April 17, 1987

Right-hander Pat Sullivan pitched two complete-game victories in the space of Three days to get the Newtown High baseball team off to a fast start. The victory over Masuk established Newtown as a legitimate contender in the Western Connecticut Conference this season, since Masuk was picked by many observers to defend its WCC title.

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When trucker Raymond Charest, 43, made his usual stop at the Hawleyville Deli on April 9, he thought he was just passing through. He picked up a sandwich, coffee and three Quick Picks, and went on his way. Less than a week later, he learned he was the 150th millionaire to win in Lotto, Connecticut’s state lottery. He had never won more than $15 or $60 in Lotto before.

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The Charles Batchelder Company, Inc, which has smelted aluminum at its Swamp Road plant for more than 30 years, has sought to reorganize its debts by filing bankruptcy papers in US Bankruptcy Court in Bridgeport. At its peak in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the company employed about 125 workers. It ceased production several months ago after it was beset with financial problems, which the company attributed to a 1984 explosion, the failure of a related company in Chicago, and undercapitalization.

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The Newtown Kennel Club celebrated its 40th anniversary in style this week with a banquet supper for its members and a special presentation of its first and only treasurer. NKC treasurer Joseph Raslavsky of Milford said he has met a lot of nice people over the last 40 years and made many good friends. He said it has been an exhilarating experience with fond memories of the club’s activities. Also honored at the dinner were 17 dogs that finished their breed championships during the last year or received an obedience title.

April 20, 1962

Another Newtown landmark, the old-fashioned, friendly A&P store at 33 Main Street, will pass into history on Saturday, when the store will close its doors at 6 o’clock that afternoon. The building in which the A&P has been located for over 40 years was known many years ago as the J.C. Beers Store, then the Atchison Block, and is now being renovated by Joseph T. Chase and bears the neat, new sign “Chase Building.” The portion which has been used by the A&P for so many years will be remodeled and will be occupied by a drugstore.

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The newly-formed Newtown Square Dance Club held a business meeting on Wednesday, April 10, conducted by the president, Larry Knees. The name Newtown Swing’N Eights was chosen as the official name for the club. The members of the Swing’N Eights are all graduates of the Adult Education Squared Dance Course.

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Definite action was taken Monday evening at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library to start an historical society in Newtown. Paul S. Smith was acting chairman. He will shortly announce a steering committee, which it is expected, will serve to formulate plans for the future. The highlight of Monday evening’s meeting was provided by presidents of two historical societies in nearby towns who told of their own societies.

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Resident State Police Sergeant James M. Costello and Postal Inspector Robert DeLong are still investigating a burglary which occurred at the Botsford Post Office, Route 25, sometime last weekend. Approximately $55 in cash from the post office safe, and about $16.75 in stamps were taken by the burglars. Sgt Costello said that entry was gained by prying open the front door of the building. The burglars then cut at hole in the back of the safe and took the cash from it.

April 16, 1937

Last Thursday evening, April 8th, the Newtown Orchestral Society, under the direction of Mario Di Cecco, presented its annual spring concert in the Edmond Town Hall before a large and appreciative audience. Thursday night’s program reflected Mr Di Cecco’s growing determination to present only the finest sort of music. It was good to note the absence of any of those “semi-classical” items from musical comedy operetta which the orchestra has seen fit to play in the past.

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The opening of the fishing season, this Thursday morning, found R.H. Holcomb returning home with a trout. Details as to size are lacking as The Bee goes to press, nor do we know the luck of those other veterans, “Hub” Beers and J.B. Nichols, who were doubtless up just as bright and early as Mr Holcomb.

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FARMER WANTED- Married man preferred. Entire charge of 200-acre farm. Special cottage with modern improvements. Bought by city man who will stock and equip up to the minute. Splendid opportunity for reliable man. Must have the best of references. Address: Farmer, care of Newtown Bee, Newtown Conn.

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On Monday, in large part through the offices of your scribe and Representative Edward R. Hampton, two of Commissioner Connor’s engineers were in town taking measurements for rotary traffic around the flag pole, also for a more adequate arrangement for traffic at Lovell’s Corner on South Main street. In the matter of a week or two, permanent fixtures for traffic control at these two dangerous intersections will be in place. They will greatly decrease the possibility of accidents. Newtown’s notorious flagpole will henceforth be protected from passing motorists, and the reverse is quite as true. Expecting the rotary traffic to be installed by May 1, town officials should declare a May Day celebration.

 

April 19, 1912

The editor always regrets to chronicle the misdeeds of his fellow citizens, as we prefer like the late Editor Bailey of the Danbury News, to record the good deeds. But when citizen begins to run riot, it is time someone sat up and took notice. On Tuesday, “Chip” Sheehan filled himself up with booze and proceeded to assault Nicholas Berg with a pipe. Mr Berg naturally objected and administered to Sheehan a sound drubbing, so that he bled profusely. Constable Carlson was sent for and placed Sheehan in the lock-up. Mr Carlson hastened him to Dr Gale, who dressed Sheehan’s wounds. The latter seized an axe he found in the lock-up and cut down the door. Later Sheehan was placed in the inner lock-up but is now at liberty. Berg declined to press a complaint. Sheehan is a well disposed young man when himself, and we trust that this will be his last adventure in this line.

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W.T. Cole has purchased of D.C. Peck the 50-acre tract of land situated on Mt Pleasant known as reservoir hill. The tract adjoins Mr Cole on the south and extends to Taunton Lake. With this addition to his holdings, Mr Cole will have an extensive and finely timbered fronting on the lake.

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An auto containing three gentlemen got stuck in the mud near F.K. Hawley’s, last Thursday afternoon and it took quite a while and a number of men to pry the auto out of the mud. The roads have been almost impassable, but are rapidly improving. A few warm days will dry up the mud.

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John Scanlon, who drives the Adams Express wagon for Charles Hawley, had his horse run away, Tuesday morning, breaking one wrist, spraining the other wrist, and bruising his shoulder, and spoiling the beauty of his face. Dr Kiernan attended to his injuries.