May 18, 2001

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — PROM NIGHT 2001: The Newtown High School Prom is Friday night, and hundreds of teenagers in gowns and tuxedoes will drive off into the evening, some in stretch limos, assuming a level of social sophistication their parents probably haven’t achieved in years. They certainly will look like they’ve got it all together. But will they manage to keep it all together through the long prom night? … Parents can take some solace in knowing that not only do their kids look sophisticated as they head out on prom night — they are sophisticated. They have received more accurate information and training on sex, drugs, and abusive behaviors to themselves and others than their baby boomer parents ever got … the fact remains that most kids are responsible, considerate of others, and mindful of the line that separates fun from fiasco. … We wish everyone attending the 2001 NHS prom a memorable evening of good friends, good food, and good music. And when the sun comes up Saturday morning, we expect everyone will be thoroughly exhausted, and we hope everyone will be safe and happy.

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HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Mary Maki.

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The massive Latex Foam Products Inc. fire, which destroyed a major factory in downtown Ansonia Monday, had a ripple effect on surrounding communities. … From the Castle Hill overlook in Newtown, the dark smoke rising from the fire 12 miles away was clearly visible on the southeast horizon. From the Castle Hill vantage point, the twin towers atop Canaan House and Kent House at Fairfield Hills framed the rising plume of smoke. … United Fire Company of Botsford Fire Chief Steve Belair said Tuesday that at about 12:15 pm Monday, five Botsford firefighters and a fire engine went to the Lower Stepney firehouse in Monroe to provide coverage for the Stepney firemen who had gone to the Ansonia fire. Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief Bill Halstead said that Sandy Hook firefighters sent four fire vehicles to Monroe and Shelton to help in the mutual aid effort. Sandy Hook firemen sent one fire engine to the main fire station in Monroe, one fire engine to the White Hills Fire Company in Shelton, and sent a fire tanker and the fire rescue truck to the Echo Hose Company in Shelton.

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A local book club this week celebrated its 100th book by dining at the New York City home of the CEO of Barnes & Noble. Formed in 1989, the Benvenuto Cellini Book Society has been reading about one book a month ever since. After finishing The Odyssey by Homer last month, the group had finally reached the 100-book mark.

May 14, 1976

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS McINTYRE: Serving as a major in a signal corps in Korea, with a wife and family living in Newtown, is not an enviable situation. John C. McIntyre does not complain about it, to be sure. But he has written to The Bee, asking that a classified advertisement appear in this week’s issue, the purpose being to have as many people as possible phone his wife on May 11th and, in his stead, wish her a happy birthday. Rather than adhere strictly to Major McIntyre’s request, The Bee is departing somewhat from its usual routine. The advertisement is printed, to be sure, but in this column and with the compliments of The Bee, in the hope that it will receive a far greater response than any other advertisement in the paper. It reads: If you live in Newtown, please call my wife on May 11th, and wish her a happy birthday for me. Telephone Newtown 843-W2. Thank you. John C. McIntyre, Major, Signal Corps (Korea). … It might be added that [Mrs McIntyre] is the mother of three small children and has been living on Hanover Road since last July. Her husband left for duty in Korea at that time. … A very happy birthday to you, Mrs McIntyre.

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State crews began clearing away trees and brush on the west bank of Lake Zoar this week in preparation for the construction of a second bridge across the lake, to run parallel to the existing Rochambeau Bridge. The clearing is the first step of a project that will involve extensive realignment of I-84 on both sides of Lake Zoar in addition to the construction of the bridge.

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With blunt predictions from some of the members that the voters will again reject the proposal, the Legislative Council recommended a 1976-77 budget of $10,746,384.63 in a special session Tuesday night, $157,000 less than the proposal rejected at the May 4 town budget meeting. The Board of Selectmen has called a town meeting to act on the revised proposal for next Wednesday evening at Newtown High School.

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The Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended against purchase of two Bridgeport Hydraulic Company properties which have been offered for sale to the Town of Newtown. The Park and Recreation Commission, however, does not appear to have given up on the possibility of acquiring one of the parcels for use as playing fields.

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Two votes taken by the Borough of Newtown at its annual meeting should reduce the paperwork required of Borough officials by a large amount without materially affecting the Borough’s financial status. The Borough voted Monday, May 10, to discontinue efforts to collect tax bills on real or personal property or automobiles totalling $2 or less. … The Borough also voted to bring its fiscal year into conformity with that of all Connecticut municipalities. This will necessitate adding two months to the 1976-77 budget. The 1977-78 fiscal year will begin July 1, 1977.

May 11, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — A FOURTH OF JULY COMMUNITY CHEST: The suggestion has been made to The Bee that, instead of the licensed sale of fireworks in Newtown for the Fourth of July, the sale of fireworks be limited to local organizations who would thus reap the profit, obtaining needed funds in this way rather than relying entirely upon their usual and numerous drives.

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With more than 400 boys from all parts of the state participating, Hawley High School future Farmers of America took top honors in the milk judging contest held as part of the state-wide vocational agriculture field day held at the University of Connecticut, Storrs, last Friday. The Hawley team also ranked high in three other team contests and members of the team took honors in individual rankings.

