* * *

There was a huge house fire in Hawleyville on Old Hawleyville Road Sunday morning at 10 am, but things were well under control as it was just a drill. The old frame dwelling was donated for the drill by Michael and Doris Bornyak, who are in the process of applying to the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission to build a new restaurant, The Taunton Tavern, on the site.

* * *

If and when Newtown obtains state and federal funding approval to build a sewage treatment plant, there will be a commitment on the part of the Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health to give a portion of the Fairfield Hills Hospital land for the plant. Although it remains uncertain whether, or how much, federal funding for a Newtown sewer system would be available, Mr Rosenthal said the pledge of a parcel of Fairfield Hills land means the town can go ahead with the project when the money is committed.

* * *

For a considerable time now a Historic District Study Commission, appointed by the burgesses of the Borough of Newtown, has been at work. The accomplishment of this group, a proposed historic district within the Borough of Newtown, will be presented at a public hearing on Tuesday evening, May 24, starting at 8 pm in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. The proposed historic district has been a long time coming and can only serve as a positive move toward the preservation of the center of town.

* * *

The Newtown Savings Bank hit the one hundred million dollar mark and celebrated the occasion with a dinner in the 1776 Room of the Stony Hill Inn on Wednesday, May 11. A milestone such as this is a good time to reflect on long years of service. Dr Waldo Desmond claims the longest number of years as bank corporater (Dr Desmond began his tenure in 1937).

* * *

Visitors to Newtown High School always have a difficult time finding a parking space convenient to the building and the days the school is used for voting prove chaotic. Up until last year, parking spaces were assigned to faculty members in the front lot, seniors got priority in the lot closest to Route 34 and other students parked in the rear of the building. The assignments were generally ignored. Dana Parkinson, business department head, and a committee consisting of students, staff members and Vice Principals Jack Lynch and Earl Smith, formed to address the on-going parking lot problem, will study the existing problems in order that well defined recommendations may be presented.

* * *

The Charter Revision Committee is recommending that the annual town budget meeting be eliminated. It also wants to give more power to the 18-member Legislative Council and the first selectman, giving the Board of Selectmen a more advisory role and paving the way for a single chief executive in the future.

 

May 23, 1958

The “no” vote on the referendum last Saturday not only increases the probability of double sessions, it also returns the problem of what to do about our school building needs to the Board of Education. The outcome was a great disappointment to the Board, since it believed, and continues to believe, that the recommended building provides the best solution to our school needs. Newtown voters Saturday turned down the proposed junior high school in a referendum by a margin of 137 votes.

* * *

The annual junior prom of the Newtown High School was presented Saturday evening in the school gymnasium which was decorated in an oriental motif to go with the theme of Sayanora, or farewell. Highlight of the evening was the crowning of the empress, Miss Jean Jandreau, by the president of the junior class, Miss Mary Humeston. Music was provided by Don DeFala’s orchestra from Hartford.

* * *

Members of the Newtown Lions Club will make house to house canvass of Newtown for their annual electric bulb sale on the evenings of June 2 and 3. The funds raised from this sale are used for improvements within town. The current year, the Lions have donated funds for the wading pool at Dickinson Park.

* * *

Earl J. Meyers, who recently purchased the interest of John Janosko in the Newtown General store, announces that Louis A Brew, formerly of Balmfoth Avenue, Danbury, has become associated with the store and will conduct the meat department. Mr Brew said he plans to conduct a first class high quality meat department and that he is looking forward to meeting and serving the people of Newton and nearby communities.

* * *

The annual Memorial Day observations organized by the Charles Howard Peck Senior and Junior Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will begin with the parade starting from Edmond Town Hall at 2:30 Friday afternoon. The line of march will be along Main Street, turning at the flagpole down Church Hill Road, into Queen Street, to the High School grounds, where the exercises will be held.

* * *

One hundred and forty-four pints of blood were donated at the semi-annual Red Cross Blood Bank held last Friday, May 16, at the Fairfield State Hospital, thus Newtown missed by just six pints of making its quota of 150 pints. Unfortunately, 47 persons who had made appointments failed to keep them and 22 people telephoned in cancellations.

 

May 19, 1933

The Scout Troops of the surrounding towns met at Camp Mix, Monroe, for a field day and camp fire, last Saturday. The Newtown troop tied for second place. Le Roy Roberts won the fire lighting by friction event. Mr Cullens had charge of the afternoon contest while Jerome Jackson, assistant scoutmaster, took charge of the local troop. The camp fire was packed with fun and songs.

* * *

All roads will lead to St Rose’s Casino, Friday evening, May 26, when the young people of St Rose’s church, Newtown, St Stephen’s church, Stepney, and Sacred Heart church, Southbury, will present a minstrel entertainment, “Pleasant Echoes.” Dancing will follow the entertainment, with music by a Danbury orchestra. Modern and old time dances have been arranged on the dance program.

* * *

The Cyrenius H. Booth Library has enrolled to date 733 users. Quite an increase is expected from the summer residents. The Library extended to the Connecticut State Library Committee a cordial invitation to make use of our building at any time for library meetings. The State Library Committee has availed itself of this offer and has appointed Friday, June 2, for a meeting of the librarians for Fairfield County.

* * *

Mrs Fannie Busker wishes to announce that on Decoration Day night, the new dance pavilion now in the course of construction, will be open at the Busker farm in Botsford. Good music and refreshments of all kinds are to be served.

* * *

Francis Royce, who for four years has been the faithful and efficient contractor of the Star Mail route between Bridgeport, Newtown, Hawleyville and Danbury, was taken critically ill with a nervous breakdown, two weeks ago. He was taken to Hillside and then committed to the State Retreat at Norwich. Mrs Royce, with praiseworthy pluck, who was his substitute, has been regularly making the two round trips daily since he was prostrated.

* * *

Pinky Morris who will appear against Young Kid Chocolate on Thursday evening, at the Edmond Town hall, has been acclaimed by some of the best boxing authorities and sports writers as one of the best prospects in the featherweight division in years. He has just passed his 18th birthday, and sports writers all over the state claim a great future is in store for him.

 

May 22, 1908

On account of the last Saturday of the month coming on a legal holiday, Memorial Day, the selectmen will meet on Friday, May 29, to draw orders and pay bills. The hours will be from 9 until 12 o’clock.

* * *

The Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church are planning to send, about the first of June, a barrel of papers and magazines to the Seaman’s Friend society. All those who would like to helping the work are requested to leave papers at the church any Thursday evening or on Sunday; or by notifying Miss Scudder, chairman of the committee, having the work in charge, the church will be opened any time during the week for the receiving of papers.

* * *

A number of parties have been enjoying the fishing at O.E. Morgan’s pond in Hattertown and have all had big catches. Mr Morgan has boats to let out on the pond to fishing parties….John Beers and Oscar Pitzschler were out, last Wednesday, angling for the spotted beauties, and reported a good catch.

* * *

Wesley Hayes is improving his property in the Street by having a new side walk laid in front of his residence. He has set a good example for other property owners, on the sidewalk question, without waiting for orders from the Borough Street Inspectors, who propose to take this sidewalk question in hand.

* * *

Andrew B. Nichols was brought before Justice P.H. McCarthy, Friday, for failure to send his children to school regularly. He was fined $5 and costs on two counts. Justice McCarthy remitted the fine on the promise of Mr Nichols to see that his children attended school.