May 4, 2001

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — CHARTER REVISION: EVOLUTION OR UPHEAVAL? From its inception last fall, Newtown’s Charter Revision Commission has shown a high degree of independence — particularly from the Legislative Council, which created the panel and gave it its charge. Because of the diffuse and varied nature of that charge, however, the members of the new commission concluded that they had no choice but to re-examine local government from the ground up. The proposals that have come out of their work in the past seven months would significantly change the way Newtown does business.

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HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Lee Paulsen.

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Nine Newtown residents were honored last week by the secretary of state’s office for more than a quarter century of volunteer municipal service to the community. Joseph E. Borst, Bob J. Carroll, Raymond O. Craven, William A. Honan, Jr, Francis M. Krasnickas, Eleanor C. Mayer, Melissa M. Pilchard, Jack H. Rosenthal, and James J. Smith, Jr, were all recognized with the presentation of the Public Service Award at a ceremony at Quinnipiac University in Hamden. These men and women have served the community as either elected or appointed officials for at least 25 years.

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There was a familiar face back behind the counter in the town clerk’s office Monday. It was none other than Betty Smith, who served as town clerk of Newtown for six years between 1982 and 1988. She stopped in to help out for a few hours and gave several people who stopped in a case of déjà vu. Betty is the mother of current town clerk Cindy Simon.

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Stan Perrone of Kesco Electric has been hired by the town to help improve the wiring and lighting at Edmond Town Hall. Stan also lends his expertise each year for the annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony at Ram Pasture.

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Head O’ Meadow’s School Improvement Plan includes goals that will no longer just teach students information, but will employ strategies that teach them how to learn. Principal Bill Bircher presented Head O’ Meadow’s 2001-2002 School Improvement Plan Tuesday night to the Board of Education. “Schools traditionally teach kids information,” Mr Bircher said. “Not necessarily how to learn.”

April 30, 1976

Edward R. Offchiss of Sandy Hook was listed as one of the 52 survivors in the April 27 crash of an American Airlines jet which crashed into an embankment at the end of the runway at the airport on St Thomas Island in the Virgin Islands, crossed a busy highway and plowed into a gas station, causing a fiery explosion. Mr Offchiss, the co-pilot and first officer of the jet, reportedly suffered a broken ankle in the crash, when the nose of the aircraft broke off dropping those in the cockpit, Mr Offchiss, the pilot and the flight engineer, to safety.

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From the outset, the Planning & Zoning Commission public hearing on Cyrill Mantell’s application for a shopping mall at 63 South Main Street was a verbal sparring match between Atty Seth Brody and commission members. Several times during the 3½ hour hearing on April 22, Mr Brody objected to lines of questioning by the commissioners regarding the proposed 78,000 square foot, four-building facility.

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As graduation time rolls around, talk generates as to whom will be the principal speaker. In the past that speaker has usually been a dignitary of some sort; politician, educator or community leader, and for the past few years, a student chosen from the senior class. This year the seniors at Newtown High School decided to go a different route and have someone who might offer an unusual and humorous twist to graduation — Don Imus, the radio personality who is known for his controversial comments and take-off of life in general.

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The Newtown Bicentennial Committee, faced with money woes, is concerned that a lack of financial support by the town and the townspeople may curtail future Bicentennial celebrations, notably the Labor Day Parade, one of the costlier events to stage because of payments which must be made to participating marching groups from out of town. Therefore, the committee members have issued the following plea to residents: “A major problem has forced the Newtown Bicentennial Committee to re-evaluate its planned Bicentennial activities. The problem is lack of funds.”

April 27, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — ARBOR DAY: In an era when public thought is focused on such dramatic events as the sudden “firing” of General Douglas MacArthur and the resumption of heavy attack by Red forces on the Korean front, it is difficult for the general public to keep its mind on its own affairs at home. The fact that this Friday, April 27, is Arbor Day has probably escaped the attention of most of us. We mention it — not as a competitive news item to any of the immediate national or international news, but as a reminder that we are missing a bet right here at home. One after another, our stately elms give way to the ravages of time, and few towns or townspeople are doing anything about replacing them.

