June 19, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Mark Tambascio.

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Fire officials have launched an arson investigation after a suspicious blaze destroyed a vacant wood-frame house at 24 Pecks Lane, near Turkey Hill Road, about 9 pm June 11. Firefighters from the United First Company of Botsford, Newtown Hook and Ladder, and Sandy Hook responded to the fire, which resulted in an estimated $70,000 damage to the property, said Fire Marshal George Lockwood. The building has been vacant for about seven years, according to the fire marshal. When firefighters arrived on the scene, the house was consumed in flames.

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Linda Siciliano is leaving her position as principal of Hawley School to accept the principalship of Stadley Rough School in Danbury at the end of this school year. Mrs Siciliano said one of the things she likes best at Hawley is also a strength at Stadley Rough. Staff at both schools place each child’s success as paramount. Raised in New York City, Mrs Siciliano has had 16 years of experience working in suburban schools. She said a change is good, and she is ready for a new change.

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The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 308 in Newtown was showered with awards at the 73rd State Convention held June 5-7 at the Trumbull Marriott. Evelyn Urban and Joann Peck received the prestigious Citation of Merit Award, Rose Holland received the top award for publicity and for the press book/photo album, Joyce Staudinger received a first place Rehabilitation Award, and Karen Pratt received three awards for her activities as membership chairman.

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A tractor-trailer truck traveling eastbound on Church Hill Road about 5 am Thursday became wedged beneath the low-clearance Housatonic Railroad overpass. The truck was carrying a load of dog food. The blockage created a major traffic jam that continued throughout the morning. Traffic was still tied up at 10:45 am. Details on the crash were not available from police, who were still at the crash scene at deadline.

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Daniel Amaral of Amaral Motors and Catherine Amaral-Freitas, office manager, presented Newtown Meals on Wheels President Becky Smith and volunteer Annette Cantalupo with a letter announcing the South Main Street business will provide free emergency road service to volunteer drivers while they are delivering meals to shut-ins. More than 130 volunteers delivered a record 6,625 meals to 70 Newtown residents last year. Mrs Cantalupo said Mr Amaral offered to provide free service for dead batteries, flat tires, and other road emergencies that sometimes occur while the meals are being delivered.

June 15, 1973

Fun, friendship and recollection of high school days were all featured during the 40th reunion of the Class of 1933 of Newtown High School at a dinner at Hawley Manor Inn on Saturday evening. Preceding the dinner, Alfred Karcheski piloted his school bus on a tour of the town, which featured an inspection of the new high school conducted by assistant principal Earl Smith. The tour ended at Hawley Manor Inn, where the fun of reunion shifted to high gear as old friends greeted each other and time was spent going over copies of the 1933 Bugle and other memorabilia from 40 years ago. This class graduated from Hawley School, which was the town high school at that time. They numbered 26 members and were the first class ever to graduate wearing caps and gowns.

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A summary of the Connecticut Master Transportation Plan as it affects Housatonic Valley communities was presented to a meeting of the Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials on Monday, and it prompted First Selectman Frank DeLucia to comment that “the state looks at Newtown as more urbanized than we do in our town plan.” Mr DeLucia used the occasion to repeat his concern over the planned expansion of Oxford airport, and the inclusion of Newtown in the “demonstration project” by which the state is obtaining federal funds to build a new highway to the airport. Studies of the highway’s impact on Newtown will be made by the state before and after the highway is completed.

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Robert Carter of Essex, nationally-known architect in the restoration of old homes, who is acting as consultant for the Newtown Historical Society in the restoration of the Belden House, most favorably compared the house to various other houses in this state and New York, at the monthly meeting of the Society on Monday evening, June 11, in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. Mr Carter stated that the Belden House is in excellent structural condition, having many rare features such as the large fireplace with oven in the basement.

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Mr and Mrs Frank Bawden have just returned from a delightful two-week tour to Norway, Sweden and Denmark. While in Sweden they visited their youngest daughter, Dorothy, who lives and works in Stockholm. The Bawdens report that the country of Norway is breathtakingly beautiful.

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The annual meeting of the Newtown Cemetery Association took place at the Newtown Savings Bank on Monday afternoon, June 11, at which time officers were elected as follows: Earle Smith, president; Herman W. Parker, treasurer; and Albert Nichols, secretary. Also renamed to the Board of Trustees were Paul S. Smith, Mr Nichols, Mr Parker, Earle Smith, and Kenneth Adams.

