The decision by the state’s Division of Public Utility Control last October to eliminate declining block rates for large volume residential users of electricity — which has contributed to increases for people who heat their homes electrically — will be the subject of two hearings in the coming weeks.

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Catch symbols are usually born in times of crisis and the 14-month United States/Iran hostage predicament has spawned its own — the yellow ribbon. Tying one on a tree, or almost anything, was one of the many ways Americans demonstrated their unwillingness to forget their 52 fellow citizens who were held captive in Iran for 444 days. On Tuesday the hostages were released — and a nation celebrated.

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More than two years later, Diane and Brad Peterson of Parmalee Hill Road look back at their own tension-filled days in Tehran before the onset of the 444-day international crisis. “We moved there in October 1977, and in July we began to hear of rumblings in the southern part of the city,” said Mrs Peterson… “After that things began to snowball. I didn’t always understand what was said, but there was no mistaking the other signs — a picture of an American flag, for example, with a black X through it.”

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What would a ceremony marking the dedication of a new public building be without the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony? US Rep William R. Ratchford did the honors at the ceremony for Town Hall South on Sunday, with First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and Public Building Committee, Joseph Borst and Selectman Jack McAuliffe.

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A small but enthusiastic group met in Atty Mark Oppenheimer’s office on Wednesday, January 21, to sign the necessary papers marking the official creation of Host Homes of Newtown, Inc, a service designed to provide children in need of temporary housing in emergencies. Although the initial planning is being done by the Newtown Jaycees, the committee is seeking interested people in the community as directors, board members and resource families so the program can function as an independent nonprofit organization.

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For the past two years, Mother Nature has taken the snow right out from under the skies of the Annual Newtown Antique Sleigh Rally, but this may be the year the jingle of sleigh bells is heard again. Co-Sponsored by the Newtown Bridle Lanes Association and Newtown Park and Recreation Commission, the rally will be held Sunday, February 22, at the Italian Community Center property on Route 34 in Sandy Hook — providing there is still snow on the ground.

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As town employees started settling into their new offices in Town Hall South, they began thinking of ways to make their new quarters more attractive. Now visitors and employees can enjoy the benefit of many large, colorful and well-executed pieces of original art by several of Newtown’s finest artists. The availability of the white walls has resulted in a gallery of sorts where Newtown artists can display their work.

January 27, 1956

The members of the Newtown Congregational Church voted unanimously to purchase the property now occupied by the Knapp and Meyers store, owned by Mrs Evelyn Shepard, at a special meeting last Friday evening, January 20. The tentative plans call for the enlarging of the church and the church house at the time the church is moved to the new site, to install a new organ and to make all necessary renovations.

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An audience of about 100 townspeople followed with intense interest the Town and Planning Commission’s review of its proposed regulations for land subdivisions, in a public hearing held Wednesday night in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. A main point of discussion was the commission’s requirement of 25-foot setback and 20-foot sideyard space for house plots in future subdivisions.

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An historic building and center of religious worship for many years, the Newtown Methodist Church, a short distance up the hill from Sandy Hook Center, is undergoing a transformation these days. The change appears in the physical aspect of the church in sparkling fresh paint applied to the walls and sanctuary … and a new heating plant. The transformation is perhaps more marked in the increased activity in the church, a process which began several years ago.

A delegation of 11 Newtown Republicans attended the $100-a-plate “Salute to Eisenhower” dinner at the Hotel Statler in Hartford last Friday, January 20. The dinner was under the chairmanship of John Alsop.

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Leslie Egee, the daughter of Dr and Mrs Benton Egee, is attending school while on crutches with her ankle in a cast. Leslie broke her ankle while sleigh riding and had to spend one day at Danbury Hospital last week.

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A great deal of interest is being shown in the exhibit of silkscreen prints by Allen Saalberg of New York City and Pennsylvania currently on exhibit at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. The prints are the collection of Henry Schnakenberg of Taunton Hill Road through whom the exhibit was arranged.

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Proof of the many new homes that have been built during the past year is evident in the grand list figures which have just been released by the Board of Assessors. They show a jump of $1,946,958 over last year’s total, which on a percentage basis represents an increase of 11 percent.

January 23, 1931

Bishop Acheson paid a short visit to Newtown, Sunday afternoon. At Dr Gesner’s request he held a special confirmation for one person at Trinity at 3 pm and proceeded to St John’s rectory, where with the rector he was greeted by a large congregation who came to express themselves in favor of rebuilding St John’s.

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 Now is the time to have your fresh spring house frocks made to fit your measurements. Call 231 for appointment. Ye Apron Shoppe, Church Hill.

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Allen K. Beardsley has filled the ice house of Soule & Roberts at Lakeside in Southbury. Robert D. Fairchild harvested his ice crop on Saturday, being assisted by Richard Arndt, Willis Arndt and D. N. Popovitch.

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The YPF of St John’s and Trinity Churches: The last meeting was held January 18, at St John’s rectory. A basket of fruit was sent to one of our members who is recovering from illness, Austin E. Dinkler.

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Get ready for spring cleaning. We have a full line of Dupont paints for inside and outside use. Muresco,  Kyanize floor finish, Dutch Boy lead, linseed oil and a full line of paint brushes. Corbett & Crowe.

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Mrs Hanington, mother of Mrs Carl Le Grow, fell on the ice, one day recently, fracturing one arm in two places and William Egan of Walnut Tree Hill, millwright at the factory of the Fire Hose Co., is ill with an attack of the grip.

January 26, 1906

A largely attended meeting, to consider the advisability of the organization of a water company, was held Saturday evening at the Brick building, and much enthusiasm was manifested. President D.C. Peck of the Savings bank came forward with a generous offer donating the site of the reservoir and right of way from the lake to the reservoir, free, providing the Water Co would give him free use of the water during his life time.

***

Adam Schnabel, 21 years old, son of Philip Schnabel of Dodgingtown, Newtown, died suddenly Sunday night, January 14, at the farm of A.L. Reynolds, at Riverbank, from internal injuries caused by the kick of a colt. The animal is not of the vicious sort, but it was just a bit fractious that day. In an unguarded moment young Schnabel allowed himself to get within range of the colt’s hoofs. He was kicked heavily in the stomach. The kick knocked him out, and he went to bed. No one in the house dreamed he was in a serious state. Death came suddenly.

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The water wheel in the Sandy Hook Woolen mill has been taken out by Josiah Tilson and shipped to Orange, Mass., to be repaired. An iron flume is to be installed in place of the old wooden flume.

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Joseph Wasile has opened a tailoring shop in the Gannon building on Church hill and is prepared to make suits to order and do all kinds of repairing. Suits pressed for 65 cents.

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Egan Brothers at Hawleyville have had a lively business, this winter, killing the porkers in that locality. They have dressed so far this season 225 porkers. The largest one they have dressed, this season, was for George Hoyt of Beaver Brook, the weight being 575 pounds. The next largest was for Alonzo Williams of Plumtrees, it weighing 530 pounds. This was an 18-months-old pig.