Members of the Sandy Hook volunteer fire company had an opportunity to learn how to fight fires before an emergency arose. According to Sandy Hook Fire Chief Bill Halstead 24 men gathered last weekend for a four-hour drill in firefighting, next to the old Fabric Fire Hose in Sandy Hook. The wooden building was set ablaze, at the owner’s request, by the firemen.

***

“A lot of promises and no action.” That’s how Cable TV Advisory Committee member Millard Goodsell described the current situation regarding bringing the service to Newtown. “We’re deadlocked,” said Paul Hancock, general partner with Housatonic Valley Cable Vision. Mr Goodsell said that although Cable Vision had met all state regulatory requirements for erecting a 40-foot microwave tower off Reservoir Road on property owned by the Newtown Water Company, an adjacent property owner would not give them access to it.

***

Get set for Newtown’s Labor Day tradition, the annual Book Sale! Friends’ volunteers have been working for weeks collecting, organizing and pricing a completely new selection of used hardbound and paperback volumes. All paperbacks will be sold for 20 cents a title.

***

Father Time has returned to the front of Newtown’s venerable Hawley School, after an absence of some 20 years. Robert Montesi, supervisor of buildings and grounds for the school system, said the hands started moving again Wednesday afternoon, capping a five year project to restore clocks in the school, which was opened in 1921.

***

Several weeks ago, 130 prospective Newtown High athletes were given the most thorough physical examinations they probably have ever received. Under the direction of Mr Al Taubert and Newtown High athletic director, Robert Sveda, a sports medicine clinic run by Sports Fitness Services was set up at the school, and for a $6 fee each athlete was put through a gauntlet of tests and screenings.

***

Irate gas station and garage owners met with First Selectman Jack Rosenthal Thursday morning to protest the town’s new policy of charging them to dispose of tires in the town landfill. Members of this group vehemently objected to the new policy at Thursday’s meeting on the grounds that they would be, in effect, paying the town twice — once in taxes and again when they are charged for use of the landfill.

***

It may be not now, but the energy conscious who are planning to be warm this winter are already looking to wood and coal as an oil alternative. Newtown’s Building Department issued 292 wood stove permits for the fiscal year which ended July 31.

September 2, 1955

An illustrated booklet giving a permanent record of Newtown’s 250th anniversary celebration will be issued in the near future. It will contain a complete description of the various events, with names of all who participated, and will have numerous pictures.

***

The Newtown Board of Education, thorough a subcommittee composed of Mrs Mortimer Smith and Raymond Hall, is formulating written policies and regulations to be followed by the board in its operation of the Newtown Schools.

Newtown bowlers will take to the Edmond Town Hall courts next Tuesday evening, September 6, when the 1955-56 season of the Newtown Bowling League gets underway, with two rounds of play scheduled for each bowling night.

***

The optimism generated by reports of district leaders at the meeting of the steering committee and leaders last Monday night made those present feel that Newtown is now realizing the hazardous situation of living without a Town Plan. Every leader reporting told of the majority of those interviewed in his district being in favor of some kind of planning.

***

While the structure of the new Sandy Hook elementary school exists only on the engineers’ drawing boards, the well which will provide the school’s water supply was an actuality this week. Drilled by Stephen B. Church of Seymour, the well is 70 feet deep, of the packed gravel type, and is expected to taper off to an average supply of 40 gallons a minute.

***

Parents and pupils should study this week’s school bus schedule prior to the first day of school next Wednesday, September 7, bearing in mind that the names of relatively few pupils appear. It would have been impractical to list every pupil in the Newtown schools.

***

Charles “Dutch” Hyatt, the Newtown speed merchant, won his feature stock car race at the Danbury Fair Speedway Saturday night. Hyatt had an easy time taking his first checkered flag after three years of racing competition.

August 29, 1930

W.A. Upham of Hawleyville, who has had wonderful success with his miniature golf course, has bought the former Postoffice and storage building of E.C. Platt at Hawleyville. He is having it reconstructed into an 18 hole indoor golf course.

***

“There is only one thing lacking in the Edmond Town hall,” said Dr E.L. Kingman, one of Newtown’s popular and capable physicians, to the editor of The Bee, the other day. “And that is a portrait of the generous donor of the building, Miss Mary Elizabeth Hawley.” To which sentiment the scribe assented a hearty “Amen!” And this, both gentlemen agreed, should be provided by the citizens of the town in grateful appreciation of what she has done so freely.

***

It is not often that Trinity parish on a Sunday has a Bishop and an archdeacon in its congregation. Archdeacon Morehouse, official head of the Fairfield Archdeaconry, passing this way on his way to Kent, stopped for service at Trinity. Bishop Johnson, who was also in the congregation, received the greetings of his friends and neighbors.

***

SMALL CYCLONE STRIKES SANDY HOOK: A large elm tree in front of the house of Mrs Clara Bassett’s snapped off in the heavy blow of Saturday afternoon, and went over against the house, breaking some window lights and doing other damage.

***

The Warden Chester P. Northrop, assisted by Clark Ruffles and men of the Bartlett Tree Co, took down an immense elm in front of the Northrop place in Taunton district, Monday. The tree was 55 inches across the butt and 12 feet in circumference.

***

Unfavorable action was taken by the Board of Finance, Saturday, on the petition signed by 150 taxpayers of the town of Newtown, which petition requested the Board of Selectmen to request that an appropriation of $39,000 be granted by the board to be used in doing state road work on the Queen street and Glover avenue highway. It is said another petition is to be circulated for the same purpose, when it is hoped the full board will be present.

September 1, 1905

NIANTIC MILL PROPERTY TO BE SOLD BY ORDER OF THE SELECTMEN. On September 6, 1905, at 11 am, will be sold at public auction the old Niantic Woolen mill plant at Sandy Hook. This property is very desirable for light manufacturing purposes, there being a good water power in connection with the same.

***

A 175-acre farm, two and a half miles from Newtown Station. 10-room house, barns, spring, brook and well water, buildings insured for $2700. land well divided; price $3000; a bargain.

***

In the severe storm of last week, Thursday, R.S. Wheeler lost two hogs and a young heifer, struck by lightning.

***

The congregation at the Congregational church, Sunday morning, were given an unpleasant surprise, when at the close of a powerful sermon, Rev Otis W. Barker read his letter of resignation as pastor of the church to take effect on October 23. The letter was received with real sadness on the part of the members of the church, many of them being in tears.

***

A number of the people near Hawleyville have joined forces and at their own expense are widening and grading the hill in front of O.F. Terrill’s, just west of Hawleyville. It will be a great improvement and will be appreciated by the traveling public.

***

P.F. Crowe is having the dam at his button shop rebuilt. C.E. Blakeman is in charge of the work.