The Way We Were
The Way We Were
MAY 25, 1979
State Department of Transportation officials were pondering what to do about the problem of rocks falling off two steep rock faces at the intersection of Pole Bridge Road and Bancroft Drive in Sandy Hook this week, following a meeting last Friday morning at the site with First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and State Rep John Anderson. The two steep faces were cut over two years ago in a state construction project which built the new Bancroft Drive to link Pole Bridge Road and Alpine Drive. Area residents and local officials have been concerned about the danger falling rocks pose to pedestrians and traffic, and in recent weeks renewed pressure on the DOT to remedy the problem.
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The Legislative Council, declaring an emergency session right after the town meeting Wednesday night, set a tax rate of 31.9 mills for the fiscal year beginning July 1, an increase of four-tenths of a mill over this yearâs 31.5 mill rate. The action came after the town meeting approved by a vote of 110 in favor and 84 against the recommendation of the council for a budget for fiscal 1979-80 of $13,059,048, or 6.8 percent higher than the 1978-79 budget, $12,222,807.
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Patients furloughed from Fairfield Hills Hospital following a threatened job action by health care workers this week continue to be readmitted to the state institution. Hospital Superintendent Dr Robert B. Miller said Wednesday that the hospital has notified patients who left last weekend to return.
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Mrs Ginny Iannini and Mrs Dale Galbo are co-chairing this yearâs Newtown Summer Festival Telethon. June 3-7 will be Telethon Week. Volunteers will be calling Newtowners from Pitney Bowes and TR Paul-QPC who have generously made their facilities available. The callers will be explaining the benefits of the Summer Festival, the 4th of July Picnic and Fireworks, Super Stars, Block Party, and the Labor Day Parade, and asking everyone to help fund these events.
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The Planning and Zoning Commission voted last Thursday to inform the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) that the 1975 special exception permit approved by P&Z for the Eagle Hill alcoholism rehabilitation facility does not include admission of acute care or intoxicated persons. Eagle Hill, a 56-bed $4.3 million treatment center now under construction off Albertâs Hill Road in Sandy Hook, was described as an intermediate care nursing home when it was approved by the commission on October 17, 1975.
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A proposed 8,000 square foot Hungarian Cultural Center, proposed by the Hungarian-American Club of Danbury for a Hawleyville site, got the thumbs down from the Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission on May 17.
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Timothy J. Holian, son of Atty and Mrs John F. Holian of 8 Main Street, Newtown, was one of the successful applicants recommended by the Connecticut Bar Examining Committee for admission to the bar for the practice of law in the State of Connecticut.
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It appeared to be a somewhat skeptical crowd that packed the Edmond Town Hall theatre last Thursday night to hear Ed and Lorraine Warren speak. As the program began, snickers could be heard throughout the audience as the two described their work and some of its more unusual aspects. But when the program ended, it seemed that there were few leaving the theatre who hadnât in some way been affected by what theyâd just heard. In fact, some even seemed downright unnerved. While Ed and Lorraine might appear like any other ânormalâ middle-aged couple, theyâre not. Unless, of course, one considers ghost hunting a ânormalâ occupation.
MAY 28, 1954
A preliminary announcement of the townâs summer recreation program for children, made this week by Coach Harold S. DeGroat, recreation director, indicated that a program similar to that of last year will be continued, with many of last yearâs leaders in charge of activities. Enrollment forms for the various activities planned are to be sent to parents next week, Coach DeGroat said.
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A letter from Pootatuck Grange to State Highway Commissioner G. Albert Hill protesting the delay in the installation of a traffic light at the intersection at Main and Sugar Streets, reported in last weekâs Bee, apparently has brought action. In his reply to Miss Florence A. Pease, secretary of the Grange, Commissioner Hill stated that upon the transfer of ownership of the necessary signal apparatus to the state, his department will âendeavor to place this signal installation in our program prior to July 1.â
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Last Sunday afternoon, a full house in the Edmond Town Hall theatre had an opportunity to see a preview showing of the second annual Stardust Revue, the dance recital put on by the pupils of the Lathrop School of Dance. Working in reverse, this was the overflow audience from the regularly scheduled performance of this Thursday evening, May 27, which has been sold out weeks in advance.
