October 12, 1984

Three Sandy Hook residents are offering a $150 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons who torched the Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity’s scarecrow on the early morning of October 10. Barbara Wadleigh of Put ‘N’ Take made the scarecrow, which sported a corncob pipe and a “Proud To Be A Hooker” T-shirt. SHOP president Darryl Bruck said she was disturbed by the malicious act.

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The “Save The Tree” campaign of August came to a happy end when the state’s Department of Transportation decided to scrap plans that would have brought down the stately trees that line Church Hill Road in the Hawley School area. A solitary tree still stood threatened, however. The Department of Transportation this week announced that the sidewalk would yield. Somehow, the spectacular foliage on that spared maple looked just a little bit brighter after the announcement.

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After building inspector Al Brinley said he was “swamped” with work, the Board of Selectmen decided October 10 to prepare a proposed job position and salary grade level for an assistant. “The work in the town of Newtown has gotten to the point where it’s very hard if not impossible to conduct the (building) office the way it should be done,” said Mr Brinley.

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The Fairfield County Hounds invites the public to attend a colorful and traditional ceremony on the morning of October 13 — the Blessing of the Hounds — at the opening of the pack’s 60th annual season. The event will be held at the Sykes Farm on Poverty Hollow Road. Members and staff will be dressed in full livery, and it will be a beautiful scene as the foxhounds are blessed before the start of the hunt. Words of blessing will also be said on behalf of the foxes, who by the way, are only rarely caught by the foxhounds.

 

October 16, 1959

The contract to construct a new Post Office for Newtown, with three to four times as much working space as the present Post Office quarters in Edmond Town Hall, was awarded this week to George F. Wheeler, it was announced by Senator Prescott Bush. The new office, which will be built facing Queen Street between the Shopping Center and the professional building, will cost an estimated $55,000 and will be owned by Mr Wheeler.

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A trailer truck spilled oil on Church Hill Road Sunday morning and many townspeople found slick going on the way to church. However, roads were sanded later in the morning and that reduced the amount of skidding and sliding particularly bad just below the flagpole.

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ANNOUNCING THE NEW PLYMOUTH! SOLID FOR ’60! AT YOUR DEALER NOW! SOLID PLYMOUTH 1960 OFFERS FEATURES NO OTHER CAR IN ITS CLASS CAN OFFER. Custom-Positioned Front Seat. Safe-T-Matic doorlocking system. RCA “45” Record Player. And many more. AN ALL NEW INCLINED OVERHEAD VALVE “6” IS AMONG FIVE PLYMOUTH ENGINE OPTIONS FOR 1960. AMARAL’S SERVICE STATION South Main Street Newtown Tel. GArden 6-2086

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The Taunton Hill Farm flock of Dorset sheep owned by Mr and Mrs James Brunot of Taunton Hill Road ended its 1959 show season by winning both champion ram and champion ewe at the Danbury State Fair last week. The flock also won first place in each of the following classes: aged ram, ram lamb, yearling ewe, and ewe lamb. The Brunot sheep have placed well wherever they were shown this year.

October 12, 1934

Some weeks ago, Charles R. Beardsley, prominent in the fight against the milk control board, circulated a petition for the formation of an Independent party and obtained the signatures of more than 200 Democrats and Republicans. The petition for the third party ticket on the ballot was sent to the Secretary of State and accepted. Since that time, all of the candidates have withdrawn their names from the ticket for various reasons. When the predicament was made known to the Secretary of State, he ruled that the Independent column must appear on the ballot but without names.

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Manager William Harris of the Maryland has announced that he will keep his place open until late fall. This popular dining establishment has always been a favorite place for motorists to stop at going to and from the football games. This past season has been a banner one for Mr Harris and tourists have made this their headquarters as they pass through town.

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VNA: Many calls made by the collectors in the drive now in progress have been unsuccessful because of the absence from home of members. Anyone who has not been called on, for this or any other reason, is asked to send membership dues to Miss Susan J. Scudder, President, or to H. Carleton Hubbell, Treasurer. All such contributions will be appreciated and acknowledged.

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Thomas Wright of Sandy Hook had a narrow escape from death while burning rubbish in his yard on Tuesday afternoon. In some manner, dynamite caps were mixed in the refuse from his garage, which he was cleaning out and while feeding the fire the caps suddenly exploded, burning Mr Wright badly about the face and legs. Dr George was hastily summoned and Mr Wright is now under his care.

 

October 15, 1909

George A. Northrop, the genial carpenter, is putting new foundations and new sills under his house at the head of Newtown Street and is making other improvements on his residence.

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Postmaster W.M. Reynolds has his improvements completed at the Post Office, and is now using the whole first floor of the building for the office. All the front is for use of the public and the rear part for the postmaster and his assistants use in caring for the mails. He has now one of the most convenient and roomy postoffices in these parts outside of the cities.

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Funeral Director C. Delury of Danbury was the victim of a peculiar and unfortunate accident in Newtown about 7 pm, Wednesday, which might have been fatal. Mr Delury was enroute from the Danbury Hospital to Botsford, with the remains of Michael Haugh of Botsford. When they reached the main road the driver turned sharply and in an instant the large covered funeral car crashed to the earth. The horses ran about 20 feet when they became entangled and fell. Fortunately the traveling case containing the remains of Mr Haugh was not disturbed and it was taken out and placed carefully by the side of the road. In a short time, help arrived. The big car was lifted up onto its wheels. One ornamental lamp and some of the glass doors were broken, and the whiffletrees were bent. Additional teams were secured at the Newtown Inn, when the trip was continued to Botsford.

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The annual fair of St Rose’s church will open on Saturday evening at St Mary’s hall in Sandy hook. A number of valuable articles will be canvassed on during the fair. The names of the contestants for the gold watch will be announced on Sunday.