The Way We Were, from the issue dated December 2, 2011

 

December 5, 1986

In what was regarded as a mere formality, the Legislative Council on December 3 approved the Board of Education’s seeking bid specifications for new roofs for the Sandy Hook Elementary School and also for a portion of the Newtown Middle School. Although it was only five years ago or so when new roofs were put on each of the two schools, both roofs have been leaking.

***

For years, town officials have realized that at some point, future residential development might require the construction of a new elementary school in Sandy Hook, which has been the fastest growing part of town. Now that several large subdivisions in Sandy Hook are in the planning stage, the Planning and Zoning Commission believes the time is right for the town to start thinking about acquiring land for such a school.

***

Ernie Fenn, who has served as chief plant facilities engineer at Fairfield Hills Hospital for 47 of his 55 years in the department, will retire December 31. Mr Fenn’s effectiveness as a manager is evident in the insights he picked up along the way. His awareness of how previous political Boards of Directors have affected hospital operations and how health policies influence maintenance functions is something only long years of experience could provide.

***

Newtown’s Main Street will be alive with carolers and lit by luminaria on Sunday, December 7, as it celebrates the Family Life Holiday Festival Day — an afternoon of traditional merrymaking that should interest the entire family. The festival, from 2 to 5 pm, includes a walking tour of historical Main Street homes and buildings, musical performances with a holiday theme, and also workshops for children.

December 8, 1961

Edward S. Pitzschler opened his Main Street Barber Shop Monday, the first tenant to occupy the Atchison block, which is being remodeled by the new owners, Sallie Chase, Inc. Popular “Ed” and his late father, Judge Oscar Pitzschler, have occupied a barbershop in that building for the past 80 years.

***

John M. Ross of Newtown has been named editor of Golf Magazine, one of the largest magazines in the world devoted to the game of golf. This magazine, issued in New York City, is published by the Universal Publishing and Distributing Company, which also publishes Ski Magazine, Family Handyman, and other periodicals. Mr Ross has spent many years in the editorial and writing field. He has had over 400 magazine pieces published in over 25 national publications and was the winner of the Christopher Literary Award in 1957.

***

A most successful “Beatnik” night was held by the Teen Canteen as its fourth event of the season at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium last Saturday night. Music was provided by The Saints, a four-piece orchestra from Monroe, and the event drew the largest attendance to date for the group.

***

Interstate Route 84, the long awaited relocation of Route 6, will officially open on Saturday, December 16, when Governor John Dempsey snips the ribbon in Sandy Hook. After the ceremony in Sandy Hook, the new highway will be open from Sandy Hook, through Newtown, Hawleyville, Bethel and Danbury to the New York state line. A limited access highway, it will speed through-traffic on its way and ease the traffic conditions of the towns it passes through.

December 4, 1936

One of the biggest collections of Indian relics ever found in Connecticut, was uncovered last week, about four miles north of Bethel, by Starr S. Sherwood, of Bethel, and Harry Chatham and Carl E. Moran, of Danbury. The find was made on digging into twelve inches of leaf mold beneath a rock shelter, which had been found by a Bethel ’coon hunter, called Joe. One of the arrowheads found is very rare, being made of hartshorn. The other points were made of quartz, slate, quartzite, Chalcedony and other similar stones. It was estimated the recent find represented the accumulation of more than 1,000 years. Those at the Bee office are especially interested in this recent discovery, in that Harry Chatham, who was one of the finders, is a member of the staff.

***

Last Saturday afternoon two of The Bee staff attended the final bout between Butt-em-Down Willie of the Minkdale Farms and the Bouncing Basque, a newcomer from Montreal, Canada, both contestants being prize Toggenburg goats, the property of A.F.A. Konig of Minkdale Farms. Willie, the local champ, prefers a little high ground on which to meet his opponents, and gave the Bouncing Basque an uphill fight. As to who wins and how long this goes on, we are not prepared to say, for nobody seems to get knocked out, this being one of the peculiarities of this type of bout. A good hard head and a never-give-up spirit seems to conquer in this game. In any event, Mr Konig has made a valuable addition in this new buck to his already high-class herd of goats.

***

Thomas F. Brew is rapidly completing the addition and alterations to his house in Sandy Hook, across from the Morris Beers home. Dr J. Benton Egee and his family will move into the house on Saturday, December 12, where he will receive patients starting on Sunday, the 13th. The new addition contains his office, and the alteration have made the house suitable for the doctor’s use.

***

With the resuming of school on Tuesday morning, two bright, new traffic signs were in place, either side of Hawley School, to warn the oncoming traffic of the approaching danger that is always present at the opening or letting out of a public school. The wooden signs previously used for this purpose were smashed beyond repair some time ago by passing cars. The present ones are of metal construction and are painted a bright yellow, making them visible for some distance.

December 8, 1911

Preparations are being made for the second annual subscription masquerade, to be held at the town hall, December 29, 1911. All those who have signed the subscription list should be planning their costume. The committee are endeavoring to make this year’s affair just as elaborate as last year, if not better.

***

Ex-Selectman Michael Donahue, while cutting wood, was struck in the eye with a limb. He was taken to the Bridgeport hospital by Dr W.H. Kiernan in W.W. Wakeley’s auto. He is reported as convalescing nicely.

***

George B. Fairchild, who is 81 years of age, donated to Miss Bessie Nash his turkey dinner on Thanksgiving day and he took his dinner at home of baked beans, pumpkin pie and cakes such as the neighbors sent in.

***

A large and appreciative audience was present at the Town hall, last Wednesday evening, at the concert under the auspices of St Rose’s church. The program was of a high order and the singing f Miss Elizabeth E. Gaffney and Riley E. Phillips and the piano playing of Miss Grace Kennedy was greatly enjoyed.