October 27, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Dana Fradon.

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Someone entered Treadwell Park in Sandy Hook sometime overnight October 25-26 and set fire to the newly constructed Adventure Quest playground for small children, leaving the $15,000 facility a charred, molten shambles. Police and fire investigators were at the foggy scene on the morning of October 26, inspecting the destroyed playground and seeking clues to who ignited the equipment and how it was done. The playground was not insured against damage, said Tammy Marks, the local woman who had helped raise funds to buy the equipment, which had been assembled with volunteer labor October 22.

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Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed reported to the Board of Education this week that things are on track in the design phase of the planned school for grades 5 and 6 to be located on a 22-acre site at the corner of Wasserman Way and Trades Lane. Jeter Cook & Jepsen are the architects for the 167,700 square foot school plan, while Strategic Building Solutions manage the project. Even the estimated $33 million cost of the new school continues to hold steady, according to Dr Reed.

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Thinking about encouraging your kids to go out and play in the leaves? Local health officials suggest that you think again. According to Health District Director Mark Cooper, October is tick breeding season. In recent weeks, his department has seen an increase in the number of ticks, which seem to thrive in leaf litter and leaf piles.

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The 63rd Annual Scholarship Ball took place at the Heritage Inn in Southbury this year on October 21. The theme of the evening, “A Night of Magic,” provided a wandering magician with many tricks up his sleeve. There were over 100 people in attendance enjoying a sit-down dinner and dancing throughout the evening to The Bob Button Orchestra. … The Scholarship Ball is just one of the many ways the Newtown Scholarship Association raises money.

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With their South-West Conference and CIAC Class L tournament hopes drifting quietly away on the heels of losses to Foran and Lauralton Hall last week, the Nighthawks [volleyball team] finished up their 2000 schedule with a 3-0 win over Pomperaug on Monday. So, with regards to conference and state tournament considerations, the match against the Panthers was technically meaningless. A win would do nothing towards getting the ‘Hawks any more games this season. But on a more emotional note, it was Senior Night and the ‘Hawks bid a somewhat tearful goodbye to their five seniors — Chrissie DeWeese, Amanda Marsilio, Erin Masterson, Ashleigh Smarrella, and Kate Woessner.

October 24, 1975

“Heave!” was the order of the day for members of the National Guard as they moved heavy panels and I-beams into place to construct a temporary bridge at Hanover Road-Pond Brook over this past wet weekend. By Sunday afternoon the bridge was opened to traffic.

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Despite steamy skies, sodden soils, and sloshy streets, the Hawley Family held their annual reunion on Saturday at the Hawley Manor in Newtown. The Reunion, the 52nd since the founding of the Society of the Hawley Family in Bridgeport, Conn., featured a historical program related to the Bicentennial theme, and an extended social hour in addition to the traditional reunion dinner.

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Mr and Mrs Hubbel J. Butler of Sandy Hook celebrated the 50th anniversary of their marriage October 7, 1925, at a party on October 4 at the United Fire Company of Botsford hall. The anniversary party was given by their four children and families: Mr and Mrs John Butler, Mr and Mrs Donald Butler, Raymond Butler, and Mr and Mrs Roland Pratt. The couple have 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

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Miss Shelley Warren, a junior in Newtown High, has been selected to represent Fairfield County in the Miss Teenage America pageant, which is to be televised nationally on November 15 from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Shelley was selected from a field of ten semi-finalists who represented area towns at a regional pageant which took place in Trumbull Saturday evening October 18. Shelley is currently Miss Teenage Newtown having won the local pageant sponsored by the Newtown Exchange Club last August.

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Citing traffic problems on Church Hill Road, the Planning & Zoning Commission by a 5-0 vote disapproved plans for a 200,000 square foot shopping mall at its Friday, October 17 meeting. The rejection of “Edmond Mall,” proposed for 30.6 acres located off Church Hill and Edmond Roads, was, however, a reluctant one on the part of some of the commissioners, who cited the fact that the railroad overpass continues to be a problem in the growth of the area.

October 20, 1950

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — WE APPROVE: Having lamented the fact in this column last week that the Newtown League of Women Voters had not arranged an candidates’ meeting, we are now pleased to compliment the League for its subsequent decision to hold such a meeting, in advance of the November 7th election. It will take place on October 30th at the Edmond Town Hall, when Newtown’s candidates for election to the General Assembly at Hartford and for the office of Judge of Probate will be given an opportunity to all speak on the same evening from the same platform. That, in our opinion, is an intelligent approach to an election, affording a most effective means for voters in general to form their own opinions, from first-hand observance and questioning, as to the relative merits of the various candidates. We repeat our closing sentence of last week’s editorial — may those best qualified be the winners.

