October 6, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Jim Shortt.

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Add Newtown to the list of Connecticut towns to have a dead crow test positive for the West Nile Virus. The crow was found lying along the side of Great Hill Road last month. The positive results came back last Friday morning, a day or two after the area was hit with a light frost, which helped decrease the mosquito population. Therefore, despite the positive test results, health officials have decided not to take any drastic measures.

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In a matter of minutes September 29, three landmarks, or what some people might call eyesores, came tumbling down under fierce prodding by an excavation machine. Workmen rapidly tore down three billboards, which had stood for more than 40 years at 137 South Main Street. … Although the billboards had stood alongside South Main Street for decades, they were non-conforming uses of the property under the terms of the town’s zoning regulations.

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Members of Sea Scout Ship 101 Viking of Stratford, Connecticut, sailed through the night aboard their 38 foot yawl Thor’s Hammer to rendezvous with the Icelandic Viking longship and warship Islendingur as she entered New Haven harbor on Thursday, September 28. Ship 101 and Coast Guard Cutter Bollard were the official escorts for the occasion. … There are four Newtown students, Michael Taylor, Mike Tella, Dave Dos Santos, and James Marron, who participate in Sea Scouts. They are members of Ship 101, which is sponsored by Stratford. Michael, along with his parents Michael and Mary Taylor, and James spent time on the weekend extravaganza.

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Canaan House got the first dose of Microb Phase, a new element the school district is considering adding to its Preventive Maintenance Program, and the middle school will get its hit this week. Microb Phase is a cleaning process that eliminates existing colonies of fungi, mold, and/or bacteria from building materials. It is not hazardous and doe not leave any lingering odor. The Newtown School District is considering adding the cleaning for mold, mildew and bacteria to its Preventive Maintenance Plan. It can be applied to everything from walls to carpets to ceiling tiles to furniture.

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Brian Reiff will always remember that day, six years ago, when a young swimmer … first jumped into the water at Newtown High School. “When he first came in,” he recalls, “we grabbed the big metal hook because we thought he was going to drown.” But thanks to the enthusiasm and the determination and the desire that coach Reiff seems to bring out so easily in kids, [that swimmer] went on to become one of Newtown’s best swimmers. … Those are the kinds of memories that coach Reiff will take with him now that he has officially resigned as head coach of the Newtown High School boys’ swim team.

October 3, 1975

Five days of rain pelted the area last week, which led in part to Newtown Police Sgt Kenneth Shaw and Officer Robert Braatz keeping watch over the Hanover Road bridge at Pond Brook. The bridge was closed to traffic last Friday afternoon after the swollen stream crested over the bridge and undermined parts of it. Elsewhere, the Shady Rest clubhouse took more than a passing resemblance Friday to adjoining Lake Zoar. Similarly, the Alpine Drive bridge over Otter Brook (known to the State as Pole Bridge Brook) in Riverside had water rushing over it after water coming out of a box culvert under I-84 backed up. In the past the flow has undermined that bridge and washed out the parking lot to a nearby pavilion which the bridge leads to.

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In five days last week, reported meteorologists at Western Connecticut State College, 10.22 inches of rain fell, and by Friday afternoon and evening the symptoms were evident in Newtown in the form of flooding across roads, pumping details in cellars, emergency preparations and wary eyes kept upon levels of streams and rivers. First Selectman Frank DeLucia said this week, “Due to the efforts and cooperation of the Highway Department, Police, Civil Defense, the Fire Departments, the Red Cross, the Police Auxiliary and other volunteer groups, the effect of the storm was minimized. Compared to some towns, we really came out well.” He also said the Town Hall dispatchers put in a tremendous effort.

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Sitting in the late September sun on one of the terraces of Louis Untermeyer’s beautiful old house, talking with this gentle man who wears a not inconsiderable fame like a comfortable tweed jacket, easily and with grace, one is definitely aware that in all ninety of the years of his living, there has been precious little of indifference. Sensitive to the least flutter in a nearby tree that meant the presence of a crested titmouse come for his tea at the hanging feeder; wondering almost idly at the curious machinations of the admixture of crime and politics, of waywardness and ugly goings on, Louis Untermeyer hears the poetry of living things around his home and garden, and sees the quiet beauty of the sun striking the fountains in the little swimming pool across the lawn.

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Gloria Audin of Evergreen Drive in Sandy Hook is raising six orphaned squirrels. On information from a veterinarian she fed them a commercial formula, and they are thriving. She hopes to find a shelter for them for the winter since they are much younger than they should be for this time of year and would not be able to fend for themselves.

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Legal notice for invitation to bid on the housing project for elderly persons planned for 20 acres of land off Nunnawauk Road by Newtown Housing for the Elderly Inc is expected to be published soon in an area daily. Bids will be opened and read aloud on October 28 at 10:30 am in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, according to Gordon Williams, publicity director for NHE Inc. Applications may be made to Box 231, Newtown 06470. Contractors may bid on labor, material, tools and equipment necessary to finish completely the necessary items for the 11 buildings planned.

