March 6, 1992

Sara and Sherry Amaral, both of Mt Pleasant Road, recently received awards as members of the Catholic War Veterans Junior Drum Corps, Danbury. The awards were won at a competition in Plainville on Sunday, February 23, that was sponsored by the Patriots Drum Corps, and which was open to Connecticut drum corps. In the category for youths age 11 and younger, Sara won first place in the rifle competition and second place in the flag competition. In the junior division, Sherry was a member of a trio that won a first place award and a member of a quartet that also took a first place award.

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As a result of the state's recent reapportionment, parts of Newtown will now be included in three districts in the state House of Representatives. The Newtown League of Women Voters is sponsoring an open discussion on the reapportionment and its impact on Newtown. State Reps Julia Wasserman and Alice Meyer, who presently serve Newtown, will participate in the discussion.

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June Frost and Shirley Jessup will be among walkers who will participate in a walk-a-thon to raise money for Gloriae Dei Cantores, a choral group that will tour Albania in the spring. To join the "Walk for the Glory of God," on March 14, or to make a pledge, call Mrs Jessup at 426-3981. The Gloriae Dei Cantores is an internationally acclaimed Cape Cod choir that will be the first American artistic group to perform in Albania in 50 years. The tour will continue to Moscow and Central and Eastern Siberia and Bulgaria.

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It feels like déjà vu for several former Newtown High School students who will be involved in a NHS production of South Pacific, April 10-12. One of those is Diane Nunes Kearns, owner of the Southbury School of Performing Arts, who will be doing the choreography. She is working with Marc Giannettino and Micaela Hurley. Mary Lucy, a retired English teacher will be directing, just as she did many years ago.

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One night two years ago, Newtown Middle School sixth graders Brian Wassman and Mike Czaplicke sat on a bench and watched a dream season come to an end. Newtown, 15-0 that year, lost its only game of the season at the Chalk Hill Tournament finals, and the two classmates never forgot it. Well, last Friday night, the Middle School team cocaptains marked the bill "paid in full," as they helped their team to win the 1992 Chalk Hill Tournament final 60-40 over Bethel. "Those two always said they were going to win the tournament when they were in eighth grade," said Coach Gregg Simon. "I heard them say it a hundred times, 'Mr Simon, I guarantee it.'"

March 10, 1967

A few less than 100 townspeople met at the Alexandria Room Thursday evening, March 2, and authorized the borrowing of $23,495 requested by the selectmen for operating funds in the remainder of fiscal year 1966-67. Of the total, $8,325 is for equipment maintenance and $11,915 for snow removal and $3,345 for road maintenance. Payroll in these categories is included. Chairman of the Democratic Town Committee voiced his approval.

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Not much has been seen of the partridge in these parts since Christmas, when greeting cards showed it variously perched in a pear tree. However, a partridge did make a public appearance on the Edmond Town Hall theater stage Friday and Saturday evenings. It was a handsome bird, even if Annie had put one hole in its head. To be truthful, the entire bird was created by Harrie Wood, who in approved seamstress fashion, sewed and padded bits of cloth into Annie's most important prop. No telling about birds!

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A sort of unusual milestone occurs on Sunday, March 12, for Mrs Charles S. Cole. It was on that date 50 years ago that she and her late husband moved with their family to Sandy Hook, at the corner of Church Hill Road and Walnut Tree Hill. The house was then owned by the Methodist Church and was the parsonage. Considerable restoration was done at the time the Coles purchased the property. Two of the Cole daughters, Katherine and Susan, were born in the house. Perhaps it is unusual these days for a family to live in one home for over 50 years, but Mrs Cole is quite happy to have done so.

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The Newtown Recreation Department will sponsor a Slimnastics program for women on Wednesday evenings if there is enough interest. Activities that might be included are exercises, balance beam, tumbling, side horse, parallel bars, basketball, etc. Any woman interested in such a program should send a postcard to Owen J. Gallagher, Recreation Department, Newtown, Conn. 06470.

March 13, 1942

Newtown experienced its first test air raid and blackout shortly after 9 o'clock Sunday night and carried out the necessary details in a highly commendable fashion. This test was held in many other towns in this part of the state and was universally well done and meeting local Defense officials' satisfaction. There were instances, as to be expected, where instructions were not properly given or followed, but on the whole the test proved that if an emergency should arise, the citizens of Western Connecticut could be counted upon to do their part in "blacking out" against the enemy.

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Wednesday evening's PTA meeting on "Interesting Our Girls In Next Year's Homemaking Course" scored a distinct success with the many teachers, mothers and daughters who attended. The girls in the audience soon learned that routine sewing and cooking were only a small part of a "homemaking unit" which gives one training in fabric selection, color and design, make up, interior decoration, food marketing, dietetics, and child care.

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A postal card from "Bill" Gradowich at the naval operating base in Hamilton, Bermuda, reports that although they are in the midst of the rainy season, much progress is being made. He has met a number of the "boys" from around here and sends home his best regards, stating that he receives The Bee and enjoys reading it while so far away.

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The heavy rain on Monday night and high wind caused many cellars to be flooded, and on Tuesday morning the water rose rapidly, flooding bridges, roads, etcetera.

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This Friday evening, March 6, Oxford grange will unite in a Neighbor Night program at Beacon Valley Grange. The local Grange will furnish a number on the lecturer's program.

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With spring farm work near at hand, Joe Kriz Jr and his brother John of Seymour are busy putting shoes on "Old Dobbin" in preparation for the coming season. The boys are the fourth generation of horse shoers in the Kriz family and are on the road the greater part of the time, shoeing horses within a 25-mile radius of Seymour. The elder Kriz works in the blacksmith shop where he has one of the finest equipped shops in the valley. The Kriz boys are two of the best known horse shoers in this section.

March 9, 1917

Worms make children fretful. Children suffering from worms are dull and irritable, puny and weak, often grind their teeth and cry out in sleep, being a constant source of worry to their parents. Kickapoo Worm Killer is a mild laxative remedy in candy tablets that children like to take. Promptly effective, it kills and removes worms from the system. Irritable sleep and lack of interest in play are sure signs of worms. Relieve your child of this burden. At all druggists 2c. -Adv.

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On the afternoon of March 21, and Arts and Crafts exhibit will open in the Newtown library. Handwrought jewelry, modeling, etchings, paintings, and needlecraft will be shown. Old Provincetown on Cape Cod, a favorite artist haunt, will be the theme of a group of paintings included in the exhibit.

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Charles L. Corsa of Weston passed through Newtown Wednesday, driving a fine pair of Devon steers, bought of Stanley Munsell of Woodbury. Mr Corsa had 16 miles yet to walk at noon.

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George Beardslee sold 506 eggs for the purpose of hatching to a party in Southbury and of this number 503 were fertile and brought out lively chicks. The Bee doubts that this record can be beaten, even up in Storrs.

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A party of young ladies and gentlemen of Sandy Hook went on a sleigh ride to Oxford Monday night, enjoying supper and dancing at Gabler's hotel. Carl Slater held the ribbons over a spanking team of horses.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with 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.