November 27, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Joyce Emslie.

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Progress has Newtown slowing to a stop. The morning and afternoon commute along Newtown’s main arteries have motorists drumming their steering wheels in frustration. Traffic congestion is nothing new in town, but its effects are wearing on the patience of motorists more than ever before. … Routes 25 and 34 appear to be the worst spots to travel in the mornings and afternoons.

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Dozens of households in Newtown could face a bleak Christmas this year if it weren’t for the efforts of The Newtown Fund and other organizations which lend a hand. But these volunteers need the help of many people in the community to make it happen. “This year we expect there will be between 75 and 80 (needy) families on the list,” said Sandra Stockwell, Newtown Fund treasurer. Ms Stockwell and Linda Bates of Stockwell Bates & Co, PC, certified public accountants, are coordinating the plans for this year’s Depot Day, Saturday, December 19. On that day, donations for the Christmas baskets will be collected at Sandy Hook Elementary School at 9 am, packaged and delivered by volunteers at 1 pm to households throughout Newtown.

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Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering the proposed construction of a new Botsford post office at the intersection of Botsford Hill Road and South Main Street. The postal substation would replace the outmoded Botsford facility on South Main Street, just north of Blue Spruce Drive. P&Z members have asked Town Engineer Ronald Bolmer and Fire Marshal George Lockwood to review revised plans for the construction project. P&Z members are scheduled to again review the proposal when they meet December 3 at Canaan House at Fairfield Hills.

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An amazing season came to a close for the Newtown Strikers, the boys’ 13 and under traveling soccer team. The Strikers cemented their fifth Southwest District title in seven seasons with a 4-0 win over Stamford, pushing their record to 20-1-0. The only loss came in the finals of the State Cup. … The Strikers scored 90 goals in their 21 games (4.28 a game) while allowing just 12 (0.57 a game) and recording 13 shutouts.

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Children at The Children’s Adventure Center decorated a tree that they will be donating to the Festival of Trees. The work is helping the children appreciate the importance of giving back to their community. The tree will be part of a silent auction fundraiser in the lower level of the Booth Library on Main Street. This, the thirteenth annual holiday festival, is sponsored by the Family Counseling Center.

November 23, 1973

With the snow season approaching, residents are reminded not to leave their cars overnight on any town road where they might get snowed in, especially on the narrow secondary roads. Snow plows can’t do their job with empty cars in the way, Road Superintendent Ed Napier points out.

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The masonry work on the new dog pound at the landfill site is expected to be finished next week, after which the carpenters, plumbers and electricians will go to work. The pound will have 20 indoor-outdoor runs, a small office and storage space.

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The Board of Selectmen wrestled with a lot of difficult problems at their meeting Tuesday evening, but apart from the call of a town meeting November 28, most of them were left in an unsettled state after more than two hours of discussion. The longest argument was over the Police Department’s request for six more men, which was supported by Selectman Gerald Frawley, Democrat, and resisted by First Selectman Frank DeLucia. … A proposal by the trustees of the Congregational Church to sell some of its land and buildings to the town was heard with interest, but all agreed it would need much more study before any action could be taken. … Mr DeLucia disclosed that the well at the landfill site had proved not only deeper than expected but more expensive and less productive. He sought first a transfer and then a special appropriation of $661 to make up the difference in cost, but was advised by a professional geologist to consider abandoning the well altogether and drilling another one instead. After some discussion Mr Delucia agreed to consult further with the geologist, Miles Harris, president of Sanitary Wells, before taking any action.

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The members of Webelos Den 1, Pack 470, presented a wooden playhouse they designed and built to the Newtown Children’s Adventure Center on Saturday, November 17. The Scouts, under the direction of leader Dr Michael Salkind, spent several months constructing the playhouse. Members of the den who contributed time and talents were Robert Carruth, John Chiaradio, Bernard Meehan, Andrew Moore, Andrew Paproski, Michael Salkind Jr, Eric Tilly, Michael Warner and Tom Melody. The Newtown Color Center has provided the paint to provide the final touches to the playhouse.

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The new management of the familiar Village Coffee Shop on South Main Street thinks of himself as a chef and has his family with him in this new venture. His name is George Hadoulis and he knows what Moussaka is and how to make and serve the most delicious chicken soup in the world, the family “Avyolemono.” The pleasant little restaurant, shining and fairly smiling its welcome on the opening day, had a reasonably large number of customers in the middle of the afternoon. Mr Hadoulis recently purchased the business from its retiring owners, Frank and Helen Durkin.

November 19, 1948

On Wednesday of this week the annual meeting of the Connecticut State Farm Bureau Federation was held in the Edmond Town Hall, with Edward P. Rowland of Oxford, president, presiding. Beginning at 1:30 o’clock, the afternoon session, which was devoted primarily to reports by the officers of the organization, had as its principal speakers Mrs Wilma B. Sledge of Jackson, Mississippi, director of the Associated Women, American Farm Bureau Federation, and Murray D. Lincoln, president, Farm Bureau Insurance Companies, Columbus, Ohio. More than 325 people attended the first session of the dinner which was held in the gymnasium of the Town Hall at 6 o’clock. Following the dinner, a capacity crowd filled the auditorium to hear Allan B. Kline, president of the American Farm Bureau, and Connecticut State Senators Raymond Baldwin and Brien McMahon, who addressed the group.

