September 8, 1995

Bob Findley jumped up on the reviewing stand on Queen Street and lifted his baton high to lead the Connecticut Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps in a rousing, foot-tapping performance at the Annual Labor Day Parade. It was obvious from the reaction of the crowd and judges that this group, appearing for only the second time in the parade, was destined to win the Rooster Award as the most crowd pleasing. They definitely deserved the award. “They had everyone entranced,” said Nancy Riddle, who along with Kym Stendahl, Carol Luf, Kathy Huppenthal, and Lynn Kuhn served as this year’s parade committee.

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Unhappy with the Water Pollution Control Authority’s (WPCA) August 31 decision to install sewer lines in front of houses on the east side of Main Street, some Borough residents have circulate petitions to get the sewers placed beneath the center of the thoroughfare. James Gaston of 18 Main Street said September 8 that he and others interested in protecting the trees that line the east side of the street circulated petitions September 4 at the town’s Labor Day parade. The petitions call for the sewers to be installed beneath the street to prevent construction damage to the trees...

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One of the largest builders in the country has jumped into the Newtown housing market and has purchased two developments since June. Toll Brothers Inc bought 21 lots at Greenleaf Farms off Poverty Hollow in June for $2.67 million and just purchased 28 lots in Middleton Heights off of Blackman Road for $2,198,000. Homes at Greenleaf will be in the $500,000 range, while homes at the Middleton site will be at least above $300,000.

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A program to protect local children from the threat of kidnapping is in the formative stages among town officials. Police Chief Michael DeJoseph said September 6 he is working to gain the support of the school system and recreation officials for a program known as the “Kid Protection Network.” Forming a chapter of the Kid Protection Network “involves the community watching out for our children,” according to Chief DeJoseph... “We don’t want another Polly Klaas case here,” the chief said, referring to the notorious 1993 California kidnapping and murder case.

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Unable to pinpoint the source of pollutants which have contaminated the wells of as many as 26 homes in the Appleblossom Lane area, the state Department of Environmental Protection has reached an agreement with the town to supply the homes with potable water while looking for a solution to the problem... The problem came to light about four years ago when the septic tank on the Dual-Lite property on Simm Lane was discovered to be contaminated.

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After a red-hot start to the season, followed by a brief cooling period, the boys of My Place Pizza in the Newtown Softball League’s “B” division got back in the oven when it came cookin’ time. On Sunday, September 3, third-seeded My Place knocked off fourth seeded Steve’s Liquor 19-9 in the winner’s bracket finals, thus earning its first ever trip to the league title game.

September 4, 1970

On Wednesday, September 9, the 1970-71 school year will begin in Newtown, and this year is unique for two reasons. It will be the first time in three years that students will be attending classes on a regular basis instead of double sessions. And for the first time, senior high school students will be housed in the brand new high school in Sandy Hook... The school has been a long time in coming, with the problem of finding a site dating back to the years of 1965 and 1966.

***

Based on an evaluation made last Tuesday, August 25, the state has recommended that the Boyle property on Boggs Hill Road be chosen as the site for the new elementary school. Dr Richard Howland, Chief of the Bureau of School Buildings of the State Department of Education, visited the Boyle property and also the Allen property on Route 6... Dr Howland says, “Of these two sites, it is my recommendation that the Boyle property be chosen... the location is superior in relation to the homes of pupils to be served... the approach to the site is much safer... its protected location will increase operating economy... the soil tests indicate that conditions are superior...”

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The Community Action Newtown (CAN) children’s shop, The Clothesline, located behind the Dodgingtown Market on Route 202, will resume its regular schedule on Tuesday, September 8. The Clothesline was begun in 1967 to help families with children to meet the high cost of adequately clothing their children. The shop is open to all residents of Newtown who wish to buy or exchange clothing.

***

The Newtown Industrial League, bowling duckpins at the Newtown Bowling Alleys on Tuesday nights, is now accepting new teams. Applications will be considered on a first come basis only. For further information please contact Dave French, president, Hall Lane, Newtown, Conn., Telephone 426-9573.

***

This week TAN, Teen Action Newtown, is proud to have back for another performance Fly Phlush. Fly Phlush is a hard rock band from the Hartford area, which consists of six and twelve string guitars, bass and drums, with strong vocals. Fly Phlush can be seen for the nominal price of $1.50, at the Dickinson Memorial Park, Friday, September 4, from 8 to 11 pm.

***

The annual Scholarship Ball will be, for the first time, in the elegant and cheerful cafeteria of the new Newtown High School. Not only will the new location lend a more festive atmosphere to the Ball, but the facilities will accommodate a much larger attendance than in former years... Another innovation this year will be dinner served from 7 to 9 pm. Dancing will be from 9 pm to 1 o’clock to the music of Lou Bruno and his five piece orchestra. Tickets this year will cost only $15 per couple and will include dinner.

August 31, 1945

The Newtown Rotary Club committee on international service has just issued invitations to all Rotarians of the 200th district, comprising roughly the southwestern third of the State, to attend an address to be given by Grove Patterson, LLD, editor of the Toledo (Ohio) Blade, at the Edmond Town Hall, Wednesday, September 26, on the topic of the world charter recently developed at San Francisco. Because of the national prominence of the speaker and his known qualifications to discuss the subject, the Newtown Club is expecting many out of town visiting Rotarians. Admission is by ticket only... the Newtown Rotary Club... plans to distribute tickets as generously as seating capacity permits.

***

Commemorating the settling of four brothers who came to this country from England and settled around Newtown, seventy-five years ago, the Ruffles family of Newtown, including the many relatives of several generations, will hold their first annual picnic in a family reunion which is scheduled for about noon on Sunday, September 2. This first annual affair will be held at the Cabin at Putnam Park.

***

Technician Fifth Grade Edward I. Tiberio, son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Tiberio of Schaghticoke Trail, who has been serving with the US Army in Germany, has been awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Oak Leaf Cluster, five combat stars, and the Good Conduct Medal. Technician Tiberio received the purple heart for wounds received in Belgium in September 1944. He was hospitalized for nearly two months as a result of those wounds. Technician Tiberio’s outfit was the first unit to receive the Presidential Unit Citation for landing on D-Day.

***

On Thursday evening at seven o’clock in the social rooms of the Congregational church, a meeting will be held for the purpose of forming a Senior Girl Scout Troop. All girls of high school age are welcome to attend to draw up plans for the coming months. As this is a new venture in Scouting for the teen-age girls in Newtown, it is hoped that many will be present at the initial meeting.

***

On Monday evening, the newly organized Young Mothers Club of Newtown and Sandy Hook met for its first meeting at Pohtatuck Grange Hall, with Miss Helen Clark of the Farm Bureau acting as temporary chairman. Plans were outlined for the ensuing year’s program, with subjects pertaining to children in general.

***

Sixteen of Newtown’s school children, with Coach Harold DeGroat, left by bus Tuesday for the Yankee Stadium for the Yankee-Red Sox game and to swell to an even 5,000 (estimated) the number of school children taking their last fling at a ball game prior to school openings next week.

August 20, 1920

The microfilm containing 1920 Newtown Bee editions is kept at the C.H. Booth Library, which is temporarily closed due to coronavirus health precautions.

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