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Governor John Davis Lodge had a personal word of congratulation and a handclasp for each of the 41 farm boys and girls to whom he presented certificates of the 1951 youth awards of the Connecticut Development Commission at a luncheon in the Hotel Bond, Hartford, Thursday noon of last week. … Among the young people from this vicinity who received awards last week are: Richard Marron, Newtown, Hawley High School, VO-Ag; Robert McCarty, Newtown, Fairfield County 4-H; and Marilyn Burr, Brookfield Center, Fairfield County 4-H.

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The Newtown Women’s Republican Club held its May meeting at the Newtown Country Club on Tuesday of this week. A financial report was read, and an election of officers was held. The following officers were elected unanimously for the coming year: president, Mrs. Joseph Hellauer; first vice-president, Mrs. William K. Daniells; second vice-president, Mrs. August MacTaggart; treasurer, Mrs. Ervin Stickles, Jr.; secretary, Mrs. Stuart Rohleder.

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From the various reports and comments of the members who attended the annual meeting of the Newtown Historical Society, it was quite evident that the Society has had a busy and satisfying year. The meeting was on Monday evening at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, with Paul S. Smith, president, presiding. New officers were elected for the coming year: Atty Thomas L. Cheney, president; Atty Sutherland W.G Denlinger, vice president; Frank L. Johnson, secretary; James N. Hess, treasurer.

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Recently the Special Olympic committee was presented with a generous check in the amount of $250 raised by the members of the National Honor Society at Newtown High. Jerry Miller, fund raising chairman of the Special Olympics, recently accepted the donation from honor society members Kitty Denues and Valerie Wein. Chuck Paulsen, state chairman, was also present for the check handoff. The idea for donating the funds was all the students’, and they accomplished this by having a dance at the school using the Special Olympics theme, “We Believe.”

May 14, 1926

On Tuesday evening Pootatuck Grange met for the first time in its new quarters in the Guild room of Trinity church. Nearly 50 visitors from neighboring Granges were present to help celebrate the occasion. The Guild room is an ideal place for a Grange hall, and it is hard to find words to express appreciation to the vestry and guild of Trinity church for allowing the Grange to meet there.

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Edward McGinley of Torrington passed the week end with his parents, Mr and Mrs John McGinley.

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Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Ruth Palmer to Edward A. Clarkson of Waterville on April 30, 1926, in Grace Methodist church by the Rev Frederick A. Sawyer. Mrs Clarkson was a former resident of Berkshire.

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Mr and Mrs George A. Northrop were Sunday guests of Mr and Mrs Paul Clarkson of Waterville.

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The winners of the speaking contests which have been held at the various schools of the town, held their final contest at the Hawley school, last Friday, May 7. Anna Bizak, of the Grays Plain school, won the speaking contest and Marjorie MacClymon of the Zoar school won the spelling contest. Rev Mr Ekins and Rev Dr Gesner acted as judges.

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Hiram chapter, No. 1, R.A.M., conferred the P.M. degree, Wednesday night, on four candidates. A delegation were present from Watertown.

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Five cases of German measles have developed among pupils of the Hawley school, Alice Carmody, Albert Nichols, Mary Frisbie, Merton Greenman and Mable Greenman. The pupils of the Hawley school are examined each morning by Miss Baker, the health nurse, and Dr Kiernan, the health officer.

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A birthday party was given Mrs Patrick Sweeney at her home in Sandy Hook, on Tuesday evening, May 11. About 30 were present.

May 17, 1901

At the Congregational church on Sunday morning, a large audience enjoyed a strong and ably-presented discourse on the subject of “Temptation,” by Rev Carl Stackman, pastor of the Monroe Congregational church, who preached in exchange with Rev O.W. Barker. Mr Stackman chose as his text James 1:12, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he hath been approved he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love Him.” Mr Stackman used notes but his delivery was excellent. He said in part: Temptation seems to be the lot of manhood.

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Miss Esther Louise Camp has just been appointed principal of the Albany Girls’ Academy, one of the oldest and most influential of the New York schools. It was founded in 1814 and numbers among its alumnae many famous women. The beautiful buildings of the academy are situated on one of the finest avenues of Albany, a few blocks from the famous capitol. Miss Camp has been for several years head teacher in the diocesan school of Iowa; and her successful experience and broad culture render her eminently fitted to take charge of so large and important an institution. Miss Camp is the daughter of Mr and Mrs Daniel Camp of this town.

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Mr and Mrs Albert W. Fairchild passed Friday with their daughter, Mrs Ernest Wilson, in New Haven.

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Louis T. Briscoe was in Bridgeport on Sunday.

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M.G. Keane, the well-known Bridgeport monument man, was in town, Saturday, stopping at the Grand Central.

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Dr V.V. MORRELL, Southbury, Conn., VETERINARY, Telephone, Number 24. At the Newtown Inn every Thursday. Lameness a specialty.

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CHARLES S. PLATT, Teacher Piano, Organ and Theory, NEWTOWN, CONN. Instructions given on Violin and Mandolin.

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.