February 2, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Donald Monckton.

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The discovery of high levels of uranium in several Newtown wells, including the well for Middle Gate School, has prompted local officials to begin widespread testing of water supplies. The announcement was made Wednesday morning at a press conference conducted by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and Health District Director Mark Cooper. It comes just one day after Middle Gate School parents were alerted of test results that showed the school’s water supply was well above state guidelines for uranium levels.

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The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a moving firm’s plans to construct an almost 20,000-square-foot warehouse on an industrial site on Barnabas Road in Hawleyville. P&Z members January 25 unanimously approved applicant KIM Properties, LLC’s proposal to construct a 19,764-square-foot building, parking area, and driveway at 46 Barnabas Road for Braun Moving, Inc.’s moving and storage business. The site is in an M-1 Industrial zone.

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Andrew Paul Sedor, 87, a life-long resident of Currituck Road, Newtown, and a well-known and respected dairy farmer, died January 24 in Danbury Hospital. Mr Sedor was the beloved husband of the late Josephine R. (Zecowski) Sedor. He was born in the family home on Currituck Road on January 9, 1914, a son of the late Stephen and Mary (Hercha) Sedor. He resided in the little while saltbox his entire life, working his farm.

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Middle School students Logan Allison and Lucy Young organized a food drive for needy cats and dogs that resulted in more than five cartons of canned and bagged food, dog bones, and other treats. They presented some of the cartons to Pat Anzelotti, assistant Newtown Animal Control officer, at the dog pound. The homeroom class with the highest number of donations received a party donated by Newtown Bagelman.

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The Treadwell Park Committee and Newtown Lions Club have scheduled two fundraisers to complete the drive for the new playgrounds at Treadwell Park. Contrary to what has been reported, the money is not in place for both playgrounds. However, after the destruction of the newly installed playground for children two to five at the hands of an arsonist, Dr Hank Gellert and Star 99 set up a fund for playground at the Newtown Savings Bank. An outpouring of money came from several companies as well as many individual Newtowners.

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No man is an island — that’s what Gregg Simon will tell you when he discusses (unwillingly, of course) the nine years he has spent leading one of the most consistently strong girls’ basketball programs in the South-West Conference and the two years he has spent reconstructing the athletic department at Newtown High School. So when it comes to leading that girls’ basketball program to its first SWC championship during the 1999-2000 season and when it comes to giving that athletic department a much-needed facelift in the form of new equipment, new uniforms, and refurbished facilities Mr Simon will be the first one to say he couldn’t have done it all by himself. But whether he wants to or not, he is going to have to take some credit for all of that and that is why The Newtown Bee has named him the 2000 Sportsman of the Year.

January 30, 1976

Members of the Newtown Jaycees, their wives and friends gathered together on Saturday evening, January 24, for an awards banquet at the Holiday Inn, Danbury, to culminate a week of Jaycee activities and to learn who was to be named the Outstanding Young Man and Outstanding Woman of the year. The awards, given to a young man and woman between the ages of 18 and 35, is presented annually as a tribute to their community endeavors. The recipients this year were William Bausch and Mrs Lynda Cox, and they were selected from a field of 16 nominees by a panel of three judges.

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Whether out of respect for the set of stocks prominently displayed in front of the Congregational Church, or because of the irresistible power of the drummer calling the townspeople to worship, Newtowners by the hundreds attended the four colonial services offered by the Congregational Church on January 25. More than a hundred attended the 9:30 am service, more than two hundred made it at 11 am. Both evening services were also well-attended, often by families clad in period costumes.

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Some four inches of rain drenched the area this week during the “January thaw” which otherwise would have been welcome following two weeks of temperatures hovering in the teens and below. The rain, plus runoff from the water-laden ground during the warmer weather, caused flash flood warnings throughout the area, road damage and soaked cellars which required local fire volunteers to put in hours of pumping duty. Those living along rivers like the Housatonic kept a wary eye on water levels.

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A group of residents who feel that the cost of maintaining private roads along Lake Zoar in the Riverside section has shot beyond the means of a voluntary community organization, has formed a committee to turn the area into a tax district. The committee, called the Riverside District Formation Committee, is working to form a tax district in the Riverside on Lake Zoar subdivision now served by the Riverside on Lake Zoar Association (ROLZA).

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Charter members of Christ the King Lutheran Church gathered in the sanctuary of the church on Mount Pleasant during the January 25 celebration of the 15th anniversary of the founding of the congregation. Among those present were Richard Peck, Eunice Peck, Elizabeth Estok, Helen Schipul, Sophie Cortes, Dorothy Mendeville, Elsie Ryan, Henry Wachsmuth, Paul Estok, the Rev Paul K. Koepchen, pastor; Mrs Louise Hubbell, Reinhilda Knopf, Betty Kaul and Eleanor Kaul.

