June 9, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF Mary Harrington Tomasiewicz.

* * * * *

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — HELP SPREAD THE POWER OF LANGUAGE: Someone once said that language is the skin of a culture, drawing together all its component parts so that each may take its place and become accessible and understood in relation to the whole. As anyone who has found himself in a foreign land trying to decipher an unfamiliar language knows, words are essential to getting through the day. There is a growing number of people living in our area for whom language is not just a temporary inconvenience on a business trip or vacation, but a barrier they must face every day. The Literacy Volunteers of America-Danbury, Inc., announced this week that it is facing an extreme shortage of volunteer tutors. More than 100 foreign-born applicants are waiting for someone to help them learn to read, write, and speak English. While they wait, they are learning about the power of words — not the power to set free their talents and creativity, but as Ralph Ellison says, the power of words “to bind, imprison, and destroy.” Until English words come to them easily and freely and they can speak their own ideas and opinions, they are restricted in their social interactions, they are often barred from the workplace, and they become trapped in their own dependency on English speakers to represent their interests.

* * * * *

Friday’s storm that tore its way through different sections of town was something other than a tornado, according to Mike Ferrara of the Western Connecticut State University weather center, who described it as a microburst brought on by a down draft of wind. Botsford and Dodgingtown were both hit extremely hard by the storm that picked up around 7:20 pm.

* * * * *

Planning and Zoning Commission (P&Z) members are considering expanding the town’s zoning regulations on housing for the elderly, with an eye toward creating land use rules for the various forms of such housing. The town currently addresses elderly housing in its EH-10 zoning regulations, which were created in the 1970s to address the construction of Nunnawauk Meadows, a publicly subsidized non-profit housing complex for the elderly on Nunnawauk Road. Nunnawauk Meadows has grown in stages since then, and now has 120 single-level rental apartments.

* * * * *

A little over 15 minutes into the 26th Annual Rockin’ Rooster Run on Saturday the first runner appeared on Queen Street, heading for the home stretch, and there were few people on hand — if any — who thought that first runner would be someone other than Sergio Ribeiro. Oh it was Ribeiro alright, and it was Ribeiro who crossed the finish line at the Newtown Middle School in 16:10.56, capturing first place in the Rockin’ Rooster Run — sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department — for the third time. Despite the three-peat, Ribeiro said the race isn’t getting any easier.

June 6, 1975

With over 16 years in the service of the Town of Newtown behind him, Earle H. Megin of Sealand Drive retires as building inspector this Friday. The “crowning” event to honor the building inspector took place on Thursday, May 29, as Town Hall employees gathered for a luncheon at the Hawley Manor Inn. Building Commission chairman Maurice Nezvesky and the members of the Board of Selectmen congratulated Mr Megin, and he and his wife, Helen were presented with gifts on what was proclaimed “Earle Megin Day.”

* * * * *

He was seven votes shy of the town’s top job two years ago. This week Gerald J. Frawley of Taunton Lake Road said he’ll try again, and is seeking the endorsement of the Democratic Party for a run for First Selectman. Mr Frawley told the press Tuesday, June 3, he did not feel he has the party endorsement in hand, though he was not sure if other candidates would be coming forward.

* * * * *

The Planning & Zoning Commission’s proposed regulations for housing for the elderly in Newtown met with general approval at the two-hour public hearing last Friday, May 30,—and with some questions, and violent opposition by one non-resident. P&Z’s proposal involves creation of a new zone, designated EH-10, for properties of a minimum of ten acres in area. Such zones could be created by the Commission following application and public hearing. One of the principal uses allowed by granting of a special exception would be projects for housing for the elderly, with a maximum of 40 housing unites allowed in a project developed by a non-profit Connecticut corporation.

* * * * *

Outgoing and incoming officers of Welcome Wagon gathered at the home of Mrs Paul Cohen of Newfield Lane. Gathered for one photo were the outgoing officers: Melissa Pilchard, historian and publicity; Ena Higgins, treasurer; Marjorie Hogeman, activity chairman; Susan Thornberry, secretary; Ella Millard, luncheon committee; Rosemary Naughton, vice president; Virginia Cohen, luncheon committee; Charlotte Butts, membership; Mariellen Schneider, ways and means; Thea Knight, hostess; Carol Lehmann, president; Joyce Emslie, ways and means; Ginny Berry, hostess; and Linda Osuch, hospitality. Paul Santapadre, social chairman, was unavailable for the photo. The incoming 1975-76 Welcome Wagon officers are Marjorie Hogeman, treasurer; Rosemary Naughton, membership; Susan Thornberry, ways and means; Betty Illig, activity committee; Sue Lowter, hospitality; Judy Appleyard, hospitality; Marie Chilcott, secretary; Marilyn Seregely, ways and means; Linda Osuch, historian and publicity; Mary Soler, activity committee; Thea Knight, hostess; Melissa Pilchard, vice president; Mariellen Schneider, president; Shirley Bilsky, luncheon committee; Paula Santapadre, ways and means; Edie Nudenburg, luncheon committee; Elizabeth Magdelain, editor for both years; and Ginny Berry, hostess.

June 2, 1950

In keeping with the purpose of giving simple and solemn honor to the country’s war dead, members of the Newtown posts of Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the American Legion and their auxiliaries formed in front of Edmond Town Hall Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock and marched to the Memorial Monument at the head of Main Street, where fitting exercises were conducted under the leadership of Commander George A. Jackson, of Post 308. By mutual agreement it had been arranged that the V.F.W. Post should be in charge of the Memorial Day exercises and the American Legion Post of the Armistice Day exercises in November.

