April 27, 2001

EDITORIAL INK DROPS: FAIRFIELD HILLS — TRADING FACTS FOR CONCEPTS: Newtown’s leaders have a problem: How do you argue persuasively for something about which you know very little? Newtown’s selectmen and Legislative Council have decided that it is so important to present the proposed 5/6 school and the proposed purchase of Fairfield Hills to the voters in tandem, that they are willing to abandon the normal process of presenting all the facts and figures associated with their plans up front, before the vote.

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HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Robert Hall.

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Longtime Newtown resident Lindell Hertberg has made a significant and timely offer to the town that should prove very hard to refuse. This week, it was announced that Mr Hertberg planned to donate $500,000 towards the construction of a new recreational facility for the town. A longtime coach of youth basketball and softball, Mr Hertberg has seen the increasing need for improved facilities, especially gym space. His offer, which has been on the table privately for nearly two years, was announced publicly for the first time at Wednesday night’s Legislative Council hearing.

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The smoke from the muskets filtered around the three men who arrived at the Newtown Middle School to set up camp as if they were going to battle in the Civil War. Middle school eighth graders journey to Gettysburg and Washington, D.C., this week to learn about the Civil War and other chapters of our nation’s history. In preparation for that, Victor Scalora, Bob Graves and Mark Hubina from the Second Connecticut Heavy Artillery, based in Woodbury, brought something of the Civil War experience right to the students’ playground at school.

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The Board of Selectmen has voted to spend as much as $32,700 for further environmental testing at Fairfield Hills. The selectmen made the decision following a 30-minute executive session at last week’s meeting in which First Selectman Herb Rosenthal reportedly gave the group an update on his negotiations over the sale of the campus.

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The Town of Newtown is like a lot of typical households around town. Over time, unwanted stuff builds up and takes up space, and like many householders, the town holds a tag sale each spring to dispose of it all. And as the old saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Last week, the annual “Newtown Tag Sale” took place at the highway department on Turkey Hill Road and people came from all around to bid on a number of different items. There were copy machines and tractors, chairs, desks, lawn mowers, and plows. The town even sold off an old television set, a mirror, and a couple of old paintings.

April 23, 1976

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — ONE THIRD INTO THE BICENTENNIAL YEAR: By the end of next week, one third of our Bicentennial year will be a thing of the past. To some people this is good news, for in talking to many town residents we have found that they have become tired of being buy-centennialed. Mail campaigns, radio and television — all are working hard at trying to sell a product which is only good for one year and which will then make a desperate attempt at becoming a desired collectible in years to come. … On the other hand, there is a very active body which is moving all over this country seeking out things to do. … Earlier in the year we wrote in this column that we believed Newtown’s celebration and part in the Bicentennial year looked dim, and that outlook does not seem to brighten. … We do not believe that, outside of some hard-working people behind the scenes, the Bicentennial has become very infectious in Newtown. Beyond some flags in the center of town, an event or two in the Town Clerk’s office, possibly a tri-cornered hat, and programs in the schools which seldom spread beyond the students, there is little evidence of a celebration. But there is still time, and what we probably need is a Paul Revere to ride through the streets spreading enthusiasm, not just appealing for funds.

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On a sunny knoll swept by an “eternal breeze,” a group of smiling people gathered Tuesday, April 20, for the official groundbreaking ceremony of Nunnawauk Meadows, an elderly housing project off Nunnawauk Road. Even though earth has been moved and foundations poured, three dignitaries — Rep John Anderson, First Selectman Jack Rosenthal and Newtown Housing for the Elderly President Stanley Main — gamely turned shovelfuls of dirt. Joseph Callafiori, president of Alca Construction Company which is doing the construction, and Richard Donohoe, project architect, were also among the honored attendees.

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The Legislative Council in a relatively short two-hour meeting April 21, wound up its deliberations and approved, 13-5, a total town budget for 1976-77 of $10,913,697.13. Last year’s total town approved budget was $9,949,943.30. Of this year’s proposal the adjusted Board of Selectmen’s budget is $3,633,383.13; the Board of Education’s budget, $7,280,314. Last year the selectmen got $3,307,508.30 and the schools $6,642,435.

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“Nobody tells anybody anything,” was the sentiment grumbled by financial director William Hanlon in discussing the Hawley roof brouhaha which arose on two days after the Legislative Council accepted a bid Monday night from the Barrett-Nonpariel Company of $16,540 to put a new asphalt roof on the Hawley school. The roof will replace the existing slate one which is in bad repair and has caused a safety problem with the slates slipping off because their steel pinnings have rotted out.

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At its regular monthly business meeting the Town Hall Board of Managers unanimously voted to set the movie admission at $1 for all seats at all of its shows. In expectation of larger audiences the board also unanimously adopted a movie schedule allowing for two shows — 7 and 9 pm — each evening except Thursdays, which will remain an “open” night. Two matinee shows will also be scheduled for every Saturday — 1:30 and 3 pm. The price and schedule changes take effect Friday, April 23, when the theater presents John Wayne and Katharine Hepburn in “Rooster Cogburn.”

