February 2, 1990

The third history of Newtown published by the League of Women Voters of Newtown is at once similar and very dissimilar to previous publications. The new edition is an extension of the older editions, in that portions of the older books have been extrapolated and expanded in the new. But the format of the new book, a “coffee table edition” is filled with black and white photos and is designed as much to give readers an impression of the diverse character of Newtown as to provide information.

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As a February 16 deadline for comment on the proposed Iroquois pipeline nears, a state agency review will not take place until a decision has been made at the federal level. At the state level, a site specific review of the proposed Iriquois pipeline route will not be conducted by a state agency until after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has decided for or against the $583 million natural gas pipeline. And locally, the general public is being prevented from having access to a just-released list of property owners along the 11 miles of pipeline targeted here. The town and company are notifying those property owners by letter.

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The Teen Center recently received a donation from Lexington Gardens. The donation was approximately $200 in change from the shop’s indoor lagoon. The lagoon, located near the back of the green house, is… a common spot for customers to make a wish and toss a coin. “We clean it [the lagoon] out twice a year,” Lexington Gardens Green House Manager Frank Suttile said. The change is then given to the charity of shop owner Tom Johnson’s choice.

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If residents and town officials like an Affordable Housing committee’s latest recommendations, Newtown will join 52 towns with Housing Partnerships and 42 others considering establishing them. “We need to have this ordinance to create a committee that will identify needs and formulate solutions,” said First Selectman Zita McMahon, Tuesday night. The ordinance creates a local housing partnership and provides guidelines for membership, powers and duties, expenditures and so-called “development designation.” A public forum will be hold Thursday, February 8, to discuss the draft ordinance with residents.

February 5, 1965

Frouge Corporation of Bridgeport has received a building permit from Earle H. Megin, Newtown building inspector, to construct a $149,300 manufacturing plant on High Bridge Road, Newtown, where the firm owns considerable acreage. The company’s plans call for construction of a building 100 feet by 129 feet and approximately 18 feet high, to contain a steel fabrication shop, sheet metal plant, and repair garage.

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Dens 6 and 7 of Cub Scout Pack 270, with their Mothers, Mrs Helen Kelly and Mrs Jane Jaffrey, visited The Bee on Wednesday afternoon. The boys learned how the type is set in solid lines, one column wide, and watched as the big press began printing of this week’s edition.

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Plans to construct a major addition to Danbury Hospital “for much needed expansion of supportive facilities and services,” was announced by the hospital’s board of managers. The new four-story facility will adjoin the South Wing and extend toward the main parking area on Locust Avenue. Included in the addition will be completely new departments for surgery and anesthesia, an emergency suite, pathology laboratories, an X-Ray department comprising both treatment and diagnostic facilities, and out-patient facilities.

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The second annual GOP Lincoln Day Dinner-dance will take place Saturday, February 13, at Hawley Manor Inn. Dancing will be from 9 to 1 o’clock, with the music being furnished by the Emil Buzaid orchestra. Dress will be optional.

 

February 2, 1940

There has been in progress at the Hawley School for the past few weeks a program of Dental Hygiene, which is being conducted in Newtown, under auspices of the local Red Cross. Miss Annette Cunningham of Bridgeport, who formerly worked with the late Dr Alfred C. Fones, is the dental hygienist in charge. The parents of each student pay 25 cents to have this prophylactic work done, following which a report is sent home and another report is filed at the school, showing dental work needing to be done. Ms Cunningham reports evidence of a real need for the work, finding 327 cavities in one group of 84 children.

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On last Thursday evening at the Edmond Gym, the Newtown AC basketball team suffered their severest beating of the season, when the Litchfield Cowboys “galloped” into town and administered a 73 to 32 defeat to the local combine. The AC team was outclassed from the starting whistle, trailing at half time by 17 points.

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The dance held on Wednesday evening at the Edmond Town hall gymnasium under the auspices of the Charles Howard Peck Post, VFW, was attended by over 250 people. “Walt” Nichols and his orchestra played for dancing. The loud speaking unit used at the Hawleyville Music Hall was installed in the gymnasium by Martin McGrath and proved very helpful in calling for the square sets by “Southbury Bob,” who acted as prompter.

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It has come to local attention that Newtown was artistically represented in the Sunday, January 28 issue of the New York Herald-Tribune, which contained a photographic reproduction of a painting of the Newtown Congregational church by Ernest Fiene, well-known artist, which is included in his exhibit of about forty oil paintings and a dozen water colors now on display at the Associated Artists Galleries in New York. Newtown may well be proud of its place in Mr Fiene’s exhibit since this fine painting is satisfactory proof that people passing through our town are not blind to its many beauties of architecture, as well as scenery.

 

February 5, 1915

The last general meeting for Red Cross Relief work was held with Miss S.J. Scudder on Wednesday afternoon to complete the work which had been undertaken. The campaign has gone on with interest and women in all parts of the town have given of their time and money. The following is being returned to the Red Cross headquarters in New Haven: 18 surgical shirts, 75 bandages, 72 slings, 72 pairs of socks, 3 pairs of knitted socks, 18 pairs of wristlets, 28 mufflers, 12 petticoats, 1 bolt of gauze made into compresses; 2 helmet caps. In addition to this, about $18 has been given for materials.

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The Ladies’ Aid Society of the Congregational church will hold their annual Valentine Sale and supper on Thursday, February 11. The sale of valentines, home made candy, cake, brown bread, etc will open at 3 pm. A chicken pie supper will be served at 5.30 o’clock. Supper 35 cents. Cake and ice cream will be served during the afternoon for 15 cents.

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Owing to the icy traveling and rain of Monday and the blizzard conditions of Tuesday, no sessions of the High school were held those days. The air was full of flying sleet, Tuesday, and with a falling temperature made outdoor conditions intolerable.

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The Newtown High school played a great game of basket ball with the Stratford High school, last Saturday night. They won by a score of 25 to 15, but they had to be on their job every minute. In the first half, NHS got away with nine baskets while the Stratfords only had five. In the second half, Stratford started out to win but the NHS were too much for the plucky lads from Stratford.