April 6, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Leah Lentocha.

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Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding a fatal high-speed accident on South Main Street early on the morning of Saturday, March 31, in which a 29-year-old man died after he drove off the wet road and struck two trees. Police said their investigation involves whether the accident may have involved racing, road rage, or other circumstances.

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The railroad overpass that spans Church Hill Road has proven to be quite a battle horse over the years. In addition to bearing the weight of the daily railroad crossings, the bridge has held up under a steady barrage of truck collisions from below, not to mention more than a few graffiti artists. Through it all, the infamous bridge (rising 12 feet, 7 inches above roadway) has stood the test of time. That is, until now. This week, the state Department of Transportation released a work schedule for the bridge replacement project which has been talked about for many years. The plan calls for the raising of the Housatonic rail line, and the removal of the low-hanging bridge, which will be replaced with a brand new bridge that will provide a clearance of 14.9 feet, high enough to allow the state to remove all warning signs.

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Five witnesses for the state testified Wednesday in Danbury Superior Court at the trial of two men charged in the July 1999 murder of 15-year-old Jason Gowdy of Sandy Hook. They described the events that occurred before, during, and after the fatal shooting at the corner of Riverside Road and Cherry Street. … Newtown police Sergeant James Mooney provided details on the 911 call which police received after Gowdy was shot. The eight-woman, four-man jury heard the recording in court where Judge Gary White is presiding at the trial.

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Newtown’s state legislators could do little more than offer sympathy and share the frustration of the Board of Education when it came to offering hope for additional state educational funding this year. The school board is looking for money to fund eight new teachers that have been left out of this year’s school budget by the Legislative Council. What it got from the legislators was a mini-lesson on the legislative process in Hartford.

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Troop 70 held its annual Dinner and Court of Honor on March 13, during which scoutmaster Edmund Breitling, Sr, and assistant scoutmaster Edward Wold, Sr, were awarded their Woodbadge beads, neckerchiefs, and woggles. The Woodbadge award is the highest level of adult leader training offered by Boy Scouts of America.

April 2, 1976

Larry Cole, head custodian, and assistant John Johnson have studied the crevice that extends along the edge of the Newtown High School auditorium roof. The rift is responsible for the water damage to and subsequent closing of the auditorium facility. Repairs are under way and everyone hopes for a speedy reopening of the area.

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Professor Chester M. Destler of Berkeley College, Yale University, presented the third and concluding lecture in the Newtown Bicentennial Lecture Series sponsored by the Newtown Historical Society on Tuesday evening, March 23, in the Alexandria Room of the Town Hall. A noted author, lecturer and historian, Professor Destler’s lecture entitled “Newtown’s Part in Connecticut, the Provisions State” was based on his original research in local and state records regarding the town. He disclosed many facts and statistics concerning the town which were unknown to his audience.

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The site committee for the Newtown Children’s Adventure Center is still considering possible sites for a new facility. Operated by a non-profit designated agency of the town through state funding, the Center has just received a letter of credit from the Housing and Urban Development Administration for $56,000 for a new building to house a day care program for at least 60 children. The letter of credit authorizes the day care center to draw upon the federal funds at any time and in any amount up to $56,000, without imposing a deadline or schedule.

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Park Superintendent Arthur Bennett Sr is proud these days of his newly decorated waste barrels at the park. Painted red, white and blue and adorned with decals of the eagle and flag, they are timely touches to the Dickinson Park landscape. Mr Bennett noted a friend donated the decals.

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Chris Keeling, who won the Daughters of the American Revolution’s essay contest over all other Connecticut Fifth Graders with his story of the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, received the congratulations of Hawley Librarian Mrs Gloria Abondolo and Principal Ronald Vitarelli. Chris’s tale is told by the quill with which Thomas Jefferson wrote the document. His mother, Mrs Connie Keeling, says Chris is an avid reader and the American Revolution is one of his favorite subjects. His classroom teacher at Hawley is James Shaw.

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First Selectman Jack Rosenthal accepted a gift to the town from three high school students. The wool flag with a royal blue background and Newtown’s rooster emblazoned in gold wool on the front was designed by Sue Jones, Monica Larkin and Marianne Morhauser, students in Mary Thomas’s home economics class. The flag was also presented to Chris Spiro, chairman of the Bicentennial Commission.

March 30, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — REACTIVATION, PLEASE: In recent weeks, the wish has been expressed in various quarters that Newtown’s Town Development Committee could be revived and put to work. The Bee certainly joins in that same wish. Unfortunately, the group’s chairman is no longer living in Newtown, and no vote was taken at the annual town meeting to perpetuate the committee. It seems very simple, however, to include in the call for the next special town meeting, when it is held, provision for the reactivation of this group which has within its province consideration of all matters deemed for the best interests of the town.

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Miles Harris was unanimously elected president of the Rotary Club of Newtown at its meeting held in the Parker House Monday night, when a slate of officers for the coming year was presented by the nominating committee. Other officers elected when the secretary was authorized to cast a single ballot for the entire slate, were: Donald R. McCain, vice president; Fred Buermeyer, treasurer, and Alfred H. Jurgens, Sr., secretary. Franklin Hawley and Felix Baridon were made members of the board of directors.

