March 22, 1991

Hundreds of residents crowded around the flagpole on March 17 to pay tribute to the men and women who fought in The Persian Gulf War. The crowd's presence in the middle of Main Street conveyed a message that Girl Scout Troop 599 held aloft on cards spelling "Thanks A Million," to the troops of the Desert Storm campaign. Party organizers, The Newtown Persian Gulf Support Group, wanted there to be no mistake: the town was appreciative and proud of its military men and women who served in the Gulf war.

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Aside from the theater at the Edmond Town Hall, Newtown can only be a one-theater town, developers said. On their drawing board were two other multi-screen cinema proposals for Newtown Shopping Center and Sand Hill Plaza. But Newtown could only support one more, they felt. The cinema of the future may have such features as advanced reservations, larger lobbies, shorter lines, and screens that show "oldies" or cartoons for the younger set. The latter charge by the hour and allow a parent to shop.

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Two small businesses made pleas to the Borough Zoning Board of Appeals to hang neon signs in their storefront windows that comply with regulations. For eight years a sign had hung in the Andrea's Bake Shop window without complaint, said attorney John Guman. The board had denied a request for a sign permit, and one member criticized the sign for not being in harmony with the neighborhood, which is nevertheless zoned for business. Attorneys for the signs, another at the Smoke Shop, said they were necessary tools for business. Andrea's, which has a lawsuit pending over the last denial, called the need for its sign "crucial."

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Newtown Youth Services held a benefit basketball game between the Newtown All-Stars and the New York Giants at Newtown High School. Player and coach Bob Tendler led the Newtown All-Stars through a grueling, sold-out game against professional athletes. Although unsure of how much money was raised, Newtown Youth Services representative Anita Arnold said, "It is definitely fair to say that this was a very successful event." From the proceeds was a 25 percent donation to The Garage, Newtown's recently opened youth center on Church Hill Road. The event drew an estimated $15,000.

March 25, 1966

Mr and Mrs Louis Untermeyer have returned from a cruise in the Caribbean aboard a banana boat. Mr Untermeyer on the Arlene Francis radio show on Tuesday spoke of particularly enjoying Costa Rica and Guatemala. Also traveling was Miss Virginia Houlihan who just returned from two weeks in Deland, Florida. Accompanying her were Mr and Mrs Michael Kober of Fairfield.

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Tryouts for the Town Players' next production Come Blow Your Horn by Neil Simon will be Sunday, March 27, at 2 pm at The Little Theatre Director. Sam Walton needs three males, four females, and a production crew. This is an hilarious comedy in modern dress with several very good parts.

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For the first time in the history of Newtown and its schools, a public school teacher will be singled out as the outstanding teacher of the year and honored at an award dinner on May 17. School administrators and members of various town civic clubs have formed a committee to establish a means of judging nominations. Any resident could nominate for teacher of the year and nominations should be sent to the Superintendent's office at 11 Queen Street.

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Olga, a Seeing Eye German Shepherd, has come to the Fairfield Hills Hospital. She is intended to be Mrs Dorothy N. Campbell's constant companion. Mrs Campbell runs the patients' store on the hospital grounds. Olga and Mrs Campbell have returned from three weeks of intensive training together in Morristown, N.J. Her new friend Olga has adjusted very well to her new surroundings and the sights and sounds of the hospital and the store. She has her own special bed there and is expertly trained and intent to stay put until her master needs her.

March 21, 1941

Twenty-five taxpayers and voters attended a town meeting at the Edmond Town Hall on Saturday where a resolution was offered, eliminating the item of $5,850 for salaries and expenses of constables and paid police and amended to reduce the item to $500, permitting a tax rate of 16 mills for another year. An increased mill rate would have come from the $5,850, explained meeting chair George M. Stuart, overlooking, in the opinion of some, that the increase could just as well have been caused by any other budget item increases. Considerable discussion ensued. Another suggestion was to reduce the police item only by half, but the spirit of the meeting was for a reduced tax rate to 16 mills, at the sacrifice of paid police protection in town, and was so voted.

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Raymond Burton of Woodbury, who is a Mohegan Indian known as Grey Fox, gave a most interesting talk to the Young People's Club on Sunday evening. He dressed in the full regalia of the Western Indian and told stories of his people in this region. The Young People kept him answering questions long after his formal talk was ended.

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The Fourth Annual Poultry Party sponsored by the Fairfield County Farm Bureau was at the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium on Wednesday evening, March 25. Assistant County Agent Ralph Sturtevant has arranged a program that promises to surpass previous gatherings. This is the year's one poultry meeting where poultrymen bring their family and friends for a full evening of frolic and education. The program is scheduled to get underway at 7:45 with the showing of a movie, followed by a guest address. From then on fun and frolic will run rampant with Hal Brundage and the King Street Pioneers furnishing music for round and square dancing which will continue until the clock sounds midnight.

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Lawrence Taylor and Clark Blackman have bought out the E.C. Hatter Jitney business and will commence as soon as the traveling is such as to permit car travel between Sandy Hook, Newtown, Danbury, and Bridgeport. In connection with the business, they have leased the building formerly used by Mr Hatter just south of Newtown Street and will open up a garage and for repairs, and sales including gasoline. Mr Blackman is a well posted automobile man. The new concern will be known as the Newtown Garage and Jitney Company.

March 24, 1916

Fan, the favorite horse of Miss Ann Blackman's, probably the oldest stepper in town, died this week, aged 34 years. F.A. Blackman assisted in putting in putting the aged animal asleep and Herman H. Peck did the honors as funeral director.

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Mrs Bertha Ferris, a highly esteemed resident of Sugar Street, and a lady whose friends are legion, was so unfortunate as to stumble as the result of stepping on a piece of coal, falling down the cellar stairs. She sustained an awful shaking up with some bad bruises. It was a narrow escape from a very serious accident. Her many friends are gratified that she is convalescing nicely.

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Warren Atwood has a runaway. A pair of horses belonging to Warren Atwood took freight on the upper part of Main Street and ran through Main Street as far as Hitchcock's block when they left the road. They ran onto the walk, bringing up against a hitching post, and breaking the pole and some parts of the harness. No one was hurt but Mr Atwood had a narrow escape.

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Some girls at the N.H.S. have organized a walking club, the F.F.S. At an interview, the members refused to reveal the meaning of their club's mysterious title. The first hike was enjoyed Sunday afternoon by five of the girls.