August 3, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Keith Cullinan

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The State Bond Commission has approved funding in the amount of $4 million to pay for the replacement of Conrail Bridge 460 over Route 6 in Newtown, and $500,000 to replace the bridge on Route 25 over Cold Spring Brook. “I am very pleased that the Bond Commission approved funding for both of these projects,” noted State Rep Julia Wasserman.

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A Newtown woman is a descendant of a Connecticut man who with his two brothers fought in the Civil War. This may not seem very unusual, in that many brothers fought in the Civil War and not always on the same side. But these brothers, George Washington Brown, John Madison Brown, and William Jefferson Brown, are believed to be the only triplets to fight for the Union cause and perhaps in the entire war. Joan (Reilly) Oberg is the great-granddaughter of George Brown. She and her husband have lived in Newtown since 1954.

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A random sampling of 47 household wells in Newtown showed that only three had uranium levels slightly above the federal standard, but 45 percent showed high radon levels. “We learned that there is no predictability about uranium levels in well water,” said Mark A.R. Cooper, director of the Newtown Health District. “We did random sampling in the five different kinds of bedrock under Newtown, in wells of different types, different ages, different depths, elevations, and yields, and learned that there is no way to predict where water will test over the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] standard of 30 picocuries per liter [30pCi/L].”

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Maybe winning a state championship was more than most teams had a right to hope for in any given summer, but the Newtown U10 travel softball team went one better last weekend by winning the New England Regional Tournament championship with a thrilling, 6-3 win over Stamford. “In my mind, (going to the New England Regionals) was the reward for being state champions,” said manager Nancy Bowen. “Everything just jelled at the right time and the kids were having a lot of fun. It was phenomenal.”

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Brothers Donald and Brian Rowe both received the Eagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America on June 23 at the Sandy Hook United Methodist Church. They are members of BSA Troop 370 of Sandy Hook. The Eagle Award is the highest rank in Boy Scouting and is awarded after achieving the rank of Life Scout, earning 21 merit badges and completing a community service project.

July 30, 1976

Eagle Hill, the treatment center for alcoholics proposed for 22.6 acres of land off Albert’s Hill Road, Sandy Hook, was subject of a public hearing by a panel of members of the Connecticut Commission on Hospitals and Health care Wednesday in Hartford. The panel, according to hearing chairman Francis P. Dellafera of Manchester, may have its recommendation ready for the full commission by late August or early September, and action may be taken by the commission then. The panel’s function is to recommend approval, denial or modifications of the plan.

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George Mattegat, Newtown’s dog warden, has tendered his resignation and will be leaving his position on August 6. Mr Mattegat, who has been dog warden for a little over three years, is purchasing Dean’s Garbage Removal business here in town, and will be devoting full time to his new venture as well as continuing as a school bus owner and operator.

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The 42-acre Lexington Hill subdivision, proposed for property off Tamarack, Echo Valley and Hanover Roads, by New Jersey-based Newtown 90 Associates, has generated more public interest than any subdivision proposed to the Newtown Planning & Zoning Commission in recent years.

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The Newtown health department has completed the second quarter inspection of restaurants and food establishments in the town for the year, and has released the results. “In general, the quality of sanitary care has remained high, the limiting factor being human error,” the health department said in a news release. The “worst problem” cited by the department was in carelessness in handling toxic substances. “The Health department exerts constant pressure to see that all ammonia, detergents, and similar substances are stored separate from the food and spice items, in addition to the dangerous insect poisons, etc. They are corrected immediately and therefore not scored. If poisons were in violation, they would be scored.”

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Margaret Stehr, of Chestnut Hill Road, and Viola Helon, 19 Wills Road, sold chances at the Connecticut National Bank of a Betsy Ross Flag Afghan which is being raffled off for the benefit of the Newtown Senior Center. Chances cost 50 cents or five for $2, and the handsome prize will be raffled off at the Bicentennial Block Party on Saturday night, August 21, at the Queen Street Shopping Center. Chances are also being sold at the Town Hall.

July 27, 1951

Coincident with his report to the Newtown Board of Education at its meeting last Friday night, Superintendent of Schools Carl A. LeGrow issued an important notice to parents of children who will attend kindergarten in the fall. If the children have not already been registered, Mr. LeGrow asks that parents notify him by mail at once. Mr. LeGrow says that the large enrollment in the kindergarten for the coming year makes it necessary that school authorities know as soon as possible what the total enrollment will be.

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Sunday, July 22, marked an anniversary at The Bee office. It was just one year ago on that date that Contractor John Stefanko of Sandy Hook started operations for the addition to the building. The addition was entirely completed for an open house in January, and it has since been proving a great advantage to The Bee staff in its work. Many visitors have inspected the expanded plant during the past year, with much commendation expressed. The Bee is prompted to remind its readers that visitors are always welcome, not only to inspect the new addition but to watch the various presses, Linotypes and other equipment in operation.