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With many friends calling last Thursday to offer felicitations on their 40th wedding anniversary, Mr and Mrs John A. Carlson of Main Street were guests of honor last Sunday afternoon at a family gathering held at the home of Mrs Carlson’s nephew, Joseph B. Fennell, and Mrs Fennell in Brookfield Center. In the morning they had attended service in St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookfield, where they were married 40 years earlier.

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Mr and Mrs Rea Irvin returned to their Taunton home last week after having spent the entire winter at their home on the island of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Mr Irvin had made several trips between St. Croix and New York during the winter, but this was Mrs Irvin’s first.

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Mr and Mrs Paul S. Smith and son, Teddy, spent the week-end at Frederick, Md., where they visited their daughter, Mary Starr, and attended the convocation exercises at Hood College.

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Henry Schnakenberg of Taunton District is having a one-man show at the Silvermine Guild of Artists, Silvermine Road, Norwalk, with the exhibit opening this Saturday between 3 and 5 p.m. The exhibit comprises about 20 works of which the majority are water colors and all are on Mexico. Silvermine’s hours are week-days, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Tuesday when the gallery is closed, and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mr Schnakenberg’s show will continue through May 11.

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A brush fire at the home of Kyle Crichton, the author, in Hanover District brought out Vincent Gaffney and his Hawley Firefighters plus two pieces of equipment from the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company last Saturday afternoon at about 4:30. Fire Marshal Walter L. Glover reported that approximately two acres of a field to the rear of the house and outbuildings were burned over, but no damage resulted to any of the buildings.

April 30, 1926

Rev and Mrs G. Herbert Ekins entertained at a bridge party, followed by dancing, on Thursday evening last. The prize winners were: high score gentleman, Walter A. Reynolds; high score lady, Mrs W. Baxter; low score gentleman, L.C. Morris; low score lady, Sarah Beers Mitchell.

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During the week of April 18, three evening meetings were held at the rural schools, one at Gray’s Plain on Tuesday; Taunton on Thursday and Flat Swamp on Friday. These meetings consisted chiefly of speaking and spelling contests, with some music and some demonstration of the actual class room instruction. Mr Baxter, head of the agricultural department at the Hawley High School, was present at each of these meetings and gave a most instructive talk as to what his department is doing and what his duties are.

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Borough Tax Collector Patrick H. Gannon, who was confined to his residence for four days with an attack of the grip, is out again.

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Mrs Emily Carlson will move from one of Judge McCarthy’s houses to one of the cottages of Dr C.H. Peck, opposite the Liberty Garage, where Mrs Carlson formerly resided before moving to the McCarthy place.

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The Liberty Garage has sold a Ford touring car to John Leavy of Walnut Tree Hill.

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Mrs Alvah Meeker has been on the sick list for a few days.

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Mrs Georgianna O’Connor moved, last week, to her attractive new residence on the Jeanville Terrace.

May 3, 1901

The committee on fisheries and games in the Legislature reported favorably, last week, on Representative Edward Taylor’s bill for state game preserves. This is quite a victory for Mr Taylor, as there were other preserve bills before the committee for consideration.

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The town meeting on Saturday last was a very large one, despite the busy seasons for the farmers, over 200 voters being present. Deputy Sheriff M.C. Rodgers was chosen chairman and made an excellent presiding officer, his decision being decidedly fair, and he kept the business moving, making the meeting very short. He also showed a desire to give all sides a fair chance to air their views, and to have a fair count.

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Dr Albert L. Schuyler has received the appointment of health officer of Newtown from County Health Officer Hill and also medical examiner for the town by Coroner Doten. Dr Schuyler succeeds Dr Smith, who has just moved to Bridgeport.

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Mrs Asa N. Hawley of Hawleyville wishes to announce that she has no more grape wine for sale.

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Miss Elizabeth Leavenworth returned on Saturday morning from a pleasant sojourn at East Orange, N.J.

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Mr and Mrs Harlow Stahl of Bellevue, O., are guests at the pleasant home of Dea N.W. Mitchell in Pootatuck.

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George Winton sold a fine pair of three-year-old steers, Saturday, to S.H. Peck of Watertown, taking an odd steer in exchange. Mr Peck is one of the best known cattle men in Litchfield county and says he is coming to the Newtown fair of ’91 if he is alive and all works well.

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.