May 26, 1995

After 41 years of living on top of Castle Hill overlooking Newtown, Richard F. Gretsch has decided to leave his 136-acre estate, leaving it to the Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport for $2.5 million... Most likely a retreat/spiritual center will be put there, but nothing is definite, said Rev Chris Walsh, Diocese spokesperson. Rev Walsh said because there are 136 acres, the property will probably have multiple uses.

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The Borough Zoning Commission, in large part, has approved zoning amendments submitted to it by the Booth Library trustees in connection with the proposed library expansion. Commission members, however, modified a zoning amendment proposed by the trustees concerning the amount of parking required for an expanded library... In effect the library will be required to provide a somewhat greater number of parking spaces than the 64 parking spaces which have been proposed for the expanded building.

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Upset with a proposal to increase fares paid by the elderly to use the SweetHART bus system, local senior citizens are applying political pressure to prevent the rate hikes... The seniors have collected about 180 signatures protesting the proposed rate hike. The petition states, in part, that in light of increasing taxes, living costs, medical fees and insurance rates, any bus fare increase would pose an additional hardship for people living on fixed incomes... Currently, SweetHART passengers pay 60 cents for a local trip within a single town, 75 cents for a trip between two or more towns, and $1 for a trip eligible under provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The proposed rate hikes would increase all fares to $1 per trip.

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Planning & Zoning Commission members (P&Z) are preparing for a public hearing on proposed new zoning regulations for Sandy Hook Center intended to foster the area’s economic revitalization and future viability as a neighborhood commercial hub.

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For Newtown High School coaches Rick Medve and Peter Diatelevi, winning the Western Connecticut Conference girls’ track and field championship has been like trying to patch a flat tire with pieces of chewed up bubble gum. The NHS team has knocked upon the door many a time but, until this year, was never able to kick it open. On Wednesday, May 24, on what would be the final WCC Track & Field Championship ever, the undefeated Lady Indians finally captured that elusive conference title.

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Newtown resident Howard Lasher has been appointed to the position of Exchange official on the American Stock Exchange, as well as being named to the Exchange’s arbitration panel. He is the president of The Lasher Group, Inc, an independent execution firm. Mr Lasher started his own firm in 1982.

May 22, 1970

The pond at Dickinson Memorial Park will be a far pleasanter place to swim if townspeople approve funds to be asked at a town meeting for its improvement... The work planned includes paving the bottom of the pond, repair or replacement of pipe which brings water into the pond. The $55,610 asked is $10,000 less than the amount actually needed to make improvements because a personal contribution of $10,000 has been offered by Francis D’Addario, owner of D’Addario Construction Company to whom the contract was awarded.

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At the meeting of the Board of Selectmen Tuesday night, May 19, in Edmond Town Hall, the Board unanimously voted to approve the appropriation of funds for the plans and specifications for the proposed new highway department garage. The site for the garage is to be located on property now owned by the town on Philo Curtis Road.

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The 1970 Progress Festival will start with a bang on the evening of Friday, July 3, with a fine fireworks display. Lee Glover, Newtown Hook & Ladder Chief, will again coordinate the fireworks program... Edward R. Sullivan, chairman of the Progress Festival, has also announced that committees are making plans for the parade and tennis tournament Labor Day Week-end... Both the 4th of July and Labor Day activities have provided Newtowners with some good fun and excellent reasons for staying in town over those long summer holiday week-ends.

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Organized just over three months ago, a group of Newtown High School students have “caught on” with teen-agers throughout the area. Known as the “Panacea,” this musical group is building a reputation for playing what is known as “soft rock” with emphasis on pleasing solo, duet, trio, and quartet vocal arrangements. The group includes three senior boys, Mathew Harris, lead guitar; Mark Ballard, bass; Richard Kuhn, drums; and Leslie Ballard, Mark’s sister, who plays the flute and is a sophomore.

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The Newtown Montessori Society’s Children’s House Nursery School is nearing the end of its second year in operation. Interesting and fun things are always happening. The society, as a nonprofit educational corporation, has set up a building fund. The school is currently located at the Newtown Congregational Church House.

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Those who attended the Wednesday night hearing on the proposed I-84 Rest Area, and missed Mr Andrew Sedor, will be pleased to learn that, while he is in Danbury hospital under observation, his condition is stable. Mrs Sedor said she felt the problems involving the “taking” of the Sedor property were a major cause of his condition.

May 18, 1945

Staff Sgt Roland Person returned last Thursday to the redistribution center at Atlantic City, N.J., after having spent a 30-day furlough with his parents, Mr and Mrs Oscar Person of the Currituck road. Serving as gunner and the assistant engineer aboard a Flying Fortress, Sgt Person completed 25 missions over Germany... A day that Sgt Person will long remember was last Christmas Day, for as the Fortress and crew were returning from a mission over Germany, enemy fighters damaged one engine and started a fire aboard the ship... when the plane suddenly began circling, the crew became suspicious and on investigating, discovered the ship was flying without a pilot. The remaining crew immediately abandoned ship, at 16,000 feet, and landed safely in France where they were cared for by the French people and given a belated Christmas dinner... The pilot, co-pilot, and radioman are still unaccounted for.

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The state survey of Newtown schools was discussed at a meeting in the Edmond Town Hall, Thursday evening, May 10. There was a fair attendance despite the heavy rain. The survey... shows the deplorable condition of Newtown’s elementary school buildings and suggests that the elementary schools be consolidated in Hawley School and new high school accommodations be provided. The best way to provide the type of building and number of students necessary for a modern high school seems to be a regional high school.

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The largest Parent-Teacher Association meeting of the entire school year was held at Hawley School, Tuesday, May 15, when parents, teachers, and friends gathered to witness and take part in the written and oral spelling contests, and math test, conducted by Dr Nicholas Moseley, president of the Newtown PTA.

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During the month, four children were excluded from school because of general malaise. Four hundred and thirty six children had hearing tests, with only three defects found. Mrs Knox, our dental hygienist, examined and cleaned the teeth of children who were not done at the beginning of the school year... Sixty-eight cases were cared for during the month with eighty-four field visits made.

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WANTED— Elderly woman to keep house for one man alone, good home. Address Box G.T.; c/o Newtown Bee, Newtown, Conn.

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FOR SALE: Owner of Gentleman’s Farm, for reasons beyond his control, desires to sell entire herd. This is a fine mixed grade herd developed over a period of years, and includes 17 milking cows, in all stages; 2 bred heifers; 8 young stock ranging in age from 2 months to 1-1/2 years. Average age of cows is 6 years. 15 cows are now milking or giving 7 cans daily. For quick sale, will sell entire herd for $3,750 cash. Will not sell singly. If you are interested write: XYZ, Care of The Bee and owner will make appointment to show you this excellent herd.

May 14, 1920

The microfilm containing 1920 Newtown Bee editions is kept at the C.H. Booth Library, which is temporarily closed due to coronavirus health precautions.

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