* * *

Anthony Manzi of Pine Street, Sandy Hook, asserted Tuesday that the town should require stiffer fines to ensure that people do not let their dogs run, after a coon hound from nearby Buttonball Trail broke into a rabbit pen in his backyard and killed his ten rabbits. The owner of the coonhound faces a possible $67 fine for the three offenses of roaming, allowing the dog to become a nuisance, and failure to have a license.

* * *

The Booth Library story hour kids revived an ancient tradition on the library lawn this week to the delight of neighbors and passers-by. A tall Maypole decorated with flowers and paper streamers was erected and the children sang and danced around the pole as a special May Day activity.

* * *

According to figures released this week by the Connecticut Public Expenditure Council, Newtown’s per pupil education expenditures increased by 19.3 percent from 1979-80 to 1980-81, moving the town up from a rank of 77th to 65th in the state in levels of such spending. According to CPEC, Newtown spent $1,958 per pupil in 1979-80 and $2,336 in 1980-81.

* * *

A new chapter in the history of the Commission on Aging began on Wednesday evening, May 8, when seven of eight newly appointed commission members met with the Board of Selectmen to learn just what their responsibilities would be. The new commission was formed after eight of nine former commission members resigned en masse over a policy dispute with the first selectman. Some efforts were made to “clear the air” about former disputes, most revolving around accountability of funds in a special account and personnel responsibility.

* * *

The Legislative Council will work May 12 on a plan to meet a $33,000 deficit in the Newtown fire department budget, and has asked the town’s Board of Registrars to come up with a new voting district plan based upon population. Newtown is the last town in the state to finalize new voting districts based on the 1980 census figures.

* * *

Graphics arts students are using a new piece of equipment purchased with funds received from the State of Connecticut as a result of an annual grant. Kroy 80 is a non-photographic means of typesetting and looks and behaves much like a label maker, but it doesn’t require expensive photographic processing. Graphics arts instructor David DeFeo is pleased with the new acquisition because it makes typesetting easy and available to more students.

 

May 10, 1957

A State Board of Education official congratulated Newtown last Saturday, May 4, on the occasion of the dedication of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School, commenting the town received remarkable value for the dollar spent. Sandy Hook School provides a more-than-average 71 square feet per pupil which was built at a less than average cost of $13.33 per square foot.

* * *

Two pages in the travel section of the May issue of Seventeen Magazine are devoted to the Newtown Young People’s Club, which the magazine sites as an outstanding example of a teen-age travel club. The club members, led by Rev Paul A. Cullens, pastor of the Newtown Congregational Church, take weekend trips throughout the year at very low cost. Members pay dues of 10 cents a week, although big trips require a little extra money.

* * *

The condition of Harold Lockwood, 9, son of Mr and Mrs Earl Lockwood of Glen Road, Sandy Hook, is termed as good at Danbury Hospital where he was taken last Saturday after being struck by a truck in front of Edmond Town Hall. Harold suffered fractures of the thigh and collarbone and is now in a body cast. The youngster was standing at the east side of the street facing north when he suddenly turned and stepped into the path of the truck.

* * *

The Teen Canteen observed its first birthday last Saturday evening, April 27, when 123 members and guests gathered in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall from 11 am to 11 pm to enjoy the performance of the one-act play “This Way to Haven” presented by the Town Players. Because of the large attendance last Saturday evening it was necessary to eliminate the tryouts for the play that the Canteen hopes to present sometime in the fall.

* * *

The second annual patients’ talent show of Fairfield State Hospital will be given next Thursday evening, May 16, in Bridgeport Hall. With a cast of 48, the show this year will be a white-faced minstrel, complete with an interlocutor and end men. The program will include several specialty numbers, among which will be a tambourine dance and a modern dance.

* * *

Mrs George Wiele of Sandy Hook may not have bats in her belfry, but she has flying squirrels in her bird house. A young couple of the family Petauristidae not only have set up housekeeping in the domicile intended for feathered flyers, but have produced a lively family of baby aerialists, according to Mrs Wiele, who nearly fell out the window when she first saw Papa Petauristidae take off from one tree, zoom past her and make a three-point landing in an adjacent tree.

