* * *

The Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday night restricted use of Dickinson Memorial Park, and the boat launch at Lake Lillinonah and Walnut Tree Hill to Newtown residents only and their invited guests. Because part of the construction cost of Treadwell Memorial Park was paid for by federal funds, Parks and Rec must keep that park open to non-residents, who must purchase a season sticker marked with a “T” for $50.

* * *

It’s not beginning to look a lot like Christmas at all, at least weather-wise; it’s been more like April showers and it’s getting depressing! Ann Fitzgerald of the WestConn weather center said that we’ve been pelted with four to five inches of rain this week (including the freezing stuff) with the possibility of a couple more inches before the weekend. There may be flurries on Friday, but by the indications from the weather center, keep your umbrellas handy for now.

* * *

Sister Margaret Grenham, the new principal at St Rose School, may not fit your image of the strict disciplinarian at the head of a Catholic School. Gray curls peek out from the white headpiece of her veil, her blue eyes twinkle from behind clear frame glasses, and she smiles often. Sr Margaret came to St Rose in time for the beginning of the school year in September after the departure of Sister Edwina Julie Steinmeyer, principal since 1976.

 

December 19, 1958

At urgent request by the Chamber of Commerce, Santa Claus is including Newtown on his schedule again this year. Definite word now comes from the North Pole that Old Nick will arrive by helicopter at 11 o’clock Saturday morning. The helicopter will land in the parking lot at the rear of the Edmond Town Hall where Santa Claus, with his pack full of toys and candy canes, will be greeted by First Selectman Edward Coleman. About 3 o’clock, Santa plans to ride around town in an automobile.

* * *

The Village Coffee Shop on Church Hill Road, operated by Jim and Esther Howard, was closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week, while extensive improvements in the kitchen were being completed. It reopened Thursday, with a 12 x 24 addition and much new equipment.

* * *

The Newtown Board of Education has indicated its approval of a PTA-sponsored move to add extra curricular courses in art and music by voting $250 toward the expenses of each course. After the first of the year art will be offered on Saturdays and music after school one day a week. Members of the committees emphasize that both teachers are certified and fully qualified to teach these courses.

* * *

With the signing of the contract for the general construction and the acceptance of a bid for floating the bond issue all the preliminaries to the building of the addition to Newtown High School are out of the way, and construction will begin very soon. George McLachlan, chairman of the committee, and C. Philip Epiphano of the firm E. and F. Construction Company, signed the contract last Thursday, and the school will be built for $864,000.

 

December 15, 1933

ATTRACTIONS AT THE EDMOND TOWN HALL THEATER And now the screen fans walk arm in arm with Louisa M. Alcott into the romantic glories of the Sixties, back to the days when women were dainty as well as beautiful, and men bowed with the grace of knighthood. The sentence should be enough to make the lovers of “Little Women,” and they number into the millions, weep with joy. Jo, played by Katharine Hepburn; Amy, played by Joan Bennett; Meg, played by Frances Dee; Beth, played by Jean Parker.

* * *

Sunday morning was the coldest of the year. Zero and ten below in Sandy Hook. At 8 am, the thermometer stood at zero, Sunday, at the residence of Dr A.J. Crowe, president of the International Coffee Club of America.

* * *

There was a bad auto accident at the intersection of the Bethel road and the state road, near Lovell’s garage, on Thursday evening, when cars of J.L. Light of the Fairfield State Hospital and Leo Dran of Bethel came into collision. John Dran of Bethel, who was riding with his brother, was taken to Bethel for treatment. Both cars were pretty well jammed up.

* * *

Newtown loses one of its most distinguished native sons in the death on Sunday evening of Rt Rev Monsignor Edward Joseph Egan, pastor of the Church of St Philip and St James of Phillipsburg, N.J. Monsignor Egan was born on Walnut Tree Hill in Newtown, the son of the late Edward and Elizabeth Gordon Egan. He graduated from the Newtown Academy. He took up his ecclesiastical learning in St Joseph’s seminary, Troy, N.Y. Monsignor Egan always maintained an affectionate and abiding interest in all the affairs in Newtown.

December 18, 1908

The case of the Town of Newtown vs Town Clerk M.J. Houlihan growing out of charges made by the late C.H. Northrop of that place will not become a matter of court litigation, amicable settlement having been effected between the state and the accused. The deficit charged to the accused according to the books kept by the late Mr Northrop who was town treasurer was $1,700. This amount and whatever the costs will total are to be paid by Mr Houlihan and the proceedings will end.

* * *

Frederick Maguire has rented the mill of W.C. Johnson, and has already begun grinding there. He will occupy the small house of W.C. Johnson near the mill. The young man’s friends wish him the best of success. A.S. Edwards will be at Botsford, December 21,22, and 23, with two car loads of grain, flour and feed which he will offer at wholesale prices.

* * *

Superintendent Glover of the Newtown Water Co. had men to dig the trench, Wednesday, for the pipe which will connect the basement of Trinity church with the main of the Newtown Water Co. The church will put in a motor and the necessary connections to blow the organ with water power.

* * *

Twenty people under the direction of Levi C. Morris did energetic work, Tuesday night, in tying greens and arranging the decorations for the interior of the congregational church, which are much admired for their taste and arrangement.