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The Legislative Council will continue its public hearing on the revised charter Wednesday, July 1, at the Newtown Day Care/Multi Purpose Center on Riverside Road at 7 pm. The most significant change the Charter Revision Commission is proposing is replacing the three-man Board of Selectmen with a single chief executive, who shall be called “First Selectman.” All administrative duties of the present board would be assigned to the chief executive, with any legislative function to the Legislative Council.

* * *

There are a number of evils which can threaten any graduation ceremony and, unfortunately, Newtown experienced a few of them last Saturday as 344 seniors were awarded diplomas. Among the things which can taint a ceremony are a lack of dignity on the part of the participants, foul weather if the event is scheduled for outside, and confusion which is bound to result when physical conditions are not adequate. Many guests who attended the graduation were disgusted with the behavior of some of the students and unfortunately, the attitude of some tends to reflect on the entire student population. Heavy rains forced the graduation ceremony to move inside… The cramped quarters of the high school auditorium also created problems for the fire marshal who, rightly so, had to ask many spectators to leave the hall.

* * *

Police expect to make an arrest shortly in connection with a raid of a Sandy Hook home Tuesday morning, June 23, in which they confiscated $1,000 worth of fireworks. During their search, police uncovered 4,608 bottle rockets, 25 transmitter-type fireworks, 88 Roman candles, and 14,848 firecrackers, which they took to headquarters.

* * *

First Selectman Jack Rosenthal is looking to a regional study to provide a possible regional solution to the problems Newtown and other area towns have with disposing of septic tank waste, but told the Board of Selectmen Monday he is not relying solely on the regional effort. Under state law, towns are required to provide a disposal site where septic tank pumpers can dispose of effluent, though the disposal area does not have to be within the town.

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The chief switchboard operator at Edmond Town Hall, Caroline Johanesen, will be leaving her post at the end of next month after 11 years of calm, efficient monitoring of the town’s emergency calls. Her performance as chief operator drew praise from First Selectman Jack Rosenthal for her dedication and quiet efficiency, while Monday the town’s fire officials said they’d seek assurance that the switchboard operation would be kept at a high level of efficiency with Mrs Johanesen’s departure.

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Members of the Dodgingtown Fire Company, who have been working under less than favorable conditions since fire damaged their building in January, are looking ahead to having their building rebuilt. The January 25 fire, which has been ruled arson, resulted in heavy fire damage to the third floor of the building and water damage to the main and lower levels.

June 29, 1956

One of the most successful programs of summer recreation has opened its season at Taylor Field and at Dickinson Memorial Park, with Coach Harold S. DeGroat reporting the highest attendance mark to be established in ten seasons. Much of this success is due to the fine efforts that have gone into making the swimming pond at the new park an attractive place for recreation, said Coach DeGroat.

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One of the more popular spots in town these weekday evenings is the Newtown Lions Club carnival at the shopping center on Queen Street. The ferris wheel, the merry-go-round and the miniature whip are proving extremely popular with the young fry. The games of chance and skill are attracting persons of all ages, and each evening the attendance has been very good.

* * *

Following the hearing held before the State Commissioner of Police, Hartford, on Tuesday, June 19, notice has been received by First Selectman Edward J. Coleman from Commissioner John C. Kelly, informing him that George J. Ryan of Fairfield, applicant, has been granted a certificate of approval for the drive-in theater which he proposes to build and operate on Route 34 in Newtown. The site is the property acquired for a sports car race track, located on the north side of Route 34, 1.8 miles west of Route 111 and one-half mile east of Great Ring Road.

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Following her recent conversation with Governor Ribicoff at his office in Hartford regarding the Route 6 by-pass of Sandy Hook, Mrs Sarah Frances Curtis, Newtown’s Representative, received a phone call from the governor last Friday, assuring her that request for bids for construction of the Sandy Hook by-pass would be issued by the State Highway Department within 30 days from that date.

