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For the second time in a week, Newtown was hit with a heavy rainstorm. The Saturday storm caused even more flooding than the one the previous Tuesday. The Housatonic River was several feet above flood state, bringing water into several homes in Shady Rest and other areas around Lake Zoar. Northeast Utilities said that only 161 customers lost power on Saturday night.

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Newtown Police have made several trips to New York City during the past week to see if a woman’s body found in Queens along a highway on March 26 is that of a local woman. Regina Brown, 35, of 18 Whippoorwill Hill Road was reported missing on April 2 by a neighbor. Mrs Brown is the estranged wife of Willis Brown, Jr, 51, of Queens. Mrs Brown is a flight attendant with American Airlines and her husband is a pilot with American. Police said a live-in babysitter at the Brown residence was the last person to see Mrs Brown. New York City police requested dental charts from Mrs Brown to help with the identification. Detective Harry Noroian delivered the x-rays to New York the morning of April 9. Lt DeJoseph said there are some discrepancies between the date of Mrs Brown’s disappearance and the date the body was found on the Long Island Expressway.

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It hasn’t taken long for lacrosse to gain popularity in Newtown. In its inaugural season last spring, the Newtown Lacrosse Club attracted 30 high school players. This year, there have been so many high school players trying out for the team that the freshmen were placed on the middle school squad, which is new this year. The high school team’s coach, Eric Mueller, has 34 players as he embarks on a six-game schedule.

April 13, 1962

The swimming pond at the Dickinson Memorial Park will have a brand new float this summer with trampoline diving board for the added pleasure of those who use the park facilities. Park stickers for the season, at $2 each, are now on sale and can be purchased from any member of the commission, at the town clerk’s office, and the selectman’s office. A sticker must be purchased to enable persons to use any of the park facilities. They are only available to Newtown residents since the park is restricted to their use.

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Connecticut Motor Vehicles Commissioner John Tynan reserved judgment on a total of 48 drivers summoned to appear in an unprecedented hearing held in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, Friday afternoon. The hearing involved drivers under 21 years of age who received warnings from State Police for driving after drinking. Attorney Thomas F. Hurney, chief of the Department operator control section, acknowledged the motor vehicle statutes do not forbid driving after drinking, but pointed out that the commission has the right to revoke licenses in cases where he sees fit in those operators under the age of 21. The Commissioner said that he was seeking the cooperation of both the minor drivers and their parents to end the problem of driving after drinking. He then went on to cite accident statistics… the hearing closed on the reminder, “I am reserving judgment, you’ll hear from me.”

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An unsigned communication to The Bee this week notes the death of the Queen Street community cat, Marmalade, who was struck by a car, a mishap on Sunday that saddened the whole neighborhood. The communication cites the loss of a dozen pets in eight years and asks why Queen Street can’t have a 25-mile an hour zone.

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A gusty wind and home runs were the features of the hard fought struggle between Southbury and Newtown on Tuesday, April 10, at Southbury. Newtown rotated four pitchers, while Southbury used two. A series of walks, errors, and key hits put the hard-fighting Southbury Club in the lead in the sixth. Newtown came back with three runs in the seventh. The final score was Newtown 8, Southbury 7.

April 9, 1937

The proposition to enlarge Newtown’s central school system received rather lukewarm discussion at the open meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, last Thursday evening. It might be inferred that taxpayers are averse to the spending of money for improving the school facilities and curriculum of our town. Outcome of the meeting was a motion to request a general school survey in Newtown. The Bee hopes that the school board will carry on from this point. Let the parents themselves quicken their interest in the training being given their children.

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April Fools Day was an unsuccessful day for the students of Hawley school. Even though every student wracked his brains in order to fool someone, it proved useless, for everyone remembered the day. Maybe that is why a few students got zero in their daily tests.

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Miss Sarah Farrell has purchased a new Ford station wagon from Lovell’s garage, with which she transports her kindergarten pupils to and from her school in South Center district. It is needless to say that the children are much enjoying their daily trips.

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An audience of more than 150 persons witnessed the second presentation of the musical pageant depicting episodes in the Life of Christ which was repeated Sunday evening in Trinity church. The choirs of Trinity, St John’s and the Congregational churches combined in the singing under the direction of Donald Griscom.

 

April 12, 1912

Pootatuck Grange celebrated its 20th Tuesday night, in a becoming manner. Each person present was obliged to take part or contribute 5 cents to the Grange treasury. Pootatuck Grange was organized March 9, 1892, J.H. Blakeman of Housatonic Grange of Stratford being present and assisting in the ceremonies. The present efficient master of Pootatuck Grange is W.B. Glover.

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The horse of Miss Lizzie Bechler became unmanageable, Wednesday, when near the Black Bridge, overturned the wagon, kicked itself free and ran as far as Patrick Lynch’s in Zoar. Miss Bechler escaped injury by jumping. The incident created a lot of excitement in Sandy Hook as it was heard Miss Bechler had been injured after the horse was seen racing through Sandy Hook.

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Michael Cavanaugh, who was so unfortunate as to lose his two foxhounds seven weeks ago, has been unable to locate them. They were white and black with tan spots. The older dog Mr Cavanaugh had owned for eight years.

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The wardens, vestrymen and members of St John’s parish were saddened, at the annual parish meeting, Monday, when Rev O.O. Wright, for 21 years their efficient and beloved rector, announced his purpose to retire from active work of the ministry, the resignation to take effect October 1. Mr Wright has been an active parish worker, and broad and Catholic in his Christian charity. His work for the Sandy Hook library, and his interest in all things that make for the best welfare of the town, have won him a wide and earnest band of friends.