State and Federal orders signed by the General Electric Co. to study the extent of PCB contamination in the Housatonic River extends to both Lake Zoar and Lake Lillinonah, according to Housatonic Valley Association Executive Director Ralph H. Goodno Jr. Because the nondissolvable chemicals are attached to the river sediments and move more slowly under normal conditions, 25 percent are believed to be currently in Lake Lillinonah and 5 percent in Lake Zoar.

***

Just when everyone’s itching to get outdoors and enjoy the warm weather, the gypsy moth caterpillar comes along and throws a moth-eaten blanket over the whole idea. They seem to be everywhere — in and on cars, making windshields look like a battlefield, on buildings, park benches, in swimming pools and virtually all other unprotected areas. Sanford-Mead, the only Newtown tree service listed in the phone book, has been getting between 150-200 calls per day, says Mrs Mead.

***

Rescuing persons trapped in automobile accidents was the subject of a training course for 25 local volunteer firemen and ambulance corps members held May 16 and 17 at the Sandy Hook Fire House with instructors from the Connecticut state technical colleges. Sandy Hook Chief Bill Halstead noted that as highway accidents continue to cause large numbers of injuries and fatalities, fire departments have expanded their traditional role of helping people in distress to include assistance for victims of motor vehicle accidents.

***

Rick Camejo of Newtown received his Wood Badge Beads at the Fairfield County Council’s annual dinner on May 19. The badge is the “PhD” of a scouter’s training. Earning it involves a week of intense training in leadership and scoutcraft skills. During the course the learner makes a commitment to scouting called a “ticket,” which must be accomplished within two years from the date of the course.

***

It took four games before they did it, but the Newtown Indians finally defeated Joel Barlow in baseball. The locals’ 11-6 victory Monday in Bethel made them Region IV champions and boosted them into the CIAC Class L semifinals against Waterford on Wednesday.

 

June 8, 1956

“Originality and imagination, just as for any show, were the basis for my choice,” commented Henry Schnakenberg of the current exhibition of paintings at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. They are selections from the recent exhibition of patients’ work done in the Rehabilitation Department at the Fairfield State Hospital. While giving one in a series of lecture-demonstrations by local artists, which he describes as “in the nature of an informal conversation,” Mr Schnakenberg had the opportunity to look over the annual exhibit of arts and crafts at the hospital. The quality of the work he considered worthy of a wider audience, thus the library exhibit.

***

More than a year after it was organized, Newtown’s 250th Anniversary Committee held its final meeting at Edmond Town Hall on June 5. It was reported that about 600 of the 56-page illustrated souvenir booklets on the festivities had been distributed to contributors, participants and libraries throughout the state.

***

The Teen Canteen continues its popularity with the younger members as was evidenced by the good turnout for grades seven through nine last Friday evening, June 1, in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. Adding much to the evening’s entertainment was the music of Sammy Mell and his orchestra of Danbury and the special decorations on a musical theme.

***

Last Thursday evening’s special meeting, which was called for the purpose of amending the ordinance adopted on January 14, 1954, regulating and controlling the excavation of sand and gravel and the removal of top soil, drew an attendance of some 150 voters and taxpayers. Those present showed a strong determination to make more stringent the existing ordinance, particularly in regard to hours of operation.

***

Wednesday, May 30, marked the official reopening of the Observation Post at the Fairfield State Hospital, where Mrs Louise Morgan is supervisor of the post. At present the post is open for several hours daily but 24-hour service is the ultimate goal. Anyone interested in volunteering for this work at the post should call Mrs Morgan at Newtown GArden 6-2380.

***

Mrs Sarah Mannix was named by the Board of Managers of the Edmond Town Hall, at its meeting Wednesday evening, to fill the unexpired term of the late John J. Donahue, which expires in the fall of 1957. Mrs Mannix has long been prominent in local affairs. She is a member of the Democratic Town Committee and was a member of the original group which worked for town planning.

June 5, 1931

St John’s Church — The basement for the new church has now been excavated and next week the building will commence. Last week money gifts were sent in by friends towards the building fund. This encourages, and we thank all those who are endeavoring to do their part in restoring the church on the old foundation in Sandy Hook.

***

R.H. Holcomb on Saturday tried to absorb some of the flying cinders put out by the engines of the New York and New Haven road. One lit in his eye, necessitating a quick trip to the office of Dr W.F. Desmond, where the offending cinder was removed.

Although menaced by countless dangers, facing innumerable terrors, the little band of men that followed Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd into the unknown land at the bottom of the world returned to civilization without loss or injury. With them came the film-record of one of the most daring achievements of the age, “With Byrd at the South Pole,” which will be the feature attraction at the Edmond Theater, Friday, June 12.

***

The public is invited to the laying of the corner stone of the Fairfield State hospital at Mile Hill, Newtown, which will take place on the premises June 10, at 2:30 pm Daylight Saving time. There is a broad list of specially invited guests who will be seated on the first floor of the administration building for the ceremonies.

***

On next Sunday, June 7, there will be special services at the Congregational church. In the morning at 11 o’clock daylight time the service will be a rededication of the newly decorated church. The choir and the Junior choir have prepared special music. In the evening there will be a special community service of music at 8 o’clock Daylight time. Gordon Stearns, organist at the Second Congregational church of Waterbury, assisted by Adolph Abbenatte, cellist, of the Symphony Orchestra of New Haven, have selected a wide range of music suitable to the rebuilt organ.

June 8, 1906

The dog agent found 20 unlicensed dogs in four school districts, the first day out. According to this there are a large number of unlicensed dogs in town and if there is not quite some registering done in a short time some people will have a chance to pay a fine of $7 and costs of prosecution.

***

H.G. Gilbert, who lives in the Daniel Camp place at the foot of the Street, has a chair in his parlor which is a great curiosity and it is a beauty, also. The chair is all made of the horns from oxen except the seat, which is made of wood and plush. The horns are all highly polished and the chair makes a handsome piece of furniture. Mr Gilbert made the chair himself and is now making another.

***

Through an oversight in last week’s issue, the good work of the Sandy Hook drum corps on Decoration day was not mentioned. The boys had worked hard in practicing, as their music at the head of the parade on Decoration day showed, and they are deserving of praise for the good work they accomplished.

***

Thomas O. Murphy of Botsford informs your correspondent that there is a deer which makes a daily practice of pasturing in his lot with his cow. Mr Murphy is wondering who he will look to for damages, and if the fence between the lot and the railroad is a legal fence if a deer can jump over it at one bound.

***

Hermon H. Peck accompanied Allison P. Smith on a carriage drive to Washington, Friday and Saturday. Friday noon they were entertained at dinner by Mr and Mrs B.B. Booth of Second Hill, New Milford. Saturday afternoon, in the fierce thunderstorm that overtook them on their return trip, they found refuge at the pleasant home of Mr and Mrs David Gillette in Roxbury, where they were entertained at tea. Mr Peck was delighted with the natural beauties of Washington, and with the cordiality and friendliness in which he was received on all sides.