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It has been announced this week that Newtown Alcoholics Anonymous, for some time inactive, will again begin holding regular sessions on Wednesday evenings, the first being June 2 in Trinity Episcopal Church basement rooms.
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Newtown citizens who have become concerned not only about the necessity of reopening the Sandy Hook School this fall but also about the need for still additional classrooms for the following school year, will have an opportunity to learn how other Connecticut communities are meeting this same elementary school expansion problem when Charles F. Ritch, Chief, Bureau of Field Services, Connecticut State Department of Education, addresses the Newtown Citizens Committee on Education at the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall at 8 pm on Monday, June 7.
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The Newtown Branch of the American Red Cross passed its quota of $3,900 with a total of $4,042.65 received in its 1954 membership drive, it was reported recently by William J. Rider, Jr, fund chairman of the Danbury Chapter, of which Newtown is a part.
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The Bee took to the air this week to follow the course of the US Department of Agricultureâs program for wiping out pockets of infestation by the gypsy moth in Fairfield County by aerial spraying with DDT. With the cooperation of Ed Czap, manager of Monroe Airport, Department of Agriculture area supervisors, and Joe Virchow, contract sprayer for the project, the workings of the program was seen topside on two flights on Tuesday. The controversy which has arisen over the poisonous qualities of DDT as used for gypsy moth spraying, and possible alarm which may have been caused in town by the sight of a slow-moving biplane lumbering along the treetops early on recent mornings, has brought much local fame to the gypsy moths, whose larvae have voracious appetites for the leaves of oaks and other trees.
MAY 24, 1929
William Egan, a valued employee of the Fabric Fire Hose Company, ran a rusty nail in his hand Tuesday. He was taken to the office of Dr W.F. Desmond, and given prompt attention.
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One of the handsome maple trees near the house of Homer G. Clark in Grayâs Plain blew down in the heavy wind storm of last week Thursday.
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âBillâ Leahy, while playing in a threesome Saturday afternoon, with Gould Curtiss and Joe Fennell, set a new course record of 31 strokes.
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Pootatuck Grange has purchased the flags to be used in decorating the soldiersâ graves in the several cemeteries of the town, and they shortly will be placed in the hands of those who have been in the habit of attending to this patriotic duty.
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In the sharp, short shower on Thursday last, which was attended by heavy wind, a large maple tree in front of the former W.H. Prindle place crashed down about 2 pm, taking the electric wires and putting the electrical service out of commission until 6:45 oâclock.
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Edward J. Flaherty of Ansonia has enlarged his roadside refreshment stand near the Housatonic River bridge and has now a very attractive room, with small tables and chairs.
MAY 27, 1904
Miss Susie Minor, daughter of Mr and Mrs Charles Minor of Berkshire, was the victim of an unfortunate run away accident early Sunday morning. Miss Minor came to the Street, Saturday, to take a position in the store of R.H. Beers & Company, in place of her sister, who was indisposed. Sunday morning about 8 oâclock she started to drive home, when one end of the shaft dropped from the axle on to the horseâs heels. The horse started to run and turned on to the sidewalk near Miss Ann Blackmanâs residence, where Miss Minor was pitched out against the fence. She was taken to the office of Dr A.L. Schuyler, where it was found she had escaped broken bones, but was badly bruised.
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The Misses Scudder and Misses Gridley and Waugh enjoyed a carriage drive to Woodbury Saturday with dinner at the Curtis Hotel.
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Mrs William Parker of Obtuse had a fine hatch of young chickens one day last week. From 300 eggs she got 200 young Plymouth Rocks and White Wyandotte chickens.
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John Casey has accepted a position on the Highland division of the Consolidated railroad as fireman.
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Julius Beardsley of Bennettâs Bridge has purchased C.E. Blakemanâs six-horse power engine and boiler.
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Louis Goulette has sold a fast horse to Robert Donnelly of New Milford.