July 31, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Bob Histon.

* * * * *

To hundreds of Newtown kids, he was known as “Uncle Charlie,” but to his daughter, he was simply known as Dad. So Beth Rudolph-Koschel couldn’t help but feel a little strange last September when she sat down in the driver’s seat of school bus number 16 that first morning. After all, it was the same number bus that her father, Charlie Rudolph, had been driving for nearly 30 years. She would be filling some pretty big shoes: the shoes of a man who had made friends with so many youngsters over the years, but who had died unexpectedly a year ago this week at age 70. Ever since, bus number 16’s new driver has been carrying on her father’s tradition of safe driving and love of people.

* * * * *

Firefighters responded to a residence on Huntingtown Road Wednesday evening to battle an accidental fire that extensively damaged a large old house. Fire Marshal George Lockwood reported Thursday that Botsford, Newtown Hook and Ladder, and Sandy Hook firefighters responded to the 7:07 pm fire call. The blaze caused an estimated $120,000 damage to the house, but there were no injuries, he said.

* * * * *

Fire and police officials are investigating a first-degree arson case in which someone entered Hawley School at about 5 pm July 23 and set kindling materials on fire in the middle of the school’s older gymnasium, scorching the floor and generating heavy white smoke. First-degree arson is a Class A felony in which a fire is set in an occupied building with the intent of damaging or destroying the building. There were no injuries in this case.

* * * * *

State police report that a truck driver operating a tractor-trailer truck, owned by Leviton Manufacturing Company of Brookville, N.Y., lost control of the truck about 5:45 am July 26 on Interstate 84’s off-ramp, hit two road signs, and rolled onto its left side. The identity of the trucker wasn’t available from state police Wednesday. The truck left 278 feet of skid marks. The truck driver and passenger, a 59-year-old male from College Park, Georgia, were transported by the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps to Danbury Hospital, state police said. Police issued the unidentified trucker a citation on a charge for traveling too fast for conditions.

July 27, 1973

Bertram A. Stroock received a facsimile of a check for $82,000 on Monday, representing a donation in his honor to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund by the many friends of Mr Stroock in recognition of his 82nd birthday that day. Toward the latter part of the afternoon July 23, cars began arriving at Buckeye Farm, and soon Mr and Mrs Stroock were surrounded by members of the staff and Board of Directors of Danbury Hospital. In due time Perry R. Roehm, hospital president, presented Mr Stroock with the facsimile.

* * * * *

First Selectman Frank DeLucia has written to the State Department of Transportation asking that a study be made on Main Street in the vicinity of the monument and Academy Lane. This is the area where several serious accidents have taken place. The Board of Police Commissioners and Chief Louis Marchese asked that the First Selectman consider requesting yellow flasher signs in the area, and that request prompted Mr DeLucia to write to the State to have the study made.

* * * * *

Elizabeth M. Kus and John E. Peters Jr were married July 14 in St Rose of Lima Church, Newtown by the Rev Thomas Lynch. The bride is the daughter of Mr and Mrs August Kus of Newtown. The bridegroom is the son of Mr and Mrs John E. Peters Sr of Sandy Hook. The bride was escorted by her father and was attended by Miss Janet Leahy who was maid of honor and by Miss Carol Peters, sister of the bridegroom as bridesmaid. Robert Peters was best man for his brother. A reception followed the ceremony. When the couple returns from Cape Cod they will make their home in New Jersey.

* * * * *

It’s been a rough week for bridges in Newtown: one closed to traffic as unsafe, one under emergency repair, and one awaiting repair work that is scheduled to begin on Monday. The bridge that was closed is Black Bridge, crossing the Pootatuck River on Black Bridge Road, one of the most scenic of Newtown’s gravel roads. A horse put his foot through one of the floor boards last weekend, and when Road Superintendent Ed Napier went to investigate Monday morning, he found that not only the boards but the steel structure that supported them was full of holes. The bridge under repair is on Obtuse Road were it crosses a branch of Pond Brook, and the third bridge is on Huntingtown Road, just off Route 25, where the concrete wall on one side of the bridge was damaged in a recent accident.

* * * * *

After five weeks of play in the second half, Ivan Sorvall remains alone as the only undefeated Newtown Slow Pitch Softball League team.

July 23, 1948

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — MAIN STREET TRAFFIC NEEDS CONTROL: A succession of auto mishaps (three in number) along Newtown’s Main street within the space of a few hours late Monday afternoon and evening calls attention once again to the fact that travel is fast and traffic is heavy along that stretch of thoroughfare, which serves as both part of Route 6 and the main street of a New England village (like mixing blood and water; may the State soon remove Route 6). While none of the collisions was serious, they do indicate the constant threat of a fatality and the need for corrective measures. For it is more sensible to prevent an accident than to mop up after one, and there are several preventative policies which would help. In the first place, traffic should be slowed down through Newtown’s Main Street. … the most effective means of controlling traffic is by a constant patrol of the road … [and] the present unlimited parking makes for congestion near the flagpole and at the town hall.

* * * * *

On Sunday, July 18th, Mr and Mrs George B. Holiner of Walnut Tree Hill entertained the SAC boys at their home with an outdoor buffet luncheon. This was a feast of turkey, ham, hot dogs, salads, and punch served on long tables which bore a large “Welcome SAC” sign. Having stuffed themselves and taken on energy against the rigors of the afternoon, the boys were ready for games. Prizes were given to winners in the spoon races, bag races and the three-legged race for both senior and junior entrants. About twenty of the participants won prizes. … Then ice cream and cakes were served to all, more cold drinks, and the boys took their leave of the host and hostess by giving them a cheer which was returned. … It was a big day for the SAC boys and their thanks for a grand time, although already extended to the Holiners, are repeated here.

* * * * *

Last Thursday evening residents of Newtown and the surrounding area turned out in great numbers to witness the largest firemen’s parade ever to be held here. More than 20 visiting fire companies and 10 drum corps participated in the event, a spectacle that came as a highlight of the four-night carnival.

* * * * *

The Danbury American Legion Drum Corps entertained several hundred patients at the Fairfield State Hospital Tuesday evening, July 20. The hour program, which was held on the lawn, was sponsored by the Third District American Legion Auxiliary rehabilitation committee. In addition to the concert, the corps paraded around the hospital grounds so that patients unable to leave the buildings might also enjoy the entertainment. Cigarettes were distributed to the veteran patients by the State Auxiliary and the local Auxiliary unit presented gifts to hospitalized members. Dr W.F. Green, superintendent, and Miss Bertha Piper, RN, received the visitors and refreshments were served at the conclusion of the concert.

July 20, 1923

T.J. Jennings caught a handsome pickerel in Lake Zoar, the other day, tipping the scales to two pounds and nine ounces. The next night fishing from the shore he caught a basket full of fish, while men in boats 50 feet away didn’t have a bite.

* * * * *

Botsford Brothers have built an attractive garage for Charles Harang in Gray’s Plain.

* * * * *

Mr Harang has also had his handsome residence and out buildings painted in colors, George Canfield and men doing the work.

* * * * *

A cow owned by Miss Belle Gilbert of Huntingtown district has presented her own with a pair of twin bull calves.

* * * * *

John Chesarik, employed by S. Curtis & Sons, came to Dr E.L. Kingman’s office, Tuesday night, who found him suffering with appendicitis. He was taken at once to St Vincent’s hospital and was operated upon, Wednesday morning.

July 29, 1898

The Library of Congress Chronicling American project, which houses the digital copies of The Newtown Bee of 125+ years ago, does not have this week’s issue available.

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.