February 26, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Janet Hovious.

* * * * *

Newtown’s grand list continues to rise as the town’s building boom continues. How much longer will it last? No one knows for sure. It all depends on the market, noted Tax Assessor Denise Hames earlier this week. The list of taxable property in Newtown was finally released by the tax assessor’s office Monday, showing an increase of $76.56 million or 4.89 percent. The total grand list is $1,643,213,670. “That’s an exceptional increase when you consider the grand list is so high,” Mrs Hames said. Using last year’s rate, the net increase in collectible taxes for this coming year is just over $2 million. That figure includes houses, real estate and motor vehicles. The grand list measures the value of all taxable property.

* * * * *

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved Congregation Adath Isreal’s controversial plans to build a new synagogue on Huntingtown Road. In voting at a February 18 P&Z session, the tally was 4-1 in favor. … The congregation plans to build a 13,200-square-foot building to house a synagogue and religious school on a two-acre parcel on the east side of Huntingtown Road about 2,000 feet south of Meadow Brook Road. The site is just south of the congregation’s existing synagogue. The new building will be constructed on a slope, with a single story facing Huntingtown Road and a double-story section at the rear. The existing synagogue will become a library.

* * * * *

A family escaped without injury from their Taunton Hill Road home late on the night of February 20 after an electrical heating unit in an upstairs bathroom malfunctioned, causing an accidental fire resulting in an estimated $9,000 in property damage to the old house, according to Fire Marshal George Lockwood. Smoke detectors sounded, alerting the family to the fire, after which they left the building. … The Hawleyville, Newtown Hook and Ladder, Dodgingtown and Sandy Hook fire companies responded to the fire. Firefighters had the blaze out in about 15 minutes, Mr Lockwood said. The house is habitable. The heating unit will be tested by a laboratory to learn the specific cause of the fire, the fire marshal said.

* * * * *

OVER THE BACK FENCE by Jean Loveland: Until today at least, the winter has been somewhat a fizzle. While looking through a folder of letters and clippings I have saved I found in one letter, a list of items the Burr family of Monroe had on hand in their pantry, the week of the Blizzard of 1888! I compared it mentally to what would be essential to have on hand today. If we have milk, a couple loaves of bread and an assortment of canned goods, we are able to cope for several days. That early day family had plenty of eggs, a half bushel of oysters, some apples, and not much meat. I can visualize their pantry, where there would be barrels of flour, sugar, and smaller amounts of cereals, lard (for piecrusts and cooking), and a number of winter-keeping vegetables.

* * * * *

Jaime Ryan was just three years old when Cathy Carney was readjusting the Newtown High School girls’ swimming record board to reflect her almost legendary accomplishments back in 1984 — ten individual and relay records earned in a three-month bridge unlike any seen before. Fourteen years later, however, Carney’s exploits and accomplishments will have to exist only in memory. For Jaime, now a senior, has succeeded over the last four years in eradicating any mention of Cathy Carney while accumulating 11 individual and relay records of her own. With all those records, and with a bright and promising future at Penn State looking just six months away, Jaime Ryan has been named The Newtown Bee Sportsman of the Year.

February 22, 1974

The contract between the Newtown Federation of Teachers and the Board of Education for 1973-74 teachers’ salaries was filed with Town Clerk Mae Schmidle on Friday, February 8. The contract, which came about because of a reopener clause in the present two-year over-all contract, stipulates not only the new pay scale for teachers but a new agreement regarding department heads, coaching positions and extra-curricular activities.

* * * * *

At its meeting on Tuesday, February 19, the Board of Selectmen voted to recommend a special appropriation of $15,000 for firemen’s fees. The Board of Fire Commissioners had sought $20,000 to meet the requirements until the end of this fiscal year, but the BofS said, if it becomes necessary, the additional difference could be made up later. Also on the agenda were discussions of budget proposals by the Highway and Police departments.

