July 20, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Mike Salvatore.

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Police are conducting a criminal investigation into an apparent prank which caused extensive interior flooding damage on three levels of the new wing at Newtown High School on Friday, July 13. The flooding is estimated to have caused more than $100,000 in damage to the building and its contents, including seven classrooms, the new lecture hall, and hallways. An estimated 25,000 square feet of floor area was affected.

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In light of environmental concerns, the timetable has been pushed back about one year for building a new bridge across the Housatonic River just upstream of Stevenson Dam, with state transportation planners now projecting the new span to be open to traffic by early 2006. The new $40 million bridge would replace the existing narrow, deteriorated bridge atop Stevenson Dam, which carries traffic across the river between Monroe and Oxford on Route 34. Workmen this week were scheduled to improve the existing bridge’s structural strength.

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Work is expected to continue on the stalled Borough sidewalk project on Monday morning. Consequently, work crews should be busy in front of The Bee’s offices at 5 Church Hill Road at that time, blocking the main entrance to the building. Those with business to conduct at The Bee may gain access during the work period through the side doors off the parking lot to the east of the building.

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The Board of Selectmen is seeking the adoption of an ordinance that would prohibit vending machine sales of cigarettes and tobacco products in Newtown. The selectmen sent their request on to the Legislative Council Monday night. First Selectman Herb Rosenthal raised the issue after receiving a letter from Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, who has begun a statewide campaign to ban the machines.

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The fund drive for the organ at Newtown Meeting House continues. To date, The Heritage Preservation Trust has received $5,884 from 94 contributors to go toward the $75,000 it cost to restore the 1924 pipe organ. The meeting house is a town-owned building that is self-supporting and is available for the public to rent for weddings, civic groups and church events. The Trust began collecting for the restoration cost in late June … The fund drive is an ongoing effort to help pay for the restoration of the organ that received water damage from Hurricane Floyd, which came through the area in September 1999.

July 16, 1976

The circus came to town and the Italian Community Center field buzzed with activity Tuesday morning as the big tent went up, the animals were fed and spectators gazed at the ceaseless activity. Local youngsters helped set up the risers and chairs for the audience, but, of course, most of the work was done by a crew of men who knew exactly which rope went where. A couple of circus elephants were pressed into duty pulling pulley ropes that made the tent taut.

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Newtown’s application for federal funds to start converting the town owned Stefanko property on Philo Curtis Road, Sandy Hook, into a second town park will have to wait until an archaeological “reconnaissance survey” is made of the site in search of Indian burials. Frederick Warner, professor of archaeology at Central Connecticut State College in New Britain, says that gravel sites were favorite burial spots for local Indians and burial sites have been discovered all over the state.

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The public participation part of the Board of Education’s meeting on Tuesday evening had to be moved into the Middle School auditorium to accommodate a large crowd of parents, students and graduates of Newtown High School who were on hand to protest the reassignment of two high school teachers. The two faculty members, Mrs Danuta Parkinson of the business education department, and Anthony Inzero of the music department, had their positions altered by the Board of Education at a special emergency meeting on June 30. The reason for the changes was because of cuts mandated by the taxpayers in the BofEd budget this year, according to the board.

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In an effort to improve service, the Dog Pound at the landfill will be open for business for a greater length of time each day, effective immediately. This has been made possible by increasing the working hours of Robert Histon, who is in charge at the pound, according to a statement by Police Chief Louis Marchese. It will now be possible to call the Dog Pound directly for dogs that have been picked up, or for any complaint concerning dogs that should be picked up or helped. … The hours will be Monday-Friday, 8 am-3 pm; Saturday, 8 am-1 pm.

July 13, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — TOO YOUNG TO DIE: The Korean war comes realistically home to Newtown as The Bee goes to press, with funeral services being held this Thursday for Sergeant Earl Lockwood, who was killed in action in Korea on September 15, 1950. Earl is Newtown’s first casualty in the strange sort of warfare which has claimed so many lives on that distant battleground. His body has made the long journey home to find a quiet resting place in St. Rose cemetery. … we think that the world at large should be very much ashamed of its inhuman conduct of recent months. There is no real cause for bloodshed and wholesale death in Korea. Differences are never satisfactorily settled by the sword. The world is large enough for all. It is time that that fact was thoroughly understood and that peoples of all nations, particularly Russian and American, devoted themselves to the task of living harmoniously together. It can be done; it must be done. … Sergeant Earl Lockwood, as we bid you rest and eternal peace, we express the hope that your sacrifice of life itself will not have been made in vain. None can give more than you. You deserve the best from us.

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Playing an important part in Town Players’ next production, “Hutchinson Heyday,” to be presented July 25 and 25 in the Edmond Town Hall theatre are the ten children of Anne Hutchinson, who share the adventures of Colonial America with their mother. Ten enthusiastic Newtown youngsters start rehearsals this week for their own special song and dance sequence in the play. The children are Caroline and Ruth Hibbard, Eulalia Madriguera, Anna McLennan, Veronica Reif, Alison and Peter Underhill, Linda Walsh, and Virginia and William Wayne.

