April 24, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Carol Mayhew.

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Planning and Zoning Commission members have endorsed an economic development study of Hawleyville which foresees possible growth in that lightly developed section of town near I-84 Exit 9. In endorsing the “Interstate 84/Exit 9 Hawleyville Transportation and Development Study” on April 16, P&Z members agreed to make the study and two accompanying volumes of reference material part of the 1993 Town Plan of Development. The addenda contain technical transportation and zoning information.

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The town has purchased a new 1998 Ford Explorer as the fire marshal’s vehicle. Until now, Fire Marshal George Lockwood has used a personal vehicle in the course of his duties. The new Explorer, which is fire engine red with white lettering and markings, is the second such four-wheel-drive vehicle the town has purchased for emergency service use. The supervising sergeant on a police department shift has the use of a marked Ford Expedition.

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First Bank of Hartford recently announced that it would reduce the annual fees owed to it by the town for maintaining the Mary Hawley Trust Fund. By agreeing to change the fee structure, the bank will be saving the town approximately $1,500 for the Cyrenius H. Booth Library Trust, $1,170 for the Edmond Town Hall Trust, and $2,000 for the trust at Hawley School.

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Middle Gate School learned the art and science of tree care from an expert: certified arborist Tim Wilder. Mr Wilder, of Alpine the Care of Trees, explained everything from why it is important to plant trees, to exactly how to do it best. The students listened intently and seemed happy to take on a new responsibility: caring for the beautiful new dogwood in their school’s courtyard.

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Easter Seals of Connecticut’s “Hop-N-ing” program, an awareness program that combines an understanding of children with disabilities with fundraising to benefit programs provided by Easter Seals of Connecticut, Inc, kept the children of Wesley Learning Center hopping on April 8. Coordinated by instructor Rahnna Peck, the children hopped and asked family and friends to sponsor their efforts for Easter Seals programs.

April 20, 1973

On Monday evening, April 16, the Newtown Rotary Club heard about the Meals on Wheels program which is designed with the purpose of delivering meals to the aged, convalescent and handicapped who for physical, psychological or economic reasons are unable to prepare meals for themselves. Speaking on the subject were Robert L. Watkins, director of social services for the town of Bloomfield, and Mrs Allan Wright, also a resident of Bloomfield, who is chairman of the Meals on Wheels committee for Bloomfield and chairman of the Human Relations Commission in that town. Also speaking was Newtown Health Officer Dr Thomas Draper, who stressed the importance of the Meals on Wheels program.

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On Sunday afternoon, April 15, Jerry Frawley, Democratic candidate for First Selectman, and his runningmate, incumbent Selectwoman Diana Schwerdtle, met with Newtown residents at Newtown High School to discuss the proposed extension of Route 25. Each candidate offered opening statements, and an exchange of ideas followed, with Mrs Schwerdtle and Mr Frawley joining in a give-and-take with the townspeople. Many statements of opposition to the extension of Route 25 were expressed.

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Mrs Ann Brehm of Hanover Road woke up Thursday morning to find that her mare, Melinda, had foaled, though Mrs Brehm hadn’t even known Melinda was pregnant. It wasn’t hard to pick a name for the foal: April Surprise.

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Members of the Conservation Commission have been receiving inquiries lately about the expected extent of gypsy moth damage to trees this year. The Bee is repeating for the benefit of residents information first printed about two months ago. George W. Schuessler, Deputy State Entomologist, told First Selectman Frank DeLucia and Howard Kemmerer and Rita Lapati of the Conservation Commission in February that Newtown’s trees and woodland areas escaped the 1972 gypsy moth infestation with relatively little damage, and even less is expected this year.

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The Old Rock Road Corporation, which labored without success last fall to persuade Newtown to become the center of Connecticut horse racing, has accepted an invitation from the town of Wolcott to go there instead. The announcement was made in Wolcott last week by Noel Bernstein, president of ORRC, and Mayor Edward J. Bagley of Wolcott. Mr Bernstein said studies made by his firm since their disappointment in Newtown have shown that a racetrack in Wolcott could draw a 10 percent larger attendance than at Newtown, and that he appreciated the importance of locating the track in a town that wanted it rather than one that didn’t. … First Selectman Frank DeLucia commented that he was greatly relieved that ORRC had accepted the Wolcott offer, in view of the overwhelming objections of Newtown residents to locating the track here, and the problems it would have created for the town.

April 16, 1948

In a project to provide warmth for the children of other lands, the Intermediate Scouts have completed work on four kits to send abroad. Each kit contains a complete outfit for one child. One such kit, a layette for a new baby, has been completed by Scouts who are working on their clothing badge under the direction of Mrs Verne Knapp and with the help of Mrs Hoyt Johnson. Participating are Cynthia Eaton, Gertrude Ferris, Marie Ferris, Caroline Hill, Claire Jandreau, Holly Johnson, Sandra Johnson, Lorraine Keating, and Carolyn Nash. For some of the girls it was their first sewing venture, and that it ended so successfully is a tribute to their industry and to their expert supervision. The layette is now on display in the window of the Flagpole Fountain.

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Nothing like it had been seen before in Newtown. Recruiting the help of practically everyone who could dig into a trunk and produce a wedding gown or bridesmaid outfit, the Women’s Federation of the Newtown Congregational church staged a Bridal Pageant in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall last Friday evening, employing high school girls as models and high school boys as escorts, with very small members of the cast performing as flower girls and train bearers. Gowns dated from 1800 and came down to the present day, reflecting most articulately the change in styles from that day to this.