* * *

The last Teen Canteen of the season will be held this Friday and Saturday, June 29 and June 30, in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. Special plans have been made to close the short but successful season of the Canteen with both evenings being designated as guest nights. The theme for both evenings will be “End of School Party.”

* * *

Visitors to the present art show at Cyrenius H. Booth Library will be intrigued by the whimsical and puckish work of the local artist, Joseph Low. Mr Low lives on Eden Hill Road with his wife and two daughters, where he has his studio and executes all of his own work from type-setting to printing. Mr Low draws heavily on ancient nursery rhymes and old legends for his inspiration.

 

June 26, 1931

ATTRACTIONS AT EDMOND TOWN HALL THEATER: Seed, Saturday, June 27, 7 and 9 pm: A sensational, gripping story of people, living, loving, fighting against the immutable laws of life. A rich, poignant drama of a man who wanted fame, a woman who wanted happiness. Men, women and lovers will glory in it! It’s life itself!

* * *

There are now 16 cottages in course of construction in the Riverside development at Lake Zoar. Mr Olmstead, who conducts a real estate office at Riverside, with Cecil Thornhill in charge, reports sales going good. Mr Olmstead, through his water system, is furnishing water to 125 cottages on the Riverside development. The water is pumped from a never failing spring to tanks on the hilltop and the various cottages are then supplied by gravity.

* * *

The Magnolia refreshment stand and Gas station is already receiving excellent patronage from both local and out of town tourists. This place is serving the famous Otto Stahl frankfurters with rolls which are both roasted and toasted. Texaco Gas pumps have been installed for the benefit of the motorist.

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Sunday, June 28, the second section of play in the Intertown league will start and Sandy Hook will entertain the Long Hill tam at Pine Grove Park. Sandy Hook finished the first section in second place and the boys are out to take the honors in the second half and be in on the championship series.

* * *

Despite the heavy deluge of rain about the time people were getting ready to start, a good sized audience enjoyed the presentation of the three act mystery comedy, “Second Story Peggy,” given at St Rose’s Casino, Tuesday night, under the direction of Rev Charles H. Kane. It was put on in a high-spirited manner and the cast is to be highly commended.

* * *

A warning to Newtown dog owners to safeguard the health of their animals by making sure that the canned foods they use are government inspected, is sounded by the Chappel Kennel Foundation, Rockford, Illinois. For some time, the Foundation has been receiving reports of mysterious indispositions on the part of dogs in many sections of the country. The Foundation urges dog-owners to look for the wording “U.S. inspected and passed by the Department of Agriculture” on the label of the can. Actual examinations of a number of uninspected foods revealed that they are for the largest part composed of tankage product in part from the carcasses of diseased animals — not at all the type of food suitable for a dog.

 

June 29, 1906

It is thought best to have a few words written about the desecration of the graves of those comrades who lie buried in our village cemetery. It has been the custom of the members of Custer Post, for a number of years past, to place a small flag over the grave of every known comrade on Memorial Day. This year, for some unknown reason, the flags have been removed from Sandy Hook cemetery by some one, perhaps children, and it was discovered a day or two after the flags were placed in position.

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GRADUATION EXERCISES LAST FRIDAY NIGHT The affection of the people of the town toward the High school had a fresh manifestation, last Friday night, in the great audience which crowded the town hall to the doors, about 100 people standing in the rear of the hall and the aisles through the interesting program. The march into the hall by the pupils of the High school was a pretty sight.

* * *

The free lecture on the working of the telephone will be given at the town hall this Saturday evening, under the auspices of Pootatuck Grange. The lecture will be illustrated by over 200 views and is sure to be interesting and instructive. The general public is invited.

* * *

G. Durand is building a new barn, 26 x 70 feet. The lower part of the sides to the barn is of stone. John H. Frank of Huntingtown has the contract for the timber for the frame.

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Frank Blackman is taking a vacation from his position at the post office and is assisting his father with his hay. Mrs S.F. Schermerhorn takes his place at the post office.