January 3, 1997

Some residents living in the vicinity of the Rock Ridge Road site planned for a 180-foot tall cellular communications tower and antenna array say such a structure would adversely affect their area. Allowing Sprint Spectrum to build a cellular tower in a residential area such as Rock Ridge Road would give the communications company a foothold toward building such towers in other residential parts of town, according to residents who spoke during a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Sprint wants ZBA permission to build, operate and maintain a 180-foot tall freestanding, monopole-style tower which would hold arrays of cellular communications antennas. The tower would be topped by a 7.5-foot tall lightning rod, bringing the structure’s overall height to 187.5 feet. Sprint states the presence of a tower is necessary to establish its Personal Communications Services (PCS) wireless network under the terms of the Federal Telecommunications Act.

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This year’s audit of the town’s account for the 1995-96 fiscal year revealed a surplus of just over $2 million, continuing a recent trend of significant leftover cash. This year’s surplus fell just short of the unprecedented 1993-94 surplus of $2.3 million. Last year’s surplus totaled $1.9 million. The Legislative Council must now determine what to do with this surplus.

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It cannot be missed. Every time one drives past Newtown High School on Berkshire Road, there it is, rising nearby the new addition construction site like landscape design gone berserk. It greets students and staff members as they turn into the school entrance driveway and, although a healthy crop of green grass has already taken root, it is not exactly what one might call attractive. But it’s more than a worthless mound of dirt. In fact, Building and Grounds Supervisor Dom Posca calls it “pure gold,” a valuable hill of topsoil and the by-product of construction and excavation at both Hawley School and the high school.

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The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard had its annual Holiday Brunch on December 15 at the Fireside Inn. Celebrating the season were the Second Company troopers, their friends and families, and several special guests. Among those guests were Shirley Ferris, Connecticut Commissioner of Agriculture; Brigadier General George Demers, assistant adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard; and Major Peter Moritz, commandant of the Second Company Horse guard. The Second Company, which is a ceremonial cavalry group based in Newtown at the Fairfield Hills campus, is part of the state’s National Guard.

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Forty youngsters from the Children’s Adventure Center in Sandy Hook brought holiday joy to the seniors, as well as Mr and Mrs Claus, at the Newtown Senior Center on December 19. The annual event is just one of the intergenerational programs sponsored by the two centers throughout the year. Under the direction of Florence Rubenstein, the preschoolers performed a selection of Hanukkah and Christmas songs. Kindergarteners wore reindeer “antlers” they had designed themselves, and sang and danced to many songs. Among the songs was an adaptation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Changed to “Santa’s Twelve Days of Christmas,” this version featured 12 different toys such as Princess Barbie, Nightmare Alley, Dragon Fly, and Cool Tool Tow Trucks. After the program, the Clauses greeted each child and gave them a Christmas ornament and candy cane.

January 7, 1972

EDITORIAL INK DROPS: It is none too early for townspeople to make plans to participate in and gain the benefits of “Newtown Health Day” on Saturday, January 15, at the Middle School on Queen Street. That special day has been planned by the Newtown Jaycees who will be amply rewarded for their efforts if a large number of residents take advantage of the free tests, the exhibits, films and educational literature on various aspects of health which will be available to them.

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Monday, January 3, saw two close hopefuls for the title of Newtown’s first baby of the year. Both were born Monday in Danbury Hospital, their mothers were even roommates there, both were boys and both were born to Newtown parents, but only one could win. Little John Douglas Baggott, son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Baggott Jr of Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook, was the winner, born at 10:53 am. A close second was Raymond Anthony Corbo, born at 12:37 pm to Mr and Mrs Joseph D. Corbo. Tuesday, January 4, brought twin boys to Mr and Mrs Edward Lattin.

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New officers of Hiram Lodge No 18, AF&AM, were installed at ceremonies in the Masonic temple on December 29. Elected were Walter Welker, PM, marshal; Nicholas K. Petersen, PM, secretary; Fred Harris, PM, treasurer; George E. Wilson, senior deacon; Richard K. Way, junior deacon; Donald J. Miller, senior warden; Robert J. Campbell, Worshipful Master; John M. Clarke, senior steward; Ronald H. Mandeville, junior steward; Robert E. Wheeler, PM, tiler; Lawrence Studwell, Right Worshipful District Deputy and installing officer; and Edwin B. Storres, historian.

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The snowfall on Wednesday served as a reminder to The Bee to notify residents that the winter road ordinance is now in effect through March 15. This ordinance, which is in the Newtown Charter, states that no cars or other vehicles can remain parked unattended on the roads in Newtown from sunset to sunrise. Also, in the event that any such vehicle is parked or left unattended, it can be declared a nuisance (such as in the case where snowplowing is hampered) and may be removed. The owner would only be able to claim the towed vehicle on payment of a fine not in excess of $25.

January 3, 1947

EDITORIAL INK DROPS: The special town meeting, called for January 9, gives the citizens of Newtown the opportunity to accept a $50,000 grant from the State toward the needed addition to Hawley School. Of course, no one will object. That sum, together with the $37,500 surplus already set aside for the purpose, furnishes the town an excellent start on the entire project. Next will come approval of plans, voting the balance of the necessary funds, and actual construction.

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Neither the male nor the female of the Alumni species proved quite deadly enough for the well-trained Hawley undergraduates in the two, close-fought basketball games on the Edmond Town Hall court, last Friday evening. Excitement ran high, especially during the last quarter of the boys’ game, when even an ardent Alumni cheering section could not put the “old goods” on the winning end of the score. The Girls’ Alumnae team, headed by Jeanne Smith and Barbara Leonard, gave the High School champions a close game for three quarters but youth and practice told, with a final score of 24-17. In the Boys’ game the Hawley lads came from a 24-17 trailing count at half time to win by six points, 39-33.