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Miss Lillian Johnson, District Director of the Bridgeport Girl Scout Council, was guest speaker at the Mothers Club meeting Monday night. Many mothers of Scouts and Brownies attended, as well as troop leaders and members of troop committees. Miss Johnson explained to those present the duties and responsibilities of the sponsoring group, accompanying her talk with two films on Scouting which were shown through the courtesy of Walter Los.

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A gratifying number of townspeople turned out on last Thursday in response to the Red Cross call for blood donors. Of the 123 volunteers who arrived at the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall between 1 and 7 p.m., only a few had to be turned away, and they because of colds. The largest contingent of donors, 29, came from the Fairfield State Hospital, with S. Curtis and Son of Berkshire District coming in with 24.

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Mr and Mrs James B. Forbes, who have been visiting friends and relatives in Chicago and other points in the Mid-west during the past month, returning to their home on Wendover Road on Monday.

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A graphic eye-witness account of the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor was given at the Monday night meeting of the Newtown Rotary Club by Dr William F. Green, superintendent of Fairfield State Hospital, who had arrived on the Hawaiian scene as a naval medical officer less than seven weeks before the notorious attack on December 7, 1941. ... The hospital to which [he] was assigned was seven miles away but on an elevation overlooking the harbor, a site giving a clear view of activities there. The attack came in waves timed a half hour apart and beginning almost on the stroke of 8 a.m. on a Sunday morning. Communication centers and administration centers were among the first targets. There was a delay of more than an hour before the military was alerted.

October 23, 1925

Last Sunday Rev G. Herbert Ekins preached the first of a new series of sermons on, “The Church Courageous.” These sermons will follow the course of church history not in detail but a mountain peak view of the church.

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The funeral of John Troy took place on Friday morning from St Joseph’s church in Shelton, Rev John Dillon officiating at the Requiem Mass. The burial was in the Troy plot in St Rose’s cemetery, Newtown. … Mr Troy passed away at the home of his sister, Mrs Peter Finnell, where he was visiting. He was a son of the late Patrick and Margaret Hayes Troy and is survived by a brother, Jeremiah Troy, of Newtown, and a sister, Mrs Peter Finnell, of Shelton. E.W. Troy, Anna and Teressa Troy of Sandy Hook are nephew and nieces of the deceased. There was a beautiful array of floral tributes. Mr Troy was 77 years old and for 25 years had been employed in the family of John Hall of Woodmont.

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The seventh annual meeting of the Visiting Nurse Association was held at Beach Memorial Library, Tuesday evening. In the absence of the president, Mrs A.B. Blakeman was appointed chairman of the meeting. The secretary’s and treasurer’s reports were heard. … The association wishes to thank any and all people who have in any way helped the association during the past year. The following were elected officers for another year: President, Mrs Wallace N. Mitchell. Vice-presidents, Dr E.L. Klingman and Dr W.H. Kiernan. Secretary, Mrs Herbert T. Coger. Treasurer, H. Carlton Hubbell.

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There is lamb and mutton, veal and chicken quite beyond belief, but if you want to make her happy, get your baby-beef. Order now at Morris & Shepard’s. Sale starts October 29.

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Mrs Margaret Lynch and sons, Francis and Martin, of Trenton, N.J., were week end guests of Mr and Mrs Thomas C. Keane.

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Here’s to the steer, the beast supreme, you don’t have to milk him or skim the cream. But, if you want a steak or a thick juicy roast, why that’s where he shines, let’s drink him a toast. Order your Baby Beef now from Morris & Shepard. Sale starts Thursday, October 29.

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W.A. Upham of the Upham Food Products Co., has bought the large barn on Mrs S.A. Blackman’s place, and is having it taken down and transported to the lot next to the Fire house, where he will use in the construction of his new cafeteria and dormitory.

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Help the boys and girls who try to help themselves. Get your baby beef from Morris & Shepard, October 29.

October 26, 1900

In another column is published a statement of the assets and liabilities of the Newtown Savings Bank as reported to the Bank Commissioners as of date October 1, 1900. The bank has gained in deposits, the past year, $48,788.16 and in new accounts 106. This is the largest growth in any one year in the history of the bank. The market value of the securities over the par value and book value is over $40,000. At the annual meeting of the bank, held Saturday afternoon, the old board of trustees and Officers were re-elected and $1000 of the net earnings for the past six months carried to surplus account. The surplus is now $21,000.

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Henry G. Curtis, treasurer of the Fair association, is now paying off the premiums. He will be at the store of R.H. Beers & Co., on Saturday evenings for the next few weeks.

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Postmaster George F. Duncombe and Allison P. Smith drove to Redding on Sunday, where they were hospitably entertained by Mr Duncombe’s parents, Mr and Mrs William E. Duncombe.

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Mrs Noadiah Warner of Bennett’s Bridge returned, last week, from a week’s visit to friends in Derby and Shelton.

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The residence of Robert H. Beers was entered by burglars one night recently, but the uninvited guests contented themselves with sampling a few eatables.

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 emailed 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.