December 11, 1998

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Edith Szatai.

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EDITORIAL INK DROPS — PROTECTING OUR VIEW OF NEWTOWN: Most of the Newtown residents we know seem to take a proprietary interest in the town. When guests visit from out of town, we show them around the place, starting quite often with “our” flagpole on “our” Main Street, moving on to some of our favorite views from the hills and ridges in town. Late last week, the Planning and Zoning Commission started to consider a plan to protect views and vistas deemed worthy of preservation. If any formal regulations ever come out of this work, they will formalize the notion that many of us have that somehow the natural beauty of this town belongs to all of us. … P&Z has some tricky terrain to cover, however. These vistas take in, for the most part, private property … We hope that in the course of the commission meetings and public hearings on this issue, some guidelines can be worked out with the cooperation and suggestions of local developers so that “our” town can forever remain as appealing to the eye as it is today.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission has formulated an inventory of local views deemed worthy of preservation during a time of continuing rapid development. P&Z Members December 3 reviewed a report on notable local views prepared by James Scavone, a student planning-intern who has worked at the town’s land use office for the past several months. The town’s 1993 Plan of Development and Conservation contains a plan depicting a proposed open space land network and guide to future open space acquisitions. The plan states “Key vistas in the town should be formally recognized and designated. Protection of these sites through open space and set-asides or creative site planning can ensure their enjoyment by future generations.”

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Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members have approved the construction of a new Botsford post office at the intersection of Botsford Hill Road and South Main Street. The postal substation would replace the outmoded Botsford post office on South Main Street, just north of Blue Spruce Drive. P&Z members approved the plans for the new building December 3. … In approving the project, P&Z members required that the owners provide a means for fire department members to easily enter the building in the event of an emergency, and that more landscaping than initially planned be provided in an area lying between a parking lot and South Main Street.

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Cute and cuddly, five tiny puppies have spent the first three weeks of their lives snuggling together in a small basket at Pet Connection in the Sand Hill Plaza. Three weeks ago, the lovable little shepherd-mixes were brought to pet store owner Lisa Dijon by dog warden George Mattegat. They had been left on the doorstep of New England Canine Academy on Simm Lane that same day. Far too young to be put in the pound, Mr Mattegat turned to Mrs Dijon for help. … The litter includes four females and a male. Since the day-old pups were brought in November 16, they have been bottle fed every four hours.

December 7, 1973

A number of young evergreens have appeared in the traffic circle near the transfer station at Newtown’s landfill, thanks to the work of Wayne Erickson. Wayne, a member of Boy Scout Troop 770, is working towards his Eagle rank, and undertook the project as his community service requirement for the rank.

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Mrs Ruth Watkins of Sandy Hook was injured in an auto accident in Oklahoma on Thanksgiving night. She is recovering at the St Mary Hospital in Enid, Okla. and would enjoy hearing from her friends. She is expected to be home for Christmas.

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Joan Rinaldi and Kathryn Lauterbach, both teachers of Special Education at the Middle School, are forming a chapter of the Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities (CACLD) for concerned parents in Newtown. The organization is an outgrowth of the interest and attention that has been paid by the educators of Newtown to children with learning disabilities. Currently, the schools within Newtown have been going away from the traditional self-contained classroom for children with learning problems and have been phasing in regular class mainstreaming, something which allows students to spend the majority of their school day in a regular classroom situation while spending small blocks of time with the Special Education teachers.

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Requests for two special appropriations for the Police Department totalling $15,000 faced an uncertain future before the Board of Finance at a special meeting Thursday evening, after The Bee went to press. Details will be in next week’s issue. The requests consisted of $11,000 for police overtime for the balance of the fiscal year ending next June 30, and $4,000 to be paid to police officers with accrued vacation time who would be willing to accept cash instead.

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Airman Russell Stickney, a recent graduate of Newtown High School, has been named Airman of the Quarter at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. He is the son of Norman B. Stickney Sr of Monroe. Airman Stickney is a security guard for the “B” Flight Security Section. Upon his entry into the Air Force last May, Airman Stickney volunteered to be a security policeman. He attended the Security Police Technical School, Lackland AFB, Texas, and, since his arrival at McGuire, he has taken the lead among security policemen in helping to maintain law and order through the base. His dedication to duty has afforded him the opportunity of diversified duty assignments within his career field. Before joining the Air Force in February of 1973, Airman Stickley was Corresponding Secretary of the Dodgingtown Fire Department.

December 3, 1948

A fall wedding of local interest took place on Saturday, November 27th, when Kate Gilbert Holt, daughter of Mr and Mrs John Caldwell Holt, Jr, of New York City, became the bride of Stephen Edward Budd, Jr, son of Mr and Mrs Stephen Edward Budd of Main street, Newtown. The Rev Wendell Phillips officiated at the ceremony which was held at 4 pm in Christ church, Rye, New York. Amid decorations of white fall flowers and greens, the bride, who was given in marriage by her father, wore a gown of white satin with an heirloom rose-point lace cap and a veil of tulle trimmed with the same rose-point lace. She carried a bouquet of white roses and stephanotis.

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If you have ever harbored the desire to put paint to canvas — and it appears that almost everybody has — yet you haven’t the remotest idea of how to get started, Laurence V. Burton is your man. His recent book, “Week-End Painter,” published by Whittlesey House, New York, not only tells you how to make the beginning, it contains nearly 200 pages of helpful hints once your easel is set up, your colors are mixed and ready to apply. The book provides answers to questions Burton was himself unable to find when, more than a dozen years ago, he took up painting as a hobby. Laurence V. Burton, it better be explained at the outset, is not a professional artist. He is a businessman, an editor, war correspondent, food expert, a PhD of many interests who came round to the avocation of painting simply because his doctor told him to. … When not tied down to business on Madison Avenue, Burton is painting in and around Scarsdale where he lives, or here in Newtown where, for some time now, he and his wife have owned a farm in the Hanover district.

