June 18, 1999

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — THE FACE OF EDUCATION: One of our traditions here at The Bee is to publish the photographs of the senior class at Newtown High School at graduation time, which we did last week. We are following up this week with more photos of the Class of 1999 commencement ceremonies. There are many reasons why we devote so much space to the graduating seniors at NHS. The public system in Newtown is our most ambitious and most expensive community endeavor, and most of the time we tend to quantify it in terms of expenditures, policies, curriculum, and construction. Graduation, however, allows us to look at our public school system and see not statistics and budget line items but faces — smiling faces. With our graduation coverage, we attempt each year to show that in supporting our public school system — with all the money, with all the haggling at meetings, with all the bricks and mortar — we affect young lives. If we can energize young lives with learning, give them schools that instill a sense of pride and purpose, then we have really done something. It is the best thing we can do together as a community. We congratulate the Class of 1999 and wish them well as they look ahead to choices made brighter by their accomplishments at Newtown High School. And as they scatter around the country and the world to colleges and careers, we want them to know that they will always be part of Newtown. We will always be happy to see their faces back in town.

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To feel the essence of the class of 1999’s graduation from Newtown High School Monday night one needed only to have looked through the yellow-hued light of the balmy gymnasium, where the graduates assembled minutes before they marched toward Bruce Jenner Stadium. The mood in the gym was a blend of excitement and anxiety, adulation coupled with sadness. Often the orderly, single-file lines were made a bit uneven due to the anticipatory fidgeting of the students. But then a voice echoed “Let’s go,” and the class of 1999 let out a symphony of shorts and euphoric cries. It was time — time to reconcile the end of four years lived within the comfort of NHS with a future about to unfold.

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Fire officials investigating the June 8 fire which caused an estimated $500,000 in damage to a 19th Century farmhouse on Huntingtown Road in Botsford have determined the blaze was an arson. Police Detective Sergeant Henry Stormer, who also is a deputy fire marshal, said Tuesday, “We believe it’s an arson … definitely an arson.” The investigation into the blaze will be ongoing, he said. Firefighters from eight volunteer fire companies converged at the 1815 farmhouse to battle the stubborn wind-whipped fire in extreme heat and humidity. The persistent fire extensively damaged the unoccupied, antique-laden farmhouse that had been burglarized prior to the fire.

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Police Lieutenant David Lydem was among the members of Newtown Department of Police Services who ran in the Newtown leg of the Special Olympics Torch Run on June 11. Lt Lydem carried the flame across Sugar Street, and into the driveway of the police station. Joining him for the run were Newtown Police Captain Michael Kehoe and patrol officer Patricia Tesla. Kim Marmura represented Garner Correctional Institution in the event.

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The annual fund-raising breakfast of the Newtown chapter of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut on Monday at the Fireside Inn raised about $15,000, the most ever in its 10-year history. … The breakfast is the chapter’s main fundraiser of the year and enables Hospice to provide in-home care and support for persons in the final phases of incurable illnesses. Madeline “Lynn” O’Brien, outgoing administrator of Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut and a Newtown resident, thanked everyone who attended for their continued support of the Hospice programs.

June 14, 1974

The commencement address at the Newtown High School graduation ceremonies for the class of 1974 will be given by a member of the class, Kathleen Ann Addis. Kathleen is the daughter of William Addis and the late Mrs Jane Addis. She is presently living with her uncle and aunt, Mr and Mrs Earl J. Smith of Sandy Hook. Kathy, as she prefers to be called, transferred to Newtown High School in September 1972. Previously she was enrolled in East Catholic High School in Manchester. She has been an active member of the High School swimming team; the major baton twirler with the marching band; active in Student Council; active on the Homecoming committee and other class activities. In September of 1974, Kathy will be attending Southern Connecticut State College majoring in physical education. This year the members of the class chose to have a member of the graduating class deliver the commencement address in place of an outside speaker as has been the case in the past. After several class meetings it was determined that all who wished to be considered for this honor would have to present for consideration an essay or outline of a proposed topic. A panel of faculty members chose Kathy for this honor.

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Lee Davenson, Newtown Recreation Director, was named “Jaycee of the Year” by retiring Jaycee President Brian Gibney at pass-the-gavel ceremonies June 1 in the Alpenhof Inn. The citation by Mr Gibney said Mr Davenson has “transformed the recreation program for the schools and the public, had been responsible for new Jaycee projects and willingly contributed his efforts to all Jaycees activities.” He headed up the restoration of the boat launch area, Jaycee Health Day, and Santa calls to children at Christmas. Mr Gibney said Mr Davenson personified the Jaycees’ standard of leadership through community involvement.