June 11, 1948

The Newtown Kennel Club exercised rare judgment in scheduling its first Pet Dog Show for children last Sunday, for it was the one day of the late spring that remained fine from early morning until late evening. People were there in large numbers, both exhibitors 16 years of age and under, and spectators who were of all ages and from all parts of this section of Connecticut. Best in the entire show, as judged by Paul A. Cullens, was a Kerry Blue Terrier, “Biddy,” owned and shown by 13-year-old Glenna Dimon of Hamden.

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Miss Loretta Nichols, daughter of Mrs A.B. Nichols, Saw Mill Road, has recently received word that she has been accepted into the course of Medical Technology at Temple University Hospital, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa. A graduate of Hawley High School class of 1946, she received her degree of Associate in Science in the Medical Technology course from Danbury State Teachers College. She expects to start her studies at Temple on September 1st.

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Miss Mary Cullens, daughter of Rev and Mrs Paul A. Cullens, returned home on Sunday from her year’s studies at Dana Hall, Wellesley, Mass.

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Mrs Harry Hart of the Ledges has returned to her home in Newtown, after a stay of five months in San Francisco, Cal., visiting her niece. On the return trip, which she made by DC-6, Mrs Hart stopped over for a few days’ visit with relatives and friends in Montclair, N.J., where she motored home.

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Mr and Mrs Charles Botsford and two sons arrived home Wednesday of last week from their trailer trip which started last fall and took them to California, where they visited relatives and enjoyed the experiences of a winter’s sojourn. The entire trip provided a most pleasant excursion for the entire family, though they say they are now glad to be back in Newtown.

June 8, 1923

The Mission at St Rose’s church conducted by the La Salette fathers of Hartford came to a close, Sunday night, with the 8 o’clock service. Rev Father Cotter preached an eloquent and helpful sermon from the text, “Son, Behold Thy Mother.”

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Mr and Mrs Frank Wright attended the graduation exercises of Columbia University in New York City on Wednesday. Donald Wright, a member of the graduating class of 1923, received an A.B. degree at that time.

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In the heavy electrical storm of Monday night, two cows belonging to Lauren Skidmore were struck by lightning and killed.

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The Mount Sinai Benevolent Association has rented the place of Max Schimelman in Huntingtown district and will have children from New York City occupy it for ten weeks. Mr Schimelman is to be congratulated that his farm has been selected for this work and many little children will be made stronger to battle with city life, during the next ten weeks. Mr Schimelman has an advertisement for cream in this week’s Bee.

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Mrs Grace Benefict and children returned to their home in Shelton, Sunday evening, after spending several days at their old home.

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William H. Egan, master of the great Pennsylvania station in New York, was the guest, Thursday, of Mr and Mrs William Egan of Walnut Tree Hill.

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The Dodgingtown Fire Co elected the following officers Tuesday night: Foreman, George W. Wheeler. First assistant foreman, Roy Barnum. Second assistant foreman, Carl Rassmussen. Secretary, John Visney. Treasurer, I.W. Andrews. Chairman, E.R. Cosier. Vice-chairman, Sidney Waters. Trustee, one year, James Mott. Trustee, two years, Elliott Platt.

June 17, 1898

The Children’s day service at the Congregational church, Sunday morning, drew out an audience which crowded the auditorium. The children all did well, and it was a most interesting service. The selections by the quartet were especially enjoyable. The church was appropriately decorated with flowers and flags.

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WHO IS HAWLEYVILLE’S CHIEF OF POLICE? The following telegraph dispatch was received by the “Chief of Police” of Hawleyville: Chief of Police, Hawleyville, Conn., Dear Sir: Three weeks ago my store was broken into and a lot of shoes, neckties, shirts, suspenders, razors, etc., were stolen; also a sorrel horse and Democrat wagon. If you can give me any information in regard to it I am willing to pay suitably. Respectfully yours, —, Wales, Mass. || There is considerable dispute at Hawleyville, as to who is “Chief of Police,” but the impression prevails that the honor falls on the shoulders of either Messrs Dibble or Hourigan. Both are handsome and affable young men, and would make capable officials.

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Edwin Sherman, while helping Botsford H. Peet launch his boat, took a tumble backward into the pond, much to his own discomfort and the amusement of those present.

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There was an impromptu gathering at the residence of Mr Thicket in Zoar on Monday afternoon, June 6, it being the 5th anniversary of the marriage of Mr and Mrs Thicket. It was a complete surprise, Mrs Thicket and daughter being absent when the company arrived. They took immediate possession and commenced spreading the table and when Mrs Thicket returned tea was nearly ready. There were 17 who sat down to the table ladened with the good things of the season and at last the bountiful supply of ice cream, which was greatly appreciated by all, judging from the sudden disappearance thereof. It was a very social occasion and with music in the evening the time sped all too rapidly away. The company adjourned to meet at the same place again in one year if all is well.

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.