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A Hanover Road woman has launched a petition campaign in Newtown and Southbury attempting to persuade Northeast Utilities and the state Department of Environmental Protection to take steps to protect bald eagles wintering along the Housatonic River from “harassment” by the ever-increasing number of spectators coming to NUY’s Shepaug Dam to see the birds. Pat Pelligrini of Hanover Road claimed the number of bald eagles wintering in this area has decreased in recent years. She said the bald eagles have felt threatened by so many people.

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The conversion to computers is slowly but steadily happening at the C.H. Booth Library now that a corps of volunteers had been trained. The volunteers are now feeding the Newtown library’s book titles into the 17-library computer system known as Bibliomation, Inc.

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The Newtown Board of Education has approved a $14.2 million operating budget for the 1985-86 school year. The budget was reduced from the originally proposed $14,848,194 to $14,246,243 at a meeting Tuesday night and is ready for presentation to the Legislative Council.

 

February 26, 1960

Dr Henry Roger of Walnut Tree Hill, Sandy Hook has completed the design and construction in his ROLAB Photo-Science Laboratories, of an eye-movement camera for Vanderbilt University, a project that has consumed nearly a year. This camera, with its special features and electronic components is called upon to take pictures to trace eye movements by means of photos demonstrating reflection of a light target on the cornea of a subject’s eye.

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Frank A. Moore of Glen Road, Sandy Hook, was given the Junior Chamber of Commerce award as the “Outstanding Young Man of the Year” at the Jaycee Award Banquet this Wednesday night, February 24, held at the Yankee Drover Inn.

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Friday evening’s special town meeting voted to adopt, without discussion, a new ordinance to regulate excavation of town roads, amended the zoning ordinance and approved a resolution to pave the way for sessions of the new circuit court to be held in Newtown. The fourth item, the purchase of a new fire engine for use of the Hawleyville Fire Company, involved a little more discussion before the resolution was adopted.

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Spending a month in Paris to gather further insight and material on the market, Townsend Russell of Eden Hill found an interesting response to French currency reform. In 1958 the franc, through careful treasury administration, was stabilized. After allowing almost two years to make sure that the fiscal program was sound, new currency has been issued. Without repudiating the currency or its government, France has made a successful effort to maintain the value of savings and investments.

February 22, 1935

John Hanson of Danbury has bought the Pines Inn from Fred Carstensen of Bridgeport and is now engaged in making extensive alterations on the interior of the place. When completed Mr Hanson will have one of the most modern dining establishments in this locality. Mr Hanson will undoubtedly receive liberal patronage.

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The Newtown Orchestral Society has been fortunate to secure as soloist for their concert to be held next Thursday evening, February 28, one of the leading young American pianists, Helen Calvert McGraw of Washington, D.C. Her Town Hall debut in New York earned for her the praise of eminent critics such as Olin Downs and Henderson.

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Special to The Newtown Bee: New York, February 20. William H. Egan, Stationmaster of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at New York known to myriads on two continents as “Big Bill,” famous in song and story, and a native Newtownite, was the guest of honor at the Pennsylvania Hotel, Thursday evening, February 14, the occasion marking his half century of service with the Pennsylvania Railroad.

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Last Saturday a full patrol of eight went to Camp Trefoil, Long Hill, to the leadership training course. The boys prepared their food carefully, as if they had to carry it on their backs many miles each day, making it as compact and nourishing as possible. Wood chopping contest, compass game, nature game, fire lighting and cooking took up most of the afternoon. A fine moon and clear, mild weather helped make the evening meal and camp fire most enjoyable.

 

February 25, 1910

John Stillson, while helping cut wood at George W. Northrop’s, Wednesday, was unfortunate enough to have a hand caught in the buzz saw, cutting into the hand between the third and fourth finger and making a ragged wound which bled profusely. Dr Kiernan was hastily summoned and put the hand in as good shape as possible.

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A horse owned by Jacob Schopick kicked the horse owned by Louis Rottenberg, the former breaking the leg of the latter. Frank Conger was called, but could do nothing to help the animal, which had to be killed. Mr Rottenberg wanted to be paid for the horse. The hearing took nearly two hours. The arbitrators were closeted nearly an hour and finally decided that Schopick should pay $20 and let Rottenberg keep the hide.

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A carp was sighted near Otter Bridge and was landed by William Schielke, a saw mill hand, after a hard struggle. Mr Schielke laid flat on the ice which was less than one inch thick and Arthur Miller held his feet. George Beardsley also assisted and now has the fish on exhibition at his place. It measured two feet and on and three-fourth inches in length and weighed 32 pounds.

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John Clark, while breaking the speed limit on Schoolhouse Hill, last Friday morning, was arrested by the crust in such a sudden manner that his face was badly cut and scratched.