August 14, 1998

Grant money in the amount of $1,000 has been awarded to the Newtown Friends of Music by the Connecticut Commission of the Arts. The money will be used to underwrite the costs associated with presenting The Greenleaf Chamber Players, a mixed ensemble of string and woodwind players with harpsichord and piano accompaniment, during NFoM’s 1998-99 season. State Representative Julia Wasserman notified Ellen Parrella recently of the grant. Mrs Parrella was re-elected last month for another term as president of the non-profit organization.

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A 39-year-old male driver was driving westbound on Route 302 about 9:45 am August 7 in a 1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe when he lost control of the car, drove across the lawn at 1 Floral Heights, breaking through a fence. He then went across Floral Heights, leaving a trail of debris on that road, and then went onto the lawn at 2 Floral Heights, stopping when the car crashed into the house there, according to police. Police said Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported the driver to Danbury Hospital for treatment of head and neck injuries, after which he was released. Dodgingtown and Newtown Hook & Ladder firefighters went to the accident scene. The accident is under investigation.

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First Selectman Herb Rosenthal is vacationing this week in Georgia, reportedly visiting a handful of Civil War battlefield sites. Herb, like his father, former First Selectman Jack Rosenthal, is a history buff, especially when it comes to the Civil War. During his absence, Selectman Joe Bojnowski has taken over the role of first selectman, though his duties are rather limited.

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Nairobi-bound Stephen Kieras won’t be headed overseas anytime soon in the wake of last week’s US embassy bombing in the Kenyan capital. The 1984 Newtown High School graduate was all set to leave this coming Sunday for a year-long relief effort in the Third World country. The terrorist act has, for the most part, forced the US government to ban all travel to the area. “I was shocked when I first heard about the bombing,” Mr Kieras said Wednesday. “The University of Nairobi, where I was supposed to be studying, is just a matter of a few blocks away from where the bomb went off.”

August 10, 1973

The Commission with its pulse on what’s happening in Newtown’s growth is the one that should develop long-range capital expenditure programs for the community, Art Spector told his fellows on the Planning and Zoning Commission last Friday night. They agreed, and as a result P&Z will undertake a study of what the town needs in major capital projects. Included in this study, for which no timetable was given, will be a look at the town’s needs regarding roads, parks, schools, sewers, public buildings, a town garage and improvements to Edmond Town Hall.

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The month of July will be recorded as a busy month for the Town Clerk’s Office in Newtown. The office recorded 332 documents of which 61 were land transfers. Late dog licenses amounted to 388, plus 4 kennel licenses. A total of 97 hunting and fishing licenses were issued. There were also 21 burial permits granted, and 21 marriage licenses applied for and issued, according to Town Clerk Mae Schmidle. The activity included 6 liquor permits and 17 death certificates recorded, of which seven occurred in Buckingham Gardens and five in Fairfield Hills Hospital. Also, 92 copies of vital statistics were issued to cover marriage, birth and death certificates. Newtown births are recorded in the town where they occur, so that a birth in Danbury Hospital, for example, is recorded in Danbury.

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If members of the Newtown High School class of 1969 think they have spotted a familiar face from high school days lately, they are right, for Klaus Obendorf, who was Newtown’s AFS student from Germany in 1968-69 is back in town for a few weeks. This trip is the first one back to the states for Klaus since he left Newtown in 1969 and he is staying at the Vincent Duffanys and will be with them until Raymond Duffany’s wedding later on in the month. Ray was Klaus’ closest friend when he stayed here, and now he will be an usher for him.

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Newtown has done a better job of public health and emergency preparedness than most towns its size, according to a team of US Army Reservists who are conducting a survey for the state Health Department. The three-man team, led by Sgt Malcolm Reventlow Jr of Newtown, conferred August 3 with Health Director Dr Thomas Draper, First Selectman Frank DeLucia, Police Chief Lou Marchese, and Town Clerk Mae Schmidle. They had a lengthy questionnaire developed by the Army and the Health Department, covering public health, civil defense, police and fire protection, and other public services.

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Police Chief Louis Marchese has informed First Selectman Frank DeLucia that he and his men will strictly enforce the laws concerning roaming dogs. The department has received numerous complaints from residents who are having their lawns besieged by roaming rovers. The state law is very clear in stating that all dogs must be confined to their owner’s property or under control of their owners at all times. There is a $25 penalty for the first offense for allowing dogs to roam. Any offense thereafter is subject to a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $100 and-or a jail sentence of not more than 30 days.

August 6, 1948

In its second concert of the summer season, the Newtown Orchestral Society cut down the number of its musicians to a minimum and performed music written for strings alone, music that covers the last four centuries. The performance took place last Thursday evening in Edmond Town Hall before an audience, which, at the conclusion of the first number, practically filled the downstairs and balcony. Late arrivals kept coming until the program was well under way, but they did, however, remain until the end.