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J. William James of The Bee staff was released from Danbury Hospital and returned to his home on Tuesday, after having been confined for a number of weeks as a result of a coronary attack suffered March 18th. John Broadbrook, who was also hospitalized early in March and spent a number of weeks convalescing at home, returned to work on Tuesday of this week.

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Judith Hopkins Perry arrived at Danbury Hospital last Thursday, April 8, the new-born daughter of Mr and Mrs Hiram Perry of Sandy Hook. Mrs Perry, who was the former Frances Smith, daughter of Mr and Mrs Horace Smith of Dodgingtown district, was until late last year a member of the staff of The Bee. Infant and mother, to whom The Bee extends its best wishes, are doing nicely.

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Miss Loretta Nichols of Saw Mill road has been chosen by the members of her Sophomore class of Danbury State Teachers College to be a representative at the Mock Legislature which is to be held in Hartford on April 23-24.

April 13, 1923

The annual convocation of Hiram chapter, No. 1, RAM, was held on Wednesday night. The following officers were elected: High Priest, Louis T. Briscoe; King, R.P. Shepard; Scribe, Allison P. Smith; Treasurer, R.P. Shepard; Secretary, L.C. Morris; Captain of the Host, Raymond L. Hall; Principal Sojourner, Charles G. Meeker; Royal Arch Captain, Herbert Beers; M. of 3d V., Frederick Duncombe; Trustees: A.T. Nettleton, C.A. Peale, L.C. Morris; Finance Committee: A.T. Nettleton, E.L. Kingman, A.M. Briscoe.

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Mr and Mrs D.H. Bale of 526 Simpson Place, Peekskill, N.Y., announced the marriage of their daughter, Clara P. Bale, to William N. Jillson, of Hawleyville. The ceremony was performed at the Church of the Assumption at 8 o’clock, Tuesday morning, April 3, by the pastor, Rev Michael A. Walsh, during which Frank Abele, a noted baritone, sang “O Promise Me.” The Mass was celebrated by Father Walsh, with several solos rendered by Mr Abele. They received the nuptial blessing at the close. The bride was attended by her sister, Madeline R. Bale. The best man was Charles L. Griffen of Hawleyville, friend of the groom. After the ceremony a wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride’s parents. The bride and groom left on the 3.41 train for a short wedding trip.

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AFFAIRS ABOUT TOWN: A Word From the District Fire Warden: Do not throw cigars and cigarette stubs from your car. To do so may destroy a beautiful hillside. Do not leave a campfire burning. One of Connecticut’s most scenic State parks was nearly ruined by an automobile party last spring. Be especially careful about fires in the spring. Last year during the months of April and May there was 500 acres of woodland burned over in this town, mostly sprout and woodland. A great deal of the young growth was killed and damaged which would have made valuable timber in time. … I need your help this coming spring in preventing forest fires.—[Villeroy G. Hard, Jr, District Fire Warden, Newtown, Conn.

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That well known sportsman, Jesse C. Lewis, captured as usual a few trout on April 1. He wore his fur coat and mittens and carried an axe to break the ice. Mr Lewis has the enviable record of following the piscatorial art upon the first day of April and always succeeding in catching some of the spotted beauties for the last 40 years.

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Rev and Mrs Edward O. Grisbrook announce the engagement of their daughter, Hilda Hull, to Arthur Judson Ferris of Newtown and Bridgeport, son of Mrs Bertha Ferris of Newtown.

April 22, 1898

Rev and Mrs George T. Linsley gave a delightful evening to the members of the Ladies’ Literary club and their gentlemen friends at the rectory on Thursday evening of last week, in honor of their friend, Mrs Janvier LeDuc of New York. The ladies’ club, which numbered in its membership most of the ladies in the Street, passed a very delightful winter in study under the leadership of Mrs Oscar Dikeman, suspending its meetings during the Lenten season. As a finale, Mrs Linsley persuaded her friend to read before the company a paper on the life of Gen Lafayette. Mrs LeDuc is a granddaughter of Gen Clinton and has in her possession letters written by Lafayette that have never appeared in print.

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D.C. Peck has sold out his interest in The Vermonter and Citizen, published at Vergennes, Vt., and it is understood he is to return to his home in Newtown.

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THE HAWLEYVILLE CHAPEL: Rev Mr Bushee of Roxbury, who preached on Sunday evening, gave an inspiring sermon on “Courage.” Rev C.W. Francis will be the preacher on Sunday afternoon.

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Masters James and Carl Madigan, sons of Principal James E. Madigan of the Bishop street school, Waterbury, have been passing 10 days with their grandmother in Sandy Hook.

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The attention of all the teachers and pupils in the public schools of Newtown is called to the following: Chapter 3 section 48 of laws relating to schools. “Suitable exercises, having reference to the adoption of the national flag, shall be had on the 14th day of June in each year, or in case that day shall not be a school day, preceding or on such other days as the school visitors or board of education may prescribe.”—[J.J. Northrop, secretary.

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Operator W.D. Carr of the Sandy Hook substation has been substituting for Agent Brewer at Southbury for a few days. Operator Penoyer of Southford has taken Mr Carr’s place.

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Frankie Platt, son of Station Agent Platt of Sandy Hook, is out with a new Acme Jewel, a birthday present.

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The schoolhouse in Sandy Hook has now one of the finest flags in town over it. Credit is due in Sandy Hook to Comrades Charles Hawley and W.B. Sniffen, who solicited subscriptions to place the pole and to Secretary Northrop, who has the matter in charge. Carpenter Charles B. Glover shaped the pole and placed it in position.

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. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.