April 23, 1999

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Leo McIlrath.

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Newtown Fish & Game members John Sanzo and Steven Tutu were among the early anglers to land trout last Saturday along Taunton Lake. Anglers across the state tossed in their lines last weekend for opening day, the official start to the spring fishing season.

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Newtown’s shortage of fields has reached the point where it has brought new meaning to “sports competition” in town. Different sports organizations are now vying with each other for field time. That was apparent at Wednesday’s meeting of the Parks & Recreation Commission. Newtown Lacrosse President Ken Law believes there is an imbalance in the use of fields and suggested that each sport have one traditional season during which it has priority over fields.

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A 28-year-old Roxbury man was killed as a result of injuries he suffered the evening of April 16 in a three-vehicle accident on South Main Street near Orchard Hill Road. Police said the man was driving a 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier northbound on South Main Street, just south of its intersection with Orchard Hill Road, about 6:20 pm when he failed to negotiate a slight curve to the right and drifted over the center line of the road into the southbound lane. A 43-year-old male from New Hartford, N.Y., who was traveling south in a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee, saw the Chevrolet cross into the southbound lane and attempted to evade it by steering to the right, but was struck head on by the Chevrolet. Another southbound vehicle, a 1990 Volvo 744 being operated by a 36-year-old male from Trumbull, saw the accident unfolding and also attempted to evade it but struck the Jeep and then the Chevrolet. All three vehicles came to rest in the southbound lane. The driver of the Cavalier was not wearing a seat belt and suffered extensive chest injuries. Emergency medical personnel performed lifesaving techniques on him but he later died at Danbury Hospital. The other drivers and a passenger in the Jeep reported pain, but none were transported to the hospital.

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Talks are underway for a new agreement under which town firefighters would provide fire protection for the state-owned Fairfield Hills campus, according to First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal. Mr Rosenthal met April 15 with representatives of Tunxis Management Company to discuss a fire protection agreement. The company manages the Fairfield Hills property for the state. Last week Mr Rosenthal informed the state that the town will not provide either primary or secondary fire protection for Fairfield Hills because the state has failed to ratify a fire protection agreement that the town endorsed earlier this year.

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Mr Haber’s fourth grade class at Hawley School shared their well-researched projects on Japanese culture, traditions, and lifestyles with their parents on April 19. The parents also enjoyed an array of Japanese cuisine during the presentation.

April 19, 1974

A group of citizens in three towns has organized to oppose the leasing of 610 acres of land owned by the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company to the state. The property is located in Newtown, Easton and Redding, and the people claim use of the land for hunting would pose a danger to those living in the area. The Hydraulic Company has been negotiating for lease of the land to the state for hunting under public act 73-522 since last fall. Last week there was some uncertainly among officials of the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company and the Department of Environmental Protection on whether the lease has actually been signed.

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At 9:04 am Tuesday, April 16, a Bridgeport man was killed after the car he was driving struck another one head-on near the intersection of Route 25 and Greenbriar Lane. Chief Louis Marchese of the Newtown Police Department said the vehicle going northbound on Route 25 went out of control after it rounded a curve in the highway. It then crossed over the center line and struck an oncoming vehicle which was going south. The two vehicles met head on, left front to left front, near the intersection. The Bridgeport man was pronounced dead on the scene by medical examiner Dr Robert Grossman of Newtown. A passenger in the northbound vehicle was taken to Danbury Hospital in the Newtown Ambulance. Members of Newtown Hook & Ladder Company No. 1 were called to the scene to help get the driver of the southbound car out of his vehicle.

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“You’ll be happy to know,” said Town Clerk Mae Schmidle after the Town Meeting on April 11, “that it cost the Town less than $2 in tape to appropriate more than $140,000.” The exact sum was $146,582 and the entire procedure took less than 45 minutes. The funds were approved almost unanimously.

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Donald Dale Jackson of Saddle Ridge Road, Newtown, is a reasonably relaxed young man. He is a towering broth of a boy—whose eyes sparkle when he introduces his wife and elfin daughter with a wonderful smile, his extraordinarily shy collie dog rejoicing in the name of Holly Golightly, and a venerable shining silver and smoke Persian cat. His voice warms when he lays claim to one of the two guitars resting in a corner and he says, yes, he plays with his son. He has just written a monumental book, “Judges.” The jacket carries a subtitle which is at once heartening and enlightening: “An inside view of the agonies and excesses of an American elite.”

