June 2, 2000

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — IN THE ACADEMIC TRENCHES: In a few weeks there will be a lot of cheering and more than a few mortarboards sailing through the sky as educators, parents and the town as a whole mark the graduation of the Class of 2000. But between now and then there is still a lot of work to be done in the academic trenches of Newtown. So now is probably the most appropriate time to show our support and appreciation of Newtown’s hardworking students. We start, of course, with the academic stars of Newtown High School, the year’s Valedictorian Clare Beams and Salutatorian Laura Hammond. And then we move onto the top ten academic achievers at the high school. … It is also important, however, to note, appreciate, and support the efforts of students throughout the school district who are working just as hard, but without such spectacular results. We are thinking of those kids who have a difficult time with math, or English, or science, who have to study extra hours just to get a passing grade. We are thinking of those kids who have learning disabilities, or those who must also struggle with difficult situations at home, or who have taken on the responsibilities of a job in addition to their schoolwork. Their efforts in many cases are just as great as those of the top students and the stresses placed upon them are even greater, since they get little recognition or praise for mediocre grades and more than a little pressure from their parents and teachers to do better. … So next week, as final exams begin at Newtown High School, we should make special efforts to show support, encouragement, and special appreciation for all the students in Newtown who, regardless of their level of achievement, are working hard to do the best they can.

* * * * *

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Dolores White.

* * * * *

Newtown senior citizens were lined up outside Edmond Town Hall early Tuesday morning long before town offices opened. They were on hand to apply for the town’s newly approved elderly tax relief program. When the doors finally did open, Tax Collector Carol Mahoney and her staff were quickly swamped as they helped the seniors file the form that may save them as much as $1,000 on their local tax bill. To become eligible, residents 65 and over must file for the tax break in the tax collector’s office by June 15.

* * * * *

Members of American Legion Post 202 and Newtown residents of all ages gathered on May 27 to spend a few minutes in remembrance of those who gave their lives in times of war. The annual Memorial Day ceremony took place at 10 am at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument at the intersection of Main Street and Hanover Road. Members of the American Legion and First Selectman Herbert Rosenthal remembered those men and women who had fallen in battle with patriotic and poignant speeches. Floral tributes were placed, rifle volleys fired, and taps played in commemoration of those who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the freedom and democracy that citizens of the United States continue to enjoy today.

* * * * *

It was a beautiful weekend for soccer and a beautiful weekend for a couple of Newtown teams to take home championship trophies at the annual Newtown Soccer Club Memorial Day Kick-Off Tournament. One hundred teams from all over Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York dropped in for the 18th annual tournament — which began way back in 1983 with just 32 teams in competition. And as has been a custom, it seems, at least a couple Newtown teams walked away with tournament championships (official and unofficial). The Strikers (U14 boys) won their third consecutive Kick-Off title and fourth in the last five years while the Rockets (U12 girls) and Vipers (U10 boys) earned titles in a successful weekend of soccer.

May 30, 1975

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — KEEP HOSPITALS IN: There is always more than one way to skin a cat, and there are always those waiting in the wings to take advantage of the next opportunity or even the last straw. Such a case has come about in Newtown and it appears to us to be not only the last resort, but definitely an attempt to shut the only remaining door. We speak of the move to eliminate hospitals from the rules and regulations of the Planning and Zoning Commission. This has to be, in our opinion, a direct attempt to block the pending application to the Planning and Zoning Commission seeking approval for “Eagle Hill,” a rehabilitation facility for alcoholics proposed for land off Albert’s Hill Road, Sandy Hook. The Eagle Hill question will be remembered by many for its lengthy hearings, as well as for a court decision which reversed the first of two votes of P&Z on the matter. In this column we have come out in support of the construction of the Eagle Hill facility, and our views have not changed.

* * * * *

Members of the Newtown Democratic Women’s Club, Mrs Kathy Coer and Mrs Eugene Klase, were joined by the Rev Joseph Kohut, pastor of St Rose Church, Police Chief Louis Marchese and State Rep John Anderson in Memorial Day exercises at the monument honoring war dead on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. They were accompanied by the Newtown High School Color Guard, led by Beth Slocum.

