January 31, 1992

Newtown residents filled the Alexandria Room Tuesday, February 4, and voted 104-20 to appropriate $450,000 for the construction of a pool at Treadwell Park. "We really do need a facility like this in town," said resident Louise Gardner. "The price tag is positive. I am in full support of this pool." Although several other residents concurred with her, saying the pool was long overdue, there were a few residents who raised questions about the expense and the period of payment. The plans call for an eight-lane, 25-yard pool with a diving well; a square wading pool, and a bathhouse that would be attached to the existing bathroom and storage facility at the park.

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Newtown residents have started a chain phone alert system for escapees of the Western Connecticut Substance Abuse Treatment Unit. "I think it's necessary until we have some formal, electronic, reliable alert system," said Wendy Beres. "When prisoners escape we need something temporary. We have a minimum security facility in town and there are escapes." Mrs Beres is an organizer of the citizens' group that has proposed starting an electronic alert system for the new, 400-cell jail scheduled to open July 1 so residents can be made aware of escapes as they happen. "The neighborhood phone chain is an interim system that will be in place until a more efficient system is approved," said Mae Schmidle, who is informally chairing the group. As recently as January 30 an inmate escaped at 11 pm from the treatment unit on Fairfield Hills grounds. The third this year, the escape is under investigation.

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State and local police are looking for a 38-year old black male who escaped from Western Connecticut Substance Abuse Treatment Unit late Thursday night, January 30. According to a state police report, Benjamin Kelley of Waterbury escaped from the drug rehabilitation facility at approximately 11:01 pm. He is the third inmate to escape in the last month, and the second this year. According to WSATU, the low security facility is designed for inmates who have been involved with drugs in some way and want help. Yet residents and police believe the opposite is true. "What was he doing there? He has no criminal record of drug or alcohol abuse," said Police Chief Michael DeJoseph. According to the chief, Mr Kelley has an extensive criminal record. The WSATU warden said he has no control over who is sent to his facility, according to the chief. The warden stated that it was the correctional personnel's fault that the town was not notified when the two inmates escaped on September 16 and vowed it would not happen again.

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Recent bear sightings in Newtown were one of many interesting topics covered in a fascinating presentation by Conservation Officer Mark Shaw for the three Cub Scout Bear Dens of Pack 270, Middle Gate School, January 29. He used a collection of his own slides to give the Scouts a taste of the responsibility and duties of a conservation officer.

February 10, 1967

"When I looked out the window Tuesday morning and saw the snow swishing sideways across the window, I figured I would just stay in." So said a telephone caller to The Bee on "The Day of The Blizzard," Tuesday, February 7, and it was a good decision. First Selectman Carl M. Schutz is high in praise of the road crews' performance during Monday's and Tuesday's snowfall. Mr Schutz and Road Foreman Joseph Bennit agreed that the new plow with the jet sander arrived in the nick of time and was most important in the good job done during the blizzard. Nine large trucks were used, three smaller, and the "Big V" plow particularly for drifts of which there were many.

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Louis Untermeyer, poet, author, critic, wit and raconteur, who has delighted audiences throughout the country from the lecture platform and on radio and TV shows as "Information Please," "What's My Line," and most recently on the Merv Griffin show, will be the master of ceremonies for the gala performance "Stars in Daytime," at the Edmond Town Hall on April 9 at 3 pm. "Stars in Daytime" is for the benefit of the Newtown Historical Society. Proceeds will go toward the moving, equipping, and maintenance of the old Middle Gate one-room schoolhouse which is to be permanently preserved on the new Middle Gate school grounds.

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Little three-week-old Robert Glen Booth of Old Town Road was the guest of honor Tuesday, February 2, at a baby shower at Donna Clark's Bethel home.

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Dear Friends, It would not be possible for us to say how much it has meant to us to have so many people, young and old alike, be so thoughtful, kind, and helpful. For all of you who have been saddened and grieved with us since Dickie died, a sincere thank you and God bless you. Tommy, Lilly, Sherman and Lisa Goosman and Lilly Hansen, Newtown Conn.

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Will the woman who gave me a lift on Route 6-A Tuesday please leave the valise, left in the car, at Carl and Walts, Woodbury, Morris Freeman.

February 6, 1942

Upon petitioning a group of Sandy Hook residents, the Board of Selectman has called a special town meeting to be held at the Edmond Town Hall on February 13 at 8 o'clock for the purpose of voting on the request for the purchase of a fire engine for the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company. The petition calls for the expenditure of $6,000.

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Chester Bowles, state rationing administrator, writes to

The Bee that "the most difficult problem confronting us in the rationing of tires is the failure of the general motoring public to realize the seriousness of the rubber shortage. According to the best data we have, 90 percent of the 500,000 car owners in Connecticut will be forced to use their present tires for the duration of the war or at least for as long as they last. If we can give the public a real understanding of the situation, it will make the work of our rationing boards much easier." There it is friends - straight form the state rationing administrator. Less riding and more walking are surely in order.

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On Monday morning, February 9, the entire nation will observe Daylight Saving Time (or War Time, as termed by president Roosevelt) by advancing their clocks one hour. According to recent legislation, this ruling goes into affect at 2 am and will remain in affect for the duration of the war and for six months period thereafter, unless nullified by Congressional action. While this change to War Time may mean rising long before the sun for some people, there will be compensation in the added hours of daylight at the end of the day. Thus we will be conserving electricity for our vital war industries and strengthening our growing chain of defense. Remember to set your clocks and watches ahead one hour as you retire Sunday night.

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The Bee lost another valued member of its staff on Friday when "Bob" Stephens enlisted in Naval Reserve, preferring the Navy to draft duties in the Army. Bob leaves with the best wishes of The Bee and his many other friends in town, reporting for duty at the Newport training station in Newport R.I.

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Mrs Frederick Andrews, a former well-known resident of Taunton district, is confined to the home of her daughter Mrs Lincoln Valentine in Hawleyville district, with illness.

February 9, 1917

The case of Hiram J. Kellogg of Danbury, charged with theft of 500 feet of oak plank from Charles E. Blakeman came up on Saturday before Justice P.H. McCarthy. In talking to one of the witnesses it was learned that the planks were taken during December 1915, and this was called to the justice's attention. Justice McCarthy ruled out further prosecution of the case, as offenses of a criminal nature must be started within a year of the crime's commission. A nolle was entered and the case closed.

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Mrs Edward Ward, who has been confined to her home for the past three weeks, is getting better and hopes to be out again soon.

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Do not fail to attend the supper at the Baptist church Friday evening, given by Willing Workers from 5 to 8 o'clock. A short program will be rendered and social hour enjoyed after the supper.

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Clinton Hyatt has a new Ford touring car.

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A pancake social was held at the Congregational Church, which was a very enjoyable and successful affair, netting quite a sum.

Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com, or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.