July 27, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Calla Sellner

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In the end, the Charter Revision Commission’s efforts to engage the Legislative Council in discussions about proposed charter changes finally paid off. During two days of meetings this week, the council approved nearly all of the proposed changes to town government, including three of the four most controversial issues. Such a scenario seemed all but impossible just two weeks ago. The key votes came late Wednesday night when a group of council members made a last-ditch effort to eliminate the proposed creation of a Board of Finance. The attempt failed, however, just as it had the night before.

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During a seven-hour sobriety checkpoint in Hawleyville on the night of Saturday, July 21, and early morning hours of Sunday, July 22, town police stopped an estimated 550 motorists on Hawleyville Road to deter drunken driving and encourage motorists’ use of seatbelts and child safety restraints. In the course of that checkpoint, police arrested three motorists on drunken driving counts, charged one driver with drug offenses, and lodged numerous warnings against motorists for seatbelt violations and other offenses.

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In tallying the damage caused by a recent flooding incident in the new wing at Newtown High School, school officials believe that costs to correct water-related problems may reach $140,000. Earlier cost estimates had put the damage value closer to $100,000.

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The Malenkee Ballet Repertoire Company consists of 20 talented dancers ranging in age from 10 to 18 from Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet in Sandy Hook. The innovative group has been performing since 1980, when Marsha Ismailoff Mark founded it. The dancers were first based at Mrs Mark’s School of Ballet in Newtown, but the group moved this summer into new quarters upon Mrs Mark’s retirement. The group’s new artistic director is Jennifer Johnston, who is also the owner of the recently-opened classical ballet center at 113 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook. A number of the young dancers had the opportunity to visit their new studio last week, and then stood still long enough for a group photo.

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A few bad hops and a bit of tough luck at this past weekend's state tournament in South Meriden spelled the end of the line for the Newtown Babe Ruth 11-year-old All Stars. After winning its opener 11-0 over Bolton late last week, Newtown dropped two straight in the double-elimination tournament to end what was a terrific summer run.

July 23, 1976

Newtown will have an eight person charter revision commission in operation within thirty days, based on action by the Legislative Council at its July 21 meeting. In two weeks, the Ordinance subcommittee of the council will report back to the full council with a list of eight people willing and able to serve on the commission and with a list of key items in the charter which should be considered for possible change. At the Wednesday meeting, the subcommittee revealed to the council its “laundry list” of about 15 possible items which have been suggested for possible revision.

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Should the detectives on the police force who are now back on regular patrol duty, lose their $250-a-year stipend which they get for having the rank of detective? This was a question brought up at the Board of Police Commissioners’ Thursday evening meeting by commissioner Gerald Fawley, who said he wondered whether, now the three were back on patrol, the other patrolmen on the force would turn around and ask for the same stipends the detectives are presently getting. “I am thinking of the same work, same pay,” he told his fellow commissioners.

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The Major Division All-Stars of the Newtown Little League defeated their Derby counterparts, 16-6, on Tuesday, July 20, to move up in the single elimination tournament to the second round. They were scheduled to meet Shelton North in Shelton on July 22.

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Kim Werden of Newtown, who has been a nurse’s aide at Buckingham Gardens Convalescent Home, Toddy Hill Road, for three years, was the recipient of the first Residents Council Scholarship. The $200 award was presented to Miss Werden by Stuart Lovequist, chairman of the Residents’ Council, at the group’s monthly meeting on July 15. Miss Werden will be studying for her LPN degree at Henry Abbott Technical School in Danbury.

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Wallace Lee of Flat Swamp Road, Newtown, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Northwest Connecticut Health Systems Agency Inc. at a meeting in New Milford July 15. Mr Lee, president of the Danbury Labor Council, is replacing Edward Ginty who resigned as he could not give the necessary time. Mr Lee, a teacher at Western Connecticut State College, is vice president of the Connecticut State Labor Council and president of the Western Connecticut Federation of Teachers.

July 20, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS – A DAY FOR CARDS: Sunday, July 29, will be Arthur T. Nettleton’s 89th birthday. The Bee mentions the date in the hope that dozens of his friends will send birthday cards to him ... Mr Nettleton has been a patient at the Danbury Hospital since May of 1950. Such long confinement, caused by the infirmities of advancing age, is in real contrast to the active banking career and position of civic leadership Mr Nettleton held for so many years in Newtown. Birthday cards on July 29th will be appreciated, we know. They will help to tell Mr Nettleton that we think of him often and wish that he might be back in his accustomed place amongst us.

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The Newtown baseball team scored six runs in the first two innings in Sunday’s game at Taylor Field to defeat Huntington, 8-3. Mike Kearns, Newtown's catcher, hit a homer with two on in the first inning to help give Newtown its big lead which the visitors were unable to overcome during the rest of the game. Joe Cavanaugh, who did all the pitching, also starred at bat, getting three for four, including two doubles. He struck out eight batters and walked two.

