March 23, 2001

HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Jim Shpunt.

* * * * *

While driving a police patrol car up Main Street toward the flagpole mid-afternoon Thursday, March 15, police patrol officer Chris Vadas looked to the left and saw plumes of dark smoke billowing up from behind the landmark yellow house at 17 Main Street, known to many as the Smith-Scudder House. Deciding that such a volume of smoke was unusual, Officer Vadas pulled into the driveway of the house, got out of the car and realized the smoke was not coming from a cookout or a fireplace. The house was on fire. Officer Vadas reported the blaze, calling for firefighters. … Newtown Hook and Ladder, Sandy Hook, Botsford, and Hawleyville firefighters responded to the fire. There were no reported injuries.

* * * * *

The results from the 2000 census began trickling in this week and when it comes to Newtown, the numbers prove what most townspeople already knew. Newtown was the fasted growing community in the area and one of the fastest growing in the state for its size. According to figures released this week by the US Census Bureau, Newtown’s population surpassed the 25,000-person mark last year after experiencing a 20.5 percent increase in population during the 1990s.

* * * * *

Understanding the history of the 18th Century can sometimes be difficult for students since times have changed and reading from a textbook sometimes does not fulfill the vision of what life was life. At Newtown Middle School on Friday ... students were able to see first hand how Loyalist soldiers lived and fought during the Revolutionary War. Two Loyalist soldiers entered the classroom reenacting orders and style from the DeLancey Brigade Second Battalion of the Revolutionary War. Richard Jenkins and Jack Frost brought the middle school students back to 1776, the year the war began.

* * * * *

Jury selection in the trial of two men charged with the July 1999 Sandy Hook murder of 15-year-old Jason Gowdy is scheduled to start Tuesday, March 27, in Danbury Superior Court. Assistant State’s Attorney Devin Stilson, the prosecutor in the case, said this week picking a 12-person jury for the trial of the two defendants may take a week or more. Several alternate jurors will be chosen.

* * * * *

In Week #14 of Newtown Health & Fitness Club’s Women’s Basketball League, Kerler Burton’s Sherri Baggett scored a season-high 24 points against Newtown Amoco — but it wasn’t enough to thwart another win by Amoco, which went on to a 72-52 victory. Nancy Bowen scored 16 for Kerler Burton and Amy Mangola added 12. Denise Brough and Carolyn Schreiber led Amoco with 24 points each with Schreiber also grabbing eight rebounds.

March 19, 1976

For anyone passing by the intersection of Route 6 and 25 in Hawleyville on Sunday morning, it was a spectacular sight to see four volunteer fire companies at the scene of a blazing fire which leveled an old home and adjacent hotel in a matter of a few short hours. What was going on was not the usual battle to save a home, but rather a drill to destroy one — right down to the ground. The morning’s work was all set up ahead of time and well-planned, and the buildings were torched by the chief of the Hawleyville Fire Company, Frank Johnson.

* * * * *

After a February 20 meeting with the applicant, the Planning & Zoning Commission sent revised plans for a mining application for 12.5 acres of land, located on Cold Spring Road and Route 25, to its engineering consultants for review. Flaherty-Giavara Associates this week sent back its recommendations on the plans to P&Z, and Zoning Enforcement Officer Robert Ratchford has sent the suggestions raised by the consultants on to the applicant, Antonino Samperi, William Street, Bridgeport.

* * * * *

Nineteen entries were received in The Bee’s Bicentennial Drawing Contest for high school students, and the winning entries, judged by several members of The Bee staff, have been announced. First prize goes to Jay Grell of New Preston, a sophomore at Shepaug Valley High School. Jay’s winning entry was a finely detailed and excellently rendered pen and ink incorporating a colonial log cabin, a Revolutionary War soldier, an eagle, two flags, a ship, an Indian, a drum, the Washington monument, and the Liberty Bell.

* * * * *

At Plainville High School on Saturday, March 13, NHS wrestler Pete Meier became the first Indian to capture an Open State Championship title, placing first in the 188 pound class. Elated by this accomplishment, Pete later said it was the greatest feeling in the world, perhaps the happiest moment of his life. He also noted that it was a big relief to finish the 4-month season and a definite plus to end it a winner. In attaining the state title Pete pinned Bob Caron of Ledyard, a wrestler he had twice lost to previously.

* * * * *

The nation’s first Girl Scout, Mrs Daisy Gordon Lawrence, now a resident of Buckingham Gardens in Newtown, was honored by area Girl Scouts Friday, March 12, the 64th birthday of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. A “Flames of Freedom” luncheon took place at the Stony Hill Inn, and Mrs Lawrence, niece of the Girl Scout founder, Juliette Gordon Low, was presented with a special gift: a parchment scroll containing 1,171 signatures of members of the 1975 National Convention. Signatures were obtained at the Washington, D.C., convention last October, representing 313 Girl Scout Councils from Florida to Alaska.

March 16, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — BETTER LIGHTS, BETTER BOROUGH: There is a note of real civic pride in the article on this page, giving an account of the installation of new self-operating street lights in the Town of Washington. Mingled with our feeling of gladness for the people of that town is, we must admit, a touch of envy that the Borough of Newtown does not accomplish the same thing. To be sure, the present street lights in the Borough fill a useful purpose and are missed when they occasionally do not function. Yet, from the standpoint of illuminating efficiency and attractiveness of appearance they are extremely antediluvian.

