* * *

Police arrested two men suspected of attempted burglary Wednesday night, February 17, after chasing them through several local roads. The victim, Ms Harper of Great Quarter Road, Sandy Hook, called police to report that two white males had just attempted to break into her house and were leaving the area in a large, blue car. With Patrolman Agostini in pursuit, the blue car reached speeds of 70 to 75 mph before smashing into a boulder and trees off Arrowhead Lane.

* * *

Town plans to rebuild steep, narrow, poorly drained sections of the roads in the Pootatuck Park section of Sandy Hook are currently stalled by an apparent disagreement about the town taking title to the trails. Socha Larsen, president of the Pootatuck Park Association, expressed grave concern that her area may lose the funding to improve the substandard roads, Narragansett Trail and Fairview Drive, the major access roads into the park.

* * *

It’s a refrain that’s often heard in Newtown: there’s nothing for its young people to do. But 18-year-old Brett Pryor thinks the time is right for giving them something — an arcade. The lack of recreation is a particularly acute problem for middle school aged children, who usually have far less mobility than older teens, he points out. Both Borough Zoning Officer Jean St Jean and Town Planning & Zoning Administrator Ann O’Donnell have pointed out to Mr Pryor that their regulations do not allow such an arcade.

* * *

For Newtown balloonist Harvey Hubbell, “lighter than air” flight has become more than a hobby. It has added a new dimension to his life unheard of six years ago when he spotted his first hot air balloon. Right now Mr Hubbell is working on the design for a hot air blimp — a vehicle that differs from a balloon in that it is steerable from motor-powered car attached to its underside.

* * *

In light of current budget cuts both in this town and in others, school systems have had to come to grips with a number of bad public relations raps, one of which includes the rising costs of hot lunch. Well, School Lunch Director Vera Perrini believes she may have the answer to this perplexing problem and wants to install doughnut machines at Sandy Hook and Middle Gate Schools. She said the schools have always been health food oriented and although this isn’t exactly a health food, it’s “very nourishing,” because these doughnuts will be made with milk and eggs.

* * *

Children from across the country are being invited to share their concerns with top government officials through the fifth annual national letter-writing campaign sponsored by Save the Children, the international child assistance agency. The theme for this year’s letters is: “Dear Mr President, If I had one wish for the world’s children….” The topics addressed most frequently by the children will form the 1982 Children’s Agenda for Action.

 

February 22, 1957

There have been six grass fires in Newtown since last Friday. This prompts a warning from Millard Goodsell, Fire Marshal, cautioning townspeople to be more careful from now on. As a matter of hard fact, permits are required, except in the Borough, for outside fires the year around, unless there is heavy snow on the ground.

* * *

Considerable opposition was expressed by the over 80 townspeople who were present at a hearing held last Thursday afternoon, February 14, by the Board of Selectmen in the selectmen’s office in Edmond Town Hall, on the application of John Lomazzo and Sons Corporation of Westport. The application sought permission to erect and maintain a crushing plant for the processing of sand and gravel on the property owned by Frederick L. Otto and Louis Hain, south of Turkey Hill Road.

* * *

It will probably come as a bit of disturbing news to parents of Newtown school children, and other adults, that local merchants are being bothered by petty thievery by some of the town’s youngsters. So far, drastic action has not been taken, but we think it only fair to warn that the indulgence which store owners have shown so far, will not continue much longer. Probably the best remedy lies in parental insistence that strict honesty be practiced in the future. And for a persuasive demonstration that parental authority is to be followed without question, probably nothing is more convincing than a thorough warming of that region of the anatomy upon which one rests when in a sitting position.

* * *

Bill Canfield constructed a handy portable score board for the Newtown High school last spring. It cost less than $21 and gives a quick check on the events of the game using small lights to indicate hits, errors, fielders choice, balls, strikes and outs. The battery of switches is efficiently spaced on a movable panel. Coach H.S. DeGroat advised in the construction.

