December 6, 1996

A major structure fire extensively damaged a circa 1760 wood-frame house in Sandy Hook Center early on the cold morning of Saturday, November 30. Some Sandy Hook firefighters who had just returned from an automatic fire alarm call on Route 34 were already assembled at the Sandy Hook firehouse on Riverside Road about 3 am, according to Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Chief William Halstead. Fire Marshal George Lockwood had just left the firehouse and was headed west on Church Hill Road when he spotted the house afire at 95 Church Hill Road and reported the blaze. Residents Janet and Robert Graves were able to get out without injury, according to fire officials. The tenant of a separate apartment at the house was not home at the time of the blaze. Damage is estimated by fire officials at $250,00 to $300,000.

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Thirty-seven years ago, the leaders of our community decided to create a formal organization to “reflect the community conscience and good will toward persons in unusual need.” Through the ensuing decades, the Newtown Fund has assisted local families in catastrophic situations, offered seed money for the creation of Nunnawauk Meadows and the Family Life Center, and rekindled holiday joy for the less fortunate by offering gifts through its annual Depot Day. For the most part, it is a low-profile organization that constantly seeks new ways in which to address the changing needs of the community. The Newtown Fund has steadily pursued the mission stated in its charter: “to provide spiritual, financial, educational, medical, and other assistance to needy persons.”

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If we put in lights, they will come. That’s what the 93 members of the Blue and Gold Newtown High School sports booster club are confident will happen if they can raise $80,000 to light Jenner Stadium. Club members believe that building state-of-the-art light towers and a concession stand would greatly enhance the field for night football games, as well as for soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, and even band competitions.

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Newtown’s first and only fast-food franchise closed its doors for good Wednesday, November 27. The owners are planning a move to Danbury. Without any notice, Duchess Restaurant, like many other businesses in Sand Hill Plaza, moved out in search of greener pastures. Restaurant owners Vipin and Veena Malhotra of Monroe said they simply weren’t doing enough business. The Malhotras, who opened Duchess in 1990, said their new Sand Hill Plaza landlord had raised the rent to a point where they could no longer afford to stay at the Newtown location.

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Adam Peck, a senior at Newtown High School and a member of the school’s COOP Work Experience and Technology “Work to Careers” program, was named Newtown Rotary Club Student of the Month for November. Adam was nominated by Newtown teacher Tom Swetts. Mr Swetts stated “the business community today is looking for more than the three Rs. They are also looking for student-employees who have obtained good communication skills, have a positive attitude, are self-motivated and are leaders. These qualities describe Adam Peck, who has made outstanding progress at school.”

December 10, 1971

Sarah Mitchell, who has been associated with Cyrenius H. Booth Library for 40 years, has stepped down as head librarian and Mrs Elizabeth Downs has been named by the Board of Trustees to fill her position. Mrs Mitchell, a native longtime resident, has been active in the library since it opened in December 1932, when she was an assistant librarian in the former library in the town hall. During World War II, when there was a fuel shortage, she kept the two fireplaces on the first floor burning to provide heat. During Mrs Mitchell’s era, the genealogy room was completed (a gift from Julia Brush) and the historical rooms housing Mary Elizabeth Hawley’s furniture were completed as required in the terms of Miss Hawley’s will.

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First Selectman Timothy B. Treadwell met with three of Governor Thomas Meskill’s aides in Hartford this week to discuss the severe traffic problem which has existed in Sandy Hook Center since the ramps joining Route 34 and I-84 were removed. One possible scenario which was discussed is retaining the ramps planned between I-84 and Mile Hill Road. These ramps, scheduled to be built in 1973, are to be removed when the interchange between I-84 and new Route 25 in Hawleyville is finished.

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At Tuesday night’s Board of Selectman meeting, Mr Treadwell said the town is again considering a detailed study of the watersheds within Newtown, particularly from the point of view of drainage and how present and projected residential developments could affect the town’s present and future water supply. The recent proposal for a subdivision on the Halfway River has brought the need for such a story up for discussion. Mr Treadwell said he discussed the proposal with the Planning and Zoning and Conservation Commissions, both of which have indicated their interest. Swamps and wetlands, as well as watercourses, should be included in the study, he said. The First Selectman said he is investigating the possibility of a grant to underwrite the cost of the study.

