March 30, 2001

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — A TEST WITH NO USEFUL PURPOSE: For the second year in a row, state lawmakers are considering a proposal to require high school seniors to take an exit exam before graduating from high school. The exam, which would start in 2005 if the measure becomes law, would ensure that a Connecticut high school diploma means something, according to its chief proponent, Republican House Minority Leader Robert Ward of North Branford. “The purpose of school is to have kids learn,” he told his colleagues. “And I believe a fair standard will encourage student achievement.” Mr Ward’s plan sounds good in a political speech, but it is fundamentally weak from an educational standpoint.

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HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Sally O’Neil.

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A judge has ruled that statements which one of two defendants made following the July 1999 Sandy Hook fatal shooting of Jason Gowdy will be allowed as state evidence in court during the defendants’ upcoming joint murder trial. Danbury Superior Court Judge Gary White ruled Tuesday that statements made to police by Ruperto Lugo, 20, of Stratford can be used as evidence.

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Tom Evagash updated the Treadwell Park Playground Fund sign in front of the Booth Library on Main Street this week to reflect the $65,000 that has been collected. The goal is $90,000 to replace the Adventure Quest handicapped accessible playground for children ages 2 to 5 that was destroyed by arson, and also to build an adjacent playground for older children. The Lions Club and the Treadwell Playground Committee are planning fundraisers including a duck run on Memorial Day weekend on the Pootatuck River.

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NOW PLAYING — HARRIS’ LABOR OF LOVE IS INFECTIOUS: Who would’ve guessed that the Best Supporting Actress of 2000 would be one of the few female performers in Space Cowboys? Of course, Marcia Gay Harden didn’t win her prized Oscar for that popcorn flick, but for the more serious-minded Pollock, Ed Harris’ earnest directorial debut about the mercurial American abstract artist. Harden stars as Jackson Pollock’s long-suffering wife, the artist Lee Krasner, and audiences have their chance to validate the Academy’s choice by catching this intriguingly fluid film, now playing at Bethel Cinema.

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Some 160 competitors converged on Newtown Middle School this past weekend for what is believed to be the largest karate competition this town has ever seen. The school’s “A” gym was packed with both kids and adults taking part in a number of different events. The annual World Tang Soo Do Association’s Region 9 Championships were hosted by Newtown Academy of Karate, which is owned and operated by the Porco family of Newtown. Competitors from all levels — even black belt — participated in events that included creativity, forms and controlled free sparring.

March 26, 1976

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — ABOUT OUR RATES: We do not feel out of step with anyone as we announce an increase in our advertising rates. It seems that the people we buy from in order to publish a newspaper have a way of raising their prices, and now it is our turn. … While we do not relish the announcement of a rate increase, we do find it necessary. But, taken in the light of when it all began, some 99 years ago, it is really not bad at all. At that time one inch cost seventy-five scents. Now we are up to two dollars for the same space. But back then we were only four pages.

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Bicycle and pedestrian safety was the theme of an original puppet show presented to the Grade 3, 4 and 5 pupils in all four Newtown elementary schools this week. The show, given by members of the public affairs department of the Newtown Woman’s Club, stressed proper care of bikes as well as sound rules for walking and biking. The four original puppets, script and presentation were done by members of the department … Sgt Robert Taylor of the Newtown Police Department then spoke to the children and conducted a brief question-and-answer period.

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For those who are in need of finding their way around Newtown’s 60.38 square miles, help is at hand in the form of an updated road map of Newtown published as a public service by the Newtown Board of Realtors and the Newtown Savings Bank. The map, which not only includes present town roads, but provides information on the location of new proposed roads, is offered free to any residents, service organization, town board or commission.

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The Newtown Food Co-op is now open for a new type of membership whereby those who cannot comply with the requirement of working a certain number of hours for the Co-op will, instead, pay four dollars a month for the opportunity of buying at the Co-op. A limited number of such associate members will be accepted. The Co-op was organized nearly two years ago and now has about 200 members. It specializes in natural foods and such basic items as cheese, eggs, flour, honey, oil, dried fruit and beans, etc. as well as fresh vegetables and fruit in season.

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A hand made colonial quilt and a colonial doll house are special raffle items for the drawing which will be a feature of the “Mickey Salutes ’76” Fair planned by the Middle Gate PTA for April 10 in the school. Tickets for the drawing are now on sale at 50 cents each. … Paul Arneth and Wayne Kenyon adapted and built the doll house from a magazine picture and Betsy Kenyon did all the authentic interior design. These items will be displayed at the School’s Arts-Sciences-Crafts Fair March 31 at the school.

March 23, 1951

Of considerable added interest at last Thursday night’s performance of “Light Up The Sky” was the announcement by Ford Cordial that Town Players had completed arrangements earlier that day for the purchase of an acre and a half of property on which to build a small building which will serve as a rehearsal hall, a general meeting place for all those interested in amateur theatre activities, as well as a much needed storage place for properties and costumes. The property, which was selected after consideration of several, is located on the North side of West Plains Road in South Center District, about 1500 feet in from Route 25, and was purchased from Mr and Mrs Harold F. Smith.