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Marjorie Dujnic, director of the Children’s Adventure Center, accepted with great pleasure a $205 donation from the employees of DuPont-Sorvall. The generous gift, contributed at Christmas by employees, enabled the center to purchase an outdoor vertical climber. The bright yellow tower, a combination of five ladders, varying in height from 16 inches to 48 inches, is sturdy and virtually maintenance free. The castle tower is a useful aid for the development of a child’s reflexes, balance and perception.

April 15, 1949

A record crowd of 200 dog lovers attending the Newtown Kennel Club’s 21st A.K.C. Sanctioned match show last Thursday evening in Edmond Town Hall, witnessed the selection of an English setter, Dollie of Blue Bar, as best in show. Owned and shown by Mrs J. Philip Gleason of Stamford, the setter was chosen by judges Charles M. Crane of New Canaan and Frank Ortolani of Portchester, N.Y., from the 85 pure-bred dogs entered in the show.

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Charles Steck, who was taken to the Danbury hospital on Tuesday, March 29th, was able to return home last Friday afternoon, and though confined to his bed, is improving gradually. His friends hope for a speedy recovery.

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The Bee is glad to announce that the final figures in the recent campaign for the National Heart Association for the Danbury area exceeded the goal of $5,000. The gratifying result was $5,307.35. A few weeks ago, the local committee, of which Col. C. Sidney Haight was chairman, announced that $675 had been contributed in Newtown. At that time there were still a few plastic hearts to be collected. In the final tabulation the total receipts realized were $751.16. J. Harry White, area chairman, has expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all those who helped to make this initial campaign a success.

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An enjoyable occasion took place on Sunday afternoon at the home of Mr and Mrs Edmund M. Foster in Gray’s Plain district when the couple entertained a group of their friends in honor of their fifteenth wedding anniversary. The party, held from 12 until 2 o’clock, also afforded an opportunity for Mr and Mrs Foster to introduce Mr and Mrs Daniel F. Wheeler of Nichols, friends of long standing, who expect to move soon into their new home which is just being completed in Easton. Mr and Mrs Foster were married at St Bartholomew’s church in New York City on April 10, 1934, the ceremony being performed by George Langdon, who at that time was rector at Pomfret School and is now headmaster of the Salisbury School at Salisbury.

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Townspeople are reminded by workers in the current Red Cross roll call canvass that many contributions are still to be made if Newtown is to attain its annual goal. Canvassers have been unable to contact many residents. In such instances it is asked that the resident make his contribution directly to the canvasser in that area. A report to date on the progress of the campaign will be forthcoming soon.

April 11, 1924

Last Friday evening, April 4, the Hawley High school girls’ basketball quintet journeyed to New Milford to play the final game with Washington High school. Newtown and Washington were tied for honors previous to this game, which was to decide who were champions of the Southwestern League. The game was played on a neutral floor with a neutral referee officiating. After one of the hardest, fastest, and most exciting games played this season, our own Newtown finally came out on top with a score of 16-14, one which could hardly be more closely contested. The entire team deserves special credit for the excellent playing and teamwork displayed to the end.

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The lecturer’s program at the meeting of Pootatuck Grange, Tuesday night, was as follows: Vocal duet, “Barcarole,” Mrs Phillips, Miss Phillips. Piano duet, Miss Ruth Ekins, Miss Anita Coy. Play, “Robber Boots,” Mrs L.A. Glover, Mrs Ada M. Blakeman, Evelyn Ekins, Marjorie Peale. Recitation, “The Famine,” Edith W.G. Mitchell. Vocal trio, “The Merry Heart,” Mrs A.J. Smith, Mrs H.N. Tiemann, Miss Lillian Phillips.

