November 8, 1996

With one exception, Newtown reaffirmed its preference for Republicans on an Election Day that turned out to be a banner day for Democrats in Connecticut. Though the town backed the unsuccessful candidacy of Republican Bob Dole for President, enough local voters split their ticket when it came to selecting a US Congressman in the 5th District to contribute to the upset of three-term incumbent Gary Franks by Danbury Democrat James Maloney.

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A Bridgeport hunter who was shot and killed November 2 in Lower Paugussett State Forest was the apparent victim of a hunting accident. State police say that at about 4:30 pm, with it starting to get dark, hunter Scott A. DeBecelle, 28, of Bridgeport was fatally wounded by an unnamed hunter. The adult male hunter who shot Mr DiBecelle was hunting for wild turkey in the same general area, according to State Police Spokesman Dale Hourigan. State police know who shot Mr DeBecelle but declined to disclose it.

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There are challenges to any cross-country trip, particularly when you are traveling by bicycle and camping along the way — tornadoes, highway traffic, 100-plus-degree heat, sore muscles, and where to find a good cup of coffee. But Cathy and Todd Buxton of Newtown found the pleasures of slower paced travel far outweighed any disadvantages when they traveled 3,769 miles to get a close look at America.

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The impact of an October 7 tanker truck crash on Route 302 may linger into the next century, an official from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) said Wednesday. Bill Warzecha, the senior environmental analyst of the DEP’s water management bureau, met with neighbors most closely affect by the devastating fatal crash that dumped more than 9,000 gallons of gasoline, severely polluting the area. “This is something that’s not going to go away in a week or two, I’m sorry to say,” he told the approximately 25 residents at Danbury Fire House for the meeting.

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The Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company launched its annual fund-raising drive this week with an appeal to 1,400 households for funds to assist in accomplishing its firefighting goals in the next year. To kick off the campaign, George Hoti, owner of George’s Pizza & Restaurant on Route 302, presented Dodgingtown Chief Mark White with a check for $500 to show his appreciation for the work the volunteer firefighters did in battling the fire caused by a gasoline tanker truck accident in front of his restaurant on October 7.

November 8, 1971

Housing in Newtown, the need for more of it and how to fill this need, was the subject of a special selectmen’s meeting involving members of town boards and commissions this week. The group assembled to hear about the work of the Governor’s Task Force on Housing which was established in August by Gov Thomas Meskill. First Selectman Timothy Treadwell opened the meeting by noting the groups already at work in Newtown: a private group concentrating on housing for the elderly, the task force itself, the CDAP’s subcommittee on housing, and the Regional Council of Elected Officials which is preparing an area housing inventory. The task force’s objective is to define the dimension of housing needs in each of the state’s 15 regions and develop a program to solve the problem.

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Donald Leavitt of Elm Drive was appointed to the Board of Burgesses Tuesday night to fill the vacancy created by the death of the Rev Paul A. Cullens. There was unanimous agreement on the choice by the burgesses at their regular monthly meeting in Edmond Town Hall. Afterwards, there was discussion again on the need for a borough parking ordinance. The burgesses decided to ask George McLachlan, chairman of the Police Commission, to be present at the next meeting to discuss the feasibility of such an ordinance.

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On Friday, Newtown High’s soccer team became the WCC champs with a 2-1 victory over Weston. The championship team ended its regular season with a 10-win, 2-loss record and an 11-win, 2-loss overall. The team has been rated seventh in the state tournament and in its first game of that series beat South Windsor 1-0.

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The first snowfall of the season covered Newtown with a blanket of white early Wednesday morning.

November 8, 1946

One of the most dramatic upsets in the history of American party politics took place on Tuesday with Republican victories at the polls passing control of both the United States Senate and House of Representatives from the hands of the New Deal Democrats, who held control for the last 16 years, to the GOP. Republicans also won 19 of the 34 governorships which were up for election. In Connecticut, Gov Raymond E. Baldwin, running for the US Senate, won a plurality of more than 104,000 votes over his Democratic opponent. In Newtown, in recent years a Republican stronghold, voting in most instances was on a 2-1 basis for Republican candidates. However, there were some exceptions. Democrat John F. Holian defeated incumbent State Rep George M. Stuart by a 20-vote margin in the First District. And Democrat Paul V. Cavanaugh, Newtown’s Judge of Probate for the past eight years, was easily reelected. Incumbent Republican Newton M. Curtis beat Democrat Julie B. Howson in the Second District.

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Carroll Johnson, superintendent of Regional School District No 3, which includes Newtown, Southbury, Woodbury and Bethlehem, will be the featured speaker at the next meeting of the Newtown Parent-Teacher Association which will be held on November 12 in the auditorium of Hawley School. Mr Johnson will speak on the topic of planning the community school. Also included will be a musical program which will include Robert Qubick, Brook Gutman, George Hanlon and Robert Dean on violins; Eleanor Mayer, viola; Thomas Cassidy, Henry Taylor and Richard Marin, trumpets; Ralph Berkemann, clarinet; Judy Gutman and Victoria Boyle, piano.