* * * * *

Town Park Superintendent Arthur Bennett went to the Connecticut Light & Power Company when residents of the area near Dickinson Memorial Park asked if the street lights illuminating park entrances couldn’t be turned off after park hours to save electricity. Mr Bennett learned they can — if the town installs its own poles, its own light fixtures and its own switching system. While Mr Bennett would like to save on electricity, too, he thinks this method of doing so would cost the town somewhat more than the extra electricity does.

* * * * *

The high scores in the Sandy Hook Women’s Bowling League for February 12 were Mae Hein, high single, 131, and high three, 365; high no mark, Nancy Yaworski, 88. Team high scores were Clubs, high single, 441; Diamonds, high three, 1,163.

February 18, 1949

The Newtown committee of the American Heart Association wishes to acknowledge with thanks the many donations it has already received and also to remind those who have not yet sent in their contributions that they will be greatly appreciated. As has been stated before, 70 per cent of the monies received in this area will stay here to build up a heart center which will be for anyone — a center staffed with a good heart specialist for diagnosis and advice. Our money given to this cause is therefore a good investment for our own futures as well as a means of building up adequate facility for research and further study of this dread disease.

* * * * *

Last Monday evening at the regular dinner meeting held in the Parker House, Rotarian Donald R. McCain, Jr told about Cub Scouts and the work and play of their organization which is sponsored by the Rotary Club. At the end of his talk, 14 Cub Scouts in uniform marched into the dining room, saluted the flag and repeated the Scout pledge of loyalty. It was a very impressive ceremony. There was also an exhibit of Cub Scout handiwork. Ice cream and cake were served to the Scouts.

* * * * *

The membership drive for Town Players, Inc, for 1949 has opened and all friends and former members have been mailed a copy of the following letter. If, through some oversight, you have not received your letter, it is reprinted here. The three different types of privileges are listed. Checks may be sent to Town Players, Inc., Newtown.

* * * * *

Edmund M. Foster of Grays Plain district, Sandy Hook, has been appointed by the Board of Selectmen to fill the vacancy on the board created by the resignation of Hiram M. Perry. Mr Perry recently moved to Springfield, Mass. to take a position with the Eastern States Farmers Exchange and submitted his resignation to become effective on February 1st. Mr Foster’s appointment was made by Messrs W.W. Holcombe and James Brunot, the remaining members of the Board of Selectmen, and took effect on February 11. He was sworn into office on Monday morning at the Edmond Town Hall by Town Clerk May E. Sullivan and will serve until the next annual town meeting in October, 1949.

* * * * *

If patrons of The Village Coffee Shop have wondered at the absence of the proprietors, Virginia and Mack Lathrop, it is a temporary arrangement induced by the couple’s brief return to the stage. Mr and Mrs Lathrop of the dance team of Lathrop and Lee are filling a two-week engagement at the Capitol Theatre in Washington, D.C., where they are appearing on the bill which headlines the world premiere of Clark Gable in “Command Decision.” They plan to return to Newtown about March 3rd. Meanwhile, Tom Ramsdell, stretching a point or two in his A to C Service, is officiating behind the counter at the Coffee Shop.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Arnold Hill of Brushy Hill district announce the birth of a son, Christopher Charles, at the Danbury hospital on last Friday, February 11th.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Carl Berls of Taunton are the parents of a daughter, Donna Jean, born at the Danbury hospital January 26th.

* * * * *

School friends of Allan Broadbrook, 16, son of Mr and Mrs John Broadbrook of Toll Gate Hill district, Newtown, who was injured when struck by a skidding car near his home, will be glad to learn that his condition is improved. Allan received a fractured left ankle and a chipped knee cap in the accident, which occurred two weeks ago while he was about to board a school bus at the Crossroads in Botsford. He is being treated in Bridgeport hospital.

February 15, 1924

Joseph Olean, district manager for the Hawkes Fire Extinguisher, gave a demonstration at the Flag Pole, Newtown, last Friday night. There were about 50 persons present and they certainly saw Mr Olean put out fires that were made in old tar barrels, gasoline, kerosene oil and acetylene in great shape. Mr Olean said that it was the purpose of this demonstration to get people interested and form a club to prevent fires. He and his associates will canvas the town in the near future and see if such a club can be formed.