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A New Year’s Eve dance was enjoyed at the Newtown Country Club by some fifty members and guests, with dancing from nine until three o’clock to music furnished by Eddie Wittstein of New Haven. A buffet supper was served as part of the evening’s entertainment. George Trull headed the committee in charge.

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Mr. and Mrs. Rea Irvin of Taunton district recently spent two and a half weeks vacationing in Nassau. The trip was made both ways by plane, and they returned to Newtown on December 22nd. Holiday guests at the Irvin home included Mr and Mrs George Dobson of New York City, and Mrs Douglas McConnell, the former Barbara Irvin. Mrs McConnell’s husband is in Ras Tunura, Arabia, where he is associated with the American Arabian Oil Company.

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President Frank H. Strasburger presided at an open meeting of the Newtown Rotary Club held at the Parker House Monday evening. Eighteen couples took part in the club’s adult Christmas party at Stony Hill Inn on December 20th, it was reported, and more than 60 children enjoyed the holiday festivities at the Parker House on Monday, December 23rd. At the meeting, plans were also furthered for the Rotary minstrel show scheduled for Thursday night, January 30th, at the Edmond Town Hall auditorium. Tickets at popular prices will be on sale next week.

January 6, 1922

HATTERTOWN PERSONAL NOTES: Earle Lewis, who is stationed at the U.S.N. hospital, Chelsea, Mass., has been passing the holidays with his parents, Mr and Mrs J.C. Lewis. | Miss Angie Wakeman, a teacher in the public schools of Norwalk, enjoyed the Christmas vacation with her mother, Mrs Lizzie Wakeman. | John Summers is seriously ill and under the care of Dr Smith. | Mr and Mrs J.H. Jackson have returned from a visit with friends in Hartford and New York City. | Miss Gladys Peck is attending school in Bethel. | Edward Perkins is building a large ice house for Birdsey Peck.

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Miss M. Jane Ruffells, who has been passing the holiday vacation with her mother, returned to West Hartford, Monday, to resume her duties in the High school there.

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If one has not paid a visit to the interior of the new Hawley school in the past 10 days, they have no idea on the beauty of the building as it is slowly fashioning into form under the deft touches of the workmen of the Hewlett Construction Co. The auditorium is certainly going to be a most attractive room, about 40x50, with a stage 12x40. The cornice and moulding created on the ceiling in this room makes a rich and attractive finish. At either side of the stage is a spiral stairway, connecting the wings with the gymnasium. The Danbury Plumbing Company is nearing completion on their contract of heating and plumbing. There are nine class rooms, every room light and airy. When our citizens get an opportunity a couple of months hence to inspect this building, they will then have some adequate idea of the splendid gift of Miss Hawley.

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James Duffey, of the Parker House, is passing a few days in New Haven.

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Mr and Mrs Oscar Dikeman have closed their cottage in town and are making their home for the winter at the Hotel Van Rensallear in New York City.

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W.R. Parker, chief electrician for the Baltimore & Ohio railroad, and Mrs Parker passed two days, last week, with his brother, W.D. Parker, at the Parker House.

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Capt. C.H. Cook has been busy the last few weeks getting out quartz and feldspar from a mine in Hopewell district. Capt. Cook has had a pay roll, the past few weeks running from $200 to $400 per week. Being Connecticut with some of the big pottery companies he had sold some fine sets of dishes hereabouts, one to J.A. James of Hawleyville.

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Earle W. Smith and Robert Mitchell returned to Worcester Mass., Tuesday, to resume their studies at Worcester Academy, after the Holiday vacation.

January 8, 1897

THE EDITOR’S FAMILIAR CHAT: The Bee agrees heartily with the Housatonic Valley farmers in their complaint of the injustice done them by the New York milk producers. We advise the farmers to stick together and thus co-operate to accomplish some good result. There is too much difference between two and two and one-half and six and eight cents, the average wholesale and retail prices of milk to-day.

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The eighth annual concert and ball of Putnam council, K. of C., at the Town hall, last Thursday evening, was largely attended and a success in every way. The music of the evening was excellent, furnished by Gilmartin’s orchestra of Bethel. The grand march started about 9 o’clock, and was led by Ex-Senator Michael J. Houlihan and Miss Kate Hourigan. They were followed by Frank W. Kirby, the assistant grand conductor, with Miss May Haugh of Bridgeport as his partner. Supper was served during the intermission at the Grand Central hotel, and a large number partook of the excellent spread prepared by Mine Host Houlihan. Altogether it was one of the pleasantest gatherings the council has had. The very neat programs of the evening were from the press of The Bee Publishing Co.

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At the Congregational church on Sunday morning there were received into membership on profession of faith Frank Andrews and Oscar and Gustavus Carlson.

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The annual meeting of the ecclesiastical society of the Congregational church was held on Monday evening. The total receipts for the year were $1606.52, with a small balance after paying all bills. These officers were elected: Clerk, John J. Northrop; society’s committee, C.G. Taylor, W.M. Reynolds, M.C. Rodgers; treasurer, Levi C. Morris; auditor, Allison P. Smith.

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Mr and Mrs F.F. Hawley entertained in royal fashion on New Year’s day. Among the fortunate guests were Mr and Mrs George W. Anthony, A.H. McMahon and daughter, Miss Carrie, Andrew McMahon, Miss Nellie McMahon, Mr and Mrs George H. Lines, Miss Martha McMahon and Mrs Reynolds, all of New Milford, Mrs George McMahon, Mrs S.C. Glover and Curtis Glover. A choice dinner was served, with turkey as the central attraction. It was unanimously voted “that it was good to be there.”

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The directors of the Newtown fair are pleased over the fact that our fair is to receive $175.14 from the State.

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.