts are outside on the vineyard green and usually last about two hours. Admission is $12 per car.

July 23, 1971

The Newtown Scholarship Association Inc is sponsoring a contest. Because this is the 35th anniversary of the Association — it was founded in 1936 — it is the wish of the Association to have a seal to be used to represent the Scholarship Association. This contest is open to all ages, and there are no restrictions as to types or size of materials use. The seal will be judged for the idea, not the art work. Those making entries should keep in mind the ideas of the Scholarship Association — it is to encourage Newtown High School graduates to further their education so that they may become better citizens through deeper knowledge and more proficient skills.

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With the double purpose of creating a fun center for young people and providing an area off the roads to remove the young people from highway and traffic dangers, William Cornut has built a track for minibikes and other small bikes at his property on George’s Hill Road. Mr Cornut tells The Bee he is planning a program for Saturday afternoon, July 24, at the track and invites young people wishing to do so to attend, starting at 2 pm. He will be assisted in supervision by Larry Luckney of Stepney.

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Tax Collector Beatrice Pittelkow reminds Newtown property owners that taxes are due and may be paid without penalty through July. For the convenience of taxpayers, the office will be open two Saturday mornings from 9 to noon, July 17 and 24. Although bills for motor vehicle taxes indicate these are due in one payment, those over $50 may be paid in two installments, in line with the vote at the budget meeting in May.

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The engagement of Miss Sherian Diane Anderson to William Robert Houghton, son of Mr and Mrs George W. Houghton Jr of Meadowbrook Road, Newtown, has been announced by her parents, Mr and Mrs Daniel S. Anderson 3rd of Martinez, Ga. The wedding date has been set for August 28.

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Postmaster Albert H. Nicols recently presented US Postal Service Safe Drivers Certificates to four Newtown postal drivers. Bob Toothill, a city carrier, was recognized for his ten years of accident-free driving. Nick Stagl was cited for nine years, Walt Stewart for six, and Bill Taylor for his first year.

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Robert H. Hall has been appointed to the State Public Health Council by Governor Thomas Meskill, for a term of six years from July 1, 1971. The Council issues most of the Public Health code, approves various applications for health care facilities and the appointment of municipal health directors. The council is designed as the central policy-making authority for the State Department of Health. Mr Hall is one of nine members, who serve staggered terms of six years. He is Newtown Town Counsel and a member of the Waterbury law firm of Carmody & Torrance.

July 19, 1946

One of the most successful affairs to be conducted recently in Newtown was the Connecticut Children’s Aid Dance, by the Newtown Auxiliary, held at the Newtown Council Club last Saturday evening, July 13th. Well over $1300 was realized, totaling contributions and net receipts from the dance.

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The Newtown Orchestral Society will presented the second concert in the current summer series on Thursday evening, August 1, in the theater of the Edmond Town Hall. Mario Di Cecco, the conductor, announces that this will be in the nature of a “pop” concert, similar to those he has been giving with great popularity in Waterbury this summer.

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Among the many pleasurable pastimes, inaugurated with the return of plenty of gasoline, is attending country auctions these summer days. They are held mostly under fine big elm and maple trees and attract the smart buyers from far and near, as well as neighbors who may come just to see and to enjoy a good luncheon during the recess hour between the sharp bidding that attracts dealers as well as collectors. Such an auction is scheduled for Saturday, July 20th, beginning at 10 am, with the well known auctioneer, Edwards S. Beardsley, in charge and Trinity Church grounds affords one of the finest locations for a summer auction.

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Following closely upon his recent promotion from the pastorage of St Rose church, Newtown, to the church of Sacred Heart, New Haven, word has just been received of a second promotion of Rev William J. Collins to the rectorate of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Hartford. The appointment returns Father Collins to the scene of his first appointment in the priesthood, where he was curate for 15 years preceding his 14-year pastorage at Newtown.

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Miss Mary Ellen Mallory of Mt Vernon, N.Y., is visiting her aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Andrew C. Wheeler of Shady Rest, Sandy Hook.

July 22, 1921

The work on the new Hawley School continues to make excellent progress. On Monday they began laying the face brick. It is a gray or tapestry colored brick and certainly presents a very neat appearance. On Monday night, Miss Mary Hawley, Architects Watson and Sunderland, C.B. Taylor and Thomas Holian, of the building committee, and C.L. Hunt, the superintendent for the Hewlett Construction Co, visited the building and looked over the work. Miss Hawley expressed her pleasure at the process of the work and the fine appearance of the work.

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The town hall was filled, last Saturday night, to see Locklear in the “Great Air Robbery.” This week is to be presented Mary Miles Minter, a favorite star, in a picture entitled “Nurse Marjorie.” The story runs very smoothly and is pleasing to everyone. It concerns a young lady of title, who insists on outraging her family traditions by actually going to work as a nurse in a sanitarium. She meets John Danbury and of course falls in love with him. There are no tears. The picture is all laughs. Many humorous situations abound in the play.