* * * * *

Mrs Joseph Brenner of Brooklyn, N.Y., passed Lincoln’s birthday in town with her son, William Brenner, who is spending the winter at the Brenner homestead.

* * * * *

John A. Carlson was so unfortunate as to lose by death, Sunday, an English setter, valued at about $1000. He refused a cash offer of $350 for the dog on Friday. Inflammation of the intestines caused the death of the dog.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs L.C. Morris are now guests of Mr and Mrs L. Phillips Morris at Tulsa, Oklahoma. Phillips Morris married a lady from Memphis, Tenn., the marriage taking place at Springfield, Mo., April 1, 1923.

* * * * *

The Girls’ Friendly Society in connection with St John’s, Sandy Hook, held a most successful supper in the parish house, Tuesday evening. The “eats” were especially fine and it was “nip and tuck” as to who would be successful in getting their supper, the crowd was so great. The Associates and Girls wish to thank the public for their generosity in giving food and purchasing tickets. Will the captains please report to Mrs Louis Briscoe, as soon as possible, as to the sale of the tickets given out, so the exact amount of money made will be known.

* * * * *

Miss Isabelle Tiemann, who is a nurse in the Danbury Hospital Training School for Nurses, was taken ill, Sunday, with tonsillitis. Mrs Tiemann has made daily trips to Danbury to call upon her daughter, who is now convalescent.

* * * * *

Arthur McDonald of Seymour was a visitor in town, Wednesday.

* * * * *

A.J. Conway finished the task Saturday, of housing his ice supply at the Foundry pond.

February 24, 1899

HATTERTOWN: Reuben S.H. Lane, who has been very sick with a severe attack of grip, has recovered. | By request of the Endeavor society the revival meetings were continued for another week, closing the 10th. | Ralph Benedict, Mrs J.W. Penny, Master George Summers, and the children of James Harris have been recent victims of grip. | Mr and Mrs Jesse C. Lewis welcomed a seven pound boy to their home, the 16th. | The chief topic of gossip, aside from the “beautiful snow,” is the mysterious disappearance of wood piles in various parts of the village. | The “club” — which some think ought to have been “clubbed” out of existence long ago — isn’t as well attended as usual. Do the attendants sniff the threatened prosecution?

* * * * *

A NEW PLACE ON THE MAP: Consolidated Management Changes Name Of Newtown Station On Highland Division In Reply To Petition Of Newtown Citizens.—Vice President Hall’s Letter To Member Of Committee Of Men’s Club: Your letter of January 31, enclosing petition of Rev Otis W. Barker, Rev George T. Linsley, Rev F.H. Sawyer, Rev O.O. Wright, and Rev Patrick Fox and other prominent citizens of Newtown, asking for change of name of station called Newtown on the Highland Division, was duly received and has had attention. In compliance with the wishes of your people, we have decided to change the name of that station from Newtown to North Newtown, and will make the change on our next issue of time-cards. In making this change we assume that the people in the vicinity of the station in question can have no possible objection to this change and are anxious to avoid the confusion now existing on account of these names as your people. Yours truly,—[John M. Hall, Vice-President.

* * * * *

Henry Becker was a passenger on the steamer Bulgaria, which was disabled at sea.

* * * * *

The Benajah Peet place in Huntingtown recently bought by a Mr Kauffman of New York caught fire from the chimney and burned to the ground, Monday noon, in the midst of the big storm. Three women and some children were the only occupants at the time of the fire. Nothing was saved. John Frank has kindly cared for the unfortunate family.

* * * * *

James McNamara of Hanover, who is employed in the coal bin at Sandy Hook, fell from the coal chute a distance of 25 feet. He was picked up and carried into the depot. Mr McNamara was badly shaken up, but not seriously hurt.

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.