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Supt and Mrs Carroll Johnson, who have sold their home on Church Road to Miss Kathryn Lillis of Riverside road, Sandy Hook, move on Saturday to the house of H.C. Honnegger at the top of Sandy Hook hill, the former home of the late Louis Briscoe.

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Miss Gloria Rasmussen, daughter of Mr and Mrs Carl Rasmussen, had as her guest over the holiday week-end, Miss Nellie Gallinar of Baracoa, Cuba. The young women are classmates at Larson Junior College, New Haven.

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Of local interest is the announcement made recently by Mrs William F. Oakley, president of the Newtown League of Women Voters, of the League’s recognition as a local chapter by the National League. Following a report of the local League’s activities, the national board extended to them the right to use the League insignia. According to Anna Lord Strauss, National president and resident of Newtown, the local group has met the standards and therefore is entitled to assume its place with other Leagues throughout the country. They will be permitted now to take full responsibility in furthering the work of the League through local, state and national programs.

November 30, 1923

The silver wedding anniversary of Mr and Mrs Frederick Leiss, Sr, was fittingly celebrated on Saturday evening at their home in Sandy Hook. The house was very prettily decorated. A large number of friends and neighbors gathered to help make the occasion a success. Mr and Mrs Leiss were the recipients of many beautiful gifts.

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The Men’s Club had an interesting and enthusiastic meeting, Tuesday night, with Judge P.H. McCarthy as host, and Selectman John J. Northrop as essayist. The meeting was held at the Parker house and as Mine Host Parker came in to assist in serving the dinner he was greeted with applause by the assembled diners, so greatly pleased were they over his return to Newtown and the reopening of the Parker house. A fine dinner was enjoyed. The members enjoyed an intellectual treat in the address of Rev G. Herbert Ekins, who was introduced by Mr Northrop as the speaker of the evening. Mr Ekins’ theme was “Dreams and Realities.” It was one of the finest addresses the members have enjoyed in many a day, and was greatly appreciated.

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Last Thursday evening, the members of the Grange Dramatic Club gave the second showing of “In Old New England,” at the Town hall. The hall was again filled, showing the appreciation of the players’ efforts to provide a wholesome entertainment. The play has several engagements to be given out of town at a later date. The cast is indebted to the following for the loan of the stage settings: Mrs E.B. Allen, Morris & Shepherd, Mrs Charles Thorpe, Stepney, Mr Coy, and to First Selectman John J. Northrop — for the use of the hall.

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Paul S. Smith and Earl [illegible] of Amherst College, Amherst, Mass., and Earle E. Smith of Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., are spending the Thanksgiving vacation with Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Smith in the Street.

December 9, 1898

A quiet, pretty home wedding took place at the residence of Mr and Mrs William E. Hawley, Hawleyville, Wednesday afternoon, November 30, when their eldest daughter, Annie Emeline, was united in marriage to Homer Whitney Baldwin. In spite of the inclemency of the weather, about 40 of the immediate relatives and friends of the family gathered to witness the ceremony, which was performed by Rev G.T. Linsley in an impressive manner. The bride, very becomingly attired in white, was attended by her cousin, Miss Florence Stone of New Milford. George Baker of Hawleyville acted the part of best man. After the hearty congratulations of all, a bountiful collation was served, and the happy couple left on the belated 4.16 train for a short bridal trip.

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DODGINGTOWN AND VICINITY: Mr and Mrs A.G. Nash and daughter, Miss Nellie, passed Thanksgiving day with Mrs Nash’s daughter, Mrs Andrews of Taunton. | Mrs J.R. Ferry and Master Willie have been visiting relatives in Bethel. | Mr and Mrs A.E. Bevans have been recent guests of Mr Bevans’ parents. | Misses Bessie and Luela Davis of Hopewell have been the recent guests of their aunt, Mrs E.E. Ferry. | A party of 25 enjoyed a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner at Mr and Mrs Winthrop Bassett’s in Bethel. Their guests included J.R. Ferry and family. | The storm of Saturday night and Sunday was the severest storm seen in many years, calling to mind the blizzard of ‘88. The drifts below Mrs Bennett Platt’s were 9 feet deep. A force of 13 men spent 2 days in making the road passable between the schoolhouse and George Hoyt’s place.

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Letters addressed to the following people remain uncalled for in the Newtown post office, December 1, 1898: Rev S.L. Blake, Mrs Hosea Crandall, L. Kird.—[George F. Duncombe, postmaster

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The fierce rain storm of last Sunday afternoon and night did not improve the traveling on the roads much, but shoveled off the snow in a lively way, and the drifts diminished more than half in size of their former greatness. Some exciting times were experienced by the first travelers out in the morning. Ex-Selectman George P. Sanford was one of the first to get into the pitfalls between here and the depot, when he took Miss Fairman to the early train. He did not get upset but came awfully near to it, and his experience was repeated by a number of teams. A road was made around the drifts beside the road until some more shoveling could be done, when the main thoroughfare was made safe once more. … The rain soaked and ran away all day Monday, and by night it commenced to freeze and stiffen up so that getting around was not so perilous. Very fortunately the ground was not frozen and absorbed most of the excess wet, for had it been hard there would without doubt have been one of the worst floods this section has ever experienced.

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.