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THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: School Calendar for Year 1921-22: September 9, Fall term opens for the district schools; September 12, Fall term opens for the High school; November 24-25, Thanksgiving recess; December 23, Fall term closes; January 2, Winter term opens; February 22, Washington’s birthday; April 7, Winter term closes; April 17, Spring term opens; May 30, Memorial day; June 17, schools close. …TEACHERS FOR 1921-22: High school: L.B. Badger; Science: Miss Lillian Harrison; English, History: Miss Marion Flory; Modern Language, Latin: Mrs Ruth Nichols; Mathematics Districts: P.H. McCarthy, Margaret Houlihan, Ella Lillis, Marguerite Bechtel, Cecelia Keane, Florence Gaffney, Ruth Dunham, Marion Bartley, Mrs Corrine O’Connell, Annette Sheehan, W.B. Bentley, Agnes Leavy, Jennie Honan, Ella Maroney, Mary Moran.

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The temporary quarters selected for the opening of the High school have not yet been decided. This will be announced at a later date. The respective schools to which the individual children are to report in September will be given out as early as possible. In order to facilitate the purchase of High school text books and to form an idea of what the High school registration will really be, the supervisor, Mr Johnston, requests all High school pupils to meet him at the Town hall on Friday, the 18th of August. This is an important matter and Mr Johnston urges each High school pupil to be present that afternoon.

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REAL ESTATE NOTES: George Stowe has sold his farm, recently purchased of Frank Seeley, to David Lundin of Oxford. …Mrs Michael Halpin of Berkshire has sold her farm located in Zoar district to Mr Sherrin of Bridgeport. …Mrs Amelia Mattegat of Stepney has sold her large farm located on the state road to Mr Jensen of Greenwich. Mr Jensen expects to make extensive improvements and go into the dairy business.

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On Wednesday, John W. Ray and son went a-fishing on Taunton lake. When 9 pm rolled around, John had not returned home to milk the cows and Mrs J.W. Ray was very much worried. She telephoned her fears to C.F. Cavanaugh, who secured The Bee car, and with Constable Carlson for company, started over to fish poor John out of the lake. As C.F.C. drove his car up to the lake, John Ray, seated in a boat about 20 feet off shore, suddenly pulled on his line and in the struggle of landing a four-pound bullhead, fell over on his back in the bottom of his boat. So excited had he become over fishing that he had not observed the sun had gone down and the moon arisen. His catch totaled 96 pounds of bullhead. The four-pound bullhead looked like a Connecticut River shad, the boys say. John is now planning a fish dinner, at which a few of his friends will be invited, including C.F.C., T.C., his would-be rescuers, G. Canfield (very fond of fish), and his teacher. It will be a great spread, sure enough.

July 24, 1896

HATTERTOWN NOTES: Clarence Schaffer of Danbury is visiting his cousin, Ernest Northrop. …Mrs W.B. Welton and two children of White Plains, N.Y., are spending several weeks with Mrs Welton’s sister, Mrs O.E. Morgan. …Louie Booth entertains his cousin, John Partridge of Berkshire. …William Wakelee recently purchased five acres of pasture and meadow land from the A. Stillson farm; also a small tract of land lying in Huntingtown district formerly owned by Austin Blakeman. …Charles Roberts and Mrs James Summers are having new roofs put upon their barns. …John Sutton of Western New York is a guest at the pleasant home of George W. Purney.

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Out of the list of names forwarded to the just commissioners, the following have been selected as jurors: George Crane, Henry G. Curtis, Charles W. Dayton, Frank B. Drew, Lorenzo Durant, Elliott M. Peck, F.W. Platt, Josiah A. Tilson, Edward Troy, John B. Wheeler, Charles E. Beers, George B. Beers, Charles Benedict, Clark Blackman, Michael J. Bradley, Thomas F. Bradley, Walter S. Bradley, Wilbur E. Briscoe, John Carmody, George W. Clark, William C. Corbett, Joseph M. Cox, John Egan, Smith P. Glover, James Green, Isaac A. Hawley, Michael J. Houlihan, Frank H. Ives, John F. Keating, Daniel G. Keane, John Leavy, Henry G. Loveland, Norman Northrop, Charles H. Peck.

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Mrs Col Knowlton gave a dinner party on Monday in honor of the 75th birthday of Dea Henry Fairchild, her father. Among the guests were Mr and Mrs William Fairchild, Mrs Lucy A. Beers and Mrs Andrew C. Moore. A cake, bearing the figures “1818-96” adorned the table, while the dinner served left nothing to be desired. It was a most interesting and delightful occasion.

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William C. Johnson has drawn off his pond, this week, trying to stop a leak which has bothered him for a long time.

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Jerome Judson, of Newtown Street is enjoying a respite from his duties in the office of Marsh, Merwin & Lemmon at Bridgeport.

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Miss Mildred Dikeman of New Haven is spending her vacation with her aunt, Mrs H.B. Dikeman.

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(ADV) Persons who have a coughing spel every night, on account of a tickling sensation in the throat, may overcome it at once by a dose of One Minute Cough Cure. Edgar F. Hawley, Newtown; S.C. Bull, Sandy Hook; A.B. Blakeman, Botsford; B. Hawley & Co., Stepney.

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Newtown has been the birthplace of many men who have attained large success in the world beyond our borders. She has furnished governors for our commonwealth, and men who have filled other high office in the gift of the state. But none of her sons have attained as great fame in the world of art and letters as did William Hamilton Gibson, who has just passed away. The Bee gives generous space, this week, in an estimate of his career. …Like many another useful man he was taken in the midst of work, which if completed, would have benefitted mankind.

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. Readers are also welcome to visit our office; a call ahead is appreciated (203-426-3141, ask for Shannon).