* * *

A $297,000 special appropriation which the trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library say will bring the half-century-old building into compliance with the state fire safety code will go before the annual town budget meeting next week for action. Because the library will be funded by borrowing over a five year period, the town charter requires that at least 150 people be present at a town meeting, and at least 75 percent of those vote in favor. If not, the $297,000 appropriation will automatically go to a referendum vote — costing around $2,000.

* * *

No one warned us about this week’s snowstorm. Meteorologist Peter Bergman, of the West Conn Weather Center, said they had an idea something was coming about four days in advance, “but we didn’t know who was going to get what [rain or snow].” Not only did the storm produce one to three inches of snow, with some “leftover garbage stuff,” but it also produced some record low temperatures in the area.

* * *

A fire which was reported shortly after 6 am on Wednesday morning at the home of Mr and Mrs John Cennamo, Whippoorwill Hill Road, was contained to the garage area of the residence. Flames were pouring from both overhead doors as volunteer firemen arrived, and after the fire was put out a totally damaged car was found parked in the right bay. Heat was so intense that the rear bumper melted away.

 

* * *

Chilly weather, an ominous sky and a drizzle that persisted throughout the morning didn’t deter about 150 members of the Newtown Fish and Game Club from showing up for their annual breakfast at the Taunton Lake boat launch last Saturday, the opening day of fresh water sport fishing in Connecticut. Determination is one thing, however, and catching fish is another. It wasn’t a total loss, though, especially if you were as lucky as nine-year-old David Hufner, who came with his father, Frank, a little after 6 am. David caught a 20-inch tagged rainbow trout.

* * *

Thanks to the prom committee and administration and teachers at Newtown High School, there are a lot more juniors and seniors who will be dancing at the Hilton at the annual junior-senior prom. Problems arose last week when students and a parent complained to the Board of Education, citing unfair ticket distribution. Twenty more couples will now be going, and planning for next year’s prom will be handled differently.

* * *

A proposed $18.3 million budget for the town and school system for the fiscal year starting July 1 will go before the townspeople for a vote at the annual town budget meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 8 pm at the Newtown High School auditorium. This year’s budget has been in marked contrast to last year’s, drawing little outward controversy or participation by the public.

 

April 25, 1958

An architect’s rendering of the proposed new junior high school for Newtown shows the exterior of the present high school and envisions the complete plant after construction of the junior high school. The offices, library, and cafeteria of the present school would give way to added classrooms and the wing connected to the present school by a ramp would contain a cafeteria for use of both schools, a library for both, an auditorium for both, administrative offices to serve both schools and a gymnasium for the junior high school. The new construction would contain 16 regular classrooms, one temporary classroom, and 11 special classrooms for a total of 28 classrooms accommodating 700 students.

* * *

The Atchison Block on Main Street, Newtown, will be sold at public auction to the highest bidder on Thursday morning, May 1, at 11 o’clock on the premises. At 2 o’clock that afternoon the Atchison property on Stilson Hill, New Milford will also be sold at auction and at 3 o’clock the Atchison farm in Sherman will be sold.

* * *

Members of the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission explained and answered a multitude of questions about the proposed interim zoning regulations at an informal hearing Monday evening at the Edmond Town Hall, a hearing that brought interested persons up-to-date on zoning progress since the series of hearings in November.

* * *

The School Building Committee has learned that State Aid for the proposed junior high school will amount to $528,167.00 on the basis of enrollment of 725 pupils. The new aid figure is about $20,000 more than the committee had anticipated in its planning.

* * *

The committee for the cookbook, “What’s Cooking In Newtown?” which will be published by the Afternoon Guild of St John’s Church, Sandy Hook, reports that recipes are still coming in, some from as far away as Virginia and Indiana. The cook book is scheduled for publication in the near future and will have a washable plastic cover and original artwork done by local artists.

