January 14, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Donald Dale Jackson.

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EDITORIAL INK DROPS — MANY UPHAPPY RETURNS: Many Connecticut residents got their 1999 CT-1040EZ Telefile income tax return from the state last week. In a message on the inside cover from Gene Gavin, commissioner of the state Department of Revenue Services, the Telefile tax return was touted as the “fastest and easiest way to file your Connecticut tax return for 1999.” Unfortunately, the tax return was also a fast and easy way to lose your privacy. The eight-page tax return came through the mails unsealed. The booklet opens quite easily to the centerfold forms where, much to many a taxpayer’s shock and surprise, Social Security numbers and Telefile PIN numbers had been pre-printed in large 14-point type for all to see. It was tantamount to receiving your Social Security number through the mail printed on the back of a postcard.

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Fred Hurley and his town highway/snowplow crews joked this week about heading to Florida for the rest of the month. With hardly a trace of snow so far this winter, the plows and their drivers have been kept off the roads. All that finally changed Thursday morning, as the town got its first snowfall of the winter season. The storm system had enough advance hype to close schools for the day before the first flake hit the ground. When it finally did show up, it did not live up to its reputation. Its effect on Thursday morning traffic was negligible.

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They are calling The Newtown Bee’s First Baby contest winner “The Rocket.” Born January 3, Sara Maria Matté entered this world after just a 90-minute labor. She was born at 2:44 am, three minutes after her parents, Brian and Kristin Matté arrived at Danbury Hospital. “We barely made it to the hospital. It was a big surprise,” Brian said this week. “We literally walked in the door, laid her on the bed, and out came the baby.”

January 10, 1975

Over 60 volunteers from Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, Newtown Hook and Ladder Company, the United Fire Company of Botsford and the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company were on the scene for four hours fighting a barn fire on Pole Bridge Road, Sandy Hook, Saturday afternoon, January 4. The blaze, the cause of which is being investigated by the Fire Marshal, leveled a barn which was on the old Northrop Homestead and owned by Mrs Jess Metcalf of Great Ring Road. The barn was being rented to Mrs Regina Werden who said it was being used to store hay for her son’s pony.

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The birth of Michael Constantine Gerak, the just-born son of Stephen Theodore and Pauline Victoria Gerak of Skidmore Lane, Sandy Hook … was reported first this year, so his parents qualified to claim the prizes promised by town businessmen in the First Baby of the Year Contest. Young Michael was born January 5 at 1:30 pm, and weighed 1 lb, 14 oz. Dr Gerard J. Foye Jr was in charge. Michael has a brother, Stephen Gerak II.

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Although a resignation has not been formally submitted, the Board of Education will be losing its newest member, Edward Peach, within several weeks. Mr Peach, who was recently seated as a Board Member to fill out the vacancy of Democrat Dana Fradon, has accepted the position of executive director of the Nature Center for Environmental Activities and Mid-Fairfield County Youth Museum in Westport. Mr Peach, who began his duties on December 6, will, as director, be moving to Westport where he and Mrs Peach will live in a residence on the Center’s 53 acres of land in Westport. In a phone conversation with The Bee, Mr Peach said that at the time he went on the Board of Education, the position of director at the Center was not available. However, at the end of December, the past director was offered another position, and Mr Peach was asked to take his place. It is an opportunity which he said he could not pass up, mainly because the activities at the center deal with nature education at the center and in the area schools; thus, providing him an opportunity to work in the field of education in which he is so interested.

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Ordinarily the Board of Police Commission monthly meetings are uncrowded ones with only a few members of the press listening in, but this past Monday night it was an overflow crowd for the commissioners to handle, and an extra traffic cop perhaps could have come in handy. The reason for the overflow of people was that the Commissioners had as their guests the members of the Board of Burgesses of the Borough. … The Burgesses came to discuss the problem of traffic within the Borough and to see whether the two groups … could come to some meeting of the minds in order to bring order to the traffic situation in the center of town; mainly the Queen Street, Glover Avenue area.

January 6, 1950

A total of $252 so far has been received in the current local Salvation Army drive for funds, according to Austin E. Dinkler, treasurer. The goal is $500 and local chairman, Joseph H.A. Symonds, says that the committee is gratified with the donations received and is hoping that the remaining required $248 will be received before the drive closes on January 16. Mr Symonds states that a part of the funds collected are retained for use in Newtown, to be used under the direction of a committee of representative citizens, for relief of distress wherever it occurs in the town.

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The two-story, five-room home of Mr and Mrs Albert Bradshaw on Great Quarter road in the Stevenson district was entirely destroyed with its contents of furniture, clothing and a television set early Sunday night when fire of undetermined origin swept the structure. The Bradshaw family [was] visiting friends in Danbury when the fire began and upon their return very little of the heavy framework was still standing. State Police have been called in to investigate the origin of the fire.

