January 24, 1992

Construction contractors are putting the finishing touches on the $71 million jail, but the earliest opening is not planned until July 1. Workers with Silvestri Fencing of Danbury began placing razor ribbon around the perimeter of the 400-cell jail Tuesday, one of several security measures to be used. According to State Department of Corrections spokesman William Flower, other security measures will include constant video monitoring, armed patrols, and an electronically monitored fence with an advanced design. The facility construction is substantially complete said Construction Manager Grant Rowland of Turner Construction, which is based on Shelton.

***

Did you ever get the urge to break out of your noontime rut and do something completely different for lunch? If so, Newtown Meals On Wheels has a proposition for you. The volunteer organization is hoping to add a route to its lunchtime rounds to lessen the load for the current volunteers, making it possible to complete a route and deliver five or six meals within an hour. If enough people pitch in, Meals On Wheels believes it will be possible for working men and women to join the corps of mostly older volunteers who deliver meals to those unable to prepare meals for themselves because of age or infirmity.

***

A scherenschnitte (scissor cutting) workshop will be presented at the C.H. Booth Library on January 29. This form of decorative snipping has been practiced by people all over the world for centuries. Caroline Stokes will lead the workshop and speak about the history of this art from the Chinese, German, Polish, Danish, and Pennsylvania Dutch.

***

The Newtown High boys' team improved its record to 4-1 this week with a 108-75 win over St Joseph's of Trumbull on January 21. The win is the final of a stretch of meets which the first-year Newtown coach feels will be the "easy win" of the season for the Indians as they get ready for meets with Weston, Joel Barlow, Foran, and Bunnell in upcoming weeks. This week, big winners for Newtown included Bryson Filbert, Tony Panigutti, Larry DeMeo, and Scott Finney.

January 27, 1967

On the morning of Thursday, January 19, the Connecticut Light and Power Company completed installation of new mercury lights on Newtown's flagpole. Long a landmark in town, the flagpole is now bathed in a brilliance of four 7000 lumen lights from dusk to dawn. The new lights, replacing older incandescent lights, are responsive to an automatic sun switch. Mercury lights give nearly twice as much illumination.

***

The Woman's Auxiliary of the Dodgingtown Fire Company will have a square and round dance on January 28 from 9 pm to 1 am. Music will be by Oscar White's band. Refreshments and set ups will be served, but bring your own bottle. Everyone is welcome.

***

The Kiwanis Club of Newtown would like to extend our appreciation to the people of this area who helped to make our first annual fruit cake project a success. Special thanks go to the Kiwanis Club Team Captains John Smith, Fred Baff, Lee Serra, Dick Eddy, and Larry Daum for their cooperation and to all Kiwanis Club members for their assistance.

***

"One way to tell a Viet Cong is when he shoots at you," said Captain E. Robert Worthington, now on leave at the home of his parents, Mr and Mrs Elmer Worthington. "The other way is to check on the identification card all Vietnamese carry." This was one of his duties as tactical advisor to an Army of the Republic of Viet Nam (ARVN) Infantry battalion. As one of only three American advisors speaking the language, he lived with the Vietnamese for a year, in outposts and villages in undeveloped areas. His wife Anita and daughters Suzi, six, and Julie, three, were waiting for him in Roxbury. The excitement of seeing their father again was increased by sharing with him the Christmas gifts saved until January 19.

January 23, 1942

Skating rink workers were sadly disappointed Sunday when a sudden rise in temperature made a slushy mess of the completed skating area. With the prospect of continued cold weather and the lights in the rink in operation, workers bent every effort to have the rink in perfect skating condition for Sunday. With cooler weather evident - the rink workers plan to be out again, diligently trying to make a safe and accessible skating rink for children and adults, with lights for night skating.

***

America's entry into the war, still measured in weeks, is so relatively recent that up to this point, the matter of morale has not been given much consideration. Our morale is high, so we have not been thinking about it. Yet the time seems destined to inevitably arrive when the state of war and those circumstances which it pins upon us, will make themselves seriously felt. It will then be up to each of us to see that our individual morale does not sag, no matter what we may be doing. MORALE is the ability to stand up and take it, and to keep going in the right direction.

***

Dear Mr Smith: Your article in The Bee last week about the owl who spent the greater part of one afternoon looking in the library window interested us greatly. We think it may have been "Alfred." About a year ago when we were in Florida some Boy Scouts found three baby owls in an old tree and foolishly took them home. They really didn't want them and could not remember which tree in the woods they had taken them from, so we kept them. They were just little balls of gray fluff. We brought them to Connecticut, but Alfred was the only one that survived the trip. Raw hamburger and cracked wheat was his favorite diet with a small shot of whiskey when he was depressed. Several times he seemed ready to give up, but an eye dropper of whiskey would get him back on his feet again. We would be grateful if you would insert a notice in The Bee asking anyone who might see the owl to call us at Newtown 221-12 as we would like to see if it is Alfred and know that he is still alive and not eaten by crows, hawks, or frozen stiff. Thank you for your interest in owls, as most people's first instinct is to throw a rock at them. Sincerely yours, Madeline von Jarochowski.

***

The committee in charge of the local thrift shop requests clothing contributions consisting of women's and children's coats and dresses, children's clothing, men's clothing and coats, china, and jewelry. Articles may be left at the Hawley Manor on any day during the week or at the thrift shop on West Street to the rear of the A&P store on Saturdays.

***

Howard Lundquist deserves credit and the thanks of Taunton residents for his work sanding the roads in that section during the recent spell of bad traveling. Such public-spirited work is always a boon to those who travel the roads.

January 26, 1917

Frank Banks was highly gratified to receive a young alligator by mail from Selectman Newton Curtis, who is now in Florida. As the valuable little animal died on the trip north, Mr Banks proceeded to immediately embalm it in alcohol.

***

Benjamin Hoffman caught a pickerel at the Warner Pond Tuesday, weighing three pounds and a quarter. His catch included 11 fine fish.

***

Ray Carroll was unfortunate enough to have the rear axle of his car break down Tuesday night on Walnut Tree Hill Road. He was obliged to leave the car and return to Sandy Hook on foot.

***

Miss Mona Helen Taylor, who has been the efficient soloist and choir director at the Congregational Church since last April, concluded her duties on Sunday last. Mrs Gregory of Danbury has been engaged by the music committee as her successor.

***

The Septimo dance club will give one of its popular dances at the Town Hall Saturday evening, January 20. Spiedel's Orchestra of Bridgeport will furnish music for dancing. Mr Carroll will run his touring car from the store of Corbett & Crowe to the hall and carry passengers free of charge. A good time is assured all who attend.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.