July 15, 1994

Anyone who knows Charlie and Shirley Ferris knows they have strong ideas, and one very basic idea they live by is that if you are going to make an effort to do something, you might as well do it right. Their work as a family and as farmers has been done so right that the state Department of Agriculture has taken notice. This year the Ferris farm was one of just three farms statewide to earn the coveted Dairy Farm of Distinction Award from the state. The Ferris farm was nominated by the state dairy inspectors who routinely check the dairy operation from top to bottom. The notoriously fussy inspectors have found over the years that the Ferris family is even more fussy than they are. Everything at the Ferris farm, from the spotless milking machinery to the paint on the fence posts, is up to snuff every day.

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The Board of Selectmen is considering whether fines of as much as $1,000 should be imposed on property owners who work on their houses without a permit. Decks, additions, and garages have been built, swimming pools installed, and even septic tank alterations have been done without permits, Building Inspector Allen Brinley told selectmen Monday night. The problem has caused a huge workload for the Building Department, which already is swamped with new home inspections. Sometimes the work violates setbacks, wetlands, or other regulations. The homeowner ends up going to the Zoning Board of Appeals which usually won’t grant a variance, and the deck, garage or addition has to be torn down, the inspector said. The selectmen talked about instituting a sliding scale fine of $200-$2,000 for infractions.

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Insect repellent, a bagged lunch, and a field notebook are a must for five Western Connecticut State University students who are spending their summer digging for prehistoric sites in Newtown’s Upper Paugussett State Forest. This survey is the first fieldwork to be done on the project, which will continue for at least two years. “Archaeology programs are usually exciting,” said Dr Laurie Weinstein, WestConn professor of social sciences. “It’s not just reading but outside learning and doing.” She and Sociology major Christie White have prepared for the university’s first independent dig project, by doing extensive research at the state archives where they found some references to a Pootatuck Village along the Housatonic. They also canvassed the Upper Paugussett State Forest with a ranger and state archaeologist.

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The Newtown Historical Society is selling markers, custom made by Newtown craftsmen, as a fundraiser for needed repair work at the Matthew Curtiss House. The markers, now available to residents for the first time, feature the historical society’s official seal, engraved in aluminum to resemble old pewter, the Newtown rooster (including bullet holes). Below the seal, each marker will be painted to feature any significant date, such as the year that a house — old or new — was built. Society President Sallie Meffert said the high-quality, weather-resistant plaques can be placed outside or inside and can make nice gifts for birthdays, weddings, or house-warmings. The cost of markers is $52.95. Sale proceeds will help the historical society meet the needs for roof repairs, painting, a new oil tank, and the upcoming sewer assessment.

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State police on July 11 charged a former Daytop inmate with first-degree escape and first-degree failure to appear in court. Police charged Frederick Wallen, 22, of New Haven at 4:35 pm. State police said Mr Wallen walked away from Daytop in March 1993. Daytop is a treatment unit for alcoholics and drug addicts at the Fairfield Hills Hospital. Mr Wallen had been arrested on unrelated charges by another law enforcement agency and was arraigned Jul 11 at Bridgeport Superior Court where he was then arrested on the Daytop charges, police said.

July 4, 1969

The second annual carnival, sponsored by the Newtown K of C for the benefit of St Rose Building Fund, opened on Monday evening and will continue through this Saturday, July 5. One of the highlights of the event will be the drawing for the 1969 Plymouth on the last day at 11:45 pm. Five rides are set up for the daring, and there are lots of chances to win at the wheel of fortune. A special matinee will be staged on July 5 from 1-5 pm. Plenty of free parking is available.

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In this day and age of 20th century sophistication, respect for the American flag has become somewhat of an outworn tradition. We do not condone this sharp break with the past which seems to be such an underlying factor in the reasoning of today’s liberal youngsters. Nor do we believe that lip service to the flag accomplishes very much when it stands alone. There must be a solid conviction for the cause of liberty and freedom under law, or else we can never pay our great debt to the founding fathers who were willing to sacrifice everything for the right to establish a system of self-government in which all men would have equal choice and a proportionate part. In the words of J. Edgar Hoover, “Today we live in a nation which offers its citizens more equality, more justice, more freedom, and a greater opportunity to personal happiness than has ever been provided by any other system in recorded history.” He urges that “as we commemorate our independence, let us renew our faith and pride in our country. Let us make patriotism a common virtue. Let us acknowledge the abundant blessings we share, and let us remember that every privilege has a related responsibility.”