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Volunteer solicitors for the Newtown Ambulance Association will call at Newtown homes and business houses in the near future soliciting funds for the new ambulance. Telling the association’s growing service to the community and the need for the new equipment, Henry L. McCarthy, a board of trustees member, stated this week that in 1941 the ambulance averaged answering a call once in five and one-half days, and that in 1951 it averages one call in 37 hours, a more than 300 per cent increase in frequency. In 1941, he said, local calls equal to carrying one person in 33 of the residents had been answered. By 1951 the proportion has climbed to one in four.

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At mid-week, Mrs. George M. Stuart, chairman in Newtown for the Connecticut Society for Crippled Children and Adults, announced that so far $630 has been realized for the Easter Seal Sale in Newtown. In pointing out the work of the society and its need for funds, Mrs. Stuart emphasized the broad scope of its program and said that many persons who received seals had not as yet responded.

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Delegations of Civil Defense Council members from nearby towns in the Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury area attended a Civil Defense meeting in the Alexandria Room, Edmond Town Hall, last Friday night, when Col. Robert N. Mackin, area Civil Defense Director, addressed the meeting. Communities represented included Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Monroe, New Fairfield, Redding, Ridgefield and Newtown. Some 75 delegates were present.

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Passing through one of the great seasons of the Christian Church, members of Newtown churches are holding during Holy Week special services commemorating the last few days in the earthly life of the Great Teacher. On this Good Friday, union services are being held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. this Friday by the congregations of the Protestant churches in the Newtown Congregational Church, with all residents welcome attend and stay as long as desirable, leaving at their convenience during hymn singing. … At St. Rose Church on Good Friday there will be a Mass of the Presanctified at 8 a.m. and Stations of the Cross at 3 o’clock.

March 26, 1926

Mrs Mary Bishop Glover died in the Hartford hospital on Sunday, following an operation. Mrs Glover was the wife of Charles B. Glover of New Britain, formerly of Hanover district, Newtown. She was 51 years old, the daughter of Mr and Mrs Theodore Bishop, formerly of Little York, Southbury. Mrs Glover was a lady of attractive personality and her many friends here learned of her death with very deep regret. … The funeral was held from her late residence in New Britain, Tuesday morning, after which the body was brought to Newtown and placed in the Hawley Memorial Vault in the Village cemetery.

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There was a very largely attended meeting of the Girls’ Friendly Society in St John’s Guild rooms on Tuesday evening. According to custom it was social night and Master Austin Warner put on a highly amusing show. His very clever invention of a clog dancer on a mimic stage operated by unseen influences beat any Punch and Judy show ever staged.

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Spring must be fast approaching judging from the amount of alcohol being transported through Newtown these days. Officers Tucker and Webber of the Ridgefield barracks had a lively chase Monday night. The two guardians of the law were in the Beaver Brook section of Danbury on the above night, when they noticed a Cadillac sedan with the rear end pretty close to the axel and they decided to check up. They overtook the car at the four bridges and pulling up alongside blew their whistle but Mr Cadillac driver decided that he was not in the Ford class and stepped on the gas and the race was on. All speed laws were ignored. … The pace kept up until Sandy Hook was reached where just below the underpass at the railroad station a bullet from the officer’s revolver caused the rear tire to collapse and the race was off. The car had 175 gallons in tin cans aboard and was taken to the Ridgefield barracks. … The driver and passenger were arraigned before Justice P.H. McCarthy Tuesday evening and were held under a $1,000 bond each [and] were held for the May term of the Criminal Superior Court.

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On March 17, an interesting debate was held in the Hawley school auditorium. The subject was: Resolved, “That the Hard Coal Industry should be under the control of the Federal Government.” Newtown had the affirmative side, which was splendidly presented by Alice Carmody and Sarah Farrell. Beth Judson and Spencer Dormitzer represented Woodbury and gave the Negative side. The sides were evenly matched and the judges were thoughtful to have figured the result to a fine point when the score was announced as 432 to 430 in Newtown’s favor.

March 29, 1901

Arthur T. Nettleton, the genial treasurer of the Newtown Savings Bank, was in the Park City on Monday.

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Patrick Brennan, who was burned out recently, has moved into the house of Mrs Thomas Meehan, near the Tunnel. Mr Brennan is expecting to rebuild.

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Charles C. Bartram, who sustained a slight shock, last week, has been taken to the Danbury hospital. He has been for some months at the home of Charles B. Glover in Hanover. Mr Bartram is a brother of Mrs W.H. Glover of this town and of F.S. Bartram of New York City. His friends in Newtown and Bethel will be pained to learn of his illness.

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Miss Todd of Bridgeport and Misses Susie and Jennie Chambers of Waterbury have been recent guests of Mrs I.P. Blackman in the Glen.

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At a meeting of the trustees of the Newtown Savings Bank on last Saturday the usual dividend of 3½ per cent on deposits of $1000 and over and 4 per cent on deposits under $1000 was declared.

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The funeral of the late Helen May Beers was held on Friday afternoon of last week, March 22, at 2 o’clock in Trinity church, Rev G.T. Linsley officiating. The large congregation assembled attested the universal esteem in which the deceased was held and there was a feeling in the hearts of all those present of sincerely sympathy for the family in their great bereavement. Every one who knew felt that the loss was a personal one.

Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by readers of The Newtown Bee. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to shannon@thebee.com, subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.