Date: Fri 08-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Way-Were-Methodist-Church

Full Text:

WAY WE WERE FOR AUGUST 8, 1997

AUGUST 11, 1972

The crackdown on speeders using I-84 in the area of the Rochambeau Bridge is

continuing with a 24-hour patrol resulting in 164 arrests within one week.

Early Saturday morning, state police arrested 23 drivers who were traveling

more than 80 miles per hour. The crackdown is the result of a rash of

fatalities on the interstate, particularly in the area between Newtown and

Southbury where the highway is being widened into four lanes.

After a delay of almost six weeks because of bad weather, cement has been

poured for the foundation of the United Methodist Church on Church Hill Road

in Sandy Hook. Weather acted up again on the evening before the pouring, and

heavy rains caused muddy water to run down into the excavation beneath the

church. But thanks to the help of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company, Chief

Herb Lewis and Deputy Fire Marshal George Lockwood, the water was pumped out

and the work begun.

Two Pole Bridge Road brothers were arrested August 9 on charges of illegally

cultivating marijuana in the woods behind their home. Police conducted a

lengthy investigation, keeping a surveillance of the property as the plants

grew in a clearing in the woods. Finally the two suspects were arrested and

police pulled up a total of 49 plants. The plants will be sent to the State

Health Department for analysis. The brothers were held in lieu of $2,500

pending arraignment in the Third Circuit Court.

The complaints of two years regarding acoustical problems at the new high

school auditorium are legitimate ones, according to a consultant hired by the

Board of Education. Ralph H. Gibson, Jr, of the architectural firm of Russell,

Gibson and Von Dohlen in West Hartford, told the school board that the only

way the problems can be resolved 100 percent is by ripping everything apart

and starting over with a steel structured shell. Since this obviously is not

possible, some changes could be made which would improve the acoustics by

about 70 percent, he said. Mr Gibson offered no suggestions on improvements,

however, and gave no cost figures for the work. He said his fee would not

exceed $1,200. The board took no action, tabling the matter for future

discussion.

The trial of the suit against the Town of Newtown to enjoin condemnation of

the Boyle property on Boggs Hill Road for a school site began in Hartford on

August 9 before Judge Frank Covello, state referee. Examination and cross

examination of Lyman D. Rogers, one of the plaintiffs, consumed most of the

day and continued the following day. Dr Thomas Draper, Newtown's health

director, also appeared on the stand briefly. The trial is scheduled to

continue next week.

AUGUST 8, 1947

In one of the best ball games played this season in the Pomperaug Valley

League took place Sunday afternoon at Taylor Field when the Newtown Bees

knocked Bethany out of first-place position with a 6-5 winning score. Brown

pitched exceptionally well for Newtown, allowing the Bethany sluggers only

four hits. Howard, on the mound for Bethany, was reached for seven hits by the

Newtown batters, headed by Ken Casey who knocked a home run in the first

inning to start the scoring. Those who watched the game took pride in the

brand of ball which Newtown played and, as a result, a popular subscription

drive has raised sufficient funds to provide regular uniforms for the team,

which is managed by Jack Leavy.

In the Parker House Paragraphs column in The Bee , innkeeper Edith Parker

thanked residents who graciously opened their homes on an emergency basis to

house travelers who could not find accommodations in Newtown. Mrs Parker said

all of the inns and tourist homes were filled one night recently when a man,

his wife, and their two small children showed up looking for a room. They were

placed at a private house, as were three other travelers that week. "We feel

that credit should be given to our townspeople who, when called on, so

cheerfully and willingly get the extra room ready," Mrs Parker said. "Many

times the guest turns out to be "one of the boys who was in the fox holes -

over there - and our nice clean rooms are truly appreciated."

A year of progress and accomplishment was reviewed at the annual meeting of

the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company held in the company's new fire

headquarters, Glover Hall on Glen Road, on Monday evening. In addition to the

purchase and improvement of Glover Hall, and erection of an adjoining garage

for the fire truck, now ready for the roof, the company has provided full-time

housing for the Sandy Hook Free Public Library and it provides a meeting place

for the Raymond L. Pease Post, American Legion. The company works in close

cooperation with the Community Auxiliary, sponsors the Sandy Hook Fife, Drum

and Bugle Corps, sponsors the Boys Social and Athletic Club, and provides

meeting places for all these organizations.

Representatives from Trinity and the Congregational churches of Newtown have

issued an urgent plea for money and clothing to be shipped overseas through

the channel of the Church World Service, Inc, of New York City. Reports from

Austria, Finland, Italy, Poland, Rumania and Germany show destitute people

waiting patiently for clothes, bedding and other items from the world relief

organizations. Boxes will be placed in both churches in Newtown for new and

used clothing, shoes, layettes, household linens and blankets. There is an

especial need for bicycles which will be given to exhausted pastors in Europe

who must cover scattered parishes on foot.

Dr Waldo F. Desmond of Newtown has been appointed medical examiner of

Southbury by William F. Jones, Jr, coroner for New Haven County. This

appointment is made to fill the vacancy created by the death of Dr Howard

Allen of Woodbury. Besides being one of the medical examiners for New Haven

County, Dr Desmond has for many years been the medical examiner for Newtown

and Brookfield.

The Permanent School Building Committee of the town of Newtown announced this

week that it will receive sealed bids until August 28 for the construction of

an addition to and alterations of the Hawley High School.