September 29, 1950

Clarence Chamberlin, the first aviator to carry a passenger on a non-stop trans-Atlantic flight, brought to his Newtown hearers Monday night a first-hand intimate account of events in the important year in aviation history, 1927. Mr. Chamberlain was guest speaker at the meeting of the Newtown Rotary Club and was introduced by Dr. Joseph Levy, on whose invitation he came to Newtown. Mr Chamberlin with his passenger, Charles Levine, made his history-making flight from Roosevelt Field, Mineola, N.Y. to Eisleben, Germany on June 4-6, 1927, traveling 3911 miles in 42 hours, 31 minutes.

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Sylvanus Hayes of Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook, father of J. William Hayes, was reported on Wednesday morning to be showing improvement at the Danbury Hospital, where he has been a medical patient for the past ten days. Mr Hayes is in his 90th year and until recently had enjoyed good health.

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John Stefanko, Sr., of Sandy Hook entered the Bridgeport Hospital on Wednesday, where he will undergo an operation. His many friends are hoping that he will soon be home, sharing his genial personality with all about him.

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The Misses Mary Hyde, Holly Wheeler, Verity Rich and Christiana Mayer were hostesses to 40 young people at a square dance held on last Friday evening in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall. Al Brundage and his Corn Huskers Orchestra provided the music for their guests, and refreshments were served during the evening.

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Miss Barbara Mannhardt, daughter of Mr and Mrs L. Alfred Mannhardt of Taunton Lake Road, Newtown, returned last Wednesday to Wellesley College, Wellesley, Mass., to enter her junior year.

October 2, 1925

On another page of The Bee will be found the 79th annual statement of the Newtown Savings Bank. It shows deposits of $2,087,104.65 gain for the year of $115,282.57. Surplus account shows an increase for the year of $25,000, and now amounts to $200,000. Undivided earnings or Profit and Loss account stands at $31,097.06. The gain for the year in mortgage loans is $89,890. The total assets of the bank are $2,338,952.06. Four and one half per cent interest was paid on all deposits without discrimination. The statement is a line one.

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A miscellaneous shower and surprise party was given Miss Mary J. Connors, who is soon the become the bride of George E. Bennett of Passaic, N.J., at St Mary’s hall, Monday evening, by Miss Helen Keniry. The hall was prettily decorated, with color scheme being red, white and blue, with autumn leaves. Music, dancing and games were enjoyed, after which a delicious luncheon was served. Miss Connors was the recipient of many handsome and useful gifts.

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F.J. Crouch has sold his place near the Congregational church to Henry Cornell of Brookfield, who will take possession, April 1.

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Arthur Beard is doing an extensive job of concrete and mason work at the Deitz place at Terrace Place on Lake Zoar.

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Butter 53c, lard 23c, cheese 33c, coffee 49c, Pillsbury’s and Hecker’s flour $1.25 per bag, onions 5c lb. Maxwell House coffee 53c, tender sweet peas, 2 cans for 25c, new packed corn, 2 cans for 25c.—At Davey’s. Adv.

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Fred Allgeyer moved his household goods by truck to New York City on Wednesday. Mr Allgeyer has resided in Sandy Hook for the last five years.

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Henry S. Congdon, Miss Annie E. Congdon and Mrs T. W. Louis were week end guests at the Parker House. Miss Sophia B. Hammond of Wickford, R.I., a member of the party was guest of Mrs S.C. Glover.

October 5, 1900

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — TURNING OVER A NEW LEAF: No happening in local political circles since the election of William H. Hubbell as first selectman a few years since has given as much solid satisfaction to the great body of taxpayers in Newtown as the election on Monday last of Levi C. Morris to this high post, and the general verdict will be, the best man has won. Mr Morris’ election should not for one moment be considered in the light of a partisan victory, for republicans, citizens, democrats and prohibitionists, labored together to bring about what they hope and pray is the dawn of a better day in the management of our town affairs. … And now a final word to that class of carping critics who know it all and are always ready to grasp a club when a new man starts in. Don’t expect too much. Mr Morris is human, but we believe he is honest to the core, fearless in what he believes to be right and a man without hypocrisy. He will do his level best, and all citizens irrespective of party ought to help him.

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An interested and appreciative audience gathered at the Methodist church, Sandy Hook, on Tuesday evening, September 25, to attend the last of a series of meetings held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of that church. In opening the doxology was sung after which Rev R.W. Raymond of East Village led the responsive reading of a part of 119th Psalm. The company then joined in singing and were after led in prayer by Rev O.J. Range of South Britain. The solo “I will sing of the mercies of the Lord,” by Mr Hall was much enjoyed.

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If the party who borrowed the lantern of L.S. Patterson of Botsford, Sunday evening, September 16, when it was raining, will kindly return the same Mr Patterson will be greatly obliged.

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Richard Quinn of Derby visited relatives in town, the first of the week.

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Hon H.O. Averill, cattle commissioners for Connecticut, was in town on Monday, the guest of Editor A.P. Smith of The Bee.

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 readers of The Newtown Bee. 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.