May 29, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Robert Stokes.

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Veterans, elected officials and residents paid their respects to the men and women who lost their lives in war at a ceremony on Main Street this past Saturday. Sponsoring the event at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument were members of the American Legion Post 202, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 and their Ladies Auxiliaries. Also on hand were the Danbury Korean War Veterans. Guest speakers included Rep Julia Wasserman and First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal. Newtown High School Band members Conor Evans and Sibyl Nelson, both seniors, played “Taps.”

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The town is seeking to replenish its fund for the purchase of flags and maintenance of the Main Street flagpole. Police Lieutenant David Lydem, who oversees the flagpole and flag displays, says the town’s flagpole account has no money in it. The lieutenant is seeking donations from individuals and organizations to keep money in the account. From Memorial Day until October, the town flies 20-by-30-foot nylon flags on the pole. From October to Memorial Day, smaller flags which are better suited to wintertime conditions, are flown. They measure 12 by 18 feet.

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Army Captain James Perkins, a 1983 graduate of Newtown High School, is currently serving in Bosnia in support of Operation Joint Guard as part of the Dayton Peace Accord. Captain Perkins commands Delta company, 261st Area Support Medical Battalion (Airborne), from Fort Bragg, N.C. Captain Perkins’ company is a rapid deployment airborne company that can respond within 18 hours anywhere in the world, providing medical treatment (surgical) and evacuation to US and NATO soldiers. In Bosnia, the company is providing combat surgical health support to multinational forces including the Danish, Polish, Norwegian, Finish, Russian, and American forces. Pekins commands 70 paratroopers, including ten physicians and 59 medics.

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The weatherman was only calling for rain, but what Newtown got was a Hurricane. The U14 Newtown Hurricanes skipped to their fourth Memorial Day Kick-Off Soccer Tournament Title in the last five years Monday, defeating Shelton 2-1 in the driving rain at Treadwell Park. It wasn’t the only title tournament, though, for Newtown. The U12 Strikers shared a co-championship with the Ridgefield Beasts when their game was suspended because of hazardous field conditions.

May 25, 1973

Explorer Post 559, sponsored by the Newtown Police Department, had elections of officers recently. George Stowe will serve a second term as president. He will be joined by Lucy Stowe, vice president; Lorrain Feiner, secretary and Robert DeJoseph, treasurer. The Post is advised by Officer Robert Taylor. The Post has been in existence for two years and the members are experienced in first aid, traffic control, finger printing, photography, and accident investigation. Anyone who is interested in joining the post can call George Stowe or Officer Taylor at the Police Headquarters.

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Editor Paul Smith has returned home after a month’s stay at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford. Now all he is waiting for is the sun so he can get outside and enjoy his yard and pool some.

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The Board of Finance met on Monday evening, May 21, for the purpose of going over the referendum-rejected 1973-74 budget. And the Board’s decision at the end of that meeting was to return to the voters, by way of a town meeting, the budget exactly as it was when it was presented for the May 15 referendum. No cuts were made in either the Selectmen’s or the Board of Education’s budget, and a town meeting is being called for Wednesday evening, May 30, at 8 pm in the high school auditorium.

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DON’T FENCE ME IN: A wire mesh fence has been added around the patio outside the high school cafeteria, and the students aren’t too happy about it. They have posted signs saying “Don’t Fence Me In,” and also have started a petition which requests that the fencing be taken down. The object of the fencing, say school authorities, is not to fence the high school students in but rather protect the small children who tend to hang off the lower wall during swim lesson periods on the weekends.

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On May 23 Chief Louis Marchese of the Newtown Police Department announced that he has appointed Officer Kevin Flynn of the Department as full time dog warden for the town. Officer Flynn, according to Chief Marchese, will work full time in the dog warden job while still retaining his status as an officer on the force. Chief Marchese also said that, for the first time in history, Newtown will have complete 24-hour coverage on any and all complaints as well as all the officers of the force, while on their normal patrol assignments, will also be assisting on any calls concerning dogs.

May 21, 1948

Cub Scouting for boys from 9 through 11 years of age got off to a flying start in Newtown this week when almost 100 people gathered at the Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room Monday evening as Troop 70 received its charter. Eighteen young boys, accompanied by their parents, were present to witness the official presentation of the charter and to receive their Bobcat pins, neckerchiefs and certificates of membership. A delegation of officials from the Pomperaug Council, Boy Scouts of America, came from Bridgeport to participate in the ceremony. Otto Sauer, president of the council, presented the charter to Dr Russell Strasburger, who received it on behalf of the Rotary, the local sponsoring organization of the cubs. Donald R. McCain, Jr, is the Cubmaster.

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Last Friday evening the Junior-Senior Prom was held in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, a room handsomely decorated in yellow, green and pink. Miss Virginia [illegible] was crowned Queen and more than 50 couples enjoyed dancing to the music of Eddie Kane’s orchestra. In addition to faculty members present, Superintendent and Mrs Carroll Johnson and Principal and Mrs Carl A. LeGrow were in attendance.

