* * *

Thomas M. Gutner of Weatogue becomes administrator of Ashlar of Newtown, A Masonic Home, August 1, according to an announcement from the Masonic Charity Foundation of Connecticut which owns the 156-bed facility. Mr Gutner succeeds David J. Bordonaro, acting administrator at Ashlar, and a health care administrator who is employed by the foundation.

* * *

What could be a boon for established small businesses who want to expand and for those who are considering starting in business is planned for Newtown. A program, sponsored by The Newtown Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center, will begin immediately. Some of the many services offered by the centers are a help with financial marketing, production problems, organization, engineering, technical problems, feasibility studies, how-to assistance, and business law information and guidance.

* * *

The Borough Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously Tuesday to grant The Bee Publishing Company a special exception to build an additional story on the flat cement block area in the back of the historic red clapboard building on Church Hill Road. Bee Editor and Publisher Scudder Smith stated the purpose of the addition was to store records, archives, and office supplies.

* * *

Storms last Friday and Sunday proved inconvenient to many area residents. A representative from CL&P noted that because of high winds last Friday, falling branches and trees caused loss of electricity to approximately 10,000 users. Newtown had a reported 800. To make it even worse, the wet spring produced more greenery than in previous years, and leaves and branches went flying. Winds in the Danbury area were 35–45 miles per hour.

* * *

After paying $260,000 to gain the property rights to the mid-19th century red brick factory on the bank of the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook — formerly the home of the New York Belting and Packing Co. and most recently of Earth Bound Inc — a New York art reproduction firm is extensively renovating the plant and plans to move in late in the year. Shorewood Fine Art Reproductions Inc, an established company that prints and sells art reproductions, decided to relocate to this area because Shorewood president Julie Fleischman lives in Redding.

* * *

Two Newtowners were among 15 swimmers who finished the Danbury Area Red Cross Swim-A-Cross held on Lake Candlewood last Friday. John Dainiak and Shelley Riling completed the grueling 10½-mile swim that began at Sherman Town Park and ended at Danbury Town Park. Swimmers obtained per-mile pledges which will benefit Red Cross Safety Services in areas such as teaching CPR, first aid, training water safety personnel and running health programs.

 

August 1, 1958

The Board of Trustees of the Newtown Ambulance Association has announced that because of the support of townspeople and the contributions made to the 1957 fund drive conducted by the association, combined with the nonprofit operation of the ambulance group, it will not be necessary to hold a fund drive in 1958.

* * *

James Jones of Sandy Hook lost four fingers of his left hand when he caught the hand in a molding machine at the Plastic Moulding Corp plant last Wednesday. He was taken to Danbury Hospital but returned home on Sunday. He reports he is “Doing fine now. I’m back home and I’m up.”

* * *

Greater Newtown Sales Days this Friday and Saturday are expected to top the preceding two annual “bargain days” sessions as merchants enthusiasm and the bargain hunters’ spirits soar to new highs. Two $50 prizes and 20 gift certificates valued at $10 apiece will be awarded to lucky shoppers who will be named at Edmond Town Hall at 8 pm, Saturday.

* * *

A referendum to decide whether Newtown shall provide public bus transportation for children attending non-profit, non-public schools in town has been set by First Selectman Edward J. Cole for Saturday, August 16. The referendum was requested in a petition bearing 925 signatures, presented by parishioners of St Rose Church this Wednesday.

* * *

The Borough of Newtown Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a variance to Henry G. Carlson on his Main Street property to permit the removal of the building which has housed the Liberty Garage and erect a new three-bay gas station with repairer’s permit and related signs.

* * *

A BOROUGH BEAUTY: that is really spacious and sparkling! 25’ by 14’ living room, modern kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 1½ baths, sun porch, full basement, 1 car garage and enclosed breezeway. Aluminum combination storms and screens. 1 lovely acre. $23,500.