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Principal speaker at the Monday evening dinner meeting of the Newtown Rotary Club held in the Parker House was State Highway Commissioner G. Albert Hill, who disclosed the department’s plans for the coming year, included in which is a $2,000,000 project involving the relocation of Route 6 and construction of a new bridge over Lake Zoar.

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Newtown friends of Lester Furbush of Bethel will regret to learn that he is confined to his home as the result of a recent slight heart attack. It is expected that he will be able to resume his accustomed activities after a rest of a week or two.

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Mr and Mrs Alvin B. Coger of the South Center district had as their guests this past week-end Mrs Coger’s brother and his wife, Mr and Mrs James E. Black who now reside in Brussels. Mr Blake, a native of Newtown where he lived in the Walnut Tree Hill section, is managing director of the Texas Company in Belgium and Holland with headquarters in Brussels. The couple are in this country for a month’s stay.

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An Armistice Day service was conducted at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial at the head of Main street last Thursday by the Raymond L. Pease post, American Legion, its Auxiliary and the Auxiliary of the Charles H. Peck post. V.F.W. Commander Charles Reed of the Legion post officiated at the services and wreaths were placed at the base of the monument by Hubert Roswell, chaplain of the post, and Mrs Belle Lockwood, chaplain of the Legion Auxiliary. After prayers the service closed with the sounding of taps by Ann Shaw and George Hanlon. The group then countermarched to the flagpole where a two-minute period of silence was observed and the flag hoisted from half-mast. The second annual Armistice Day ball of the Legion post was held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall that evening. … The annual Armistice Day visit to Fairfield State Hospital was made by Mrs Lauvisa Lane, V.F.W. Auxiliary hostess, Mrs Belle Lockwood and Mrs Eleanor Qubick. Cigarettes, cookies and apples were given to the veteran patients at the hospital.

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A pot luck supper was held on Tuesday evening in the social rooms of the Congregational church, attended by members and friends of the church. Mr and Mrs William Hunter headed the committee in charge. Following supper, two sound films were shown and a discussion held on the annual Every Member Canvass.

November 16, 1923

Edwin Booth of Sandy Hook, who has been in ill health for more than a year, died on Monday, aged 87 years. He is survived by a son, Galus Booth of Oxford, and two daughters, Mrs Bernice Johnson of Middletown and Mrs Eva Seers of Fisher’s Island. The funeral was attended on Wednesday afternoon, [illegible] Stowe, pastor of the Methodist church, officiating. The pall bearers were A.E. White, M.D. Beers, Charles Gray and David Dentor. The burial was in the Berkshire cemetery. Funeral Director Troy (NO FIRST NAME GIVEN) had the arrangements in charge.

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On Tuesday evening the regular electing of Pootatuck Grange was held in the Grange hall, 29 members being present. The following officers were elected for the coming year: Master Frank H. Platt. Overseer, Robert W. Tiemann. Lecturer, Edith W.G, Mitchell. Steward, Elliott H. Platt. Assistant Steward, Willis L. Arndt. Chaplain. Rev E. MacMurchin. Treasurer, Wallace N. Mitchell. Secretary, [illegible] G. Murphy. Gate Keeper, Charles F. Cavanaugh. Ceres, L. Millicent Cavanaugh. Pomona, Catherine M. Cavanaugh. Flora, Myra A. Bevans. Lady Assistant Steward, Isabele A. Tiemann. After the meeting a fine luncheon was served.

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The annual meeting of the Community Workers was held in the parlors of the Congregational Church on Tuesday afternoon, November 13. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mrs F.H. Mitchell; Acting Vice-president, Mrs A.J. Smith; Secretary, Mrs A.B. Blakeman; Treasurer, Mrs L.C. Morris. It was decided to hold the first working meeting on Tuesday, November 20. It will be the usual all day meeting, commencing about 10 o’clock. The first work to be taken up will be the making of layettes for the use of the Visiting Nurse Association.

November 25, 1898

The Newtown station building on the Highland division has lately been extensively repaired. New roofs have been put on the building and the platforms repaired. There is quite a considerable patronage from this station, and tickets can now be bought for any point on the various divisions. The station is looked after by a very obliging and estimable woman, Mrs Baldwin.

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Mr and Mrs Frank T. Botsford have arrived at San Diego, Cal., having arrived from New York in just four days, the shortest time on record it is said.

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Charles Hall of Derby was in town on Saturday to attend the funeral of Noadiah Warner.

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Frank Drew’s horse, “Ned,” which has been laid up with a broken hip, is now out of the sling and walks out to pasture. It has been treated by Dr Todd, New Milford’s well known veterinarian.

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A.G. Baker, the Hawleyville furniture man, is now driving a handsome pair of black horses.

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It has been decided to put ventilators into the Hawleyville chapel and A.G. Baker and F.C. Sanford have been appointed to attend to the work.

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