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Some 70 citizens attended the meeting held Monday evening in the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, called for the purpose of discussing the formation of a local taxpayers association. A. Fenn Dickinson, third selectman, introduced the two speakers for the evening and in so doing, announced that he would be a candidate for public office in next fall’s election. The first speaker, F.S. MacDonald, of the Connecticut Public [illegible] Council, talked about the best method of forming a taxpayers association. He was followed by Hubert W. [illegible] of the council, who explained the function of their organization and how it helps towns with their problems of adequate town reports, revaluation of assessed properties, providing fair taxation, and other issues.

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Sgt Hugh H. Quinn Jr arrived home on Tuesday after completing his service of 19 months in Tokyo, Japan, with the National Guard. He made the trip from Japan to Seattle, Wash., in [illegible] days and arrived there on May 8, from where he received his discharge. His friends are glad to see him back in town.

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Improper backing caused 1,510 accidents in Connecticut last year.

May 18, 1923

On Saturday afternoon, notwithstanding the falling rain, quite a company gathered at the South Middle school grounds, when the school building and grounds were sold at auction, Charles F. Beardsley presided as auctioneer and there were two bidders. Mr Beardsley was at his best as auctioneer. … It was finally knocked down to Borough Tax Collector P.H. Gannon at $1600. The sale of the North Center school buildings took place at 3 o’clock, one hour later, with the genial Mr Beardsley once more on the auction block. … The auction then proceeded and the buildings were knocked down to Grand Juror P.H. Gannon at $400. The owner will have 60 days to get the buildings off the ground. The buildings went at a much higher figure than it was generally thought they would. Mr Beardsley certainly proved the right man in the right place.

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May 12, 1873, Eugene Northrop and Eva Crandall were united in marriage at the bride’s home in this Village, and last Sunday this couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at the same home where they were married and where they have lived 50 years. … Among those present to help celebrate the happy occasion were Mr and Mrs Charles Shaffer and three children of Danbury, Mr and Mrs Ernest Northrop, Miss Margery Northrop, Master Russell Northrop, and Mr and Mrs Tollenger, and son Robert, of Stamford, Mr and Mrs Clarence B. Burr of Monroe, and E.C. Northrop of this place. A bountiful dinner was served to the guests and conspicuous among the many good things to eat was a beautiful loaf of fruit cake made by an expert in Stamford, having the words, “Golden Wedding,” on top made with different colored frostings. Another choice and rare article displayed was part of a loaf cake made and served at the wedding feast 50 years ago, which had been kept all these years, and it looked as fresh and tempting as if recently made.

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Rev and Mrs E.O. Grisbrook, Miss S.J. Scudder, Mrs George B. Beers, Mrs J.J. Northrop, and Mrs Sanford Mead attended the meeting of the Fairfield Association of Congregational churches at Green’s Farms on Tuesday. Tuesday afternoon Mr Simango of East Africa was ordained as a missionary to his own people.

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AUCTION! At Newtown Conn. Taunton School District on Thursday May 24th, 1923 At Ten O’Clock Standard Time, At The Farm Formerly Owned By Mrs Andrew C. Moore. Two miles West of Newtown Village, go up hill then down hill look at the beautiful Taunton Lake at the right, don’t fall in, keep straight ahead pass the home of George Washington Wilson and you will be there. In the list are many nice pieces of furniture owned by Mrs Jennie Knowlton … Don’t Miss This Sale, and Remember Don’t Bring any Kids Under Three Weeks Old; The Cows are Sold, No Milk, They Would Be Sure To Have Blood pressure. Remember The Day And Date, Thursday, May 24 If Stormy Fair Day. —Charles F. Beardsley, Auctioneer.

May 27, 1898

Rev Chauncey T. Brewster, D.D., the coadjutor bishop, paid his first visit to Trinity church on Sunday evening, preaching the sermon and presiding at the service of confirmation. Within the chancel and assisting in the service were Rev George T. Linsley, the rector, Rev O.O. Wright of St John’s church, Sandy Hook, and Rev Mr Swan of Redding Ridge. The bishop gave an impressive sermon from Hebrews 4:14. … After the service of laying on of hands, the bishop addressed the class in an impressive and tender manner. He said that in the service of confirmation their lives ought to be blessed, to be illuminated, strengthened. The audience was large and the bishop held the close attention of all throughout the long service.

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Joseph Busser, South Center’s busy blacksmith, has taken to himself a wife. He drove to Brewster, N.Y., the 15th, with Miss Dora M. Stegeman of Fairfield and they returned man and wife. Rev R.M. Stratton performed the ceremony. They are keeping house in Mrs Huidah Peck’s place.

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The Middle Gate district school closed, Friday, May 20. After the closing exercises, Miss Minor, the teacher, treated the scholars to cake and ice cream.

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Miller William C. Johnson, whom everyone likes for his genial good nature, had the misfortune, last Saturday, to lose a valuable young horse. It was formerly the black Hurlingdale colt owned by George Drew. Mr Drew recently traded it in Danbury for a pair of grays and Mr Johnson wishing to get a good driving horse and always having a liking for the colt, learned that it could be bought in Danbury. Accordingly he went over on Saturday, May 14, and bought the horse and brought it home. On Sunday it was taken sick and after a week siege with pneumonia, during which time a doctor and watchers looked after it with all the care that was possible, it died last Saturday night. It was a promising young horse and Mr Johnson’s ill fortune in losing it after so short an ownership has occasioned many expressions of sympathy at this piece of unavoidable bad fortune.

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.