1983 (issue date missing)

The fact that Newtown’s flagpole in the center of Main Street is in very bad shape has become the talk of the town and the concern of many citizens who have pride in Newtown's appearance. A tattered remnant of a flag hangs forlornly by the lights and the entire pole is in need of paint. And, pressure is being put on the town fathers to do something about it. Selectman Noris Donlon has received a letter from 12-year-old Bonnie McLachlan of the Boulevard, saying, "I'm writing to ask you to please suggest at one of your meetings to vote for painting the flagpole in the center of town. It's such a nice landmark, and it's a shame to have it look so messy. Hope you can make the flagpole look better."

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The membership of the Newtown Congregational Church voted Sunday to accept a bid from Atty Robert H. Hall for the purchase of the "general store." Mr Hall's law office is now located in a part of the building. According to a church member, the sale price was $110,000. However, further comment was not available, Mr Hall stating that he did not think it proper to discuss a personal real estate transaction which was still in negotiation.

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November 15, the Planning and Zoning Commission disapproved a mandatory referral for four parcels of land which are being offered by the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company for purchase by the Town of Newtown. The unanimous disapproval by the commission came after study of recommendations made by town engineer William Gilbert who examined the parcels. In his report, he noted that his findings indicated the pieces consisted mostly of wetlands and in some places, ledge and high ridges. He reported that he could not see any use by the town of the parcels for recreation, only possibly some open space, and they were not worth town purchase.

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Since an investigation into postal thefts and vandalism in the Hawleyville area began and a story on the front page of last week's Bee appeared, all incidents have stopped, according to Sgt Raymond Paccadolmi of the Newtown Police Department.

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In preparation before going in front of the Legislative Council December 5 to seek approval of their library expansion plan, the Citizens Library Improvement Committee and the trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library held a special open house at the library on Sunday afternoon, November 18. Invited were members of the Legislative Council, the Board of Selectmen and the general public. The purpose was to answer any questions the guests might have about the plan, which is to add a wing to the south side of the 47-year-old facility and also make renovations to the existing structure. An estimated cost for total package which would double the size of the library now stands at $1.25 million, although on Sunday architect Norman Baier, who was present and fielded most of the questions, admitted this was really a ballpark figure.

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Pam Northrop, physical education teacher, tennis and volleyball coach at Newtown High School, was recently named Outstanding Tennis Coach for 1979 by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.

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Parks and Recreation Director Lee Davenson says he is encouraged by a response from Northeast Utilities on the town's request to lease a utility-owned parcel on Lake Lillinonah for recreational use. Mr Davenson said he met Wednesday, November 14, with NU representatives, including District Manager Robert Shaw, who asked him to submit additional information on the proposed recreation area.

NOVEMBER 26, 1954

Miss Beth Anne Gillern, daughter of Mr and Mrs Frank J. Gillern of Buttonball Drive, was given a surprise party last Friday by a group of her friends at the home of Mr and Mrs William R. Sedor of Buttonball Drive. The occasion was Miss Gillern's 16th birthday.

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A full program of activity for patients at Fairfield State Hospital was announced this week as starting on Wednesday, December 1, and continuing through Thursday, December 30. The varied program of entertainment and religious activity can be expected to add greatly to the Christmas pleasure of the patients at the hospital.

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Employees of the Fabric Fire Hose Company of Sandy Hook, division of the United States Rubber Company, were honored guests of management Monday night, November 22, on the occasion of the fourth annual dinner of the local plant's 25-year Service Club, held at the Newtown Inn, Route 25. Most of the firm's veteran employees, both active and retired, were on hand to accept the felicitations of the officials of the company and guests.

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Due to the scheduled invasion of the amazons from the Ozarks, the All-American Red Heads, this Sunday evening, November 28, the members of the Newtown AC men's basketball team are not to be found in their usual haunts these days. They are sharpening up their court games under the exacting eye of manager Bob Shannon as a prelude to meeting the troupe of trick-ball artists who make a specialty of humbling men's teams the country over.

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Plans are progressing at a rapid pace for a gala fashion show to be sponsored by the Italian Community Center, Inc, at La Ronda, Orchard Hill Road, on Wednesday, December 8, at 9 pm for the benefit of the Building Fund of the Italian Community Center Day Camp, located on Route 34, Zoar District.

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Mr and Mrs Roger Treat recently entertained Mrs Reingold Ericson of Oslo, Norway, wife of the publicity director of the United Nations, at a dinner party at their home on Taunton Lake Road.

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Christmas TB seals mailed last week under the sponsorship of the Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown, have now been received by most townspeople. However, Mrs Charles F. Cavanaugh, chairman of the drive, feels that there may be many new people in town whose names do not appear on the list and who would want to share in this worth-while cause. Anyone desiring to receive seals in the mail or those who require more than the number sent can procure them by calling Mrs Cavanaugh at Newtown Garden 6-2602.

NOVEMBER 22, 1929

Despite the good example set by the girls' team, the Hawley boys were unable to defeat the Woodburyites in the fray Friday night, though many Newtown supporters accompanied the teams and cheered lustily.

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Carl Le Grow, the principal of the Hawley School, will occupy one of the new houses of C.B. Taylor, now nearing completion.

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Stephen Budd was thrown from his horse in some way while riding Tuesday, fracturing an arm. He was taken to the Danbury Hospital and later left for New York.

NOVEMBER 25, 1904

Patrick F. Crowe, the button manufacturer, attended the Yale-Harvard football game in New Haven Saturday.

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The telephone line is to be extended from the corner near Mrs W.L. Terrill's up the Boulevard as far as the residence of Mrs Nolan.

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Birdsey Peck is very busy these days cutting stalks for the farmers.

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A choice concert and entertainment will be given in the Methodist Church, Sandy Hook, on Friday, November 25, for the benefit of the church.

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Elmer Bailey is at the present time in York state, engaged with his horses in hauling logs and timber.

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The Bailey brothers have sold about 2,000 head of fine cabbages and 300 bushels of potatoes, and are selling at reasonable prices good hard turnips.

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The new iron bridge on the Highland division of the New York and New Haven road over the Pomperaug River is being painted red.

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The football team of the high school played the team of the Center High School at New Milford Saturday and was defeated by a score of 26 to 5. Gus Carlson did the honors as referee and Principal Ross Jewell as timekeeper.

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A rabbit club has been organized in Sandy Hook. The members went out on a hunt the other night, tore down several rods of old walls, and came back covered with scratches. It was thought by their looks that they had an encounter with some of the rock-ribbed cider of the Zoar hills.