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The 1969 road oiling program is to start on Wednesday, July 9, subject to the weather and the state inspector’s schedule. The first roads to be done are in the Taunton District. The day-to-day schedule will be issued through the First Selectman’s office.

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The Zoning Board of Appeals has reached decisions on a number of requests presented at recent hearings. That of Peter Chapdelaine for public tennis courts in a residential zone was denied. Joy Brewster’s request for Cassio Kennels was approved, in part, with restrictions. Arvid Ericson was denied permission for an auto body shop on South Main Street, Arthur Heckler’s request to build an attached garage was approved. The request by the state to take part of the property owned by Bertha Beardsley on Route 34 was approved but two other such requests were denied for property owned by Florence Stitham and by Francis E. Hair. The board found that in the Stitham case, granting the request would cause undue hardship and make the remaining property an undesirable place to live. The remaining lot on the Hair property would be unusable.

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A suspicious fire Thursday evening, June 26, in a house under construction for Mrs George McLachlan Sr was quickly controlled by Hook & Ladder Company. Assistant Chiefs Albert Boysonand Mullard Goodsell, along with Chief Lee Glover, surveyed the damage. Trim stacked on sawhorses appear to have been maliciously set ablaze, according to chief Glover.

July 7, 1944

Considerable damage is being done to lawns, shrubs and gardens in the borough area by numerous roaming dogs whose owners allow them to run at will. Protest has been made to John Sedor, local dog warden, and the attention of dog owners is called to the fact that their pets are frequently pests to the neighborhood. Roaming dogs will no longer be tolerated by property owners. It is up to dog owners to keep the dogs at home.

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Mrs Paul A. Cullens has recently received word that her husband, Captain Paul A. Cullens, is now stationed somewhere in Italy. For the past year, Captain Cullens has been attached to a station hospital in North Africa.

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Plans are being completed for a real old-fashioned garden party to be held under the chairmanship of Mrs George H. Vello on July 26 in the garden of Mrs William M. Strong on Main Street. On Wednesday of last week, Mrs Vello called together a small committee to discuss details for this gala social gathering sponsored by the Trinity Church Woman’s Auxiliary. This event will be in the nature of a grand silver tea party with added attractions. More information will appear in The Bee next week.

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Mrs Helen Clarkson, chairman of the Friday evening surgical dressing group which meets in the Alexandria Room at the Edmond Town Hall, wishes to announce that the hours for rolling bandages are from 7-10 pm every Friday night.

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A GENTLEMAN: A man asked to define the essential characteristics of a gentleman — using the term in its widest sense — would presumably reply, “The will to put himself in the place of others; the horror of forcing others into positions from which he himself would recoil; the power to do what seems to him to be right, without considering what others may say or think.”

June 27, 1919

Thomas C. Keane, who bought the F.W. Kirby place on Dayton Street, Sandy Hook, is making extensive repairs, rebuilding the piazza and making other changes and improvements. The work is in charge of that capable and popular contractor, Thomas F. Brew.

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The people of Taunton district descended on the house of George R. Wilson, Monday night, to the number of 65, in honor of Mrs Wilson’s birthday. She was presented with some Pyrex ware and a basket of flowers. It was also Mrs Lillian Moore’s birthday, and the wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs Fred Luf. They were presented with baskets of flowers.

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Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Smith opened their home on Thursday evening, July 3, for the use of the Adelphian Club, who gave a dance in honor of “their overseas” member, Robert Tiemann.

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Davey Brothers will close their Sandy Hook store July 4, all day.

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Dr and Mrs Frank J. Gale will leave for Winchester, N.H. on Saturday. Later they will go to the White Mountains for a two-week sojourn, and then they will go on to Prince Edward Island, where they expect to remain for a month or more.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.