* * *

Merchants who participated in the first annual Halloween parade on Saturday, October 29, were enthusiastic about the overwhelming response, according to Sam Eisenbach, who helped plan the event. “For our first attempt, we thought it went well,” Mr Eisenbach said. “Several hundred children” was the closest crowd estimate any of the planners could come up with. Because of the overwhelming response, several merchants ran out of candy, never dreaming they would have so many children.

* * *

Detective Robert Braatz and Officer Robert Tvardzik who joined the force on the same day were promoted to sergeant and detective respectively during the Police Commission’s Tuesday, November 1 meeting. “I think the Police Commission made excellent selections. I’m pleased with both appointments,” said Police Chief Marchese.

* * *

A fire Friday morning, October 28, at Yankee Ingenuity on Dodgingtown Road required two trips by firemen, when the blaze, thought to have been extinguished, later flared up. A house under construction by builder John Lipusz on Huntingtown Road burned to the ground Saturday night, October 29. Cause of the fire, which left only a foundation and a chimney, has not been determined.

* * *

Two ¾ ton pickups head the Parks and Recreation Department’s wish list for next year, following a review of the commission’s five-year capitol plan Tuesday night. Parks and Rec recently asked the Board of Selectmen for a special appropriation to buy one of the trucks. Jack Rosenthal recommended that the department wait until spring when the need would be greater.

* * *

First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and Thomas McManus, his Republican challenger in the November 8 election, both made presentations to the Chamber of Commerce on October 27 and then to the Rotary on October 31. Mr Rosenthal said Newtown has “enjoyed a very healthy, orderly growth compared to our surrounding communities.” Mr McManus, however, told the Chamber he was drawn into running for first selectman because he thought “all was not fine in Newtown.”

November 7, 1958

Newtown contributed its bit to the landslide for Governor Ribicoff’s reelection Tuesday by handing the Governor a margin of 326 votes, but that is as far as this traditionally Republican town would go — the rest of the voting favored GOP candidates. Governor Ribicoff selected “this wonderful town” as the launching pad for his reelection. On February 11 the Governor addressed the third annual dinner of the Newtown Chamber of commerce, delivering the first major campaign speech.

* * *

An important event will take place on Saturday evening, November 15, when members and friends of the United Fire Company will hold a mortgage burning ceremony. In July, 1949, a movement was started to form a fire company in Botsford. The organizational meeting was held in September 1949, and now, nine years later, the company not only has its own fire house, but has it all paid for and is burning the mortgage.

* * *

A victory celebration was held Tuesday evening by the Republicans at the Yankee Drover Inn, after the votes were counted and the results were tabulated showing that the local Republican candidates had won. In attendance were the successful candidates, members for the town committee, and party workers who helped in the campaign and on election day.

* * *

Mail was collected and dispatched from Newtown for the first time on a Sunday, this week and the new holiday schedule will face its first holiday on Tuesday. Sunday’s operation, which worked smoothly and with favorable results according to Postmaster Albert H. Nichols, saw quite a bit of mail dispatched.

* * *

The Newtown Jaycees announced the final cancellation of their annual Turkey Shoot for 1958, before the first shot was fired. This was due to Sunday Blue Laws invoked against it. The Jaycees have learned that the complaint could apply anywhere in town and therefore have permanently cancelled the shoot. The Jaycees regret this unfortunate situation and apologize to the sports-minded people who had intended to participate.

* * *

A unique Halloween costume was worn by Billy Green, son of Dr and Mrs William Green of Queen Street. Billy was all decked out in Newtown Bees, which were ingeniously formed into trousers and coat topped off by a hat which proclaims the excellence of The Bee as an advertising medium and for local news.

November 3, 1933

There was a bad accident, Friday night, south of the country Club, possibly caused by fog and rain which prevailed. Raymond Westbrook of Berkshire, in going south, crashed into the rear end of a car of Samuel Day of Glover Avenue. The rear end of the Day car was damaged, while the car operated by Westover also was damaged. Mrs Day, who was riding with her husband, was shaken up by the crash. Westover was arrested on the charge of reckless driving.

* * *

The October meeting of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce was honored by the presence of about 20 ladies and guests, Thursday night. William N. Burroughs reported for a committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce on the question of the collection of garbage and ashes. John Stefanko, who recently offered a site on his property for the town dump, if he was awarded the contract for collections, was present at the session and stated his willingness to take up the work.

* * *

Arrangements for garbage disposal in Newtown have been made with Pete Sondergard, who will solicit business and start collections without delay. William N. Burroughs, acting as chairman of a committee appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, has made the arrangements with Pete Sondergard to handle this much needed work in Newtown.

* * *

The board of finance of the town at a meeting held at Edmond Town hall, Tuesday, took a forward move on the recent request of the board of selectmen, asking that they be authorized to borrow a sum not exceeding $100,000 from the federal government for the construction of hard surfaced roads. Final action in the matter will come up before the taxpayers at a special town meeting, which has been called by the selectmen at the Edmond Town hall, Friday night, November 10.

* * *

“Minstrel Chuckles,” a brilliant and entertaining production of the John B. Rogers Producing Co. of Ohio, will occupy the boards at the Edmond Town hall Theater on Thursday evening, November 9, as a benefit for the Dodgingtown Fire Co. It is going to be the most entertaining performance and the theater should be crowded.

* * *

The board of managers of the Edmond Town hall are preparing to advertise for bids for the installation of an electric lighting plant at the Edmond Town hall. Since the hall was built a few years ago, the electric lights at the hall have been furnished by the Danbury and Bethel Gas and Electric Light Company.

 

November 6, 1908

There is a general complaint that cows are not giving as good a flow of milk as usual even on full winter rations. It is most probably due to their being kept so long on the scanty pasture. For six weeks previous to going on to winter feed there was as a rule not more than one half to two-thirds enough pasture to give what the cows ought to have. As a consequence, they were not in normal condition with no flesh stored up to meet the demands of a fresh milker.

* * *

AUCTION SALE: The contents of the old Botsford place on Botsford Hill: Parlor, Sitting Room, Dining Room, Bed Room Furniture; Kitchen Utensils, Stoves and all the Furnishings therein, together with Wagons and Harnesses; also the House, Barn and Outbuildings, 5 acres land; the same occupied by T.F. Murray for a summer home the past three years. All to be sold to the highest bidders Saturday, Nov 7, at 11 am.

* * *

The Niantic mills property has been rented to a concern for the manufacture of novelty goods. New boilers are to be installed.

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Oscar Pitzschler & Son, BARBERS AND HAIRDRESSERS, Newtown, Sandy Hook & Hawleyville. Newtown shop open every day. Hawleyville shop open Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning. Sandy Hook shop open every weekday. Only first-class work. POOL TABLE.