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The United Fire Company of Botsford had its annual election on June 3, with the following men chosen to various posts for the 1974-75 year: Steve Belair, second term steward; Roland Pratt, second term chief; William Miller, second term assistant chief; Roger Thompson, first term chief engineer; Charles O’Connor, first term assistant engineer; and Gary Adams, first term assistant chief. Administrative board members will be Gordon Thompson, second term secretary; Victor Stephens, first term vice president; John Kepler, first term president; Herbert Hempstead, fifth term financial secretary; Joe Trosan, third term treasurer; Tom Kayfus, second term quartermaster; John Trowbridge, second term Board of Fire Commissioners; and Steve Tozer, second term trustee.

June 10, 1949

Newtown’s Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls held a very successful play program in the Alexandria Room, Edmond Town Hall last Friday night under the direction of their leaders, Mrs Ellwood Watkins and Mrs Austin E. Dinkler. Three plays in which the actors showed the results of thorough training were presented to a keenly interested audience.

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Mrs Mary Pat Carroll, daughter of Mr and Mrs Patrick A. Carroll, received notification this Monday that she has been accepted for entrance by Wellesley College and has been awarded the Pendleton scholarship for the New England area for four years. There are only 15 such scholarships offered by Wellesley for the whole United States, and eight of them are on a geographical basis. Competition was particularly keen for entrance in the Massachusetts Institution of learning this year, and careful screening of applicants for the entering class was necessary. Miss Carroll is valedictorian of her class at Hawley High school, graduating June 23rd, and during her four years there has ranked at the head of her class in scholarship. The Pendleton scholarship is established in honor of Ellen Fritz Pendleton, Wellesley president, 1911-1936. It is intended for freshmen of outstanding ability and carries to the holder’s distinct honor.

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This Thursday morning it was reported that Walker J. McCarthy of Sandy Hook was slightly improved but still not out of danger from a bullet wound in the chest he experienced shortly before 11 o’clock Tuesday morning. Mr McCarthy was found on the floor in a second story office of the Fabric Fire Hose Company, Sandy Hook, where he is plant superintendent. State Police are still investigating circumstances of the shooting. He was removed in the Newtown ambulance to Danbury hospital where he is being attended by Dr George B. Kyle, Sandy Hook, and Dr Felix F. Tomaino, surgeon, Danbury.

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Mr and Mrs Frank E. Gilbert of Huntingtown district returned this week from Northfield, Conn., where they attended the annual commencement services at Northfield Seminary for Girls on Sunday, June 5th. Their granddaughter, Miss Ray Wickes, of White Plains, N.Y., was a member of the graduating class.

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E. Russell Kodet of Taunton district, Newtown, is one of the 68 graduates of the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry at Rochester, N.Y., who will receive their MD degrees at the University’s 99th annual commencement on June 20. Mr Kodet graduated from Rutgers University in 1945 and will serve his internship at Denver General Hospital, Denver, Colo.

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Householders in Newtown are being asked to save box tops of Ivory Flakes and Duz, and wrappers of Camay soap for the VFW Auxiliary during June and July. During the contest period, the Auxiliary receives one cent each for the box tops and one-half cent each for the wrappers. They can be delivered to any Auxiliary member, or by contact with Mrs Edmund Pelletier, Auxiliary president, Mrs Bery Carey or Mrs Joseph Hanlon. Containers for dropping them off will also be found in various stores.

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Mr and Mrs Nelson M. Camp of Southbury are parents of a son, Edward Wallace, born June 1st in Waterbury hospital. Mrs Frank H. Mitchell of Main street, Newtown, is the great-grandmother.

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Mr and Mrs David C. Cassidy of Sandy Hook are the parents of a daughter born at Danbury hospital last Wednesday, June 1. Mrs Cassidy is the former Shirley Shannon of Walnut Tree hill.

June 6, 1924

HATTERTOWN PERSONAL CHAT: Frank Perkins is home on a short vacation recuperating from a recent illness at Astoria, L.I. Mr and Mrs Stephen Hall and children of West Redding spent Memorial day at the home of Thomas Perkins. Mr and Mrs W.F. Tomlinson of Danbury were the guests, Sunday, of Mr and Mrs H.H. Tomlinson. Miss Catherine Gent of New York has been the guest of Mr and Mrs B.B. Peck. Mr and Mrs Eugene Northrop have been recent guests of Mr and Mrs Clarence Burr in Monroe. Ernest Ferry of Bridgewater, Mass., has been spending several days at the home of Birdsey Peck. Mr and Mrs Claude Lewis have returned from a winter’s sojourn at Daytona, Florida.