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Sealed bids on some 57 town-owned lots in Pohtatuck Park, Zoar Trails, Lakeview Terrace and Beardsley Heights are being received at the office of Tax Collector Robert N. Camp in Edmond Town Hall until the close of business this Friday night. The lots are being offered for sale by the committee on sale of property and acquired for taxes, composed of Robert N. Camp, A. Fenn Dickinson and William W. Holcombe. The committee reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

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Mrs Orrin W. Mills of Main Street, whose recent serious illness hospitalized her for more than two weeks, was returned to her home this Wednesday to spend a period of convalescence in complete rest and quiet.

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Miss Irene C. Culhane of Brooklyn, N. Y., who spends her weekends in Newtown at Hawley Manor and is a member of the Newtown Country Club, is one of eight winners of this year’s Erma Proetz awards given by the Women’s Advertising Club of St Louis, Mo. for the most outstanding creative advertising produced by women in the U. S., Canada, Mexico and Cuba.

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Mr and Mrs Francis Hoffmann of Queen Street are the parents of a son, Francis Michael Hoffmann, born two minutes before midnight Sunday night in the Danbury Hospital.

July 23, 1926

PICTURE’S AT BLACKMAN’S: Richard Barthelmess and Bessie Love in the great drama, “Soul Fire,” Dick’s greatest picture, adapted from the play, “Great Music.” He finds his soul in love in music. Aflame with the fire of genius, Dick mirrors the boys who lost all only to regain it again in the stirring strains of music and the beating tempest of love on the South Sea Islands. Don’t miss this greatest Barthelmess picture.

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Henry M. Smith of Hayt’s Corners, Seneca County, N. Y., writing to the editor of conditions there says: “Had a little shower to-day but only just enough to lay the dust and by tomorrow it will be as dry as ever again. The farmers through this section are hard hit, this year, and will have to scratch to pay their taxes this fall.

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Five tables graced the meeting of the Newtown Country Club at its club rooms, last Monday night. Mrs Rodney P. Shepard and Miss Frisbie were high in score in bridge for the ladies, for the evening, and Charles F. Cavanaugh and Arthur J. Smith for the gentlemen. For the month Miss Pardee and Mrs W. O. Pardee have the highest score for the present month for the ladies and W. O. Pardee and Arthur J. Smith for the gentlemen.

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CARD OF THANKS: I wish to thank my many friends, relatives and neighbors for their kind words of sympathy expressed to me in the loss of my wife, also the donors of floral and spiritual bouquets, and especially do I wish to thank the neighbors for their many kind deeds. —John J. Keane.

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The usual calm of a Sunday morning in Newtown was dissipated, Sunday last, by a head-on collision between two cars not far from the Liberty garage. Stanley Haspar, operating an automobile under the influence of liquor, and James Greene a passenger also intoxicated, it is alleged, while driving a car on the wrong side of the road hit a car operated by Mrs J. S. Hull, of Southbury, who had as a passenger, her daughter, Doris, 16. Both mother and daughter were injured and are in Danbury hospital recovering. Both cars were badly damaged ... Green and Haspar were also taken to Danbury hospital after the collision there. Mrs Hull’s car was forced 25 feet from the road by the impact of the collision ... It is said that Haspar and Greene will be served with warrants by the State police on their discharge from the hospital.

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The Walnut Tree Hill Special for the 1926 season will make its initial run on August 1.

July 26, 1901

LET US HAVE LIGHT. WHERE IS OUR PUBLIC SPIRIT? To the Editor of The Newtown Bee: A few nights ago I walked up the Street from my house between 11 and 12 o’clock, to mail some letters. The night was cloudy and I could not see my hand before my face. Not a light was visible from the Rectory to the head of the Street. Coming back, three lights helped to guide me home, one in front of Dr Schuyler’s, one in front of Mr Hayes’ and the other at Newtown Savings Bank. This last named lamp I have kept burning on alternate weeks with the treasurer of the bank during more than 10 years. I have often hoped that several other public spirited citizens might follow the good example set in this respect at least by your humble servant and the others mentioned above, so that our village street might be well lighted throughout its whole length ... I can grope my way to the postoffice at midnight any time but there are many people who ought not to be forced to grope their way in the darkness of the very center of our village. —George T. Linsley. Trinity Rector, July 22, 1901.

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TOWN TOPICS. — TRINITY CHURCH.: Rev F. F. Johnson of Redlands, Cal., preached at Trinity church on Sunday morning, giving an able and inspiring discourse. He chose his text from Gen. 48: 19: “And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it.” The speaker first gave a brief summary of the beautiful story of the aged patriarch, Jacob, receiving his son, Joseph, in his old age and pronouncing his blessing upon Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons.

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Charles S. Platt, Teacher Piano, Organ and Theory. NEWTOWN, CONN. Instructions given on Violin and Mandolin.

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ALBERT L. SCHUYLER, M. D., PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. Successor to Edwards M. Smith, M. D. Office at Residence. Hours: 8 to 9 a.m.; 1 to 2 p.m.; 7 to 8 p.m. Telephone and Night Bell at Residence. Newtown Street, Telephone No. 248-31.

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.