January 19, 1990

As of January 17, there were 119 inmates in the state Department of Corrections’ new substance abuse treatment center at Fairfield Hills Hospital. The first inmates entered the program at Fairfield House during the week before Christmas; plans are to continue to gradually increase the number of inmates until it reaches its capacity (160 male inmates). Capt Carlos Vega said the inmates — kept in four separate “dorms” — (on both ends of two different floors) have meetings (by dorms) at the beginning and end of each day. These meetings are sort of “rap sessions” where the inmates can talk about the day’s activities and other things. Inmates also participate in groups. Capt Vega said the program is a 24-week one.

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An 18-year-old youth threatened to jump off the roof of Gas Stop Service Station early Sunday morning, January 14, but never got the chance due to the persuasive efforts of a Newtown police officer. Reportedly the youth was despondent and was threatening to jump. After speaking to the teen at length, Officer Robert Haas managed to coax the youth near his location on the roof, where the boy was subdued by other police officers.

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Amid the buzz, snap and whirr of power tools, volunteer craftsmen began laying down the second layer of plywood floorboards at Newtown’s Teen Center on Church Hill Road, Saturday, January 13. Once the flooring is complete the walls and partitions will go up. The façade is complete and only needs to be painted and the plumbing is finished. Generous donors have already offered a ping-pong table, two armchairs, carpeting, couches, toilets, sinks, several small tables, and most recently, a vacuum.

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Last week, the Newtown Lady Indians basketball team got back on the winning track, and back in the Final Four Playoff race, with victories over Pomperaug, 44-32, and New Milford, 38-31. Newtown went into Pomperaug’s gymnasium and exploded into its most powerful offensive surge of the season. The team’s next task was New Milford and it was up to it. Although New Milford was able to handle the full court press, early on, it failed to convert on the shots and Newtown was able to get out to a sloppy 12-4 first quarter lead.

January 22, 1965

Students of William H. Foote’s class at Hawley School who had been studying astronomy and the winter constellations climaxed this study unit by a visit to the planetarium at Danbury State College last Friday. Frederick Bragdon of the college faculty used the planetarium to show the winter constellations, the rotation of the planets, and eclipse of the moon.

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The senior high school choir of the Newtown Congregational Church is being reorganized under the direction of Fred Niehoff. It is hoped that all interested young people in senior high school will lend their assistance in this important phase of Christian worship.

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An enthusiastic, hearty young man has returned to his home town, eager to share his American Field Service experience and to get back in the swing of things. Harry Carey, son of Mr and Mrs Harold Carey, arrived at Kennedy International Airport on December 18, after spending eleven months in Clyde, New Zealand.

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With a continual increase in the number of patients receiving treatment as out-patients, and additional number of physicians have recently been assigned to the Out-Patient Clinic at the Fairfield Hills Hospital. The clinic provides aftercare for patients who have been in the hospital and offers psychiatric treatment and psychotherapy to patients in the community who have been referred to it. The clinic is under the direction of Dr D.W. Thomas.

 

January 19, 1940

Foreman William D. Corbett and his crew of state road workers had rather a busy time of it on last Friday, trying to keep the roads sanded during the snow and sleet storm. They worked from Friday morning until about 2 am on Saturday morning, continuing to sand all day Saturday. It has been noted that frequent stalling of cars on hills is caused in most cases by heavy trucks being driven without chains. As a result, trucks are forced to stop in the middle of the road. A long line of cars is soon held up.

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Over 100 people attended the first of a series of weekly dances being held at the Dodgingtown Inn on each Saturday evening. The Rocky Mountain Rubes’ Broadcasting orchestra, which broadcasts weekly over WBRY and WELL were at their best, and besides playing for dancing, several members rendered solos. A number of recordings were made during the evening and may be heard on the electric victrola at the Inn.

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Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh set a new high for big pins, it is believed, at the Edmond Town Hall bowling alleys on Friday evening, when he bowled for a total of two hundred and forty six. The judge not only enjoyed a fine score but had the pleasure of making eight strikes and four spares in his record breaking string. When your scribe inquired as to what he attributes his success, the Judge replied, “Clean living and no likker.”

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With little fanfare, Newtown’s Visiting Nurse Association carries on its useful work in town. Newtown’s health, individually and as a group of individuals, is without doubt our most prized possession. None of us can put a value on our own good health. So that, whatever the Visiting Nurse Association does for the town, and what we as individuals contribute, can be considered as devoted to the preservation and well-being of the town’s chief assets.

 

January 22, 1915

The Men’s Literary and Social Club of Newtown wishes to place on record its sense of loss in the death of Ezra Levan Johnson and its high appreciation of his good character and of his influence for good in the affairs of the community. Mr Johnson became a member of the club, November 15, 1899, and was its President for the year 1902 to 1903. He was especially interested and active in all efforts of the club to reach the community. He was well informed in the town’s history of which he was a diligent student. By reason of his painstaking work in search of old town traditions, he was regarded as an authority in town history.

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Charles G. Peck now bears the dignity of tree warden. On Wednesday, he received through the mail, an old-fashioned brick saw, about two feet long, with small home made handles. Mr Peck is bearing up well under the new title. You may now address him, when you meet him on the street, with any of the three following titles: His honor, Borough Warden Peck; Tree Warden Peck; Registrar of Voters Peck. Under his efficient direction several dead trees in Sandy Hook way and in the borough have been removed. It goes without saying that he will make a first class tree warden.

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On Sunday morning, the body of John Leavy, Jr, who had been missing since Tuesday, was found in the Pootatuck river, not far from the residence of Selectman Thomas F. Brew. Just how he got into the river is not known. He was last seen in Sandy Hook on Tuesday afternoon. In the darkness he probably mistook the right road and slipped into the river, at that time a raging torrent. Mr Leavy was 45 years old.

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Newtown High School Notes: There was great excitement, last Thursday, when, during the last period, a volume of smoke was discovered in the direction the street. As it was nearly 3 o’clock, school was dismissed at once and immediately a stream of excited scholars were rushing up the street toward the scene of fire. It was discovered to be Wakelee’s garage, which stood enveloped in flame and surrounded by excited citizens, who were vainly trying to gain control of the flames by directing a stream of water against them through the one available hose. Before many minutes the garage was a mass of smoking ruins.