 

May 6, 1932

The annual borough election took place on Tuesday morning. G. Herbert Beers, was moderator of the election and John J. Northrop and E.M. Peck, Sr, were ballot box tenders. The following ticket was elected: Warden Edward B. Allen; Clerk, Oscar Pitzschler; Burgesses for three years, Thomas M. Holihan, Rimond H. Gesner; unexpired term, William A. Honan; Treasurer, Rodney P. Shepard; Fire Inspectors, John A. Carlson, Frederick Crouch, Paul V. Cavanaugh; Pound Keeper, George Mayer; Assessors, Michael F. Crowe, Edward S. Pitzschler; Board of Relief, Frank Wright, Patrick H. McCarthy; Registrar of Voters, G. Herbert Beers; Tax Collector, Charles F. Cavagnaugh; Auditors, Herman N. Tiemann, George M. Stuart.

* * *

Mrs William B. Bentley, chairman of the parade and floats committee for the George Washington Bi-Centennial celebration, presided at a meeting of the committee at the selectmen’s room in the Edmond Town Hall last night, when preliminary plans were made to interest the various organizations, manufacturers and business men and women of Newtown toward participating in the big parade that will take place on the morning of July 1, when the celebration will take place in Newtown.

* * *

Ernest Kaechel, one of Newtown’s young horsemen, has opened a riding academy at his home in the Currituck district. Horses may be hired for the day or by the hour. All horses are safe. Special attention will be given to ladies and children. Also, lessons in riding will be given by advanced appointment.

On Tuesday morning the editor of The Bee enjoyed a visit to the Davenport Dairy farm in Gray’s Plain. For the past four years Mr Davenport has been wholesaling milk; but the past spring he has developed a retail business in Danbury. Mr Davenport says he is trying to produce a quality of milk so that mothers can give the milk to their children without fearing they are giving them an inferior product. Two state inspectors, representing the Connecticut Dairy & Food commissioner, looked over his plant carefully, independent of one another, and both gave Mr Davenport’s plant and dairy a rating of 97 percent.

* * *

Under the direction of the State Department on Aviation the Boy Scouts of Newtown are erecting a large sign marking our town and assisting air pilots in flying over this section. This is the first sign of this type which has received complete approval of the state, to be erected in this section. When it is complete there will be a ceremony of dedication.

* * *

The annual luncheon of the Woman’s Federation of the Newtown Congregational church was largely attended by the ladies of the town and surrounding communities. A special feature of the occasion which was greatly enjoyed, was the singing of the new state song, “Connecticut,” by Mrs George U. Burr, accompanied on the piano by Mrs Paul Cullens.

 

May 10, 1907

Frederick Chambers has bought 25 cows in Dutchess County, N.Y. On Tuesday he went to New Milford, and Wednesday he drove them to his farm in Zoar. Charles Donlan went up to assist Mr Chambers in bringing the cows from New Milford to Newtown. Mr Chambers’ family will come to Newtown about the middle June.

* * *

A car of hay sold to the Fabric Fire Hose Co in September, the parties have only just been able to deliver. The shippers in Michigan were unable to get cars to load it, which shows the condition of the railroad business in the West.

* * *

The scribe notices a large number of fisherman around these days, but has not heard of any large catches of late. But probably at their homes there are some great fish stories told.

* * *

Dr Charles Peck is having a new barn built a his place on Mt Pleasant. George A. Northrop has the contract.

* * *

George B. Fairchild had quite a lively runaway, last Friday morning. Mr Fairchild had started to drive to South Britain, and while driving through the Glen the whiffletree broke, hitting his horse’s legs and causing it to run and get beyond his control. As he was rounding the corner, which is a sharp turn, the buggy was overturned and Mr Fairchild thrown out. The horse continued running out across the lots and back into the road. The animal continued running up through Sandy Hook and towards Newtown and was not stopped until it reached the High school. The vehicle was badly broken but the horse was not seriously injured. Mr Fairchild escaped with a few scratches and bruises but was quite badly shaken up.