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Fifty-nine men took a general knowledge test in the Alexandria Room of the town hall on December 8 as part of their application process for a spot on the new Newtown Police Force. The men who pass this test will be given an oral exam on December 29 and, following that, two will be selected for the force sometime in January.

December 6, 1946

The recently created club of the young women of St Rose parish will reorganize to include all young men as well as young women of high school age or older. The change is being made to conform with the wishes of Bishop Henry J. O’Brien of Hartford. It will be affiliated with the Catholic Youth Organization of the diocese and will be called The Catholic Club.

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Hawley School sent a delegation made up of two students from each of the high school classes to a tour of West Point on Tuesday. The class representatives included seniors Lois Gies and Gordon Williams, juniors Eric Johnson and Pat Perry, sophomores Mary Pat Carroll and John Lorenzo, and freshmen Jean Taylor and Kenny Pelletier. The students were among a group from Danbury, Bethel, Ridgefield and Brookfield who were invited to participate in the day-long event.

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The annual membership drive of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau came to a successful conclusion Wednesday evening when more than 100 Farm Bureau members attended the “wind up” meeting held in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. The town of Monroe had the largest attendance of any town at the meeting and also won the award for signing up the most new members and having the largest membership. Monroe therefore won the Gregg Award, named for Dr John Robert Gregg of Cannondale, a member of the Fairfield County Farm Bureau and inventor of the Gregg shorthand method.

December 9, 1921

The young people of the Congregational church and invited guests held a very delightful party, Wednesday evening, in the social rooms of the church. A very unique and pleasing program occupied the first part of the evening, and produced no end of laughter. F.H. Duncombe, directing The Newtown Seen Funny orchestra, was one of the best things seen in Newtown in many a day. The program was arranged by Mrs James Marshall, Mrs F. Duncombe, Mrs Mead and Mrs A.J. Smith.

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John Collins, who works on the section, had one foot smashed by the gasoline propelled hand car. Dr W.H. Kiernan attended him.

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Miss E.L. Dinkler of Ansonia has been the guest of Mr and Mrs E.F. Dinkler. Gus Dinkler of Philadelphia, Pa., passed Thanksgiving with Mr and Mrs Edwin F. Dinkler.

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Lillis & Troy, local auto mechanics, have moved into the James Campbell building, which has been overhauled for their benefit.

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The whist held at the Newtown Country Club, last Monday evening, was largely attended and a good time was enjoyed by all. The highest scores in whist were made by Mrs William R. Curtis and Mrs L.C. Morris for the ladies, and O. Howard Hall and F.H. Johnston for the gentlemen. Mrs W.M. Mitchell and Mrs Julia Hawley delightfully entertained. The next meeting for whist will be held at the Newtown Country Club rooms, next Monday night, December 12. There is some talk of a Christmas party with supper and whist, and why would not December 19 be a good date? Many members of the club would be away during Christmas week.

December 11, 1896

A possible successor to the present treasurer of the Newtown Savings Bank arrived in town on Sunday morning at 9 o’clock, a son to Mr and Mrs Charles H. Northrop. It is a plump baby, weighing between nine and 10 pounds, and both the young man and its mother are doing nicely.

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William Burke, the hostler at the Grand Central, went to Derby on Monday to attend the funeral of his grandmother.

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Miss May Haugh of Sandy Hook has accepted a position in Bridgeport.

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Mrs and Mrs Richard G. Warren of Bridgeport have visited Mr Warren’s sister, Mrs George A. Northrop, in the Street.

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Botsford H. Peet is doing a rushing business at his blacksmith shop near Warner’s Mill, horse shoeing and repairing being a specialty. He is at present making over some wheels over 100 years old. They belonged to Noahdiah Warner’s father, when he was first married.

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THE EDITOR’S FAMILIAR CHAT: Another of the fine old elms that have made Newtown street beautiful in summer, was removed, this week, one in front of the resident of Lawyer Beecher. If the beetle visits the elms another season, it is believed that they will kill the elms yet remaining. | The meeting on behalf of suffering Armenians at the Town hall, Monday night, should call out a large audience. The movement has the hearty endorsement of the clergy of the town, all the denominations being represented. It is hoped their appeal will be met by a substantial response on the part of the people. It is a cause in which we all ought to enlist.

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.