* * * * *

Last Sunday, following the 9 o’clock Mass at St Rose Church, there occurred the annual ceremony of the crowning of the status of the Most Blessed Virgin. The young persons who took part in the ritual were John Trudeau and Richard Sperling, pages; Carol Ann Stefanko, crown bearer; Kathleen McMahon and Claire Jandreau, attendants; and Mary Elizabeth Mead, bride; and Claire Jandreau.

* * * * *

The Mardi Gras chalked up another success last week-end when hordes of young people crowded into the Edmond Town Hall gymnasium to take part in the event. This year, the Newtown Congregational Church Sunday School’s annual festivity was a change from the familiar New Orleans carnival theme used in years past. The young people of the church and adult members, under the direction of Mrs William Walsh, planned a fairyland of magic, Cinderella Land. After working many weeks on preparations, they turned the gym into a place of pumpkin coaches, stardust, lollipop trees and white mice. It was to be two evenings of fun, and from all reports that’s just what visitors had.

* * * * *

Honored at a regular Charter Night ceremony on May 23 in the Scout cabin, three members of Troop 70, Newtown, received awards from District 10 Commissioner Thomas Shadick of Monroe. Those honored were Eagle Scout Robert Richmond Jr (bronze palm for 26 merit badges), David Hull (Scout of the Year of Troop 70 and for the 1949-50 season), and Eagle Scout James Mainwaring (gold palm for 31 merit badges).

* * * * *

Two employees of Fairfield State Hospital were killed instantly shortly before 3 p.m. last Thursday when the car in which they were riding left the road and struck two trees before overturning on Route 202 in Newtown east of Underhill’s Service Station. The men, James Morrison Stewart Jr, 23, of Devon, and Henry E. Sherman, 22, of Ansonia, were driving toward Newtown from the direction of Bethel when the accident occurred, according to State Police Lieutenant William Gruber of the Ridgefield Barracks.

June 5, 1925

The annual meeting of the Newtown Village Cemetery Association was held at the Bank building on Friday, May 29, at 3 o’clock advance time. In the absence of the president, Frank Wright was made chairman of the meeting and the warning was read. Arthur Treat Nettleton, as treasurer, gave a most interesting account of the money that has passed through his hands. There is need for larger contributions in the way of unrestricted legacies for the trustees have all the new parts of the cemetery to lay out and it takes a lot of money to do it right. … Miss Mary Hawley has generously given the cemetery $10,000, the interest of which is to be devoted to the upkeep of the old part of the grounds and a man has been hired to take the matter in hand. An expression of sincere thanks was voted to Miss Hawley.

* * * * *

W.A. Upham, of the Upham Food Products Co., Inc., packers of tea balls (Hawleyville and New York), is doing some work in the line of Civic and Community Improvement about and in the vicinity of the large Upham plant at Hawleyville, that we have seldom seen equaled. In place of a rough, uncared for and unattractive appearance which has characterized the Hawleyville business property for a good many years, Mr Upham has made it a place of beauty and a joy to look upon.

* * * * *

Trinity church had a splendid congregation on Sunday at 11 o’clock service. An American flag, the gift of A.C. Griscom, hung from the gallery, the altar and front were beautifully decorated with flowers befitting the feast of Whitsunday. The rector, Rev Dr Gesner preaching from St John, 8.32, “Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” spoke of the contribution made by the churchmen of America toward the building of the state is the quality of the lives they offered in its service from Revolutionary days to the present time.

* * * * *

Dr Charles H. Peck has just had his large dairy barn and buildings equipped with Dodd & Struther’s lighting protecters by the local representative E.H. Read of Stratford. Mr Read is also equipping several other large dairies with lightning protection. Mr Read has sold about 10,000 feet so far, this year.

* * * * *

The prettiest event and the one most looked forward to was the reception given the seniors by the juniors at the Hawley school, last Friday evening, May 29. The auditorium was beautifully and artistically decorated with violet and white crepe paper, the class colors. Huge bunches of white spirea and lilacs were banked on the stage and around the auditorium. … At exactly 8 o’clock friends and guests were presented to the receiving line, Principal and Mrs Stoddard, Mr and Mrs Duncombe of the School Board, Miss Beard and Miss Read of the School Faculty, William Brenner, President of the Senior class, and Helen Nichols, President of the Junior class.

June 8, 1900

W.H. Sanford of New York passed Sunday with his parents, Sheriff and Mrs Aaron Sanford.

* * * * *

E.D. Barker of Brooklyn has been the guest of his son, Rev O.W. Barker.

* * * * *

Miss Kathryn Reynolds, who has been teaching in Brooklyn the past year, arrived home for the summer, last week.

* * * * *

The Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church is to take up a collection for the famine sufferers in India, and contributions from any of the citizens of the town are invited. Any desiring to give to this worthy cause can leave their offerings with Arthur T. Nettleton.

* * * * *

Mr and Mrs W.W. Bull of Plymouth, Conn., were the guests of A.J. Smith on Monday night, coming over to attend the consociation at South Britain on Tuesday. Mr and Mrs Bull are familiar figures at the meetings of the consociation, and are as young as half the young people in spite of their four score years. Mr Bull is one of the oldest Sunday school workers in the state and is still a teacher in his own Sunday school and his wife is a faithful attendant in his class. … They are both shining examples of the saying of the Scriptures, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age,” as they abound in good deeds and helpful influences.

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.