July 28, 2000

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of James Gaston

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In the vault at the C.H. Booth Library, Daniel Cruson bends over a bound volume of back issues of The Newtown Bee, a pen and note pad readily at hand, researching another page of the history of Newtown. The town historian, to be honored this year as parade marshal for the 38th annual Labor Day Parade, is engrossed in his work. “There’s still so much to be done,” he said, pausing in his work, “but now we have the [computer] technology to literally take our history and make it available by keyword. It’s an exciting time.” Mr Cruson’s work has untangled the mysteries that have surrounded town benefactress Mary Elizabeth Hawley in the decades since her death in 1932 and documented more than three centuries of the growth and development of the town. So as Newtown entered the 21st century, the Newtown Summer Festival Committee decided the town historian would be the perfect person to honor at this year’s parade.

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So many books, so little time – this should be the theme of the 25th annual C.H. Booth Library Labor Day Book Sale at Bridgeport Hall on the former Fairfield Hills campus. Thousands of books in 70 categories will be available beginning Saturday, September 2, and continuing through Wednesday, September 6. Meanwhile, library volunteers are continuing their preparations for the sale. They have been working throughout the year, pricing and categorizing the books.

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The Legislative Council recently received a letter from the Becker and Becker development firm seeking a meeting to discuss its plans for the re-use Fairfield Hills. However, according to Chairman Pierre Rochman, the council is still not ready to put the company on its agenda. “The Legislative Council, at this point, is not in a position to listen to proposals,” Mr Rochman said this week. “Number one, we’re still waiting for a recommendation from the Board of Selectmen. Number two, there is still some discussion as to what is the council’s role in Fairfield Hills.”

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There seems to be an unwritten rule in sports that if the tournament is in your name, and it’s being played on your fields, then you just have to find a way to win it ... which is pretty much what the Newtown Babe Ruth 12-year-old All Stars did this past week in the Newtown Invitational Tournament at Glander Field. The 12s won three games in a row – the last an 8-2 decision over Bethel – to capture the tournament title.

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It was a time for fun and new experiences. The St Rose Carnival, playing on a computer, swimming lessons, and even a visit to Blockbuster were among the highlights of the visit of children from New York City who recently stayed with Newtown families through the annual Fresh Air Fund program. All the children spoke excitedly about things they did during their stay here, and all of them would like to come back next summer. The children returned to New York City after spending two weeks with their host families.

July 25, 1975

Recently a number of civic organizations have been soliciting funds in the Danbury-Newtown area. The Newtown Jaycees would like to notify Newtown merchants that they are not collecting funds for any purpose at this time, other than selling tickets for “Ye Old Summerfest” to be held August 16.

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Newtown voters, in an all-day referendum on July 17, again gave their stamp of approval to the $3,250,000 bonding issue which will result in the construction of a new elementary school on the former Boyle property on Boggs Hill Road. The voting machines were set up to represent Newtown’s three voting districts, not the new legislative council districts, with three machines allocated to District I, two for District II and one for District III.

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The Newtown Police Department has announced that the remains of a body found on May 3 in a wooded area off Mt Pleasant Road have been identified as those of Miss Jennie Szuch, 46, of Bridgeport who had been a patient at Fairfield Hills Hospital and disappeared in April of 1971. According to police, identification was made from medical and dental records and missing persons investigation files. The body was found by a hiker, and police believed it had been buried in a shallow grave. Aiding the police in the identification were Dr Elliot Gross, State’s chief medical examiner, and Dr Robert Miller, superintendent of Fairfield Hills. Cause of death was undetermined. The case is still being investigated by the Newtown Police detective division under the direction of Det Sgt Michael DeJoseph.

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As of Monday, July 28, the following departments will be located on the second floor of the Congregational Church House, which is adjacent to the parking lot for Edmond Town Hall: The Building Department, Planning and Zoning, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Zoning Enforcement Officer, the Health Department and the office of the Social Worker.

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On Friday, July 11, 40 members of the Newtown Middle School Recreation Program hiked six miles along the Appalachian Trail in Kent. Starting from Macedonia State Park, the group climbed two mountain peaks and ate their lunches overlooking the scenic valley countryside. Although the weather was hot and humid, everyone in the group finished the hike and had an interesting trip. Hiking is only one of the many activities in the Middle Schoolers’ programs. Besides daily activities at the town park and Middle School, the group takes one out-of-town trip a week to Connecticut areas of interest.

July 21, 1950

Members of the Newtown League of Women Voters and friends entertained guests from the United Nations over the past weekend. Arrangements were made by Mrs H. R. Wilde with Mrs Margaret Otis, Director of the U.N. Volunteer Services at Lake Success. The guests arrived by car on Friday afternoon and were met by Mrs Wilde and their respective hosts. Mr and Mrs Karl Knauer has as their guests Mr and Mrs John Alexander and daughters, Ruth and Nanna. Mr Alexander, of the United Kingdom, is with the Social Affairs department of the Secretariat. Mr and Mrs John Gill entertained Mr and Mrs Albert Reid of Canada. Mr Reid is Opinion Surveyor in the Department of Public Information.

