September 9, 1988

Stephen Erway, the former Trinity Episcopal Church choirmaster and organist arrested last October in Denver on charges of sexually molesting two young boys, made a pornographic videotape while still living in Newtown in which he engaged in obscene acts with a 12-year-old Newtown boy. US Attorney Cathy Goodwin this week said that she and another prosecutor recommended a sentence of 15–20 years for Mr Erway. She said that in passing sentence, the judge mentioned that Mr Erway had some redeeming qualities, such as intelligence and musical talent.

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One of the most persistent critics of the renovation project at the Newtown Middle School charged this week that he had found disturbing evidence of lack of supervision of the project. Dennis Kyle, Legislative Councilman from the second district, said he discovered a man sleeping on the job during an investigation he made recently. He tried to find a supervisor or the clerk of the works to report the incident but was unable to do so. There was a man sleeping on the site, but it was during a lunch break, according to a town employee who asked not to be identified.

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The sun shone briefly on Newtown over the wet holiday weekend, but the break in the weather was long enough for an enthusiastic 25th Annual Labor Day Parade, the traditional highlight of a weekend filled with community activities. The theme of this year’s parade was “Newtown… The Place To Be” and hundreds of spectators took the message to heart by gathering along the entire parade route.

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The annual book sale of the Cyrenius Booth Library netted $14,000 over the Labor Day weekend, according to Alice Ramsey, co-chairman of the event. Even out-of-state book lovers showed up at the book sale on Saturday, opening day. The future of the sale, which draws book and record lovers from throughout western Connecticut, is threatened by a lack of volunteers.

September 13, 1963

John Sedor, Newtown Dog Warden, announces that Deputy State Dog Warden David Logan will be in town in the very near future to conduct a rigid house-to-house inspection to see if all dogs are licensed. Mr Sedor will accompany Mr Logan and all dogs must be licensed or the owners will be summoned to court.

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Dick and Dan, two-year-old oxen owned by Percy Ferris of Sugar Hill Road, Newtown, won second place in the ox drawing contest at the Bethlehem Fair last Saturday. Due to the classification at the fair, the oxen competed against three-year-olds and under, losing to a team that outweighed them by 1,200 pounds. This is the first defeat for the team in eight contests this year and they remain unbeaten in both Connecticut and Rhode Island in the 2,500-pound class.

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A radiological monitoring class will start on Thursday night, September 19, at 8 pm, in the Old Court Room of the Edmond Town Hall. The classes will prove that fallout is “not to be feared” if reasonable precautions and instructions are followed. The three-week course, one night a week for three weeks, and two hours a night, is open to anyone interested.

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FAMOUS LOFT’S CANDY NOW AT NEWTOWN REXALL DRUGS, 33 Main Street (At the flagpole). FREE CANDY PARTY Friday-Saturday-Sunday, September 13-14-15. Bring the whole family… eat all the LOFT’S Candy you want with our compliments. Made with pure creamery butter, tree-ripened fruits, freshly shelled nuts, premium quality chocolate…. Blended to perfection into a delicious taste treat. You’ll love it!

September 9, 1938

Friends of Miss Eleanor Waterhouse appreciated, on Saturday afternoon, the opportunity to view her drawings, watercolors and oils. Of particular interest were her portraits, some of them of people well known locally. Afflicted with infantile paralysis, Miss Waterhouse in 1933 went to Warm Springs, Georgia, and from there to Sarasota, Florida, where she was persuaded to try the study of art. To her goes double credit — not only for the showing of her works, but also for the display in herself of a spirit that would be wonderful in persons who, by comparison, have no handicaps at all.

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Over the Labor Day weekend Newtown witnessed some of the heaviest traffic that has ever passed through town. A constant stream of cars starting on Friday continued through until Monday evening. Between the hour of 2:30 and 3:30 on Monday afternoon, 850 cars passed the War Memorial at the head of Newtown Street.

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The Newtown Board of Education held a special meeting last Friday night and voted to ask the Board of Finance to reconsider the matter of building an addition to the Hawley School, using PWA funds. The school board hopes to increase the high school curriculum beyond the present college and agricultural courses by introducing courses which will be better adapted to the non-college group.

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Considerable excitement was caused in the Riverside section of Sandy Hook on Wednesday morning when Leslie Olmstead thought he heard the crash of an airplane, which had been flying nearby with its motor skipping. A plane used by the Forestry Service in their attempt to discover the Dutch Elm disease was pressed into service, but after flying around Lake Zoar district for several hours, gave up the search. Officials at nearby airports have not received word of any missing fliers.

 

September 12, 1913

S. Curtis Glover has sent to The Bee office the largest cucumber ever raised in Newtown, it being one of Burpee’s “Fordhook Heavies.” It weighed eight pounds and measured just a little short of 24 inches in length.

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The warden and burgesses have taken steps to cut out bicycle riding on the sidewalks in the Borough. According to Chapter 125, Section 2061, there is a fine of $20 for sidewalk riding. Bicycle riding on sidewalks is a dangerous thing, both for riders and pedestrian, and it is hoped that all parties interested will take notice and avoid trouble.

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There is a state law about carrying a lantern in the evening on the wagon or carriage. Morris, the grocer, has the very best lights and will sell you one.

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Fruit is very abundant this year. In nearly every orchard one can see large branches loaded with apples that have been broken off with the weight of the fruit. On account of the dry weather, the fruit is not as large as usual. Farmers about town say that potatoes are turning out of excellent size and quality, but very few in the hill. The cold wave of Tuesday night made gardeners and flower lovers sit up and take notice. Frost hard enough to do damage is reported from Sandy Hook.