* * *

Responding to Legislative Council cuts made in the Board of Education’s proposed 1982-83 budget, the school board unanimously voiced opposition Tuesday, April 20, indicating that the cuts made, about $350,000, will seriously affect education in Newtown’s schools. “The cut of an additional $42,944 on top of the $310,000 already cut by the Legislative Council will curtail necessary services to an unreasonable extent,” Board member Sutherland W.G. Denlinger said.

* * *

A Green-winged Macaw, two and one half feet tall, named Rosy, is loose in Sandy Hook, and its owner is terribly worried. Rosy, a tropical bird, got loose on Saturday, April 17, and climbed a tree. Her owner, Michelle McCarthy of 15 Russet Road in Sandy Hook, said Rosy was thought to be unable to fly because she has a clipped wing. Rosy was last spotted in the Paugussett State Forest and the Lake Zoar area.

* * *

At Taunton Lake last Saturday, the opening day of fishing in Connecticut, many of the boats that dotted the calm water held youngsters and their fathers. (There were several mothers dropping lines, too, on that gray morning.) On Saturday almost everyone got his limit of five fish — it was just one of those days.

* * *

When they reeled in a 19-inch carp from Morgan’s Pond off Castle Meadow Road on Monday, Greg Fodor and Toni-Marie and Anthony Chieffalo thought they had a good dinner. The children were disappointed when they were advised at Ed’s Bait and Sport Shop that their prize was a scavenger and should not be cooked in the regular fashion. However, the catch was buried in the Fodors’ garden.

* * *

Newtown clergy on Monday signed a statement supporting the Board of Selectmen’s call for nuclear arms freeze. The statement, which stresses a call for “meaningful discussions with the Soviet Union to invoke a bilateral freeze of nuclear weapons and an eventual disarmament of those weapons,” was signed by the Rev Frank G. Dunn, Trinity; Rabbi Randall J Konigsburg, Congregation Adath Israel; the Revs Alastair C. Sellars and Steven P. Gordon, Newtown Congregational Church; and the Rev Kenneth R. Schueler, Christ the King church.

* * *

During an emotional special meeting of the Board of Selectmen which featured angry exchanges between Republican Town Committee Chairman John D’Addario, former Selectman Jack McAuliffe, and First Selectman Jack Rosenthal last Friday afternoon, the selectmen named eight new members to the town’s Commission on Aging. The new commission will replace eight of the nine former members who resigned April 5 following disputes with Mr Rosenthal over policy-setting guidelines for the Senior Center, performance evaluations of employees under the jurisdiction of the Commission on Aging, and adopting a new job description to govern the role of Senior Center Director Marvi Fast.

 

April 26, 1957

A summons was issued to the Town of Newtown and its Board of Selectmen last Thursday to appear before the Superior Court at Bridgeport on May 2, to show cause why an injunction should not be issued restraining them from enforcing an ordinance which bans auto racing in town. Shortly after September 9, 1954, the plaintiff started construction on a sports car racetrack on its property, and states that it has continued construction the track, erecting protective walls, grand stands, and other necessary appurtenances up to April 5, 1957. On April 5, 1957, a special town meeting was held in Newtown and by vote of 381 to 255, an ordinance was adopted which prohibited vehicular racing within town. The complaint claims that the ordinance is illegal.

* * *

Charles F. Ritch, chief of the bureau of field services, Connecticut State Department of Education, will be the featured speaker on Saturday, May 4, at 2 pm, at the dedication of the new Sandy Hook elementary school. The Board of Selectmen will accept the school on behalf of the town, and in turn, hand over its control to the Board of Education. The new school has been in operation since the start of the school year.

* * *

The discovery has come with considerable satisfaction to First Selectman Edward Coleman that a vein of top quality gravel exists on the Stefanko farm in Sandy Hook. The farm was optioned by the town back in December, 1953, and purchased in June, 1954, for town use. The unusually fine pebbly gravel was uncovered by the town road crew when they were digging there last week. Mr Coleman tells The Bee that the vein is large and will benefit the town in its roadwork for a long time to come.

* * *

A new organization named ERA was formed in Newtown recently to advance the welfare of the town’s youth, both male and female, by fundraising. The name ERA stands for Educational and Recreational Activities of Newtown, Inc, whose slogan is “Finer Citizens Through Cooperation.” The long range planning for ERA includes a recreational center, with grounds and building that will adequately handle future requirements for the town’s expansion.

* * *

One hour will be lost this weekend as clocks are pushed ahead to make the change from Eastern Standard Time to Eastern Daylight Saving Time. Best suggestion for keeping step with the time change is to push the clock ahead one hour upon retiring Saturday night, April 27. The lost time will be regained next fall when the clocks are pushed back to standard time. Meanwhile, the new time will be observed generally, except by farm animals, who are adamant and strictly adhere to the sundial.