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Services to dedicate the new organ recently installed in Trinity Episcopal Church were held in the church last Sunday evening at eight o’clock, with the dedication ceremony conducted by Reverend Gordon D. Pierce, D.D., church rector. An impressive audience of more than 200 persons paid tribute to the value of the new addition to the church services. The formal program opened with an organ prelude by Donald A. Griscom, A.A.G.O., church organist and choirmaster, followed by congregational singing and the prayer of dedication by Dr Pierce.

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Mr and Mrs Russell Wheeler of Florida and Mr Wheeler’s sister, Mrs Elliot Platt of Windsor, who are spending the summer at Columbia Lake, Columbia, were visitors in Newtown on Monday. They are former residents here and a number of their friends enjoyed seeing them again.

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Announcement has been made of the birth of a daughter, Sharon Margaret, in the Danbury Hospital to Mr and Mrs Walter J. McCarthy of Sandy Hook on Friday of last week.

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Friends will be glad to know that Milton F. Hull of Main Street is resting comfortably in Bridgeport Hospital where he underwent an operation last Thursday.

July 24, 1925

On Saturday, July 11, Mr and Mrs Patrick H. Gannon celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and were pleasantly surprised in the evening by having a number of local and out of town friends call at their home. Mr and Mrs Gannon were married July 11, 1875, by Rev James McCartan, pastor of St Rose’s church. Mrs Gannon, before her marriage, was Miss Margaret E. Matthews, daughter of the late John and Anna Matthews.

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Elliott H. Platt, son of F.W. Platt of Howell, for the last year and a half a member of The Telegram staff, has tendered his resignation to take effect August 1 to become secretary to State Commissioner of Agriculture Philo T. Platt. Mr Platt is a graduate of the Newtown High school and for a year and a half was a linotype operator in The Bee office. He is a member of Pootatuck grange and Hiram lodge, F. & A.M., of Newtown.

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Editor Gordon Gale of Danielson was a visitor in town on Saturday.

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Permanent electric garden lanterns have been placed in the beautiful garden of Miss Mary F. Hawley by Harry Van Horn, the local electrician. When these lanterns are illuminated at night the garden is bathed in a soft and colorful flow which lights up drowsing beds of hollyhocks, hydrangeas, roses, heliotrope, canna, gladioli, petunia, and many other flowers.

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Mrs Herbert Botsford of Nichols and Mrs L.J. Sterling of Naugatuck have been passing a few days in Hattertown, the guests of their father, Edwin Morgan.

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Dr F.A. Pickett and family, of Danbury, are enjoying a sojourn at their attractive bungalow on Lake Zoar.

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All kinds of ice cream and confectionary, sandwiches, light lunch Gold Label Ginger Ale, extra dry, a nice line of first quality canned goods, all up to date magazines at The Golden Peach, Sandy Hook.—[Adv.

July 27, 1900

HATTERTOWN PERSONAL TOPICS: M.D. Morgan was in town, last week. | Mrs Charles Lavine of Naugatuck has been visiting her sister, Mrs M.C. Pratt. | Ernest Northrop is visiting relatives on Long Island. | The water in John Nichols’ pond has lowered so much as to cause all the fish to die. | Miss Pauline Taylor and M.J. Brisco of Danbury have been spending a week at Brookside Cottage. | L.M. Booth rides a new wheel, purchased of Bethel parties. | Ralph Benedict, Jr., has been spending a few days with his aunt in Long Hill.

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Mr and Mr [sic] L.E. Edwards of Beacon Falls passed Sunday, the 15th, with Mrs Edwards’ parents, Mr and Mrs Eli B. Beers.

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Bradley C. Rodgers of Newtown was married, July 16, to Mrs Grace Ladd Aiken of Hanover, N.H. Dr Tucker, president of Dartmouth college, was the officiating clergyman. Mr Rodgers has been elected principal of the Burr & Burton seminary of Manchester, Vt.

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Miss Flora Northrop, an efficient member of The Bee force of typesetters, is away for a deserved respite of two weeks.

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An interesting missionary meeting was held under the auspices of the Christian Endeavor society of the Congregational church on Sunday night, the little vestry room being well filled. The leader was Mrs Henry M. Smith.

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EFFECTS OF THE HOT WEATHER: It would seem that the first three days of last week would prove the hottest of the season. The weather bureau thermometers registered 94 degrees, Monday, 95 Tuesday and 93 Wednesday. Many of our farmers who are used to the heat succumbed on Tuesday temporarily. At the creamery in Hawleyville it was 99; at Peck & Somers’ store, 100. This protracted extreme heat is answerable for the sudden drouth. Over one inch of rain fell the last of the week before which is apparently all gone now. Perhaps potatoes next to grass are most in the need of more rain.

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 readers of The Newtown Bee. 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.