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Word was received at The Bee on Wednesday that the Pine Tree Patrol, on its annual trek to the north woods, had completed the initial laps of its journey and had arrived safely at La Tuque, Quebec. Members of the patrol said that the weather was good and that they were entering the woods at that time for a seven-days trip by canoe. The Pine Tree Patrol, comprising eight members of the senior Boy Scouts of Troop 70, headed by Scoutmaster Paul A. Cullens and Ned Platt, assistant, took off from Newtown on Sunday afternoon.

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Townspeople will be pleased to learn that the condition of Mrs Orrin W. Mills, Main Street, who was stricken seriously ill about ten days ago, is very much improved in Danbury Hospital. It is thought that she may be released from the hospital some time next week, to spend a period of convalescence in her home.

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Chuck Spaulding, son of Mr and Mrs Charles R. Spaulding, arrived recently at Camp Moosehead, Crescent Lake, Maine, for two months. He went there from the Spaulding summer home in Bridgton, Me., where Mrs Spaulding and son, Nathan, are spending the summer while Mr Spaulding commutes to New York City for his trips with P.A.A.

July 16, 1926

The funeral of the late Mrs Gertrude Bradley Keane, beloved wife of John J. Keane, was held on Monday morning at 9.30 o’clock from her late home on Hanover road, and at 10 o’clock from St Rose’s church, where a solemn high Mass was celebrated by Rev William Kennedy, pastor, with Rev Joseph Casey of Danubry, and Rev Francis A. Murphy, sub-deacon. … Mrs Keane was a life-long resident of Newtown, being the daughter of Ex-representative T.F. Bradley, and the late Mary Noulihan Bradley. She attended the local schools, and graduated with honors from the Newtown High School in 1909, being one of the speakers of her class.

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On Wednesday afternoon five tables of bridge was enjoyed at the Beach Memorial Library, proceeds of which went for the benefit of the association. Mrs Sarah B. Mitchell and Mrs Charles F. Cavanaugh entertained.

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John Reindeer, a full blooded Cherokee Indian from Oklahoma, was picked up by Sheriff M.D. Beers on complaint of C.F. Conger, who claimed that the former who was an employee of Conger had taken his car without permission. Reindeer returned the car and Grand Juror Gannon thought advisable to press only the charge of intoxication. The Indian pleaded guilty of partaking too much “fire water” and a nominal fine of one dollar and costs was imposed by Justice P.H. McCarthy.

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BUSINESS NOTICES: Fancy tub butter, very fancy Vermont butter, 1775 blend of coffee, shoulders and bacon. —(H.G. Warner. Adv. | Garden tools, rakes, forks, scythes, snaths, barbed wire, staples, etc. —H.G. Warner. Adv. | Fresh vegetables for all kinds, melons, cabbage, new potatoes, carrots, tomatoes. —H.G. Warner. Adv. | Fresh vegetables for Saturday at Corbett & Crowe’s: New potatoes, new onions, Telephone peas, string beans, tomatoes, beets, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, cantaloupes, watermelons, freestone peaches, plums, pears, bananas and oranges. —Corbett & Crowe. Adv.

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There was a delightful gathering at the Betsy Page Tea Room on Tuesday afternoon, when Mrs Irving Jones entertained a group of her friends there. An interesting game of bridge was played. Mrs Walter Reynolds and Miss Adeline Hurd carried off the prizes, which were dainty and unique. At the close of the game delicious refreshments were served.

July 19, 1901

Owen Ryan, a worthy resident of North Center district, died on Thursday last, aged 54 years. He had been in failing health for a year, but had been confined to the house only about two months. Mr Ryan belonged to that older generation of sturdy Irish citizens who are fast passing away. He had resided in Newtown for 34 years. For a short time he was a resident of Pennsylvania. For about 20 years he was employed in the local Rubber shop, retiring from there about the year 1890. Mr Ryan was born in County Clare, Ireland. The funeral was largely attended on Saturday from St Rose’s church, Father Fox officiating.

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Three popular young men of the town gathered at a local store, early Saturday evening. Two of the trio decided to call on some Mt Pleasant young ladies, and wanted the third, an obliging bachelor, to carry them up ... He carried them to Mt Pleasant and when near their destination refused to go further unless he was paid extra. This the boys refused to do. It appears that the bachelor did not return to the street with the borrowed horse till about 10 p.m., and so the enraged owners were obliged to walk to their home ... Rushing into the house he informed the young men that the horse would cost them each $14.75 to settle the bill. But the man who evidently came out ahead of the game is the far-seeing bachelor who borrowed a neighbor's rig and won a 7c fee.

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Goodhue Wind Mills, power or pumping, Steel or Wood Towers, Substructures, Tanks, etc. These goods are noted for their superiority and cost the least for repairs. Send for prices and catalogue. W. B. GLOVER, NEWTOWN, CONN., General Agent Western Connecticut.

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KEATING & CO... Furniture Dealer Undertaking and Embalming in all its branches, promptly and carefully attended to. SANDY HOOK, CONN.

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BERKSHIRE: Miss julia Clarke has recently visited Mrs J.C. Hawley. | Charles Sperry of Berlin passed a few days at his home, recently. | Arthur Beardsley entertained company from Shelton, last week. | Mrs CHalres Curtis passed Friday of last week at Pleasure Beach.

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.