March 1, 1991

There certainly is no shortage of open space in this big town. But there has been little promotion on how the public can take advantage of it. Two residents, Mary Mitchell and Al Goodrich, have been working on a project involving the mapping of various town places open for hiking. After walking through many of the open areas in town, they want to make easy-to-use information available to the public, possibly through the Parks and Recreation Department.

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If the town budget is adopted as presented, and revenue estimates remain unchanged, property owners can expect their property taxes to increase by four mills, or 14 percent. This would raise the tax rate from 28.3 mills to 32.3 mills. Since one mill is a dollar per $1,000 of assessments, a person assessed for $100,000 in taxes would pay and additional $400.

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Joseph Borst, a member of the Charter Revision Commission, has proposed a revision that would put the public works department in charge of park maintenance. The proposal would place the department in charge of all town buildings and grounds, and would allow it, on request, to do maintenance work for the Board of Education, the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, and Edmond Town Hall. At the Charter Revision Commission's meeting, member Judith Craven also referred to opposition to this idea by the Parks and Recreation Commission. She said it is through the commission that the public makes its concerns known, and that the commission feels it needs to have control over "how the fields are handled."

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No matter how much Newtown clawed and scratched in its CIAC Class LL firsts round game against Bristol Eastern on Tuesday night, February 26, the Lady Indians were no match for their 18-2 opponent. Newtown, who was ranked 28th of 30 Class LL teams in the state tournament, was eliminated, losing 73-43 to fifth seeded Bristol Eastern. Newtown finishes up its 1990-91 girls' basketball season with an overall record of 8-12.

March 4, 1966

Children of the Newtown elementary schools, as well as students of the Newtown Junior-Senior High School, have been busy in their respective art classes, little realizing that samples of their work were being selected to be sent to Otaru City, Hokkaido, Japan. An art exchange between Japan and the Newtown schools has been arranged by Yutaka Katayama of Otaru City and William H. Foote of Middle Gate School. Before sending the exchange to Japan, a showing of the pictures and work will be on exhibit at the Middle Gate School. Arrangements have been made upon the arrival of the Japanese exhibit to have the paintings exhibited at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library.

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Havoc was worked by two young boys in a newly completed house owned by James B. Morris of Monroe on Birch Hill Road, Newtown. The boys, ages 13 and 15, have been apprehended. The two boys entered the house Wednesday and again on Friday. They used cement, bricks and mortar to fill air ducts in the chimney. They emptied cans of paint over the floor and used brooms to smear paint on hearth, walls, floor and on kitchen cabinets and range. They were returning on Saturday, with a nine-year-old brother in tow, when a neighbor caught one boy and called police. It was also reported that the boys had ruined electric golf carts at Rock Ridge Country Club, driving them into trees.

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The six choirs at the Newtown Congregational Church will join voices on Sunday, March 13, for a "Choir Festival" to be conducted in the church. The program will be presented twice that day, at 5 and 7 pm, and is open to the public. The admission charge of $1 for adults and 50 cents for children under 12 will benefit the choir robe fund. One of the choirs to perform will be the Junior Choir, under the direction of Mrs Thomas Griffith.

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At the meeting of the Newtown Board of Education on March 1, John B. Sommi was elected to a three-year contract as superintendent of schools. He has been superintendent for the past year, and previously was administrative assistant. Mr Sommi has had experience as a teacher in English, social studies, science, and history. He is a charter member of the Newtown Kiwanis Club.

February 28, 1941

Fire of undetermined origin gutted the home of Daniel Benedict of Taunton district, early Thursday morning. The alarm was turned in by Mr Benedict about 8 o'clock when he discovered the blaze while sawing wood in the rear. He was alone at the time, Mrs Benedict having let to take her daughter to school. The fire, which apparently started in an upstairs closet, spread rapidly and had enveloped the entire upper story by the time the firemen arrived. Thousands of gallons of water were poured on the blazing structure. However, the entire contents, including most of the family's personal belongings, were destroyed. The Benedict family has been offered the facilities of the homes of their kind Taunton neighbors until their home is once more tenable.

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With the winter almost over and graduation not far off, thoughtful parents and students, especially the Seniors, are concerned with the prospects of jobs. For this reason, the March and April meetings of the Parent-Teacher Association are to be Vocational Forums dealing with the problem of the right job for the right person.

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On Sunday afternoon, "Al" Boyson took his "Chevie" roadster to Highland Lake, Winsted, where he entered the 40-lap auto race that is held on the ice there, weather permitting. "Al" was one of fourteen entrants, and placed well, considering the chain trouble that overtook him at about the sixth lap. He got his "Chevie" underway and made up for lost time by really giving the little buggy all the gas it could take. He put on a good exhibition of how to drive a car on the ice.

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It appears that the second half of the race in the Newtown Bowling League will be a real dog fight right up to the final match. After their matches this week, the Owls and Crows were all tied up again for the lead, and the doughty Eagles, while losing some ground, remain only two games behind.

March 3, 1916

On Friday evening, March 3, in the Town hall, the Girls' Friendly Society will present two plays, "Engaging Janet," and "Murder Will Out," together with the "Song of the Daisies." After the dramatic program, there will be dancing. The music will be given by two pieces, violin and piano, from the Dicken's orchestra, Danbury. Tickets are for sale at R.H. Beers & Co. Admission 25 cents; reserved seats 35 cents.

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Ralph Whitlock, who was injured last fall, by having the bone in his left arm badly shattered in a fall, has recently returned from St Vincent's hospital. The arm and hand are in such shape that he cannot use them, thus depriving him of his means of earning a living. Mr Whitlock has been a hard working and faithful man and the subscription paper that he is passing around is worthy of the consideration of all our people.

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The Ferris boys are the proud possessors of a fine driving horse, presented by their father, Charles D. Ferris of Sugar Street. J.H. Frank has moved his portable saw mill from Dodgingtown to Bolmer's woods on Gregory's Orchard Hill.

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MOVING PICTURES AT THE TOWN HALL: A great many were disappointed last Saturday over the failure to present the "Woman Hater," introducing Henry B. Walthall and Edna Mayo, as advertised, but the local managers were in no way to blame as the show was booked and the failure was up to the film company. The show for this week Saturday night at the Town hall consists of the "Woman Hater," in three acts, "Deaths Marathon," "The Cub and the Daisy Chain," and "The Victorious Jockey."