December 20, 1991

If you have an opinion about whether or not Fairfield Hills Hospital should remain open, bring it to a public hearing scheduled for January 21 at the hospital. The ad hoc committee to evaluate the future of Connecticut's State Psychiatric Hospitals is conducting public hearings at each of three state mental hospitals. The hearings are part of the committee's charge to consider whether to close one of the three largest mental health hospitals in the state.

***

As our thoughts turn toward giving and sharing during this Christmas season, there is a unique gift that you and your family can truly share for a lifetime. That is a gift of sharing your lives with an international exchange student. During the holiday season we tend to look toward peace and harmony and how we can become a part of the international peace movement. What better way than to bring the world into your home! Imagine learning to use chopsticks or trading your favorite recipe for one of a new exotic dish without even leaving your kitchen. How about watching your children describe the finer points of American football while learning some new moves in soccer … the possibilities are endless and the enjoyment of sharing them limitless.

***

The Board of Selectmen on December 16 rejected a proposed settlement regarding the bankruptcy proceedings initiated by the Batchelder Company, which about five years ago shut down its smelting plant operation on Swamp Road. The Town of Newtown, which is owed back taxes on the property, is one of Batchelder's many creditors. Town officials have also been concerned about groundwater pollution at the site.

***

While on routine patrol, police discovered a Fairfield Hills Hospital patient with a ten-speed bicycle in the parking lot of Sand Hill Plaza at 7:15 pm on December 5. The FHH police returned the patient to the hospital but the ten-speed owner needs to claim the property at the Newtown Police Department. According to the police, the patient had left FHH earlier in the day and somewhere between the hospital and the plaza he took a white Columbia charger bicycle with no fenders and a brown seat.

***

December 16, 1966

The latest bomb scare at Newtown High School on Wednesday, December 14, was reported by some students to have been "an hour behind schedule." Apparently these children have not recently read the fable of the boy who called "wolf" too many times. It may take a serious incident to swing a sufficient number of students over to the side of reason, where some already are, and prevent more of this evidence of immaturity.

***

Santa Claus arrives by helicopter at 11 am behind the Edmond Town Hall on December 17, and will receive children in the theater, then tour the town.

***

Last Friday evening, an unlikely combination of warm temperatures and quiet air resulted in a December fog the likes of which is seldom encountered in Newtown and throughout the area. When darkness shut down at 5 pm, headlights lost their power to penetrate the dense white curtain, and the motorist's best friend was the painted white line at the edge of the highway. Those who lived on town streets or winding country roads reported a variety of unnerving experiences in a familiar world gone strange. A resident of the borough found herself brought up short against a large tree where she expected the road to be. Officer Ronnie Greenman took her in and piloted her home.

***

As the result of a November 22 public hearing, the application of Vincent P. Adley for a variance to permit conversion of the old Smith-Scudder property at 15-17 Main Street to a professional office building has been denied by the borough zoning board of appeals. The decision states that the application was denied on the grounds that "the applicant failed to establish hardship justifying the change requested." Also, that denial "does not deprive the applicant of the right to use the premises since he is at liberty to continue it in its past and present use as a two-family residence; that the applicant would, if granted, result in a change from residential use to business use." The application is inconsistent with the town plan of development which "provide for no more business facilities on Main Street."

***

December 12, 1941

Lightning events since Sunday's Japanese bombings in the Pacific have united these United States as nothing else could. Subsequent sinkings of British battleships and wholesale declarations of war, one country upon another, have added a new seriousness to the situation which has electrified this country into frantic motion. In Newtown, as in surrounding towns, the call for volunteers is sounded and there is sure to be a ready response. One bit of warning, however, must not be overlooked. Officials are emphatic in their admonition to STAY CALM!

***

The Newtown Home Defense Committee (also known as the Newtown Defense Council) announces that a permanent volunteer office has been opened in the Edmond Town Hall. Application having been made to the Board of Managers for space for the purpose, the board allocated the court room for that use. Until further notice the hours will be from 10 am to 5 pm daily except Sundays. Now that war is directly upon us the Committee calls upon every loyal citizen to register at the volunteer office. The duty is imperative.

***

The committee in charge of the Christmas Doorway Contest, sponsored by the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, announces that plans are progressing nicely. The contest this year, as in previous years, will be open to all town residents and those wishing to enter should do so by using the entry blank printed in this week's issue. All entries must be in by December 23 and the judging will be done between Christmas and New Year's. Cash prizes will be awarded.

***

Contractor Fred Ricco has just completed building a cellar for the new home of Mr and Mrs John Janocsko on South Main Street. The contractor for the building has been let to New York contractors and Mr and Mrs Janocsko expect to be in their new home about the middle of February.

***

December 15, 1916

The helplessness of residents in Sandy Hook in case of fire was painfully illustrated again in the early hours of Monday morning, when fire broke out in the store of E.J. Thrall Jr and when the conflagration had stayed its course, the store occupied by Mr Thrall, the house of Mrs Keating and occupied by Patrick Kelly, the barber shop occupied by John O. Pitzschler and the attractive and comfortable residence of former representative Michael Kilbrile were burned to the ground. The fire broke out about 2:45 o'clock and was first discovered by Mr McConville, a boarder at the house across the street. He rushed across the street and tried to break in the store's door. About this time Mr and Mrs Thrall were awakened by the cries of their young son "Buster." When Mr Thrall was awakened by the lad, he discovered the room filled with smoke. Jumping into his clothes he rushed with his young son in his arms and hustled down the stairs while Mrs Thrall and the other child made a quick departure from the building. Mr Thrall in his excitement says he left a roll of $102 in cash on his bureau as he was planning on going to Bridgeport to select some things for the store. When the fire broke out effort was made to start the pump at the Niantic mill, to which was attached a hose kept for fire purpose. But it failed to work.

***

Arthur J. Gallagher's café at Sandy Hook was raided by three members of the state police force on Sunday evening, and he was arraigned on the charge of Sunday liquor selling before justice Purdy of Danbury, Prosecution Liquor Attorney Hallock appearing for the state. With the two frequenters caught in the net, it brought Mr Gallagher's costs up to $197. Mr Gallagher was not about at the time of the raid, his place being in charge of a subordinate. Two Sundays ago the hotels in Oxford were raided on the same charge.

***

WANTED To buy: old useless horses to butcher, and all dead horses and cows removed free of charge. Fred Daniels. 2367 Madison Avenue, Bridgeport Conn. Telephone 4367.

***

R. H. Beers & Co. have two windows filled with goods of the Christmas time, one with attractive Kibbe's Christmas gift confections, and the other with toys, games, and fancy and useful articles for Christmas.

***

The residence of Mr Edward Kilbride is being improved by a new coat of paint. John Wilcox is the artist.