***

The message which came over the scanner at 1:30 pm last Saturday called for extrication, either a person or a horse on the railroad bridge over Currituck Road. Hook and Ladder was dispatched, along with Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company and the Newtown ambulance. And sure enough, there was a large, gray horse, named Blue, on the bridge with all four feet sticking down between the ties. Heidi Poklemba and her sister-in-law, Marsha Poklemba, were riding their horses beside the railroad tracks. Marsha tried leading Blue across the bridge and the horse ended up on its stomach, parallel to Currituck Road below. There are two railroad beds on this bridge, one with tracks which is currently in use and the other, where the horse fell, stripped of the rails, with only rotting ties remaining. The initial plan was to sedate Blue and then slip a sling made out of fire hose under his belly. However, the horse managed to free itself, one leg at a time. Dr Ned Schankman examined the horse at the scene and then worked until about 6 pm, stitching up cuts on both legs and the mouth.

***

Late last week, First Selectman Jack Rosenthal had the town Highway Department dump six loads of fill on the private property of Mary Dyer on Philo Curtis Road, in order to create a barrier designed to keep trouble-making youths from driving their cars onto the property. After The Newtown Bee questioned Mr Rosenthal about having town employees work on private property, Mr Rosenthal said he called Mayor Dyer. Mayor Dyer said that he then told Mr Rosenthal to send him a bill for the work. Mr Rosenthal said he was billing the Dyers $403 to cover the cost of the fill and town’s labor.

***

A spruce tree on Sugar Street, measuring 109’ 9” tall may be the tallest of its kind in the state. The tree is one of four planted sometime before 1854 and the only one to have survived unscathed by lightning and hurricane.

August 10, 1962

Two aircraft are AWOL from Fulton’s “airfield” in Newtown. They are model planes with a four to five-foot wing spread, usually reliably controlled by radio. Last Wednesday, high winds blew them beyond the mile-wide control of their ground-bound owners. One is red and grey, one black and grey. Finders will receive a reward by calling Waterbury 757-1052.

***

An afternoon of athletic events, planned by the Newtown Lions Club, will be held Monday, September 3, as the grand finale of Newtown Progress Days. A total of 85 events will be held at the Dickinson Memorial park during the day. There will be activity suitable for all age groups. The committee invites all Newtown to participate.

***

At a meeting of the program committee of the Newtown Historical Society on August 3d, projects agreed upon included the development of attractive post cards showing Newtown scenes; a survey of old houses, mills, and other ancient establishments in the town; another exhibit at the Library following the very successful clock exhibit; and research into the origins of the colorful names of districts and roads in Newtown.

***

All members of the Newtown Fish and Game Club are urged to be at the pheasant pens at 9 am, on Sunday, August 12, at the home of Fred Seaman, Old Hawleyville Road. This will be a work party for the purpose of cutting cedar trees for pheasant shelter. The trees are necessary for the protection of the young birds against predatory wild life.

 

August 6, 1937

H.R. Ekins, son of the late Reb G. Herbert Ekins, former pastor of the Newtown Congregational church, recently left New York for Peiping, China, where he will cover the hostilities between the Japanese and Chinese troops, for the United Press. The United Press announced the arrival of H.R. Ekins, special correspondent, in Peiping after a sensational flight from New York to the war amphitheater in the Orient.

***

A truck loaded with old automobile tires caught on fire, Wednesday afternoon of last week on The Sandy Hook-Stevenson road and was completely destroyed. Assistant Chief Albert Knapp responded with the combination chemical and pumper of the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company, but it was too late to save the truck.

***

Rapid progress is being made in forming teams of men and women volunteer workers in Danbury and neighboring towns to raise a $325,000 enlargement and modernization fund for Danbury hospital. Volunteer workers on the committee for Newtown will meet at the home of Mrs Fannie Beers Edwards on Wednesday, August 11. It is hoped for a generous response from Newtown.

***

A slight epidemic of auto accidents hit Newtown over the weekend. As usual, after the horse is stolen, the barn is locked. There is talk of strict enforcement of rotary traffic at the flagpole, and of the “stop” signs at Lovell’s corner. Just as if anyone with half an eye does not know that traffic rules are being broken in town every day, not only in the matter of speed but particularly at the intersection at Lovell’s corner. Our constables can keep very busy if they will but station themselves at Lovell’s corner for a while.

 

August 9, 1912

George Jordan, the operator at the Newtown station, had the misfortune to fall over a lard tub, recently, fracturing a couple of ribs. F.L. Shoop has been handling the keys at the Newtown station in his absence.

***

For the first time in a great many years a detachment of the United States Army is encamped in Newtown, having headquarters on the meadow just east of the late residence of Mrs Starr Blackman at the Racketts. Every other year the United States army engages in active maneuvers in the field. The soldiers participating in the maneuvers are divided into two sections, the red and the blue, drawn up for an imaginary defense of New York against an invading foe. On Saturday, 1,500 of the Vermont militia arrives at Hawleyville.

***

Patrick Gannon, the efficient janitor at the Town hall, has done a fine job in making a cement well curb with his own hands over the well north of the Town hall. It is a neat piece of work and adds to the attractiveness of the property. It is a shame an official so faithful and efficient as Mr Gannon should be denied his salary, because of politics or any cause irrelevant to the case. We trust that Messrs Blackman and Brew will see the justice of the matter and sign the order for his salary forthwith.

***

Castle Ronald has been leased for a term of years to a corporation who will open it about September 1 as a select sanitarium and rest cure. Attention from eminent specialists will be available at the establishment for consultation and advice. Entertainment and amusement will be provided for the guests, and every effort will be made to keep them cheerful. The Castle, having been remodeled and equipped with every modern improvement is especially adapted for a high class sanitarium.