* * * * *

Mrs David W. Clark, wife of Dr David Clark, and co-worker with him at the Mission of the Good Shepherd on the Navajo Indian reservation in Wyoming, was guest speaker at the meeting of the Woman’s Auxiliary of Trinity Episcopal Church held last Thursday afternoon in the church social rooms. Because of the prominence of the speaker, guests were present from neighboring towns and from the Women’s Federation of the Congregational Church.

* * * * *

At a meeting of the Newtown Ambulance Association board of directors held Monday night in the selectmen’s office plans for a fund raising campaign for the new ambulance to start in the near future received approval. The fund-raising group composed of First Selectman A. Fenn Dickinson, Association President Harry F. Greenman, Mrs Ralph L. Knibloe and Anthony Amaral selected 38 volunteer workers who will solicit homes and business houses in Newtown March 30 and 31. Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh was appointed director of public information.

* * * * *

With several grass fires in Newtown already reported in the high fire-danger month of March, Vincent P. Gaffney, District Fire Warden, reports that beginning March 15 radio stations in Hartford, Bridgeport, Danbury and New Haven are giving daily reports on the degree of danger for the day. Permits are required, Mr Gaffney states, by all persons excepting those residing in the borough, and that all are responsible for suppression costs and for damage to property of others. Permits may be had from Mr Gaffney and from Deputy Fire Wardens Samuel Nezvesky in the Hattertown District and Henry Wachsmuth, Dodgingtown District.

* * * * *

The Drum Corps met as usual Tuesday evening at the firehouse and rehearsed its new numbers and brushed up on the old ones in preparation for the coming season. This year the corps plans to concentrate more on competition than on parade work which means hard practice and attendance at every rehearsal. Participation in carnivals and street parades will continue on a smaller scale.

March 19, 1926

Close to 500 people packed the Town hall on Wednesday evening to enjoy the pleasing play, “An Irish Eden.” The play was well received and applause during the entire show spoke well of the careful training given the players by the director Rev W.H. Kennedy, and assistant, Rev Francis Murphy. The stage was tastefully decorated with green and white crepe paper and presented a very attractive appearance. Between the acts the Kennedy sisters entertained with novelty songs and dancing, which was greatly enjoyed.

* * * * *

It was a disappointment that Rev Dr Reilly, rector of St Thomas’, Bethel, was unable to come and preach in Trinity this Wednesday. Dr Reilly was kept at home by the illness of the clergyman who was scheduled to preach for him on the same evening.

* * * * *

At the adjourned annual town meeting on Saturday afternoon, Borough Warden A.T. Nettleton was made chairman and Judge Oscar Pitzschler did the honors as clerk. The business was quickly dispatched. The recommendation of the Board of Finance was followed. A vote was passed authorizing the selectmen to borrow the sum of $12,000 from the Newtown Savings Bank until such time as the taxes on the list of 1925 become due and payable.

* * * * *

Mrs James Egan is ill with pneumonia in Norwalk. She was taken ill there while on a visit.

* * * * *

Six boxes blue tip matches 28c at Morris & Shepard’s.—Adv.

* * * * *

Miss May Egan of Bridgeport passed Sunday with friends in Sandy Hook.

* * * * *

While driving at a rather fast pace for turning the corner, at the flag pole, on Monday night, Frank Hopkins, Jr., ran on to the steep bank on the south side of the road. Borough Tax Collector P.H. Gannon, coming with a pail of milk, tried to get out of his way and climbed up to the bank. As it was he was struck in the ankle and slightly injured. R.W. Tiemann, E.S. Pitzschler and others helped in pulling the car back into the road, which was not injured.

March 22, 1901

Edward Keane of Hanover has accepted a position in Bridgeport with the Bridgeport Traction Co.

* * * * *

Miss Mary Finnell of Bridgeport is visiting her mother, Mrs John Finnell, in Hanover.

* * * * *

Thomas Quinlivan has accepted a position in West Cornwall.

* * * * *

Andrew C. Moore was in Stratford, last week, passing a few days with relatives.

* * * * *

On her return from New York Mrs Flansburgh passed a few days with her daughter, Mrs J.S. Hall, in Ansonia. Mrs Flansburgh returned to Newtown on Saturday.

* * * * *

The editor of the Vindicator (Rutherfordton, N.C.) has had occasion to test the efficacy of Chamberlain’s Pain Balm twice with remarkable results in each case. First, with rheumatism in the shoulder from which he suffered excruciating pain for ten days, which was relieved with two applications of Pain Balm, rubbing the parts afflicted and realizing instant benefit and entire relief in a very short time. Second, in rheumatism in thigh joint, almost prostrating him with severe pain, which was relieved by two applications, rubbing with the liniment on retiring at night and getting up free from pain. For sale by R.H. Beers & Co., Newtown; Taylor, Curtis & Co., Sandy Hook; W.N. Hurd, Long Hill; A.B. Fancher, Hawleyville; A.B. Blakeman, Botsford.

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.