February 21, 1992

Early Wednesday morning two inmates escaped from the drug treatment center, while a vehicle was stolen around the same time from a Newtown resident's home nearby. Local and state police are looking for two inmates who escaped from Western Substance Abuse Treatment Unit located on the grounds of Fairfield Hills Hospital in Newtown, February 13. "Both men were multiple-felony offenders," Police Chief Michael DeJoseph said. And "both men have prior escape arrests and convictions." The two men were roommates at the facility. According to the chief, 27-year-old Robert Burns's record consists of multiple burglaries and escapes as well as arrests for narcotics violation of probation, and destruction of evidence. Michael Brelsford, 32, "has been known to our department for a number of years as a burglar," Chief DeJoseph said. Since 1975 he has had roughly 25 felony arrests for burglary, larceny, and escape and arrests for auto thefts, assault, criminal impersonation, carrying a weapon without a permit, and reckless endangerment. Wendy Beres, a resident near the facility, who is part of the new emergency phone chain, says she and other neighbors were alerted via the phone to both escapes.

***

Youngsters of all sizes explored puddles left over from Sunday's rain at Dickinson Park on a bright Monday. Parents lurked on the sidelines, cautiously admonishing their children from a distance, but the children appeared far less concerned than their parents about getting too wet. Meanwhile on the park slide, Zach Lyon, 4, had a great time sliding down the slide. His mother Donna watched her son from a nearby bench. It was a warm February day that brought out the parents and children.

***

It was a beautiful day for a walk, but not for driving. Karen Williams of Brookfield was one of several motorists traveling in town Friday Morning, February 14, who fell victim to the aftermath of the early morning snowfall. According to Newtown police, Miss Williams was headed south on Currituck Road when she lost control of her 1982 Ford Mustang on the snow- and slush-covered road and careened into a stonewall. She was reportedly not injured, but her Mustang received damage and had to be pulled off the wall by Amaral's garage towing crew.

February 24, 1967

There can be little doubt that Newtown needs a new high school. Grades 7 through 12 go on double sessions this September. Four temporary classrooms have been rented for the past year, two each at Middle Gate and Sandy Hook Schools. The new high school is only the first step in building programs at all grade levels. But Newtown's ability to pay for this program is not unlimited. There is doubt in the minds of a significant number of citizens that all the facilities planned for the new school are necessary, however desirable they might be if the funds were unlimited. The proposed swimming pool is the most discussed although others have been questioned. A town meeting to authorize the appropriation of $3,950,000 for the new high school has tentatively been set for Wednesday, March 8. Should authorization be given, only $852,739.45 would be left available for borrowing to meet other town needs during the current fiscal year which ends in June.

***

A great deal of effort has been expended by the school architect John Fodor, schools Superintendent John Sommi, and The Bee staff in presenting in this issue information on the new school which is proposed for the town by the Board of Education and superintendent. We hope it will be widely read. Every effort on our part has been made to be accurate with the information as presented to us and in its presentation to our readers. This column, however, is reserved for editorial comment, and we feel that, in all fairness, we must comment on the school, its plans, costs and figures as we see them - whether or not our views agree with those of school authority. We are highly critical of the Board of Education and superintendent too, for the unwillingness to submit to vote of the townspeople the question of whether the school should or should not include an Olympic-size swimming pool. The board, up to this point, insists that the vote be taken on the complete package, costing $3,950,000. Either a person must vote for the whole project or no school at all. This we contend to be unwise, unfair- almost undemocratic in principal. There is no question of the need for a new school. Whether or not the pool would be approved as a separate item, we do not know.

***

The third issue of the Queen Street Journal is easily the best yet. The journal has received a charter, granted by "Quill and Scroll," an international society for high school journalists. Next week the Queen Street Journal will have an exhibit of its charter and some photographs and "various devices used in publishing the paper," in the school display case.

***

Some people believe they are thinking when they are only rearranging their prejudices.

***

Theft of tombstones from the Hopewell Cemetery has been discovered by Mr and Mrs Earle Ferry of Codfish Hill Road, Bethel, who have reported the vandalism to The Bee and the Edmond Town Hall. Though the cemetery is small and no longer used, it holds the graves of some of the town's early citizens, including members of the Ferry family. Only a few stones remain. The theft of the other stones is a disgrace. Certain if the culprit or culprits can be found, they should be punished to the full extent of the law.

February 20, 1942

"Thank You," Mrs Parker. The Father and Son Banquet held last Friday at the Parker House provided a lot of enjoyment, not only for Newtown's Scouts, but for their fathers and a number of Scouters. Many of the older men who attended wondered why more such affairs could not be held. And we think the boys wondered, too. The fact is that such events not only could be held, but should be. Comradeship between men and boys could afford some of life's most cherished moments, and yet how shamefully men of today pass up the opportunity to mingle and play with their own boys - teaching them by being one of them. This is true in Newtown and true elsewhere.

***

The members of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company wish to express their sincere appreciation for the support they received at a recent town meeting. The vote shows that not only do the residents of Sandy Hook, Zoar, the Glen, Berkshire, Walnut Tree Hill and Toddy Hill, but also that there are others in our town that recognize the necessity of more adequate fire protection in the Sandy Hook district. Our fire company assures the people of Newtown that they fully realize the obligations that they have undertaken in asking for the appropriation for the apparatus, and they are determined that an effective and efficient department will be maintained. Sincerely your, Edward Knapp, Harold Bassett, Hawley Warner.

***

I wish to express through The Bee my sincere thanks to Mrs Richardson and members of the P.T.A. for the grand basket of fruit sent to me during my recent attack of the grippe. I wish to thank my neighbors for the many acts of kindness extended to me during that time. William Ready.

***

Official Texaco Service Station. We specialize in the lubrication and greasing of all kinds of cars. Our equipment is of the latest approved make and we carry in stock all of the better kinds of motor oil. Proper lubrication means longer life, less trouble and better running of your car. We will call for and deliver your car at no extra cost.

***

The lusty charm of Square Sets and Waltzers will be heard again at Ritz Ballroom in Bridgeport on Friday, February 27, when Irv Hintz and his Farmers preside at the bandstand. There's old-time thrill to those happy olden tunes, "Pop Goes The Weasel," "Chicken Reel," and then there's the added thrill of "Birdie in the Cage," which to the initiated is the dance where the golden opportunity to kiss your partner is given - for the caller sings out heartily, "Kiss her if you dare," and do you dare?

February 23, 1917

FOR SALE - The Harriet G. Northrop farm. On high ground near Taunton Lake. About 19 acres of good meadow, plow, and pasture, and 10 acres of woodland, Ten-room house with well and cistern. Barn, shop, ice house, etc. with stream near and pump in barn. Suitable for farming or summer home. One mile from Newtown and Danbury state road and 7 miles from Danbury.

***

WANTED - middle aged or elderly lady to assist in light general house work in country. Good permanent home and wages to the right person. Might also consider son or brother, if a practical farmer. P.O. Box 757 Bridgeport, Conn.

***

Mrs Patrick Larner, who recently underwent an operation at Danbury Hospital, is rapidly improving, a fact her many friends will be glad to learn.

***

Arthur J Gallagher has added a new line of canned goods to his business, using the front room in his large handsome new building near the New England Station. Mr Gallagher has been having quite a little trouble with one of his knees, a fact a host of friends will regret to learn.

***

Mr and Mrs Frank Sutherland, who have been living in the stone house, moved last week to the house formerly occupied by Mrs Mary Peet.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.