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The Newtown Bees came back strong Sunday afternoon, after their first defeat of the season. The Juniors went to Bethany to win over Stepney at Taylor Field, 18-2, making it their tenth victory. Johnny Kocet pitched excellent ball, backed up by good hitting and fielding on the part of his teammates. Newtown started scoring in the first inning when K. Casey singled and Hunnicut tripled. Stepney went ahead in the fifth when Frannie Duda doubled with two men on base to give Stepney their two runs. Hitting star of the game was Elzie Hunnicutt who had two triples and one single for six times at bat.

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Last Thursday, July 29th, might have passed unnoticed as just another work day for Arthur T. Nettleton had not friends and associated paused to congratulate him on his birthday. The Bee joined those, who, through the years, have watched his influence and service to the community grow, in saying many happy returns of the day.

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Melinda Frame, daughter of Mr and Mrs Paul Frame Jr, of the Dodgingtown district, arrived in time to make this issue of The Bee, having been born Wednesday evening, August 4, at the Columbia Medical Center, New York City. Mrs Frame, who was the former Miss Jean Welch of New York City, and Melinda are both reported to be doing nicely.

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Mrs Homer G. Clark is gaining nicely now at her home from her recent illness. Her many friends will be glad to hear of this.

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Mr and Mrs Gould H. Curtis and family of Berkshire district returned Thursday, July 29, after a two week vacation trip to the A M C Camp at Lake Winnipesaukee and a tour through the Franconia range.

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John Angel of Sandy Hook pleasantly entertained some seventy-five friends at his home on Sunday afternoon, when his guests enjoyed the pleasure of seeing in his studio the Majastas model for the central portal for the west front of the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. This huge model, cast in plaster, is being shipped this Friday to New York. Mr Angel also had on display full size models, in clay, for the bronze doors of St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York. The opportunity to view these latest pieces of work by Mr Angel was much appreciated.

August 3, 1923

The first annual outing of the Premier-Potter Printing Press Company of Shelton was held Sunday afternoon at “Ronald Castle,” Newtown. The men made the trip to Newtown by automobile. The members of the New York office were the special guests of the occasion. A ball game was enjoyed and other sports and an appetizing meal was served up by Mine Host J.E. Corbett.

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Postmaster H.W. Wheeler is enjoying a vacation trip to Vermont and Canada.

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John B. Wheeler, who has been seriously ill for several weeks, was taken to the Danbury hospital, Monday night.

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In the death of David Glover of Tinkerfield district, on July 21, Newtown lost another of its older citizens. He passed away at the home of his nephew Robert A. Lake, in Danbury, where he received every kindness and attention. Mr Glower was a friendly, kindly soul and even in his last years when feeble managed to do a few friendly errands for neighbors. He was the personification of those old fashioned and rugged virtues, faithfulness and honesty. Mr Glover practically passed his entire life in the homestead at Tinkerfield. … He went to Cold Spring, Newtown, in about 1836, when the Housatonic road was built and worked at his trade. … He was said to be one of the town’s foremost mechanics and was of an inventive genius. He patented a pin for ox bows which was considered the best pin for that use. For a half century he was sealer of weights and measures. At the age of 23 Ives Glover married Julia Hull, daughter of Clark Hull … their married life lasted 58 years. … His bent figure and kindly face was a familiar sight as at night he walked up the state road to get the evening mail. His funeral was attended on Monday afternoon, the 23d, the burial being in the Newtown cemetery. Rev J.L. Lasher officiated. Edward G. Lake of Newtown is nephew of the deceased.

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The Community Chautauqua opened at Newtown, last evening, with a splendid program by the Rainbow Sextet, consisting of Anna Herrons, pianist; Charlotte Herrons, clarinet; Irvin Grey, violinist; Ruth Dunn, reader; Viola Selva, contralto, and Marie Rossi, soprano. The program was full of vim and vigor of six fine musical artists.

August 12, 1898

The barn of John Warner in Gray’s Plain district was struck by lightning in the shower, last week Wednesday night, and burned to the ground. In addition to hay and grain he lost a mowing machine, five harnesses, farm wagon and small tools. He saved an express wagon and buggy. It was insured through the agency of W.A. Leonard. Mr Warner feels quite disheartened by the loss and talks of selling what property he has left.

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The barn on the Webb Downes place, belonging to Mrs Elmira Richards of Sandy Hook, was burned in the shower, last week Wednesday night.

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A hay stack on the farm of Jerome Northrop was struck by lightning and burned in the famous storm of last Wednesday night. A barn was located near, the lightning striking on both sides of it.

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W.G. Curtis’ home barn in South Britain was struck by lightning and burned in the shower of Wednesday night with its contents of hay, grain and two sleighs.

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Rev O.W. Barker conducted an open-air service on Sunday on the grounds of John B. Goodsell in Hopewell district. He gave a sermon on “Lesson from the life of Zacceus.” Mr and Mrs A.J. Smith sang a duet and Mr Smith a solo. Mr and Mrs William E. Duncomb of Redding Center were present at the service.

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 Newtown Bee readers. 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.