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In an impressive ceremony conducted in Masonic Temple, Sandy Hook, Monday night, Mrs Fred G. Mayer was installed as worthy matron of Mirah Chapter 113, Order of Eastern Star, with a large number of local chapter members and guests from nearby chapters witnessing the ritual. The new matron and other elected and appointed officers to serve for the coming year were installed by Mrs Fred Nixon, of Middletown, grand secretary and past grand matron of the Order of Eastern Star of the State of Connecticut. Assisting her were Mrs George Canfield, past matron of Greenwood Chapter as installing marshal, Mrs Ben Day Smith, past Mirah Chapter matron, as installing chaplain, and Mrs Fred Porter of Greenwood Chapter, as installing organist.

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John Dyer of New York City is spending his Easter vacation as a guest of Mr and Mrs Edmund M. Foster in Grays Plain District. This is John’s seventh visit at the Foster home, having first come here under the Tribune Fresh Air program. Mrs. Foster is local chairman for the Tribune Fresh Air program and announces that the two-week period starting July 17th has been selected as the time for this year’s visit of so many youngsters from New York City to country homes in the Friendly towns which cooperate in the program, Newtown being one of them.

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At the annual meeting of the Fairfield County Soil Conservation District held in Emond Town Hall gymnasium Monday night, Irving W. Waterhouse of Palestine district was elected to succeed himself as district treasurer, winning over Sam Paproski of the Dodgingtown District. Leonard Curtis of Monroe was favored over Nicholas Wabuda of Shelton on the board of supervisors, the executive group of the district. Some 100 residents of the district interested in soil conservation attended the meeting at which Daniel Manning McKeon of Ridgebury District, Ridgefield, presided at the meeting and gave a report on district operations during 1950.

April 2, 1926

Mrs Catherine Honan of Walnut Tree Hill District passed away at her home early Tuesday morning, March 30, after an illness of ten days duration. Mrs Honan was in her 72d year and was a native of Ireland, having come to this country when a young girl, and taken up her residence in Newtown. She was the widow of the late Daniel Honan, who died 25 years ago. Mrs Honan was a kind friend, and good neighbor and highly respected by all who knew her.

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A very interesting meeting was held at the Zoar school, on Friday evening, March 26. About 50 people were present. Miss Lillis gave some excellent demonstration lessons. These were followed by the annual speaking and spelling contest. Martin Phelan, Principal of the Hawley High school and Mrs E. Ward Ireland acted as judges. Marjorie MacClymon won both the speaking and spelling contests. After the exercises refreshments were served. All reported a very enjoyable evening.

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On Wednesday of this week, the Homestead Ice Cream Parlor moved into its new quarters in the Atcheson Block. The new quarters are nicely located and afford ample room. A new feature of the place is the installation of a Frigidaire Ice Machine, which will afford the patrons cold drinks and frozen cream at all times. Candy, confectionaries, luncheons, and home cooking will be featured in this new place. Home made bread, pie and crullers may be had fresh daily.

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The Rupf property located on Queen street has been sold to Mr and Mrs Charles G. Burkhardt of Derby. The sale was made through Northrop & Greene.

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CARD OF THANKS: I wish to extend to my neighbors and friends sincere thanks for the many acts of kindness showered on me during my late bereavement.—Helen Egan, Newtown, March 29, 1926

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Little Dorothy Morgan, who was operated on at the Bridgeport hospital by Dr Shea, is able to be out again.

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Mr and Mrs F.H. Johnston move this week to the new house of Miss Mary E. Hawley, south of the Smith-Scudder residence. They have gone to Mr Johnston’s old home to spend a week.

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GRANGE BULLETIN: Taking into consideration the fact that the traveling is bad and that some of our faithful ones are sick or out of town, the attendance, Tuesday night, was quite encouraging, there being 23 members and three visitors present. We also had as guests Brother Sherman and Brother Mix of Harmony Grange. Frank Hopkins, Jr., was reinstated and we extend to him a cordial welcome and hope he will enjoy his labors with us. We also have six candidates waiting to join us. The first degree will be conferred at our next meeting, April 13.

April 5, 1901

The library of the Congregational Sunday school has been overhauled and put in first class condition. Forty new books have been added, the list including the following: 327. How Marcus Whitman saved Oregon, Nixon. 328. Rough Riders, Roosevelt. 329. The Land of the Long Night, du Chaillu. 330. The Biography of a Grizzly, Thompson. 331. Wild Animals I have Known, Thompson. 332. Three Colonial Boys, Tomlinson. 333. Three Young Continentals, Tomlinson. 334. The Exploits of Myles Standish, Johnson. 335. The Orcutt Girls, Vaile.

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Miss Elsie Moore of Taunton district has had as her guests for a few days, Misses Anna Ferrin and Rosalie Ohler, both of Bethel.

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Miss Lillie Fairman of Bridgeport passed Sunday in town, the guest of Mrs Grace Glover.

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Arthur M. Reynolds and a college classmate at Princeton university, A.L. Kinsey, are passing the Easter vacation with Mr Reynolds’ parents, Mr and Mrs W.M. Reynolds. Mr Reynolds will sing a solo at the service, Good Friday, at the Congregational Church.

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TRINITY CHURCH. PALM SUNDAY. The services appointed for Palm Sunday are among the most beautiful and instructive of the whole Christian Year. In Trinity church the lectern, the altar, and the reredos were appropriately decorated with palm branches shipped direct from the South. At the close of the morning service pieces of the palms were distributed to the members of the congregation as they left the church.

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CHAS. H. NORTHROP, Counselor-at-Law and Notary Public. Agent for the White Star and American Line steamers. Office at residence, Newtown Street. Telephone 248-14.

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.