September 24, 1993

Some residents distressed by the recent escape of inmates at Garner Correctional Institution say they want a broader alarm system put into use to notify them of prison escapes. About 60 people attended a public forum September 20 at Newtown High School convened by resident Wendy Beres, a longtime critic of the State Department of Corrections. Mrs Beres organized the session after complaining that the public wasn’t given sufficient time to discuss prison security matters at an emergency town Public Safety Committee meeting held in August, the day after two felons escaped. Both escapees have been caught by police. A recurring comment at the forum was that a broader alarm system should be established to warn the public of escapees. Currently, some residents own electronic beepers which notify them of escapes.

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On September 22, Superintendent John Reed presented a list of potential education-related uses of the property to the Fairfield Hills Task Force, a study group which will make recommendations to the state on future possible uses of the property. Dr Reed presented members with a list of initial ideas for education-related uses of the campus. His formal requests included office space, maintenance facilities, storage space, but to the list he added more tentative suggestions: a school bus refueling facility, the equivalent of six classroom for Newtown High School programs, athletic activities, the site for a new elementary school, and the site of a regional magnet school. Task force members will formulate a series of recommendations on future uses of Fairfield Hills for submission to state agencies in about three months.

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Officials are still trying to find out the identity of apparent well-meaning persons who left boxes of unsolicited science equipment at the high school last week, a donation that forced the evacuation of the building after a highly explosive chemical was found in one of the boxes. “A very kind, well-meaning person who thought [they were] doing us a favor is going to be very embarrassed,” said Superintendent John Reed, a few minutes after the evacuation around noon last Friday when a pound of poisonous yellow substance used for making explosives was discovered. Principal Bill Manfredonia said an investigation has revealed that an unidentified couple visited the school last Thursday, and gave the boxes to a custodian with the explanation that they were for the science department. The custodian took the boxes to the main office, where they were discovered the next day.

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Newtown High’s girls’ volleyball team came from behind to top Stratford, 3-1, and New Milford 3-2, this week, running its record to 3-0 this season. The Lady Indians against Stratford “was like two junk-yard dogs fighting it out,” said coach Russ Weiss. Senior Caitlin Swetts, junior Ali Bernstein, and senior Dee Carroll are three reasons the team was undefeated through the first week of the season.

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With the end of summer comes the old dilemma: how to capture the flavor, beauty, fragrance of fresh herbs throughout the year? Books that tell you just how to do that — and provide you with a lot more information as well — have been published during the past year. The Herbal Pantry by Emilie Tolley explores 150 long-lasting, easy ways to preserve the pleasures of fresh herbs, adding them to syrups, pickles, vinegars, oils, condiments, teas, and other things to create a blend and salt substitute. In Recipes From An American Herb, author Maggie Oster celebrates the harvest of fresh herds and vegetables to create flavorful meals. The book also includes instructions for growing 50 kinds of herbs in the garden or on the windowsill as well as advice at drying and preserving them.

September 27, 1968

The Newtown High School soccer team and football team both scored wins last week, with the booters taking over Christ The King, 2-1, and the latter beating the American School for the Deaf, 26-6. Ron Skelton, soccer team captain, made a last-minute effort to avoid hitting the opposing team’s goalie on a run to the goal, while Devery Stickles, 12, made a substantial gain on the gridiron.

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NEWTOWN NOTES: Helen Aiken could have won a prize for the largest earrings at the football game on Saturday with the yellow pair she was seen wearing. New guidelines have been put down on the road at Lovell’s corner. Al Lorenzetti is trying hard to convince everyone that the Nixon–Agnew sticker on his car was planted there. Geno Perin, the man who operates the Roxbury quarry, has a job in which he leaves no stone unturned.

