June 3, 1988

Owners of three separate properties in town say they are considering projects that will revitalize abandoned sites at three major intersections in the business districts along Routes 6 and 25. One may result in the town’s first fast food outlet. The future uses of the three properties, the former sites of Hi-Way Cleaners at Exit 10 on Church Hill Road, White Birch Inn at Queen Street and Church Hill Road, and Lovell’s Garage at the corner of Main Street and Route 302, are still only in the planning stages. Ernest Wiehl, Jr, owner of the former White Birch Inn, declined to discuss future plans. He would not confirm or deny report that a Friendly’s Restaurant franchise is interested. The Bee Publishing Company’s plans for new facilities on the Lovell’s Garage property are starting to move forward, according to publisher R. Scudder Smith. It is the 1.1 acres of land at the site of the Hi-Way Cleaners that has drawn the interest of McDonald’s. George Trudell, project coordinator, emphasized that to date, McDonald’s has expressed nothing more than an initial interest. R. Scudder Smith has the town’s character in mind as he plans the design and construction of two buildings on the Lovell’s Garage site.

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Rep Mae Schmidle led a rally Wednesday morning to unify the efforts of mental health advocates to block co-location of a proposed state jail with a state mental health hospital. Mental health advocates have perhaps the most vested interest in preventing the state from building a 400-bed medium security jail on state property here. The jail would sit about a mile from Fairfield Hills, a state hospital for the mentally ill. Advocates argue that the increased stigma and safety problems will ensue if criminals are located on the same property.

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Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars led a parade from the Flagpole on Main Street to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Route 25 and Hanover Road, Saturday, May 28, to celebrate Memorial Day. The ceremony that followed included a message from First Selectman Rod Mac Kenzie, decoration of the monument by Rep Mae Schmidle and Newtown VFW members and performance by the Newtown High School.

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The only local team to win a championship in the 1988 Newtown Kickoff Soccer Tournament was the Lightning 14-and-under girls’ squad, which gave an outstanding performance to win four of five matches, tie one, and not allow a single goal. None of Lightning’s victories came easy, least of all the final against the Brookfield Blazers on Monday afternoon at Taylor Field. Lightning played its best soccer of the tournament in this game, according to Coach Renjilian.

 

June 7, 1963

It is announced by Stan Verry, chairman of the executive committee of the Newtown Progress Festival, that the Annual Fund Drive is now in full swing. The public is urged to support the Newtown Progress Festival by purchasing stickers. The executive committee has been busy all winter making plans for this year’s celebration on Labor Day weekend. Several new and larger events are already well under way in the planning stages.

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Twelve Newtown errors led to a 7-3 win for Roxbury in a game played last Sunday on Taylor Field. All of the Roxbury runs were unearned. The Indians will meet Middlebury on Sunday afternoon, June 9, on Taylor Field.

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It is announced by Nino de Nicola that Clement Herman is now associated with him in the management of the Newtown Inn. Mr Herman, formerly of Paris, is an outstanding chef. For the past ten years he has been executive chef at the National Democratic Club in New York City. He will feature the classic cuisine of France at the Inn.

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A Modern Colonial Home of eight Rms., 2 fireplaces, beamed cathedral liv. rm., din. rm., Gourmet custom designed food service center. 4 Bed.rms. 2½ baths, 2 car garage, 11/3  ac. panoramic view. Wallpaper by superb designers as Frank Leitch and Alma Barrs. Nutone Intercom and radio system. Col. hand split shake exterior and many other fine features. Offered at $32,500. Located in the Borough of Newtown.

 

June 3, 1938

A reporter of The Bee accepted Kellogg and Eddy’s kind invitation and visited the Dingle Brook Barn in the beautiful Hanover Springs section of Newtown and was pleased that he did so, as he found some very interesting things, especially appropriate for the opening of the Barn on Decoration Day. The first exhibit to catch the eye of the reporter was a summons and complaints brought against G.A. Pierce, way back in December, 1862, for the recovery of four slaves. There are several other exhibits of historical interest, including autographed photographs from many of the great Generals of the Civil War, including General Grant and General Logan. There is an exhibit of one of the most perfect mountain sheep heads we have ever seen. It was shot by Theodore Roosevelt. Another interesting historical exhibit is an old Buffalo robe from the Sioux Indians.

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Newtown’s popular “Pop” Morris was able to enjoy the sunshine on his veranda Sunday afternoon, a fact his many friends will be glad to learn. Mr Morris has been laid up more than two weeks, which is unpleasant to him and a disappointment to those who enjoy seeing him each day at his store.

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For some little time, ever since the erection of two houses on that nearly forgotten street, erstwhile called Carcass Lane, there has been a growing sentiment in town that a street affording such pleasant building sites should carry such an unfortunate name, a hand-me-down from the days of a slaughter house located on the northern end of this particular right of way. At the May meeting of the Chamber of Commerce motion was passed that the Chamber make known to the selectmen its position favoring the adoption of a more suitable name. Since receiving the Chamber’s communication, the selectmen have taken action and have officially named the street “Wendover Road.”

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Mr and Mrs Herman Parker of South Center received a pleasant surprise recently when a group of their friends held a shivaree party celebrating their recent marriage. The young couple were first made aware of the presence of their friends when a toy cannon exploded outside their window, followed by a volley of shouts and an assortment of noisemakers. The group was then invited inside and at the conclusion of a most enjoyable evening, refreshments provided by the guests were served, after which the host and hostess were presented with a variety of canned goods.

 

June 6, 1913

Brew & Honan to Engage in Undertaking Business: A new business firm has been launched in the local field by the associating together of Selectman Thomas F. Brew, the well-known contractor, and William A. Honan, to engage in the undertaking business. Mr Honan has been 13 years with Levi C. Morris and has had several years’ practical experience in directing funerals. Both young men are gentlemen of integrity and upright life.

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THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH: At a meeting of the First Ecclesiastical Society, Tuesday night, the society’s committee was instructed to purchase a new organ for the church. Plans of a proposed organ were submitted by a Connecticut organ concern and it is understood that a contract will soon be let.

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A shocking fatality took place at Hawleyville Junction, Saturday afternoon, when Frederic Russell, son of Mr and Mrs Robert W. Russell of Hawleyville, met his death, falling under the wheels of a moving freight train. It appears he had gone to the Junction to fill the switch lights to accommodate an employee of the Station, had performed this duty, and in attempting to board a swiftly moving freight train to ride into Hawleyville, fell to his death. Frederic was 16 years old.

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The untidy appearance of some of the lawns and the school grounds at the north end of Main street is in striking contrast to the well-kept lawns farther down the street. When the owners of the untidy lawns propose to begin haying, the writer is unable to state. The unkempt condition of the library did not escape the notice of that athletic young lady, Miss Amie Frost. She has mown the lawn twice. As to the others, we commend them to the tender mercies of our borough street inspectors. The care of the library lawn is in the hands of the janitress, Mrs Kelly, who has been quarantined owing to scarlet fever in her family.