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A meeting of the Newtown Ambulance Association was held at Edmond Town Hall on Friday evening at which Henry McCarthy was elected to the board of trustees to fill the unexpired term of A. Fenn Dickinson. Mr Dickinson resigned because of his recent election to the office of third selectman. Dr Kyle, Dr Desmond and Dr Egee were guests at this meeting to discuss ways to improve ambulance service for the residents of Newtown.

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Newtown agriculturists are enjoying 80-degree fall days. Herman Geiger reported picking strawberries on Monday. Mrs William Egan said she picked roses on Walnut Tree Hill Road on November 1. And Mrs Edward J. Kodet of Dun’-Roamin’ Acres on Taunton district also reports that forsythia and apple trees have started to bloom and hollyhocks are blooming again.

November 11, 1921

The organization meeting of the Parent-Teachers’ Association was held in the Guild room of Trinity church on Thursday evening, November 3. The meeting was called to order at 8:30 by Supervisor of Schools Frank H. Johnston, who made a short address, showing the benefits derived from an association of this kind. Owing to the small attendance the election of the Executive Committee was not completed, two more members will be added at the next meeting. It is the earnest desire of Supervisor Johnson and Mrs P.H. McCarthy, president, that there be a large attendance at these meetings. This association should be helpful in promoting the welfare of the school by bringing teachers, parents and children into a closer relationship and mutual understanding. Due notice will be given of the date of the next meeting.

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THE HOTELS — AT THE PARKER HOUSE: Mr and Mrs A.J. Stone, New London; John Belser, New York; James S. Murphy, Jr, Brookline, Mass.; N.H. McElroy, Cincinnati, O.; S.D. Lewis, Norwalk Mr and Mrs Samuel T. Hewlett, C.L. Hunt, Bridgeport; Mr and Mrs Arthur I. Platt, Fairfield; J.B. Johnson, Mrs G.R. Brown, Bridgeport; F. Harrison, Philadelphia, Pa.; Rev W.W. Scudder, D.D., New York City.

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Frank Ambler shot a jack rabbit, the other day, that weighed six pounds and six ounces. James Lynch, who accompanies Ambler, shot at the rabbit three times and missed it every time.

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There was a merry party at the Newtown Country Club whist last Monday night. The scores gave Mrs L.C. Morris first place for the ladies with Mrs C.A. Peale a close second. For the gentlemen C.A. Peale was ahead with W.O. Pardee second. Mrs L.C. Morris and Mrs W.H. Hubbell entertained. There will be another whist, next Monday evening, November 14, to compete for the November prizes.

November 13, 1896

ANOTHER INCENDIARY FIRE: A barn on the Nelson Botsford place on Botsford Hill was burned on Saturday night, about 11.30. The barn was valued at $1200, and there was also destroyed a horse, 20 barrels of potatoes, 20 barrels of apples, 50 chickens, a harness and farm machinery. The place is at present occupied by George Everett, who was badly singed in attempting to rescue a horse. The place is at present in the course of litigation, Joshua W. Powell of St James, L.I., holding the mortgage. Mr Powell offers a reward of $50 for information which will lead to the arrest and conviction of the guilty party. This is the second barn burned on this place within six months, and it is certainly to be hoped the guilty party will be brought to the bar of justice.

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Mrs Mary Shaffler of Brooklyn, a sister of Mrs John Farrell of Hawleyville, died on Thursday, November 5, aged 34. The funeral was attended on Sunday at the house in Hawleyville and at St Peter’s church in Danbury in the afternoon.

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A.G. Baker, the Hawleyville furniture man, has a bargain for some one in a handsome square piano, in fine order, fine case. He will sell it very reasonable, and it will probably go soon.

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THE EDITOR’S FAMILIAR CHAT: Samuel Barnum of Hawleyville was surprised to read in last week’s Bee that a barn belonging to him had been burned. The items was doubtless given to The Bee in good faith, but was incorrect all the same. The barn referred to still stands, and we trust Mr Barnum may never meet disaster in this manner. | An improvement we would like to see made would be the equipment of the Town hall with comfortable seats. A good folding chair would be the right thing and the outlay would not be large. To be compelled to sit on the present out-of-date benches is one of the unpleasant features of entertainments at the Town hall. | It is reported that there is to be one less saloon in Sandy Hook, the coming year, and good citizens will not mourn. There are too many in town now, but we are glad one place of temptation to our youth is to be removed. We believed the saloon is an institution which menaces the morals of the youth, and that one day Right will triumph and dash the Wrong to the earth. Heaven speed the day.

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 Newtown Bee readers. 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.