* * *

Dogs end up in the pens of the Newtown Animal Welfare organization for all sorts of reasons. In the case of Jocko, a big, black and wooly Standard Poodle, it had something to do with a Trans-Am sports car. Several weeks ago, Jocko succumbed to an impulse and leapt onto the top of a parked Trans-Am. The car owner complained to the landlord, and “the dog had to go,” explained Priscilla Caposella of Newtown Animal Welfare.

* * *

Andrew Sedor’s corn was as “high as an elephant’s eye” until someone drove a pickup truck or four-wheel drive vehicle through his Barnabas Road fields sometime between 11:30 pm, Saturday, July 30, and 8:20 am, Sunday. Vandals cut long swaths through two corn fields belonging to the Currituck Road Farmer, destroying approximately $2,000 in corn.

* * *

The Board of Police Commissioners postponed a decision on the proposed traffic plan for the flagpole intersection Tuesday night until it could get more information from the engineers. It was designed according to criteria accepted by the majority of the Newtown Flagpole Traffic Committee formed by First Selectman Jack Rosenthal.

* * *

New housing activity construction continued its dynamic drive in Connecticut during June, increasing 10.9 percent from the May level. It was the highest number since June 1979. The 1,571 new housing units authorized in the state this June were the most granted in four years.

* * *

Secretaries at the Central Office in the Newtown School System recently spent time learning the whys and wherefores of computers. A software technician from Systems Eleven instructed Cindy Booth, Evelyn Nelson, Donna Jimatis, Joanne Beigel, and Business Manager Joe Galanti.

* * *

This Saturday night, August 6, the Summer Festival Block Party will transform the Queen St Shopping Center into an acre of entertainment. All Newtowners can count on having a good time. There will be games, pony rides, cartoons and a Moon Walk for the kids. The highlight of the Block Party will be an appearance by the famous Del-Vikings. The Del-Vikings became famous in the sixties, and since then they have entertained millions with an act that includes their hits as well as currently popular songs.

 

August 8, 1958

At a joint meeting of the Board of Education and the Junior High School Building Committee held Monday evening, final plans were made fro presenting a revised high school building proposal to the town. The revised proposal uses the same basic plan that was presented in May, including alterations to the present high school but without the auditorium or the gymnasium.

* * *

Exceeding all expectations, the third annual Greater Newtown Sales Days came to a rousing close Saturday evening when First Selectman Edward J. Coleman selected the names of 22 prize winners from a box filled with more than 35,000 coupons before a goodly crowd at Edmond Town Hall. Sharing in Newtown’s extra business activity, the Danbury Hospital Progress Fund has been enriched by $347.30.

* * *

A two and a half page story in the August issue of Field and Stream about Gordon setters, written by dog editor Joe Stetson, uses for illustration pictures of some of the dogs bred and raised by Mr and Mrs John O. Page of Great Quarter Road, Newtown. The article, “The Gordon and His Job,” has one picture of Mr Page shooting over Page’s Shuriridge Liz, rated as top field dog of the country.

* * *

In a story book finish to the 1958 season, the Newtown Cleaners’ Braves won the Newtown Babe Ruth League championship by nosing out the D’Addario Pirates, the defending champions, 1-0, Wednesday night, at the Newtown High School field. With the two teams tied for first place on the last day of the campaign, the players responded by turning in the most dramatic and best-played game of the year.

* * *

The last group of Fresh Air children arrived at Bethel station this Thursday, August 7, to remain for two weeks with their “Friendly Town” hosts. Fourteen children were scheduled for Newtown and surrounding areas. With the 26 Fresh Air children who were here last month, this makes a total of 40 children being given summer vacations this year by residents of Newtown and surrounding communities.

* * *

A public hearing will be held by the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission on Friday, August 15, at the Edmond Town Hall, at 8 pm, on the application of Nagy Brothers Construction Company of Monroe for license to erect a sand and gravel processing plant on Cold Spring Road, Newtown.

