* * *

The Newtown boat launch is closed for the season following a decision at a special Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Wednesday night, September 16. Chairman Judy Furlotte said members decided to close the launch because of complaints about the noise generated by jet boats congregating in the area.

* * *

The book sale is over, the interior walls are glowing with a new coat of paint, the collection has been weeded, the place has been rearranged a bit, and now Library director Dennis Clarke is ready to take on the task of building a quality collection of books at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. The physical changes aren’t that extensive, but Mr Clarke, who took over as library director in June, said that what has been done will lead to better traffic efficiency in the library and offer a little more comfort for its patrons.

* * *

224 participants contributed to the success of the Newtown League of Women Voters’ Home Energy Workshop last Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm. A wide variety of information was presented in eight workshops divided between morning and afternoon sessions, the topics ranging from stoves to solar, from getting better mileage from the family car to making energy-saving covers for windows.

* * *

Newtown Republicans claimed last Friday that they “saved the town insurance costs by our fast action” in having the precariously perched ball atop the Newtown Flagpole on Main Street inspected and removed. Selectman Noris Donlon made the claim last Friday after a group of Republicans announced last Thursday they would hire a crane from Mariano Brothers of Danbury to inspect the ball and put a new rope on the pole. No flag has flown there for about seven weeks.

* * *

In a fitting and memorable tribute to the late Newtown school teacher Janice L. Rysz, students, family and friends gathered at Head O’ Meadow School on Boggs Hill Road, Newtown on Monday, September 14, to dedicate a nature trail to her. After listening to words of remembrance from the late teacher’s colleague Joel Nezvesky, the family went for a walk along the scenic trail. “In a very special way, the trail will serve as a living memory to her. For she will be in our thoughts on every walk we take,” he said.

* * *

The mystery of who painted the Newtown High School scoreboard and removed two signs appears to have been solved. NHS Principal Alvah Cramer said this week he has been told that Pepsi-Cola, the company who donated the sign is repairing it. He explained to the board that workmen had painted the scoreboard with a primer coat and taken he signs. However, because he could no find any record of scheduled work, he called in police on the possibility of robbery and vandalism.

September 21, 1956

The Newtown Board of Education last Tuesday, decided that the old frame Sandy Hook school building on Riverside Road had served its usefulness to the town and would no longer be held by the board for future classroom use. As a consequence, the board voted to write a letter to the First Selectman Edward J. Coleman acquainting him with the decision. Disposition of the building will be up to the town.

* * *

An anonymous storm of brief duration last Friday afternoon struck Newtown, causing more damage than some of the widely publicized hurricanes of the past. Without warning, the violent rain, wind and thunderstorm hit the community and vicinity, uprooting trees, tearing down telephone and electric power lines, causing public and private property damage in all sections of town.

 

* * *

Mrs Richmond Stephens, chairman of this year’s Cyrenius H. Booth Library campaign for funds, reported this week that a total of $1,868 had been contributed by interested funds. This falls short of the $2,500 goal arbitrarily set by the trustees, who reason that such a sum is needed to make up the difference between endowment income and increased operating costs. The important thing to remember, the trustees say, is that though the Cyrenius H. Booth Library is a free public library and is for the use of all townspeople, it receives no tax support of any kind.

* * *

“Our plan, when ready for execution, will be Newtown’s plan, not that of the Planning Commission or of any outside advisory agency. The needs of all the town will be considered and residents offered an opportunity to discuss the special problems of their area with members of the Commission at some future date,” George W. Northrop, chairman of the Newtown Planning Commission said last Tuesday night. Mr Northrop spoke at a meeting of the League of Women Voters held at 8 pm at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. Mr Northrop spoke of the Commission’s work with subdivisions, where careful study has brought improvements of lasting benefit to the town.

* * *

A waltz party for a group of privilege card patients was given on Wednesday evening, September 12, in Woodbury Hall, Fairfield State Hospital. The party was held under the auspices of the volunteer corps. Dancing was to recorded music and refreshments were served.