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HATTERTOWN ITEMS OF INTEREST: Millard T. Morgan has a new Ford touring car. | Jacob Goldberg has recently purchased a new Ford commercial car. | Fred Waterbury on Strong’s Hill has a new Ford sedan. | J.C. Lewis, who has been shut in for a number of weeks, is improving and was able to enjoy a ride in his automobile, Saturday. | Mr and Mrs J.H. Jackson, who have spent the winter months at Asbury Park, N.J., have returned to their home in this place. | Remember the date, April 15, and 16, for the big Wheeler auction at Easton.

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As John R. Peck’s truck, driven by Wesley Peck, was proceeding towards Waterbury, Monday, April 7, with a load of folding boxes from S. Curtis & Son, just beyond Seymour, the driver found the Naugatuck river had taken possession of the state road. The river was flowing breast high near the road. One truck driver tried to get through but his engine went dead in a puff of steam. Mr Peck wisely turned around, and waiting until the next day, found the river nearly normal.

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Albert C. Dubret was pleasantly surprised at his home in Botsford, last Wednesday evening, when friends and relatives tendered him a surprise party in honor of his birthday. Singing and games were enjoyed and after a late hour a buffet lunch was served. Those present were: Miss Juliett Dubret, Miss Ella Galski, Fred William Galbraith, Mr and Mrs John Sember, Mr and Mrs Amos Osborne, Mr and Mrs Julius Dubret, Mr and Mrs Louis Dubret, and Mr and Mrs Albert Dubret.

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Ramon Jasinsski is erecting a building north of Lovell’s garage and will have a store for the sale of ice cream and temperance drinks. He will also have an up-to-date gas and oil station.

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Allison P. Smith was in Middletown, Wednesday, attending the quarterly meeting of the trustees of the Connecticut State Hospital. He was accompanied by Mr and Mrs A.T. Minor of Bethlehem.

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Mr and Mrs Albert Gustaveson of Washington motored to Newtown, Sunday, calling at The Homestead farm of E.J. Morgan & Son.

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William Hawley of Hawleyville has a new horse bought of the well known dealer, T.O’Brien, of 16 Crosby street, Danbury.

April 21, 1899

Oscar Squires of Hawleyville, who for months had been a great sufferer from heart and dropsical troubles, died last week Friday. His illness dates back about three years, although he had been in a critical condition for only three months. Oscar Squires was born in Southbury, July 2, 1842. His parents were Royal G. Squires and Orrissa A. Towne. Mr Squires resided in Little York district in Southbury until about 11 years ago, when he removed to Hawleyville and took a position in the signal tower. He is survived by a wife, Hattie Richmond Squires, and two daughters, Mrs John McDonald of Brookfield and Mrs Edna Chamberlain, the latter living with her mother. The funeral was attended on Sunday from his late home at Hawleyville, Rev Mr Fowler officiating. … Mr Squires was a member of King Solomon’s lodge, F. & A.M., of Woodbury, and was a past master of the lodge. The members of this lodge ministered to his necessities in his last illness. Mr Squires was a man of kindly nature, and was well liked at Hawleyville. He had a kind word for the children, at all times.

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DODGINGTOWN AND VICINITY: Edward Miller of Bethel passed Sunday the guest of his sister, Mrs J.W. Behn. | Andrew James has been the recent guest of his nephew, George Reid of Bridgeport. | Mrs Arnold of Ansonia is visiting at Mrs Ellen Barnum’s. | Jerome Platt is on the sick list. | Miss Mary Falls has been the recent guest of her sister, Miss Nora Falls of Bridgeport. | Mr and Mrs E.C. Bevans passed Sunday, the guests of relatives in Danbury.

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HATTERTOWN: Dr and Mrs C.M. Penny and son of Bridgeport passed Sunday here the guests of Mr and Mrs J.W. Penny.

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Arthur T. Nettleton, the genial treasurer of the Newtown Savings bank, passed Sunday in Danbury.

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The large furniture establishment of A.G. Baker & Son at Hawleyville will soon be bright in a fresh dress of paint, applied by Edward Pitcher.

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William Lee is at work at painting with Ruffles & Nichols.

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It is said that the wedding bells will soon chime forth at Hawleyville, two popular railroad men being the interested parties. Those who expect to remember them with presents are hoping the weddings will come on different dates.

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.