* * *

In one of the largest turnouts in a budget referendum in recent years, voters Wednesday approved Newtown’s proposed budget for the 1981-82 fiscal starting July 1 by a margin of 1,910 in favor and 1,509 opposed. The all-day balloting at Edmond Town Hall drew 3,348 of the town’s 10,291 eligible voters, plus 71 taxpayers not on the voting list.

* * *

Fifth district representative William R. Ratchford got a first-hand look at one of Newtown’s largest employers recently when he dropped by DuPont Instruments’ Sorvall Biomedical Division May 26 for a tour of the Peck’s Lane plant. “I like to see what’s in the district, and see the people. It helps me to be more sensitive to what they’re doing in commerce and industry and how they’re impacted by what goes on in Washington,” said the congressman after his 1½ hour tour.

* * *

An officer assisting an injured boy was attacked by a dog Tuesday, June 16. Officer Ray Thompson was responding to a call that a young boy had been injured by a rake at the McInerney residence on Currituck Road. As he got out of his cruiser to help the youth, he was attacked by a large German Shepard and bitten on the back, left hand and three times on the right hand and arm, police said. The dog was upset, police said.

* * *

After a car hit a utility pole on Main Street Wednesday evening, June 17, power was interrupted in the center of town for approximately two hours. The outage caused the movie at Edmond Town Hall to be delayed an hour, but voting on the referendum in the gym was not affected.

* * *

The Newtown Health and Racquetball Club’s open house week will continue through Sunday, June 21, with highlights including a tournament, barbecue and dance. NHRC owner George Arfaras is holding open house week to mark the near-completion of the Commerce Road facility, which has been open to members since late January.

* * *

Newtown Fire Marshal Joseph Cavanaugh is investigating a suspicious fire that destroyed a vacant home on Glen Road on Saturday, June 13, at 6:18 pm. According to Sandy Hook Fire Chief William Halstead, 30 firefighters battled the blaze to no avail for two hours. The fire was fully involved when they arrived at the scene. Efforts were hampered when the fire ignited several brush fires in the vicinity.

 

June 22, 1956

The swimming pond in the Dickinson Memorial Park is now ready for use, the Newtown Park Commission announced this week. Work is still being done on the surrounding area and necessary bulldozing will continue for some time. Since the park is for the use of Newtown residents only, townspeople who plan to use the park must obtain windshield stickers for their automobiles. These are free and are now ready for distribution.

* * *

Forty-nine members of the class of 1956 at Newtown High School received their diplomas at graduation exercises held in the Edmond Town Hall theatre last Thursday evening, June 14. The graduates heard a commencement address that dared to be different by the Rev John D. Verdery, headmaster of the Wooster School in Danbury. He chose as his topic, “Conformity and Rebellion.”

* * *

Plans are progressing for the Fireman’s Parade, which will take place on Thursday, July 12, as part of the carnival of the Newtown Combined Fire Companies. The Bee is informed by Lou Pelletier that over 35 fire companies from Connecticut and New York state have already signified their intention of attending the carnival and taking part in the parade.

* * *

In a simple, impressive ceremony, Cochran House was dedicated at Fairfield State Hospital on Tuesday afternoon, June 19, to become the first modern admission and intensive treatment unit in the care of the mentally ill in Connecticut. Cochran House is named in honor of Mrs Alice Russ Cochran, chairman of the board of trustees…. She has watched the institution grow to include 22 major buildings, plus many smaller ones.

* * *

At the last meeting of the Newtown Board of Education, on June 12, the three-term school calendar for the school year 1956-57 was adopted, making a total of 183 days. Newtown schools open on September 5 for the first term of 74 days… Second term opens on January 2 of next year, for a total of 76 days…Third term opens on April 29 for a total of 33 days. The school year ends on June 13, 1957.

* * *

Bids are being invited from all local contractors for the new school and convent to be built on the St Rose Church property in Newtown. Registration of children expecting to attend the new school in 1957 and later will be held in St Rose hall this September 15.

 

June 19, 1931

A masquerade dance will be given by Riverside on Lake Zoar, Inc at the Community house, July 4. Dancing from 8 to 12, with music by Miles’ Society Orchestra. Admission 50 cents. There will be a display of fireworks during the evening.

* * *

The men of Pootatuck Grange tendered the Sisters of the Grange a strawberry shortcake dinner, Tuesday night, served in the basement of Trinity church. The Sisters were the winners in the recent competitive program contest. Sisters Davis and Burr gave delightful vocal duets accompanied at the piano by Sister Andrews. It was a very pleasant social affair.

* * *

At the 11 o’clock service the rector, in his sermon, made reference to the approaching 200th anniversary of the parish. Trinity parish was once the largest Episcopal parish in Connecticut. Like all churches of different denominations, it has paid steady tribute to the city parishes but once more the rural churches are gaining.

* * *

The barn of Mrs Grace T. Connolly on Platt hill was burned to the ground, Wednesday. The fire broke out shortly before noon. The loss was probably in excess of $5,000. The local fire company, with the pumper, responded but the fire had gained too much headway and the building was destroyed.

* * *

Stephen E. Budd, MFH, master of the Litchfield County Hunt club of Newtown, won the second special prize, a silver cup, with his pack of English fox hounds, which were exhibited at the 5th annual dog show of the Fairfield County Hunt club at Westport, Sunday. The pack was exhibited in their hunt colors by Mr Budd and his two whipper-ins.

* * *

St John’s: The new church is progressing very rapidly under the direction of Henry Johnson, and the corner stone will be laid on the 30th of June at 3 pm by the Right Rev Edward Campion Acheson, Bishop of Connecticut. Those desiring their names to be placed in the corner stone are asked to pay a dollar or more towards the expenses of the same.

 

June 20, 1906*

NOTICE The entrance examination for candidates for the Newtown High School for the ensuing year will be held at the High School building on Saturday, June 30, at 9 am. CHAS. S. PLATT, Chairman, JOHN J. NORTHROP, Secretary, Board of Education, Newtown, Conn.

* * *

A few residents of the Hook met, rather informally, June 14, and talked over the matter of celebrating Independence Day. It was decided to have a band concert in the public square; and fireworks on the factory pond, as in years past. A committee was chosen to raise the necessary funds, by subscriptions, and the people have responded in liberal terms, and with cheerful readiness.

* * *

If the parties (who are known) that took the geraniums out of the bed at the depot will return them to Sheriff C.B. Johnson, no further steps will be taken.

* * *

On July 4 the Lincolns of Bridgeport will be at the Fair grounds to play a double-header. The first game will commence at 2 o’clock sharp. The second game should be called at about 3:30. Only one admission will be charged for the two games. These games should be the attraction of the season, as the Lincolns have a fast team and have already beaten Newtown once this season, on Decoration Day. Come and help swell the crowd.

* * *

The body of William F. Judson was found in Pond brook, last Friday morning. It was evident that he suffered an apoplectic fit and fell into the brook. He was 27 years old and a son of William Judson of Bethel.

*Faithful readers of The Way We Were will note that the 1906 date does not correspond to a Friday. The original edition apparently ran on a Wednesday that week.