* * *

The Connecticut State Department of Health has announced that as of September 13, only 58 cases of poliomyelitis have been reported to its office compared to 444 for the same period in 1955. Of the 58 cases, 21 had received polio vaccine at some time. Only three respirator cases, aged 11, 14, and 23, have been reported this year, one of whom died. None of these had received any vaccine against polio.

 

September 18, 1931

Sealed proposals will be received by State highway commissioner, Hartford, on Monday, September 21, 1 pm, eastern standard time, for sections of road in Newtown as follows: Abut 20,200 feet of gravel road in Walnut Tree Hill, Huntingtown and Taunton Roads. Plans and proposal forms are in the office of George E. Smith, New Milford.

* * *

HAWLEY MANOR A Historic Mansion Filled with The Memories Of Old New England Now a Modern Hostelry where Rest and Recreation, Food and Service are in the Finest Traditions. Hawley Manor offers to a restricted number of guests — rooms — single or en suite, with or without bath, new twin beds, running hot and cold water in every room, electric lights, comfortable furnishings — in fact, all modern conveniences. W.F. SCOTT, Owner and Manager

* * *

A benefit performance for the Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Co. will be given on Friday night, September 18, at 7 pm, at the Edmond Town hall, when the popular and taking picture, “Huckleberry Finn” will be shown. Admission 40 cents. Don’t fail to purchase a ticket; enjoy a first-class show and help the Hawleyville Fire Co.

* * *

The annual Danbury fair is approaching and will open on Monday, October 5. Everything indicates another successful week’s exhibition. The outstanding improvements on the grounds this year, is the underpass connecting the inside of the race track with the rest of the grounds. The management has received information from George F. Foley, head of the dog show, indicating the bench show will be larger than ever, this year. A greatly increased interest is being shown in the cattle show. The light-harness races on the track, the first five days of the fair, will be another important feature.

* * *

In an accidental way the editor of The Bee discovered the other day that Dr A.J. Crowe, president of the International Coffee Club of America, is not only a successful druggist, and an automobilist of renown, but is also an expert grower of asters. Decorating the soda fountain at the store of Sandy Hook, Wednesday, was a bouquet of these beautiful flowers picked from his floral garden in Bethel. Why not start a garden club in Sandy Hook? It is a more interesting subject than politics, which only buds and blossoms in the fall.

* * *

Some people in the Glen have been annoyed by children playing tick-tack-toe and other pranks on windows and doors to the annoyance of people in the house. It may be necessary for the selectmen to send an officer down that way if the youngsters don’t stop their foolishness.

 

September 21, 1906

A small addition has been built on to the rear of The Bee office. H.C. McCollam, the hustling Redding contractor, did the work. The residence of Allison P. Smith is shining in a new dress of white paint, applied by Canfield & Davis, the capable painters.

* * *

The Board of Education have allowed the public schools a day’s holiday, next week, to attend the Newtown fair. William J. Brew has resigned from the Board of Education and has been hired to teach the school at Middle Gate. He entered upon his duties, Monday.

* * *

John F. Sammis, Sr, has just put in an up-to-date cider mill at his mill near his home at Botsford and is now prepared to make cider for all who wish at one cent per gallon. Mr Sammis began making cider, last Wednesday.

* * *

A beautiful display of dahlias was made at the Congregational church, Sunday morning, a gift to Allison P. Smith by Amos C. Lake of Bethlehem, who grows a half acre or more of these flowers. Cecil Wright officiated at the organ in the Congregational church on Sunday, in the absence of Miss Mabel Taylor, the regular organist.

* * *

Next week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday comes the great event of the fall in Newtown, the Newtown fair. We feel confident good weather will be served out, and a successful fair will result. The Bee asks the cooperation of all public spirited citizens who like to see local enterprises prosper. By all means plan some exhibit from your farm, garden or orchard, while the ladies can be depended on to make their department complete and interesting.