October 27, 1989

Nearly seven inches of rain fell over the time period beginning Sunday, October 15, and ending Saturday, October 21, bringing the month’s total to 6.78 inches. Normal for the month of October is 4.11 inches. Deep Brook was one of many waterways to overflow and swamp residents’ yards. All five of the town’s volunteer fire companies were involved in providing pumping details to help residents all over town having problems due to the rainfall.

***

Republican candidate for selectman, Joe Borst, apologized to his Democratic opponent Zita McMahon at the Rotary debate at the Essex House, Monday night, for accusing her or misrepresenting her work experience with the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) in Hartford. Mr Borst’s initial challenge took place during the League of Women Voters’ annual debate, “Pizza and Politics” at the Fireside Inn, October 17. Prior to Pizza and Politics, Mr Borst said, he had received — what he thought was “reliable” — information, indicating that Mrs McMahon’s position at OPM was that of an unpaid intern. “The facts were incorrect, and I offer my apologies to Mrs McMahon.”

***

Fire Marshal Jim Cavanaugh has given town officials a third “and final” notice, telling them to correct fire code violations at the town-owned Newtown Hook & Ladder firehouse. If the problems are not resolved, Mr Cavanaugh said the next step could be to turn the matter over to the town attorney and ask him to take court action. Due to the difficulty and cost that would be involved in correcting the violations, Hook & Ladder Chief Mike McCarthy said his company has advocated resolving the problem by building an addition. Ideally, said Chief McCarthy, the best solution would be to build a new firehouse, somewhere else.

***

At the outset, doomsayers were whispering that the once glorious Newtown football program was headed for a 0-10 or 1-9 season. But lo and behold, the Indians are now 3-3 — 2-1 in the conference’s Briggs Division — and the Boot trophy is back in their hands. Just four weeks ago it was a milestone when Newtown scored a touchdown against what amounted to Bethel’s junior varsity defense. Now with four games left, there are realistic hopes for a .500 season, maybe even a winning year.

October 30, 1964

At the meeting last Friday evening of the Newtown Congregational Church Council, the Rev Paul A. Cullens formally announced his resignation to take effect the last day of December, rounding out exactly 37 years as minister of the church. However, officially he will take no part in the church work during the next two months, except to help in every way possible the Rev Alastair C. Sellers to adjust to his new duties as senior minister.

***

Dr Willard A. Downie, Newtown superintendent of schools, addressed the Newtown Rotary Club dinner meeting, Monday, in the Yankee Drover Inn. He said he feels additional substantial industry is needed in Newtown or else, in time, taxes will go sky high. The superintendent said all available data and projections show Newtown’s population will continue to rise. This will happen, he said, whether or not the town obtains additional new industry. Without added new industry or expansion of present industry, the tax load could ultimately prove unbearable. He feels that in a few short years, by 1967, another new elementary school — in addition to the one now being built — and additional high school facilities will be necessary.

***

The Newtown Choral Society, one of the town’s newest organizations, has found its formation period as easy as a song. Under a very capable steering committee consisting of Mr and Mrs Joseph Grasso, Mrs Vivian Mayer, Miss B. Rice, and William Foote, the group has met five times with an attendance of 65 at the second meeting. Newcomers are still welcome to join, with the first program tentatively planned for Christmas.

***

Something new is about to be added to the Newtown Shopping Center on Queen Street, which bids fair to make quite unnecessary the seventy-odd mile trip to New York for well designed accessories and gifts for the home. For some weeks now, starting with a distinctive coat of paint in a golden mustard shade, it has been clear that something out of the ordinary was going on in the one-story Colonial building south of the Post Office. Then one day a handsomely lettered sign appeared in the large many-paned window announcing that the shop would carry “Good design, new and old,” and further, that it would be known as “Bridget’s.” The opening day was set for Monday, November 2. It was actually through their own difficulties that John and Cheryl Hallock became aware of the place such a shop might fill in this area.

 

October 27, 1939

An urgent appeal is made by the VNA committee in charge of the Thrift Shop for all kinds of clothing for the shop. The demand has been so great within the past few weeks for men’s overcoats, suits, sweaters, ladies’ and children’s coats and sweaters, that the supply is practically exhausted. With cold weather rapidly approaching, many requests are being received at the Shop for clothing, and it seems a pity not to be able to fill them.

***

State Department President, Mrs Nellie Moquim, with her staff, Mrs Cavalier, of the Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, met with the Newtown ladies Monday evening at the fire house and assisted in forming an auxiliary to the Charles Howard Peck, Sr and Jr Post of Newtown.

***

Touch football proved popular at the Newtown Country Club on Sunday afternoon, the call having gone out in last week’s Bee for all interested players to be on hand at 2:30 for an afternoon of stiff exercise and a lot of fun. There were, in addition to the younger fellows accustomed to playing ball, a surprising number of the older “boys” who lined up on the scrimmage line and enjoyed pushing and chasing each other around all afternoon.

***

Mrs Morris J. Frank of Taunton district, daughter of the late Premier Clemenceau of France, was one of the injured passengers on the S.S. President Harding, which arrived in New York last Wednesday, after a very rough passage. Mrs Frank was taken to a New York hospital suffering from fractured ribs and complications which she received when the liner was hit by a hurricane 300 miles off Newfoundland.

 

October 30, 1914

Mrs Charles Winton, who has been sleeping out doors through the summer has gained in health by doing, and is again taking the same treatment by the doctor’s orders and will be obliged to do the same through the winter.

***

W.B. Glover and family, who have been enjoying quarters for 10 days in his large and commodious garage and barn, move this week into their handsome new residence.

***

The present Board of Selectmen requests that all persons holding bills against the Town of Newtown contracted for by the late Board of Selectmen will have all such bills O.K. by their last selectman, Wm C. Johnson. Then there will be no chance for accusation that we paid for work which was not ordered done by him. Furthermore, we would like Mr Johnson present, if convenient, to approve or disapprove of any such bills which might be presented. Nothing unfair, for we wish to be fair and square with all men. — EPHRAIM D. BRISCO, First Selectman, Town of Newtown

***

W.E. Collins is to open a moving picture establishment at the Town hall, Thursday evening, November 5, and every Thursday evening there after. He promises a high grade of pictures and hopes to receive the patronage of the public.