* * * * *

Newtown was startled and fascinated Thursday morning when a caravan of four horse-drawn covered wagons, driven by full-bearded men in long, dark, coarse clothing, clip-clopped along Mt Pleasant Road to the Flagpole and turned down Church Hill Road. “Whenever we come into town,” one of the men admitted, “we’re always the main attraction.” In response to the requests of the group, The Bee refrained from taking any pictures. On their way to Athens, Maine, these 19 people, three men and two women plus children and youths, are seeking to establish a less-worldy life for themselves, in a less-commercial part of the country, in accordance with their understanding of Christian doctrine. … The journey this group is making began in Maryland. Others who believe as they do, the group said, are making their way to Maine.

* * * * *

First Selectman Frank DeLucia took a trip to Hartford Wednesday to pick up a check for the Town in the amount of $192,100. The money is to be used to pay for the court settlement on the Town’s condemnation of its landfill in 1970. The funds are to be paid back by the Town over a period of 20 years, at five per cent interest, to the federal Farmers Home Administration.

* * * * *

Local officials have been casting a wary eye on the number of Town officials to be chosen in the November election, what with the first-time balloting for a new legislative council, which could take up four to six spaces on the ballot; the number of officials who have been appointed to fill vacancies and must be elected; and the usual crowded ballot of office seekers. It’s a numbers game turning around whether or not there will be enough slots on the voting machines, which have room for 30 elected positions.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs Paul S. Smith spent the weekend in Stonington where they attended on Saturday evening a dinner celebrating the 40th anniversary of Mrs Smith’s brother and his wife, Mr and Mrs David L. Conger. The dinner was given at the home of the Congers’ daughter and son-in-law, Mr and Mrs Frank De Ciantis, who also live in Stonington.

* * * * *

Timothy J. Holian, son of Mr and Mrs John F. Holian of Main Street, Newtown, received his BS degree in commencement exercises May 24 from St Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y. A dean’s list student, he is a biology major, also studying a curriculum in economics. He is a member of Sigma Pie fraternity.

May 26, 1950

Mrs George Palmer of Santa Ana, Calif., and her son, “Bud,” a former U.S. Marine, left Newtown Monday, where they had been guests of Mr and Mrs Harold S. DeGroat. Mrs Palmer was a classmate of Mr DeGroat. She came east to meet her son who arrived May 17 in New York by plane, having flown in from Arabia, where he had been stationed with 800 other Americans in an oil refining camp of the Standard Oil Companies of New Jersey and California. En route the plane made overnight stops at Rome and at the Azores. The present was Mrs Palmer’s second visit to Newtown within the past two years.

* * * * *

Two Brookfield 4-Hers, Miss Eleanor Liefeld and Miss Grace Pflomm, were named top winners at the annual country dress revue held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall Saturday evening, May 20. These girls were selected to represent Fairfield County in the state dress revue to be held at the University of Connecticut during Farm and Home Week in August. State winners will receive an educational trip to the National Congress to be held in Chicago in December. Alternates chosen at Saturday’s revue were Miss Charlotte Giddins of Fairfield and Miss Marilyn Burr, also of Brookfield.

* * * * *

Mrs John F. Sherman of Garden City, L.I., is visiting at the home of Mrs Hobart Warner in the Berkshire District. Mrs Sherman is well known in Newtown, having resided here until a few years ago.

* * * * *

Danny Desmond, son of Dr and Mrs Waldo F. Desmond, spent the week-end at home from his studies at the Loomis School in Windsor.

* * * * *

It is no flight of fancy by which Mr and Mrs Joseph A. Marin, Jr of Hawleyville, surrounded by their feathered flocks of poultry, are raising a Palomino colt in their home. No, it’s all very real and the seven-day-old beauty stands right there in a pen in Mrs Marin’s office, where the old roll top desk used to stand. It all happened on the night of the Junior Prom last week, and horse-wise authorities are at a loss to explain why the mother should have turned against her new-born daughter. With her beautiful coloring, the new arrival made an immediate appeal to the eye, and she had a distinguished lineage. The sire was no less than the well-known Palomino, Sunset Serenade, of Tashua Stock Farm, Stepney.