January 2, 1925

There passed from earth to the rest of Paradise on Christmas day Rev Francis W. Barnett of Newtown street. He had been in ill health for a year or more and confined to his bed for several months. Rev Mr Barnett’s life was characterized by gentleness, graciousness and kindness in its largest and best expression. One person has truly said of him: “He was the wisest and kindest man I have ever known.”

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The much postponed case of the State vs First Selectman John J. Northrop for adding a name to the “to be made” voters list after the list had been closed in October, was held before Judge Abraham Caduldig of Bridgeport at the Brick building on Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The State had hardly opened its case when it was noticed by close observers that the case was a mighty weak one. Attorney Willis, for the State, seemed to realize the case was a hopeless one, and after hearing the testimony of two of the state witnesses a conference between Attorney Willis and Grand Juror George E. Hayes took place, after which the state asked for a nolle [prosequi], later asking for a complete dismissal, which was granted. This brings to a close a case that has been distasteful to many of the townspeople.

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A serious accident occurred at 7.35 o’clock, Tuesday morning, at Hawleyville on the grade crossing just west of the station. W.A. Honan, proprietor of the store at Hawleyville, drove up to the station in his truck, a Buick, and let out a friend at the platform. The passenger train from Danbury to Hartford at 7.20 o’clock was coming in and in trying to start up Mr Honan stalled the motor. Realizing he could not get the vehicle off the track, Mr Honan jumped out and abandoned the truck. The locomotive struck the stalled truck almost squarely in the center and pushed it toward the station some 25 feet. The truck was pretty [illegible] demolished. This grade crossing should have been done away with when the grade crossings in town were eliminated some 15 years ago.

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It was really a community Christmas for St John’s school invited the Methodist school to join with them in the Christmas festival on St Stephen’s Day, December 26. The church was well filled with the young folks, their parents and friends. Rev Dr Gesner opened the service with prayer and the congregation joined in singing the old familiar Christmas hymns and carols. The rector spoke a word of cheer and praise to J.O. Pitzschler, his assistants, and the pupils for the good work by St John’s, the past year. He congratulated those present on the peace and good will manifested in the joint celebration of the two schools. He then told a short Christmas story after which Mr Pitzschler, ably assisted by his helpers, distributed a box of candy canes, oranges and a more lasting gift to each pupil. St John’s most generously remembered the rector by the gift of two $20 gold pieces. After singing “Silent Night, Holy Night,” the rector pronounced the benediction, when all dispersed with happy memories of Christmas, 1924.

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Prof and Mrs Frank H. Johnston of Newtown Street entertained a few of their many friends at a whist bridge party on last Friday evening. They opened their home and hospitality to their friends who enjoy the game and those who were fortunate to be there had a most interesting and enjoyable three hours at bridge.

January 12, 1900

The annual meeting of the ecclesiastical society, the business end of the Congregational church, was held on Monday evening. W.R. Reynolds was chosen moderator. The officers elected were: Clerk, John J. Northrop; treasurer, Levi C. Morris; society committee, C.B. Taylor, W.M. Reynolds, M.C. Rodgers; auditor, Allison P. Smith. The total receipts were about $1650, and notwithstanding that extra payments and back bills were paid to the amount of $400, everything was cleared up, but about $85. Resolutions were adopted praising the work of the pastor and pledging him the earnest support of the society. An adjournment was made to the parsonage where the resolutions were read to Rev Mr Barker.

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W.C. Johnson, South Center’s hustling miller, filled his ice house, last week with nine and 10 inch ice. He says it is as fine ice as he has ever put up.

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John Mulligan is putting an addition on his house, 10x16 feet.

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Mrs Anna Platt is staying with her uncle, Philo Dimon, who is in very poor health, this winter.

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George Mattegatt is employing a number of men in getting out ties, and thinks he will be able to put about 1000 ties on the railroad, this winter.

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H.E. Blakeman of California, Mo., arrived at Botsford, Friday, and is visiting his sister, Mrs E.D. Briscoe.

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There was a hearing on Monday last before Judge of Probate Bradley on the will of Martin Costello. After a short hearing the will was admitted to probate. The witnesses to the will, which was made in March, 1893, were Cyrus B. Sherman, David W. Bronson and Walter S. Bradley. Mr Sherman and Mr Bradley testified to the execution of the will and to the apparent soundness of mind of Mr Costello at the time. After the will was admitted to probate an appeal was taken to the Superior court by James Costello, the only heir at law, who was left nothing under the will, except the income during his life. Upon his death the entire estate goes to the then pastor of St Rose’s church, to be used for masses for the repose of the soul of the deceased.

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.