At an organizational meeting of the newly formed Babe Ruth League in Newtown held in the Edmond Town Hall on Tuesday evening, Robert Carruth was named president; Roger Treat, vice-president; Nelson Denny, treasurer; and Robert DeVeer, secretary. Plans were made to arrange for a playing field next to the Little League field and for use of the high school diamond when it is not otherwise occupied.

* * *

If anyone were to ask Al Karcheskis of South Center District right now what makes the most amusing pet, he probably would answer, a squirrel. For almost a year now, the Karcheskis’ have had such an animal for a pet in their home. As he was just about two months old when found, he was promptly named “Baby.” His antics are so amusing that on numerous occasions Mr Karcheski has taken him to school to show to the children. Recently Baby delighted the patients of Fairfield State Hospital at one of their fairs.

 

February 19, 1932

The remarkably warm weather that New England has experienced so far, this year, causes lots of comment from everyone, and perhaps it is a real God-send in this period of financial depression. We were much interested to find the following write-up of the blizzard of ’95 in the issue of The Bee of February 8, 1895. ‘Of the 1895 blizzard that has just visited us, the order should be changed to read that it blew and it blew and it snowed, that is, that the blow was the great feature of the storm, and while there was a considerable fall of snow, it was not abnormally large. But another feature is worthy of notice….on last Thursday, Friday and Saturday the old thermometer hung at the zero mark with the tenacity of a bull dog.’

* * *

Despite one of the most disagreeable evenings of the winter, a fair sized congregation attended the opening service at Trinity Church on Thursday evening. Rev Dr George T. Linsley, pastor of the church of the Good Shepard, Hartford, was the special preacher. Dr Linsley was greeted at the conclusion of the service by may of his former parishioners and towns folk.

* * *

Trinity Church: Next Sunday morning the service at 10:45 will be a patriotic service with national hymns and a sermon by the rector on Washington’s Religious Life. Let us make an effort to mark this day with red letters in the calendar of the church year, and fully commemorate the service of this noble Christian servant of church and State.

* * *

Quinn Bros wish to announce that they have taken over the ice business of A. Conway and in the future the business will be known as the Newtown Ice Co. If the usual crop is not harvested on their pond, artificial will be sold at a rate not higher than 1931.

* * *

Will the patrons of the Library and school pupils kindly check up on the books in their possession in order that any books belonging to the Library and now over due, may be returned as soon as possible. This request is quite urgent, since many of the books now over due are being called for by others.

* * *

First National Stores, Inc is inviting the housewives of New England to a great birthday sale. Thirty years ago many of the same stores which now serve the neighborhoods of New England began business in a modest way. In many homes the sale will be the occasion for stocking a supply of items. Many of the products on sale are offered at record low prices.

 

February 22, 1907

Our public spirited neighbor, Patrick Gannon, has talent as a sculptor, as well as in many other lines. He fashioned a figure of George Washington in snow, last week, which was true to life. He placed it on the lawn in front of his house, where it has stood up well.

* * *

We are still wondering who the party was that was breaking roads a week ago Sunday, but cannot ascertain who it was. He was out driving again on Sunday night, but he made sure that he would be home early enough so as not to be lost. The last that was seen of him he was going in the direction of Taunton.

* * *

A horse belonging to William Sheridan of Bethel collapsed, late Saturday night, in front of the residence of Arthur J. Smith. As the horse was helpless he was dispatched by Deputy Sheriff Johnson, a Humane officer, who was summoned to the scene. The horse was removed the next morning by A.L. Peck, Jr.

* * *

At a meeting of the Newtown Library association, Saturday night, it was voted to accept the offer of Principal Jewell of the High school to make an author’s card catalogue for the library building. The work will be done by the High school pupils under the direction of Prof Jewell. A cabinet to hold the cards, to cost about $12, will be secured.

* * *

At an adjourned meeting of the Newtown borough, Monday night, Dr Gale reported for the committee on hydrants, that they recommended the borough pay the Water Co. a rental of $50 a month for the use of the hydrants within the borough limits, and that the Water Co. test the hydrants at least once a month. It was voted to buy a hose cart for the hose just purchased. Six hundred feet of hose has been purchased of the Fabric Fire Hose Co.