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The Parent-Teacher Association wishes to acknowledge the following donations to its piano fund: A.T. Nettleton, $10; Mrs Esther Mills, $5; Max Schimmelman, $2; George Stuart, $2; Mrs Frank Mitchell, $1; anonymous, $1. There is still about $75 to be raised and further contributions will be appreciated.

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The old part of St Rose’s cemetery in Sandy Hook, which has been allowed to grow wild for the past quarter of a century, has at last been nearly all cleaned up. This spot has long been an eyesore to the parishioners of St Rose’s and all other visitors to the cemetery, as it was covered with trees, brush and briars. These have now been nearly all cut off close to the ground and burned up. It is hoped that brush and trees remaining will be treated the same way. The credit for this work is due to the men who responded to Father Regan’s request for help. They are Thomas J. Keane, Roy Meyers, Edward Talty, Patrick F. McMahon, John P. Kilbride, John H. Keane, Thomas Leavy, Matthew Leavy, Matthew Daly, Thomas Bailey, Sr, Thomas Bailey, Jr, Michael P. Keating, M.F. Crowe, Edward Cassidy, William J. Brew, Thomas Brew, and John P. Haugh. There is still considerable work to be done and we will gladly publish the names of any who volunteer to assist in cleaning it.

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A good sized audience enjoyed Miss Mabel Mullins’ excellent rendition of “The Fool,” at the Church Forum at the Congregational church Tuesday night. This is Miss Mullins’ third appearance before the Newtown Forum, and there was general approval of her reading. For an hour and a half she held the closest attention of her audience. During the evening vocal solos were rendered by Miss Lillian Phillips.

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Miss Dora Gomberg motored to Brooklyn, N.Y., Sunday, and returned, Wednesday.

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Cards are out announcing the engagement of Miss Dorothy Sturges James of Hawleyville and Sewell Taylor Wilson of Paterson, N.J. Miss James is the daughter of Former Representative and Mrs Jesse A. James of Hawleyville and president of New England Dry Milk Co of Hawleyville.

June 16, 1899

Miss Marguerite Kathryn Beecher, daughter of Mr and Mrs W.J. Beecher, entertained a number of her little friends, Monday afternoon, at a party in honor of her fourth birthday. The tables were set under the trees and it was an inviting and pretty sight when the children were gathered about the festive board. The table was decorated with roses, but the children were most deeply interested in the good things to eat which had been prepared. The center of attraction on the table was a handsome cake presented by Mrs Barker, on which were four candles, with the dates 1895 and 1899, and the word “Birthday.” … A number of children were prevented from attended on account of whooping cough.

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Aaron Sanford and David C. Peck were in New Haven, Monday.

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The sympathy of Newtown people has gone out in unstinted measure to Mr and Mrs Frank S. Andrews of Bridgeport, formerly residents here, in the death of their eldest son, Henry Mygatt Andrews, aged 19, who died at his home at Seaside park on Thursday evening, the 8th. He had been suffering from consumption and his death was after a long siege of the dread disease. The loss of a son on the threshold of young manhood is peculiarly sad. The funeral took place at 106 Park avenue, corner of Linden avenue, on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev Evan Evans officiating. The burial followed in New Milford, Rev F.A. Johnson officiating at the grave.

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In answer to popular clamor A.G. Baker & Son have fitted up an ice cream parlor near one of the front entrances to their furniture warerooms. The room is done off in white enamel, the walls hung with pictures, the floors covered in a rich pattern of Axminster carpet, handsome hangings, and pretty furniture makes an ideal room of it for the business intended; Mr Baker’s idea being that a room of this kind of nicely and even richly furnished will be abused by no one, whereas if plainly furnished it would be. Frank Ruffles will have charge of the room. We prophesy a genuine appreciation of this latest addition to Hawleyville and Mr Baker’s already attractive warerooms.

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An enjoyable feature of the Children’s day service at the Congregational church on Sunday morning was the presence of about 50 members of the Hawleyville Sunday school under the leadership of Superintendent A.B. Fancher. Mr Fancher, at the session of the Sunday school, spoke briefly at the request of the superintendent.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.