January 26, 1951

The Church of the Epiphany, New York City, was the scene last Friday evening of the marriage of Frank L. Johnson of Newtown and Miss Edith Clayton of New York City. Rev Hugh McCandless officiated at the ceremony. Mr Johnson is a native of Newtown and is associated with the Newtown Savings Bank. Miss Clayton was born in Orange, N.J. She has been a visitor in Newtown and was an honor guest, with Mr Johnson, at a tea given by Mrs C. Walter Bounty and Mrs Frederick F. Johnson at the Bounty home last November. After a short honeymoon the couple is expected to arrive in Newtown this week-end.

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Patrons of the Newtown Water Company are asked to take note of the fact that, weather permitting, the water will be shut off for a short while on Tuesday, January 30, during the period of time required to cut in a new line leading from the main down Schoolhouse Hill. The shut-off will probably occur in the forenoon.

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Mr and Mrs Richard McCallister and daughter of Taunton District have gone to New York City for the rest of the winter months.

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Four Newtown young men were included in a group of 25 draftees and volunteers which left Danbury last Monday by bus to New Haven for induction into the United States Army. They were Lee W. Glover of Glover Avenue, James W. Crick of South Center District, and Lloyd Willcox of Newtown-Danbury road, who were volunteers, and Theodore Choka of the Botsford District. Brief ceremonies held under auspices of Draft Board No. 13 at the American Legion Home preceded their departure.

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Townspeople have responded to the request made by the Cyrenius H. Booth Library staff to unearth historical data pertaining to Newtown, and the collection is growing to that point where it is thought the exhibit will go on display about the first of February. Aimed at covering the period 1850-1925, or thereabouts, there is already assembled a collection of old photographs, handbills, pictures, advertising broadsides, papers, deeds and the like which should be of widespread interest in the present day.

January 29, 1926

HATTERTOWN: Thomas Perkins had the misfortune to fall and break his leg Monday forenoon. He was taken to the hospital in Bridgeport by his son, Hiram Perkins, where the leg was set by Dr Hawley. | Mrs Lucy M. Gillette of Milford has been the guest of Mrs Louisa Peck and C.D. Stillson. | The front axel of the Durant touring car owned by Julius Urbanovsky, broke, Sunday, while going over Strong’s hill.

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L.B. Beardsley of Monroe was a caller at The Bee office, Tuesday.

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NOTICE: The Board of Relief of the Town of Newtown will meet at the Brick building, Newtown street, February 1, 6 and 12, 1926, for the purpose of hearing appeals from the doings of the Board of Assessors. Richard Egan, Francis Kilbride, Patrick F. Keating, Board of Relief.

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A party of 40 Danbury people enjoyed a fine dinner at the Parker House, Monday night, in honor of the recent marriage of Hugh Shalvoy. A very fine dinner with such delicacies as turkey and rabbit with ice cream favors in the forms of pears, peaches and apples, was served by Mine Host Parker and greatly enjoyed.

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Postmaster Mr and Mrs Hervie Wheeler passed the week end in New York City.

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Russell Wheeler and Mrs Dorothy Wheeler of Westport were guests at H.W. Wheeler’s over Sunday.

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Mrs Frank Kaiser and daughter returned to their home in Taunton, Friday, from the Danbury hospital.

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Master Robert Fairchild, Jr., who has been ill for two weeks with grip and ear trouble, under the care of Dr Wight and the Danbury specialist, Dr Gordon, is slowly convalescing.

February 1, 1901

PROGRAM OF LECTURER’S HOUR. POOTATUCK GRANGE, NO. 129, P. OF H., NEWTOWN, CONN., 1901.—MEETINGS AT GRANGE HALL FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY EVENINGS OF EACH MONTH. January 15, Installation of officers. February 5, Paper relating to progression of past century, Mrs Ella M. Botsford. Song—From Grange Melodies, No. 169. Reading, Miss Sarah B. Minor. Solo, James B. Nichols. Selection from Will Carlton, Mrs F.H. Mitchell. How shall we plan our work to benefit the Grange the coming year? Charles M. Beresford. Reading, Miss Hattie Northrop.

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Mrs Sylvanus Damon of Chesterfield, Mass., a favorite aunt of Mrs A.P. Smith, died on Friday. The funeral was Sunday, the 27th. Chesterfield is one of the hill-towns of Western Massachusetts, a favorite resting place for city people.

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Austin Botsford and Arthur Platt passed a few days in New Haven, last week.

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Measles have invaded the home of Mr and Mrs George A. Northrop at the head of the Street, the daughter, May, being ill with the malady.

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The two eldest daughters of Mr and Mrs E.G. Lake are ill with the measles.

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Owing to the epidemic of measles in the North Center district, Principal McCarthy has been obliged to close his school for a week.

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 emailed 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.