July 28, 1933

Hawleyville had a morning of terror and spectacular excitement Sunday, when the “Village Barn” road house and the home of the Hawleyville Fire Co. were burned to the ground. The cry of fire rang out at 7 o’clock and Mr Upham at once notified Newtown Central. The Bethel and Dodgingtown firemen also arrived shortly. The Bethel pumper was taken to the island and soon two streams were pouring water on to the Village Barn building, which was doomed to destruction. The Firehouse, but a few feet west of the Village Barn, also was soon on fire, but the Hawleyville firemen and others had removed the truck, the piano, chairs, tables, wheels, and crockery from the building. The particularly exciting and depressing feature of the fire was the explosions of fuel oil barrels, which burned eight firemen. Mr Upham’s house stood about five feet from the one remaining side of the firehouse. The firemen kept Mr Upham’s residence wet down, although at times it seemed certain to become the prey of the flames. Mr Upham places his loss on the Village Barn at $10,000, with a small insurance. The Hawleyville Fire Co. will hold a meeting soon and will rebuild. Their loss will be $3,500 with partial insurance.

* * *

About 6 o’clock Saturday afternoon, the Newtown Fire Company was summoned to Palestine to the property of Mr and Mrs John Abbott by a fire in the servants quarters, a barn which had been converted into a dwelling, some distance away from the main house. The firemen succeeded in saving a tool house, close by the burning building. The firemen made a quick run to the scene of the fire and are to be praised for their good work.

* * *

The State Board of Education of the Blind finds not a few older blind people are making commendable efforts in these times to maintain their status in their own homes. The state can send teachers to instruct these people in their homes to make plain, useful articles which are salable. Such a sale of blind made products is to be held Tuesday, August 1, from 11 am to 5 pm, at the Beach Memorial Library in Newtown.

* * *

The Les Construction Co., of Boston, Mass., contractors for the new bridge across Lake Zoar at Sandy Hook, began work on Monday, and have a steam shovel, two trucks, and 12 men at work. The new bridge will be of steel truss construction and will be 300 feet between piers. At present they are extending the land out into the lake some 20 feet, getting the gravel and rock from the hillside on the east side of the work.

* * *

There was somewhat of a spectacular auto accident, Monday afternoon, about 5 pm, when cars operated by former Selectman T.F. Brew and Nelson Curtis of Berkshire came together at the intersection of Main street, Bethel road, and Glover avenue. Mr Curtis’ car was overturned but fortunately both gentlemen were uninjured.

* * *

Notable among the visitors at the Sandy Hook Auction Barn on Wednesday was Vivienne Osborne, famous Paramount Movie Star, who has recently bought a home in Connecticut and is now restoring it in the hope of occupying it during her leisure time. Miss Osborne was accompanied by Frank Grant Mills, popular stage and screen star. They remained as dinner guests of Mr and Mrs Wilton Lackaye.

 

July 31, 1908

The haying season is now practically over, the crop being all harvested. It is rarely that the crop has been secured with so little damage from rains. The crop is generally conceded about a normal one with but little or no injury from over ripeness. The rye crop is also generally harvested with promise of a good yield of plump grain and without injury from heavy winds or storms. A few pieces of oats are being cut for fodder but less than usual.

* * *

FROM THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE TO JUDGE BEECHER: Dear Sir: Under the authority given us by a vote of the Town of Newtown passed at its meeting on June 24th we hereby instruct you as Town Counsel to bring suit on behalf of the Town against Robert A. Clark and his bondsmen for the money shown due the Town from said Clark by the report of Frank E. Souie as considered by said meeting. Henry B. Coger, Charles E. Beers, Edgar C. Page, Edward Troy, Charles G. Morris

* * *

When the train from Litchfield pulled into Hawleyville at 9:30 o’clock Monday morning, one passenger coach was the object of interest. In the coach were twenty-four children, their faces jammed against the window panes in an effort to see everything that was going on. These juvenile passengers who had a special car all to themselves were on the way back to their homes in New York after a two week’s outing as guests of the New York Tribune, among the hills in Bantam, Litchfield County. It did not need the words of anyone to tell that the kidlets had enjoyed themselves fully.

* * *

Thomas Bristol of Obtuse takes extra care of the lawn in front of his house and is greatly annoyed by giving people drive on it. He has good hitching posts provided near at hand and would thank the public to use them.

* * *

The High school picnic takes place on August 4 at Taunton Lake. The pupils in Sandy Hook can leave the provisions for the dinner at Miss Gussie Campbell’s and in Newtown with Miss Eleanore Northrop. All the pupils are requested to bring a fork and spoon. Those who wish to ride can take the morning train to Hawleyville where teams will meet them. A baseball game will take place in the afternoon. Boats have been provided and a fine time is assured.