* * * * *

The annual charter night for the Newtown Boy Scout Troop 70 was observed at the Scout cabin last Tuesday night when exercises opened with a softball game between the Troop 70 fathers and sons. Tom Conway was in charge. There were 12 players on each side and Rev Fr Culliton’s black pet dog stopped a foul ball by mistake; but the game itself was most exciting. Don McCain, umpire, forgot to count the runs, but he thinks it was a tie.

May 29, 1925

Despite the rain storm of Saturday evening, the reception tendered by the Federated Workers of the Congregational church in honor of the Silver Wedding anniversary of Rev and Mrs G. Herbert Ekins at the social rooms of the church was largely attended. A receiving line composed of Rev and Mrs G.H. Ekins, Allison P. Smith, Miss S.J. Scudder and Mrs G.B. Beers welcomed the guests. A.P. Smith presided as master of ceremonies and after a brief speech of congratulation presented Rev and Mrs Ekins with a purse of money on behalf of the congregation. Rev Mr Ekins responded with thanks and appreciation. A program of entertainment was then carried out.

* * * * *

A.E. Brinton, Newtown’s dahlia king, has set out 600 dahlia bulbs, including 400 named varieties. Some of the bulbs he planted are valued as high as $50. Mr Brinton’s dahlia gardens, last year, were the delight of all who inspected them. No one in this part of the state has a finer dahlia garden. Mr Brinton exhibited flowers, last year, at the Washington, Goshen and Middlebury fairs and captured all the first prizes in sight. His garden this year will be more beautiful than ever, barring a cyclone or some unknown destructive agency. Mr Brinton has always invited the public to step in and look at his flowers, and his hospitality has never been abused.

* * * * *

The residents of Hawleyville, Conn., have organized the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company, consisting of 26 members, and at the first meeting elected the following officers: W.A. Upham, President; L. Durgy, Vice-President; R.J. Clark, Secretary; W.A. Upham, Treasurer; First Foreman, Charles Jackson; Second Foreman, John Hendrickson; Third Foreman, L. Gilbert. At a special meeting held last night, it was decided to get a Chemical Engine and amid great enthusiasm, it was decided to have same by July 4.

* * * * *

The most spectacular fire Newtown has been afflicted with in a generation took place on Tuesday night, when the large and magnificent barn on the estate of Former State Senator Thomas R. Bussey was burned to the ground. The fire was first discovered by Mrs T.R. Bussey. Both Mr and Mrs Bussey had retired for the night when Mrs Bussey was suddenly awakened by the light or the crackling of the burning building. She screamed loudly to her husband, who had been sleeping soundly for a couple of hours. When they looked out of the window the fire was already breaking out of the north front of the barn.

* * * * *

On Tuesday afternoon Town Treasurer Frank Wright and Allison P. Smith, as has been their custom for the past 10 years, placed the flags on the graves of the Civil and other wars buried in the Newtown Village cemetery. As long as he was able former Selectman E.D. Brisco performed the loving duty. The graves of 21 men received flags this year.

June 1, 1900

Sunday was a notable day at St Rose’s church, the large auditorium being filled at each of the three principal services of the day. The day also marked the close of the Mission conducted by the Franciscan fathers, which has been very successful and largely attended. At the second service on Sunday high mass was celebrated, Bishop Tierney being present. Father Smith was the celebrant, Father Dominic Scanlon deacon and Father Mann sub-deacon. Fathers Lynch and Kennedy of Danbury, and Father Fox, the pastor, were also present within the sanctuary.

* * * * *

The Christian Endeavor society, connected with the Congregational church, held a very pleasant sociable, Monday night, electing the following officers: President, Henry M. Smith; vice president, E.V. Haight; recording secretary, Miss Mary Taylor; corresponding secretary, Miss Mabel Morris; treasurer, Miss Flora Lovell; pianist, Carleton Hubbell.

* * * * *

Michael Lynch of Ansonia has passed a few days with friends in town. He was employed formerly at the Newtown Inn.

* * * * *

Michael Madigan and sister of Waterbury drove to Sandy Hook on Sunday and passed the day with local friends.

* * * * *

John T. Sheehan has moved from the house in the rear of the Congregational church, where he has lived for several years, to the Sastram house, which he purchased some time ago, at the foot of West street.

* * * * *

On Sunday at St Rose’s church the banns of marriage of Patrick Kohler and Miss Josie Shannon were published for the first time.

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 Newtown Bee readers. 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.