 

August 4, 1933

One of Newtown’s Earliest Built Houses Sold. George Hersey of Pelham, N.Y., who is a retired member of the New York Stock Exchange, has purchased from Chandler Mackey of Brooklyn and Newtown a very attractive Colonial house together with outbuildings and 25 acres of land. The property is situated near the summit of Taunton hill, which is one of the highest points in Fairfield County and commands a view reaching to the Berkshire mountains. The sale was effected through the office of H.R. Briscoe of Bethel.

* * *

Recognizing ice cream as a nourishing food which may well be incorporated in the daily diet as a pleasant summer means of obtaining the important food essentials contained in milk, the State Department of Health described the new law which was passed by the last General Assembly to protect the Connecticut public in the cleanliness and quality of the product. The act prescribes the ingredients which may be used in the manufacture of ice cream. When the provisions of this statute are followed, ice cream is a wholesome and refreshing product.

* * *

AN ANNOUNCEMENT from E.C. Platt, Lumber Dealer. In compliance with the wishes of our National Government I am pleased to announce that I have signed the National Recovery Act Blanket Code which calls for an eight hour day and a 40 hour week. Therefore, beginning this week and continuing through the period of the agreement there will be no deliveries of any kind out of my lumber yard on Saturdays.

* * *

Mrs Anna Chernoff has opened up the gas station and confectionery stand at Botsford on the Bridgeport State road. The new gas station will handle Tydex, Ethyl, and Tydol gas, and will have a complete stock of Tydol oil. In the confectionery she will carry a complete stock of sodas, candy, and tobacco.

* * *

In view of the long continued drought and the continued fall of water supply, the Newtown Water Company is forbidding the sprinkling of lawns for the present and requests the public to be as careful in the use of water as possible in order to prevent drastic curtailment of water later.

* * *

Prosecutor Paul V. Cavanaugh did a public service when he handed out a warning to Francis Lynch, who had been a bit fresh in privately commenting on what might be done or not done in the town court in his case in which he was charged with speeding. Judge Hampton told young Lynch he would continue his case for a month, after stating he also had heard remarks and if during the continuance he again heard one remark relative to the case he warned the accused he would not alone impose a fine but would send the accused to the Danbury jail. It is believed that the action of Judge Hampton and the prosecutor will have a salutary effect on certain other young men who have been indulging in rowdyism in both Newtown and Sandy Hook villages.

 

August 7, 1908

While on his way to church, Sunday morning, the horse driven by Walter Ruffells became frightened at some object by the roadside, backed around and Mr Ruffels and daughters were thrown out. Fortunately, none of them were injured. One wheel of the buggy was demolished.

* * *

At the special town meeting on Thursday, July 30, it was voted to instruct the selectmen to quit claim the town’s interest in the C.H. Northrop property for the sum of $3,764. The meeting was practically unanimous, the vote being 22 to 2.

* * *

There is to be a big lawn carnival on the spacious lawn just north of Barnum Brothers’ store on Friday evening, August 14. A shooting gallery will be an attraction for the sharp shooters and there will also be some deep sea fishing for the sports where they can show their skill, and last but not least will be the side show. There will be exhibited in the same tent the wild man just caught. Do not get too close to him for he eats people alive. The proceeds of the carnival are for the repairing of the Dodgingtown schoolhouse and for grading the grounds about the schoolhouse.

* * *

W.H. Wakelee, now in the employ of G.F. Taylor as chauffeur, proposes to open a garage at Sandy Hook. Mr Wakelee has been urged to do this by local automobilists and has been promised their support. Mr Wakelee comes highly recommended and knows the business thoroughly. He will carry gasoline and oils in stock.

* * *

Alfred R. Briscoe had a cow killed by lightning in the storm of Wednesday afternoon. It was insured through W.A. Leonard’s agency. About 25 circuits, manager Beers of the local telephone exchange reports, were put out of commission in the storm of Wednesday afternoon.