November 8, 1985

Tuesday, November 12, marks the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Newtown Post Office on Queen Street. The building was built in September of 1960 and was in operation for a couple of months before it was dedicated. Richard Maguire, the current postmaster, said the postal service has experienced more advancement in the last 15 years than in the previous 50.

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The familiar scene of the American flag blowing in the wind on the Main Street flagpole was temporarily disturbed on November 3 when someone stole the flag. The flag, which was flying at half-staff in memory of former Governor John D. Lodge, was the second one to be stolen in the last two years. There have been other flags stolen over the years, the last one in December 1983.

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The Newtown Congregational Church will hold a special meeting on Sunday, November 17, to hear the presentation of the prospective buyer of the Yankee Drover Property, to consider the recommendations of the church council and the board of trustees regarding the sale of the Yankee Drover Property, and to take the appropriate action upon the recommendations. Earlier this week, the church took the first step of applying to the Newtown Conservation Commission for a permit to build a new sanctuary on the Nettleton property off West Street and Castle Hill.

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The Chamber of Commerce is enthusiastic about its plans for a holiday tree lighting ceremony at the Ram Pasture on Friday, December 13. “It will be majestic if we pull it off,” the Chamber’s Diana Johnson said, November 5, at a meeting of a committee planning the event. The Newtown Cemetery Association, which owns the Ram Pasture, is allowing the Chamber to decorate a tall tree, off elm Street and not far from the bridge.

 

November 11, 1960

Newtown voters turned out in record numbers to set a new percentage high in Tuesday’s national election, and favored Republican candidates by nearly two to one. Although Newtown’s vote was out of step with the state, which gave Senator Kennedy a margin of more than 90,000 votes, it was well in keeping with the Fairfield County vote.

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One of the principal beneficiaries of the new post office on Queen Street are rural route carriers. The move enable the rural carriers to come out of the basement to do their work on the same floor with the rest of the office in the modern building, rather than in the basement below as they did at the town hall.

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Groundbreaking ceremonies were held this Monday at the Queen Street site of the Newtown Branch of the Fairfield County Trust Company. The 2,000 square foot Newtown Office will offer a full range of commercial banking service, includes a drive-in window, safe deposit boxes, and night depository.

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A large old barn, the sole evidence of the splendor of yesteryear, located over 100 feet west of the site of Castle Ronald on Castle Hill, Newtown, was destroyed by fire in the late afternoon of November 3.

November 8, 1935

Hallowe’en pranks of some local boys turned to rather a destructive nature on Thursday evening when several sections of the picket fence about the Curtis Glover home at the head of the Street were torn down. The guilty parties are known, and it is fortunate for them that Mr Glover has not entered a complaint to the authorities.

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Arthur W. Carmody received his appointment from Washington on Monday as postmaster of the Sandy Hook post office. On Wednesday he assumed his duties at the office. Mr Carmody conducts an insurance business in town and in the past has also assisted his brother Richard Carmody, at the First National Store.

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While driving in Waterbury on Saturday evening last, the car of Allen K. Beardsley of Sandy Hook was struck by a car driven by a party from Oakville. Mr Beardsley was cut about the face and body. Mrs Beardsley received minor cuts and bruises. The car was badly damaged.

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Ten local young men took advantage of the generous offer of Harry Hillhouse and attended the first instructions in boxing given at the Edmond gymnasium last Thursday evening. The classes will continue every Tuesday and Thursday evening at 7:30 pm.

 

November 11, 1910

James B. Nichols, a popular RFD carrier, and one of Newtown’s most energetic farmers, was the victim of a fearful accident, Tuesday afternoon. Feeding a threshing machine on the farm of A.L. Peck, his left hand was drawn into the machine and fearfully torn. Dr F.J. Gale dressed his wounds and prepared him for removal to the Bridgeport hospital where the hand was amputated. A Husking Bee to care for the crop of James B. Nichols will be held, next Thursday. Farmers and those interested in this good work are requested to come with the teams as early as 8 or 8:30 in the morning.

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The public is cordially invited to an inaugural organ recital at the Methodist Church, Friday, the 18th, at 7:45 pm. Miss Elizabeth Curtis, organist from Bridgeport, will preside at the organ. Solos, duets, and quartets will be rendered between the instrumental selections.

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While cutting a tree down, Monday, in an effort to get out of the way of a falling limb, Henry Bourquenez became entangled in a barbed wire fence and the tree fell on him. One arm was broken and he was more or less bruised.

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The residents of Half Way River district were surprised Hallowe’en night by a visit from a party of young people in fantastic dress with jack o’ lanterns. It would trouble a mother to recognize her own children. It was reported that the wind blew such a gale that night that it blew one citizen’s gate to the roof of a neighbor’s barn. On the following morning as she came in sight of the schoolhouse, Mrs Downes was amazed to see the teacher’s chair at the top of the flagpole.