* * *

The death of Arthur J. Crowe, of 41 South Street, Bethel, occurred Saturday at the Danbury Hospital, where he had been a patient since March 30. In the passing of Mr Crowe (“Doc” as he was familiarly and affectionately known to friends and acquaintances) there has been removed from the scene one of Newtown’s staunchest supporters and veteran businessmen. Mr Crowe spent a long part of his business career in Newtown, for many years running the store of Corbett and Crowe in Sandy Hook, in partnership with Martin E. Corbett, and then, after Mr Corbett’s death, as the sole proprietor of the drug store where he first came to work in 1904.

 

April 22, 1932

Venning Brothers, building movers of Danbury, began the task of moving the former Inn Annex on Monday from its present location adjoining the Cyrenius H. Booth library to the lot owned by Rodney P. Shepard on lower Main street. About 200 feet have been covered in two days of the total 1,000 feet to be traversed. The dwelling is being moved west of Main street and will be moved south in the rear of the residence of William F. Scott, Susan J. Scudder, Arthur J. Smith, Sr, and Patrick A. Carroll. Vincent J. Sullivan, local builder, has the contract for placing the two-family house on its new location.

* * *

At the suggestion of the zoning board William Baxter is moving his overnight cabins from the street front on the state road back some distance, arranging them in a semi-circle. Mr Baxter is also adding to the size of his store and restaurant at the corner, about doubling the present size.

* * *

Fire broke out near the chimney at the home of Mrs Helen O’Neil Palmer on Tuesday afternoon. The local firemen made a record run to Half Way River district, where the house is located, and quickly had the blaze under control. Mrs Palmer wishes to thank the local firemen for their quick response to the alarm.

* * *

Colonial atmosphere and red, white and blue colors, will prevail at the bride and tea to be held in the Alexandria room of the Edmond Town hall on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, for the benefit of the George Washington bi-centennial fund, to defray the expenses of the celebration to be held on July 1. Ladies who are fortunate enough to possess Colonial costumes will wear them to the tea.

* * *

NEWTOWN LOG CABIN TO OPEN ON THIS SATURDAY EVENING One of the most attractive refreshment establishments in this locality will open for business on this Saturday evening, April 23, with Al Olsens’s orchestra and a group of special entertainers. William McNiff, the new proprietor has made the place most attractive. A large dining and dance hall, which measures 44 x 30, with smooth logs on the outside, has been erected. The management announces that they will cater to banquets, clubs, parties, etc. and will serve daily dinners and luncheons. Each Saturday evening dances will be held from 8 to 12.

* * *

John L. Burr, who has been manager of the local A & P store for the past five years, has resigned his position and will open an up-to-date confectionery parlor on Main street about the middle of next week. Mr Burr is being succeeded by Floyd Jenks of New Fairfield who will move to Newtown with his family in the near future. Both gentlemen are receiving the congratulations of their many friends in their new adventures.

 

April 26, 1907

E.M. Miller’s house in Taunton had a narrow escape from being burned to the ground, last Tuesday morning. The chimney got on fire and burned out. Mr Furrells watched it until the fire was all out and then went with his milk to Hawleyville. Coming back he drove up to F.A. Young’s place and as he turned around he saw the roof of the house all on fire. He hastened home and with a few pails of water was able to put out the fire. Had he been a few minutes later, the house would have been destroyed.

* * *

William Dwy, a man about 45 years old, drove on to the track of the New York and New Haven road at the old Brick yard crossing, above the Newtown station, Wednesday night, and the horse he was driving, and himself were killed, struck by the New Milford special bound north. The horse belonged to Richard Rapp. Medical Examiner Schuyler viewed the body and it was given in charge of Funeral Director Keating.

* * *

A successful Sandy Hook poultryman was surprised at the talent developing in his nine-year-old son. A big, black rooster was much feared by the boy, and when the rooster rushed at him the lad promptly shot him dead with an air gun, the bullet taking effect in the head. And this explains why the father has not sold his usual big lot of eggs at fancy prices and so bought another block of railroad stock.

* * *

Frederick W. Andrews of Taunton had quite a lively runaway one morning the first of this week. He was all ready to start for Danbury to peddle his milk and went into the house for something, not hitching his horse. It started and when he came out was on a dead run down the road and did not stop until Plumtrees was reached. Mr Andrews’ wagon was badly broken, five or six cans of milk were spilled and large number of milk bottles broken. Fortunately the horse escaped uninjured.

* * *

Only a small audience greeted the Ideal Concert Co, composed of blind performers, and as the hall was cold, the excellent program presented was not enjoyed as it otherwise would have been. Their efforts were evidently appreciated by their auditors, who applauded them heartily. Mr Bill, the baritone, rather turned the joke back on his auditors by giving the song of “The Lonesome Town,” which created no little amusement.