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Mr. and Mrs. Philo G. Botsford and daughter Beverly of Springfield, Ohio have returned home after spending two weeks as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Botsford of Newtown.

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Ten boys and girls between the ages of six and 15, “fresh airs” from New York City, became guests in Newtown homes for two weeks last Thursday afternoon, when they were met by their hosts at the Bethel railroad station. During their stay the youngsters are enjoying what they have lacked, the happy and orderly living in peaceful homes and all the charms of country life. They will return to New York by train on August 2.

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Warden Henry L. McCarthy has issued notice to the legal voters of the Borough of Newtown that a special borough meeting will be held in Edmond Town Hall this Friday evening at 8 o’clock for the purpose of laying the borough tax rate for the fiscal year 1951-1952.

July 30, 1926

James McDonald and Patrick McKeon of New Haven were intercepted by Officers Carroll, Tucker and Deputy Sheriff M. D. Beers about 3 a.m., Saturday morning on Main Street, with a truck loaded with 102 cases of beer bound for Danbury. They were arraigned before Justice P. H. McCarthy, Tuesday evening. Judge Martin of New Haven represented the pair and Attorney J. Robert Beecher appeared for the State. Both pleaded guilty. Justice McCarthy fined McDonald $150 and costs amounting to $67.12 and McKeon $25 for riding on the truck. Both paid. A second truck operated by A. J. Culbert of New Haven was stopped, Saturday afternoon, and found to contain four barrels and 15 cases of beer, but upon analysis it proved so near the legal requirement in alcoholic content that the driver was allowed to continue with his load, Monday.

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The well known and popular firm of Corbett & Crowe of Sandy Hook are celebrating in August their 17th anniversary of starting business in their present stand. The firm comprises Martin A. Corbett and Arthur J. Crowe. In August, 1909, these gentlemen consummated their partnership and bought out the drug and grocery business of Ethel P. Finch. In 1914 they bought the buildings they occupy from Birdsey Parsons.

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The floral decorations at the Congregational church, Sunday morning, consisted of a simple and beautiful bouquet of the wild Butterfly Flower, which was very much admired. The Butterfly Weed is sometimes called Pleurisy-root and is generally found in rocky or sandy spots.

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On account of the Newtown Country Club rooms being torn up, last Monday night, the bridge was held at the Newtown Library. There was a good attendance. Mrs L. C. Morris and Mrs Rodney Shepard were high in score for the ladies and George M. Stuart and Arthur J. Smith for the gentlemen. The prizes were given out for the month. Mrs Rodney P. Shepard and Mrs Wallace N. Mitchell were the fortunate ones for the ladies and Arthur J. Smith and W. O. Pardee for the gentlemen.

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While taking a stroll in the Newtown Village cemetery, the other day, we were amazed at the splendid and substantial road improvement which is in progress. The work is made possible through the generosity of Miss Mary E. Hawley, who entered into a contract with A. L. Davis of Danbury. The supervision of the work is in the hands of the president and trustees of the Village Cemetery Association, and could not be better cared for.

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One of the biggest events of the social activities in Botsford was a masquerade held at the “Sunrise” on Saturday, July 24, under the direction of two famous New York lawyers, Mordecai M. Richter and William B. Linder, Esq. One of the special features of the affair was a masqued six piece jazz band conducted by the well known Professor Spivak of Danbury. Many of the guests of the Sunrise participated and beautiful and artistic costumes were worn.

August 2, 1901

Among the sons of Newtown who are prospering in nearby cities is William Patchen, who holds a responsible position as foreman in the great Scoville Manufacturing Co. at Waterbury. This concern now employs about 2,800 men, and is about completing a mammoth rolling mill where 300 men will be employed. Mr Patchen passed his boyhood days in Hattertown district.

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Another generous invoice of sweet corn was received at The Bee office, this week, from C. L. Briscoe of Taunton district, who as a rule has the earliest sweet corn in the market. The Bee men are blessed with lusty appetites, and such gifts are very pleasant, on the part of the recipients, not so much for their intrinsic value, as for the kindly spirit manifested.

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NEWTOWN SAVINGS BANK — Newtown, Conn. Incorporated 1855. AARON SANFORD, President; ARTHUR T. NETTLETON, Treasurer. BUSINESS HOURS from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

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If you want the best staple and fancy GROCERIES on the market call at the new store of BETT’S SANDY HOOK, CT. All New Goods—Prices Right.

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FOR FIRE PROTECTION. A meeting of the officers of the new fire company was held on Monday night at the store of Selectman Morris to hear the report of the soliciting committee, Rev O.W. Barker, Patrick Gannon, Allison P. Smith and L. C. Morris, who were appointed to secure funds to purchase a fire pump. It was found that about $200 had been subscribed but it is desired to largely increase this amount. Every property owner in the Street and within a circuit of a mile of the village ought to subscribe liberally. Any desiring to contribute to this worthy object can hand their contributions to any member of the soliciting committee.

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.