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Frank Nichols, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Nichols of High Bridge Road, is a first-year student at Colgate Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, N.Y. He graduated from Syracuse University and expects to receive his Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1971.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL NEWS WITH WENDY HEWITT: Hi! Well, Middle School is finally getting settled down. As far as I know, no one has missed the bus. Slowly, I’m getting used to all the different classes. Here’s some news about the students. Jill Walser is allergic to pollen. Debbie Bernardo got her ears pierced. Beth Hoover got her dress unzipped last week, and Michael Newman was a witness!!!! It happened in the hall while the classes were changing. Pam Ligouri tripped over a chair in study hall, Thursday. Patty Page got her finger slammed in a door at school Monday.

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Mrs James Lewis of Excelsior, Minn., the former Joan Pelletier, is visiting her parents, Mr and Mrs Lou Pelletier of The Old Road, Mount Pleasant. She will return to Minnesota by plane next Monday.

October 1, 1943

General dissatisfaction with the overcrowded condition of Newtown’s schools has been given expression in a petition which was presented by Harry Wood and Mrs Paul Smith to the Board of Education at their meeting on Friday evening. The petition was signed by 232 voters and taxpayers requesting the Board of Education make further effort to find additional quarters so that each grade at Hawley School will have a room to itself, also relieving the congestion at Hawley School and making space for Dodgingtown pupils at Hawley rather than transport them to Sandy Hook. The spokesmen who presented the petition were heard by the Board who will give it further consideration at the next meeting.

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A word of credit is due George Knapp, at whose farm the first turkey shoot of the season was held Sunday afternoon by Newtown Fish & Game Club. Mr Knapp generously donated a 35-pound live pig as a prize in a special event, all proceeds going to the Newtown Red Cross. Fifty sportsmen took part in the event and $25 was raised for the Red Cross. It is such acts of kindness upon which the Red Cross depends for support in its great humanitarian work around the world — especially among the men in uniform along the fighting front.

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A large attendance is expected this Thursday evening at the Edmond Town Hall when the technicolor movie Report From the Aleutians will be shown under the auspices of the Army Air Force Corps. There will also be a demonstration of aircraft recognition by a group of local observers. The program starts at 8 o’clock.

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Over 125 friends and associates attended a testimonial dinner on Wednesday evening, tendered FOR Judge Paul Cavanaugh at the Parker House, in honor of his recent marriage. Following a delicious chicken dinner, Motor Vehicles Commissioner John T. McCarthy welcomed the gathering and said he had been waiting “many years for this occasion.” Mr McCarthy introduceD Rev James H. Kane, who dwelled at length about Mr Cavanaugh’s ability as a golf player and said he hoped that marriage would not affect his golf game, as he had been an “easy touch” in numerous games in the past. Rev William J. Collins, St Rose Church pastor, said that it was a pleasure to attend such an occasion and that he too found that Paul was easy to beat in any golf game.

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In this year of war it seems more of a privilege of American citizenship than ever to be able to take part in local elections. We are fighting for the preservation of that privilege, which is now denied in other countries with whom our boys in service are engaged in deadly combat. It behooves all registered voters to go to the polls on Monday and cast ballots for candidates of their choice. Proper town government needs a sustained interest and public participation. Do not fail to vote on Election Day.

September 27, 1918

Isadore Block was arraigned before Justice C.D. Stillson at the Brick Building Tuesday, charged with abusive language. Block pleaded not guilty. Grand Jurror Gannon and P.H. McCarthy acted as witnesses for the state and left no doubt in the mind of the court as to the guilt of the accused. Stillson fined Block $1 and costs, amounting to $10.86, which was promptly paid.

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Last Monday there was a very pleasant gathering at the whist at the country club and it was decided to have another whist next Monday evening at the same plac. The attendance was small but those present enjoyed the game immensely.

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A.D. Fairchild will conduct a prayer meeting at the Taunton schoolhouse next Tuesday evening. A full attendance is desired.

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Frank Harris has been laid up the past week at the home of his father Alfred Harris under the care of Dr W.H. Kiernan.

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