* * *

Dave Schumacher, son of Dr and Mrs William Schumacher, while digging up his garden at their house on the Fairfield State Hospital grounds, struck something hard and upon examination found that it was an Indian spearhead about four and a half inches in length and made of slate. Judy Friedman, daughter of Dr and Mrs Samuel Friedman, who was helping Dave, came upon the base of an old flatiron shortly after the discovery of the spearhead. Indications are that the Schumachers’ garden this summer will be the best dug place in town as the children are sure that they may find more buried treasure.

 

April 21, 1933

The popular Eden Hill Golf Club is now open for the season with special season rates and week day season rates. This course is a specially sightly one and improvements have been made, both on the course and at the club house.

* * *

M. Busker and son are building an attractive stand on their property located on the State road in Botsford. They will carry a complete stock of garden vegetables and fruit this summer and they will also serve luncheons.

* * *

The sour and lowering weather on Wednesday drove the pupils of Trinity church school and their hosts, the Young People’s Fellowship, into the Guild rooms. Usually the Easter egg contests have been held on the church lawn, but none of the young folks seemed to worry over the indoor entertainment. In fact, the bright, cheerful rooms and tables which the young people had decorated with golden daffodils and tulips rather enhanced the merriment which prevailed all the afternoon.

* * *

A barn belonging to Charles R. Beardsley in Gray’s Plain, on the Oppie place so called, was burned to the ground about 3 am, Wednesday. The Newtown Hook & Ladder Co responded with the pumper, but could do no good as the building was practically destroyed before they arrived. The damage was in excess of $600.

* * *

An interesting meeting of the Sandy Hook branch of the Farm Bureau was held at the social rooms of St John’s church, Tuesday, when Miss Helen L. Clark, home demonstration representative of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau, gave a demonstration in the making of bread, rolls, and salads. Quite a number of guests were present.

* * *

Fire of unknown origin destroyed the former residence of Harry Shopick of Bridgeport on Botsford Hill, late Friday night. The eight room structure was unoccupied, but furniture had been moved in during the day for persons intending to move in. The house was one mass of flames by the time the pumper arrived, so nothing could be done. A large number of tourists on the road drove to the hill attracted by the fire, which made a brilliant illumination.

 

April 24, 1908

Edward B. Booth and family were somewhat surprised the other day when Louis M. Booth, their son, appeared upon the threshold of their home. Mr Booth, who is about 26 years of age, has been missing for some years and it was a question if he was alive or not. When the Messrs W.A. Leonard and the young man’s father filed their final account in the Probate Court and distributed the estate of Elon Booth in October last, it became necessary to appoint a trustee to take the share of Louis M. Booth, his father was appointed. Louis M. Booth will now receive from his father approximately $30,000 in choice securities, which represents his share under the will of his grand-uncle.

* * *

Rev T.J. Lee, whose ministrations have been so greatly enjoyed by the Congregational church people, will preach his final sermon on Sunday, as Mr Steele begins his labors, May 1. Mr Lee gave an eloquent Easter sermon on “Immortality.”

* * *

The case of Elizabeth S. Botsford against A.B. Blakeman, administrator of the estate of Elizabeth E. Botsford was tried in the Court of common Pleas at Bridgeport, on Tuesday of this week, before Judge Scott. Mrs E.S. Botsford, wife of E.M. Botsford of Bridgeport, seeks to recover about $700 for services and board claimed to have been rendered Mrs Elizabeth E. Botsford, the mother of her husband.

* * *

An entertainment by the children for the benefit of the Sandy Hook library will be given in Glovers, hall, Sandy Hook, this Friday evening, April 24, beginning at 8 o’clock. A bright and attractive program has been provided and all who attend will be repaid. Admission 10 cents. Dancing free.

* * *

The entertainment given by the music pupils of Mrs J.W. Gordon at the Beach Memorial Library building on Tuesday evening, April 21, 1908, was in every way a notable success. Considering the age of the children who took part in the same, and the brief time they have been under instruction, together with the fact that it was their first effort before an audience of critics, we cannot well see how it could have been better.