March 13, 1992

Smoke Shop owner and longtime politician Lyndon Thomas was unanimously elected Republican Town Committee Chairman Monday night. "I think he'll do a really good job," said selectman Michael Snyder. "His main concern is the local aspect of the party, and I think that's where a lot of work needs to be done." Mr Thomas, who has been active in local politics for 17 years, was the only candidate for the post among the group's 35 members. Former chairman Victor Roy turned the reins over to him that night.

***

A bill that could reduce the number of security officers at Fairfield Hills and other mental health institutions around the state is pending at the state Capitol and gaining attention here. Section 6 of Senate bill No. 320 asks State Department of Mental Health Commissioner Albert Solnit to evaluate the current level of staffing at various state mental facilities and "determine the feasibility of reducing the number of police positions." Newtown Police Chief Michael DeJoseph reacted to the potential change Monday night when pleading with the Legislative Council not to cut the police department budget any further. "What does this mean?" he asked rhetorically, referring to the bill. "The message is clear from Hartford: We're going to have to fend for ourselves and we have a responsibility to our citizens to do that."

***

Police are investigating the burglary of several businesses on Riverside Road in Sandy Hook on Thursday night, March 5. Sometime between 7 and 10 pm, thieves reportedly entered 1 Riverside Road through the law offices of Lavery & Caldwell. Once inside the building, the thieves apparently went upstairs to the offices of H&R Block and Rizzardi Plumbing. Both offices were burglarized and computer equipment was taken. Newtown police officer Gary Wheeler handled the investigation at the scene.

***

Town Hall Workers Helpful. (The Bee has received the following letter for publication:) Mrs Osborne, Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers. Dear Mrs Osborne: Three cheers for Edie Tschorn and Mark McCreedy! When my family and I rented the gym at Town Hall, both Ms Tschorn and Mr McCreedy were helpful and professional. And, friendly too! Sincerely, Mary Ann Murtha, Cady Lane, Newtown.

***

After the daughter of a tenant at 121 Mount Pleasant Road fell down a staircase last month, local fire officials took a closer look at the dwelling. A search warrant was served at the premises Wednesday morning turning up numerous fire and safety code violations. Deputy Fire Marshal and Newtown Police Sergeant Henry Stormer says this is the first time in memory a warrant like this has been served in Newtown. "There were numerous electrical code violations throughout the building," he said, as well as "inoperable smoke detectors, nonconforming staircases and improper storage of hazardous materials in the basement."

March 17, 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.

***

The votes are in and so is the school and the pool. We wish we could simply say let's get on with the job of building the much-needed and long-delayed school, but the protest calls received at The Bee during the referendum make this impossible. The initial cost of $3,950,000 has been called by some a great bargain. To others it represents a school beyond Newtown's needs and pocketbook. Forgetting for a moment a cost in dollars, we wonder if the school board and administration realize just how high the cost has already been in dissention and ill-will. The callers resented what they considered an attempt to influence their votes within 75 feet of the polling place. They went on to protest the "take it or leave it" attitude of the board. Later callers felt that the snowstorm was justification for postponing the vote. So, we would like to ask townspeople to consider the 1,082 yes votes a clear majority. And we would ask the school board and administrators to take a long, clear look at the sizable minority 821 no votes. Then, let's get on with the job and build the school.

***

Newtown High School Problems of Democracy classes discussed mental illness and psychiatry with Dr Jacob DeJong on March 3. After a short talk on teenage mental illness, the students asked questions. LSD was the first topic raised, and its effect and use were explained. A simple discussion of fear-guilt followed. Because of the short time available, not all questions could be answered.

***

"Stars in Daytime," an exciting all-star revue featuring Mr Louis Untermeyer, is the highlight of the Newtown Historical Society's spring schedule, which has just been released. Sharing the month of April with the show will be a talk by Malcom Stearns, Jr, entitled "Connecticut Yankee in King Manuel's Court." "Witchcraft in Connecticut" will be the talk for May, taking place on the first day of the month.

***

An evening of South of the Border music will be presented at the AFS International Night concert by the Yale Symphonic Band on April 22 at 8 pm in the Edmond Town Hall. Tickets are on sale for this return engagement of the musicians who were greatly enjoyed last year.

March 13, 1942

As we scan the daily press these days, our eye always lingers enviously on the picture of some lanky rookie uncorking a fling or two as he warms up at spring training camp in Florida. Spring training is a lot of hard work; it also marks the start of another season of good old American baseball and so is undertaken enthusiastically by most players who have looked forward all winter to the first warm days of spring when there is a freshness in the air and they can safely go out on the sod and limber up their muscles.

***

Pohtatuck Grange held its golden anniversary meeting on Tuesday at the Edmond Town Hall with Master Charles Hawley in the chair and all officers present. After regular business was conducted, the Grange went into its anniversary celebration. A fine program was presented by the committee in charge and was enjoyed by all. Grangers came from far and near to help celebrate in real style. One Granger came from the state of Maine and all sections of Connecticut were well represented.

***

A Sacred Lily of India is now in full bloom at the home of Mr and Mrs William McKenzie on Queen Street. This unusual flower grows from a bulb which required four years to mature. It is deep red in color and this particular lily stands 42 inches tall. The bloom itself measures about a foot with an enormous red stamen. On March 2 the plant stood 26 inches high, growing all of 16 inches in a week to its present height. This rare lily is an unusual sight and the McKenzies will be happy to show it to those interested in seeing it on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

***

An epidemic of mumps has descended on the youngsters in the lower grades of Hawley School. John Strozier and "Scuddy" Smith, along with Miss Betty Burr, their teacher, were among the first to succumb to some unknown exposure, and now the list has considerably "swelled" - if you get what we mean!

***

John C. Beers and Fred Luf were recognized as 25-year members of the Connecticut Milk Producers Association at the 25th annual meeting held on Tuesday at the Hotel Garde in Hartford. Richard Arndt, Eugene Peck, and Irwin Waterhouse were recognized as 10-year members.

March 16, 1917

A bunch of good fellows from Bethel motored over to Dodgingtown Friday night to attend the Dodgingtown fireman's dance. Unfortunately a young man of small pox fame was said to be there. So the next day or two they were all corralled by Mrs Moore and were vaccinated in good and proper style.

***

Edwin B. Camp of Taunton district was given a pleasant surprise, Saturday evening, in honor of his birthday. Supper was served and an enjoyable social evening passed. Those present were Mr and Mrs Fred Andrews, Mr and Mrs Fred Luf, Mr and Mrs James Nichols, Mrs Wolf, Edwin B. Camp and Samuel B. Camp.

***

Owing to the epidemic of small pox in the western part of town, all the students and teachers in the High school were vaccinated by Medical Examiner Kiernan at the school Monday. The students coming from the parts of town where the disease has developed were sent home for two weeks.

***

What reason have we to be proud of our town? This is a question easy to answer and I think we have many, many reasons to be proud of our good old town. If we cannot say at least one good word for the town we live in, but knock, knock against it all the time, one should immediately move out and find a town more to his or her liking. We should be proud of our home town and aim to make it better and better all the time. To enumerate a few reasons, I say, we have one of the most beautiful Country villages in all New England, especially in summer time. We also have picturesque drives about town. The location is high above the sea level and for distance is not inconvenient to New York, New Haven, Hartford, Bridgeport, and Danbury.

***

Louis Richards, the grocer at Carmody's bridge, sustained a fracture of the wrist a few days ago, while cranking his auto. Dr W.H. Kiernan attended him.

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.