April 20, 1951

Among the League of Women Voters members meeting on Tuesday for the Biennial State Council session were Mrs James Morrison of New London and Miss Katherine Luddington of Old Lyme, two charter members of the league who have worked untiringly to advance league policies; Mrs George A. Wulp, West Hartford, president of the Connecticut League; and Mrs Herman H. deVries, Newtown, president of the local league.

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As one of its community projects during the current year, the Lions Club of Newtown undertook to repair and repaint the signs that greet the traveling public entering Newtown by the main highways, and, when leaving, to cheerfully invite the traveler to return. This project was originally accomplished by the local Chamber of Commerce, the organization that put up the signs in the first place. Since the group no longer functions, the signs were permitted to fall into disrepair. On Saturday afternoon, April 14, the signs were restored, fully repaired and repainted, and considerable ceremony attended the installation at the six approaches to Newtown.

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Warden Henry L. McCarthy was renominated as candidate for the office of warden at the borough caucus held in the Alexandria Room of the Edmond Town Hall last Thursday night. Other candidates were renominated as follows: May E. Sullivan, clerk; William Hunter and Walter L. Glover, burgesses; Walter A. Reynolds, treasurer; Charles F. Cavanaugh, collector of taxes; John A. Carlson and Charles M. Goodsell, assessors; Frederic H. Duncombe and Joseph F. Hellauer, board of tax review; Judge Paul V. Cavanaugh, fire inspector; John A. Carlson, pound keeper; and William Hunter, registrar of voters. Edward F. Wight and William A. Honan, Jr. were also nominated as fire inspectors.

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A triple wedding anniversary celebration was held at the Cedar Heights View, Hawleyville, home of Mr and Mrs Paul M. Feli last Sunday, when Mr and Mrs Feli, who were celebrating their eleventh anniversary, entertained at a party for Mr and Mrs Everitt Becker and son, Lowell, of Katonah, N.Y.; the Rev and Mrs Stanley Carey and children of Danbury; Mr and Mrs Edwin Cooper or New York City, and Frances Pauline, Paul M. and Ethelyn Feli. Mr and Mrs Becker were celebrating their 20th anniversary and Rev and Mrs Carey their 15th. Mr and Mrs Feli held open house in the afternoon for a few friends and neighbors.

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The annual dinner of the Newtown Bowling League was held in Glen Lodge, Sandy Hook, Tuesday evening, with a steak dinner being served to nearly 80 members and guests. Barton Carmody, secretary of the league, served as master of ceremonies. Nicholas DiSesa was elected president; William Shepard, vice president; and Kenneth Casey, secretary-treasurer. Prizes were awarded to the top bowlers of the past season.

April 23, 1926

A meeting of the Newtown School Committee was held at the Hawley school on Friday evening, April 16. All the members were present. The following matters were discussed: 1. Purchase of curtain for Assembly hall. 2. Employment of teachers for 1926-27. 3. Revision of schedule for opening and closing (all schools) to take effect Monday, April 26: Morning session begin 8.30. Morning session close 11.30. Afternoon session begin 12. Afternoon session close 2.30, Hawley. Afternoon session close 3, rural schools. Religious instruction (High school), Monday p.m., 2.30 to 3. Religious instruction (Hawley Grades) Friday p.m., 2.30 to 3.

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It is a source of much gratification to their Newtown friends to know that there has recently been added to the directorate of the City National Bank of Bridgeport, a native of Newtown, John M. Otis, president of the Farmers’ & Mechanics Bank of Bridgeport. Mr Otis was elected to the vacancy caused by the death of L.S. Catlin. The City National also counts among its officials another native of Newtown, Henry B. Terrill, who is cashier and a director of the bank. It is a pleasure to record the advancement of Newtown’s sons.

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Oscar Dikeman, one of the old time merchants of New Haven, later a paper manufacturer, and still later a dealer in commercial paper on a large scale in New York city, died, Thursday morning. He had recently undergone an operation and seemed to be on the road to recovery from it but pneumonia set in and his weakened condition could not stand the strain of the double attack. Mr and Mrs Dikeman had spent the winter at 382 Whitney avenue, but they had a country home in Newtown, near his birthplace and where he spent his boyhood days and where in his later years he passed many pleasant hours.

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Robert Logan, Sr, of Taunton was quite ill, last week, under the care of Dr G.D. Wight of Bethel.

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Robert D. Fairchild has purchased a Fairbanks-Morse gas engine of Tucker Brothers of Easton.

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Mrs S.A. Blackman, who has spent the winter in St. Petersburg, Fla., has returned. She passed a week with her son, Frank Blackman, in Bridgeport, and a week with Mr and Mrs C.S. Blackman of Newtown, before returning to her home in Hawleyville.

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Lowell’s fertilizer, Maine seed potatoes, garden seeds in packages and bulk, timothy, red top and clover seed.—Corbett & Crowe. Adv.

April 26, 1901

Last Friday evening, the Academy boys gave an informal dance to the graduates and former members of the school, in the main room of the Academy building. The floor had been cleaned and waxed; Edward Pitzschler had decorated the black boards with colored drawings of birds, flags, etc. At about 8.30 the program, with three or four extras, was begun, Miss Platt, Miss Morris, Miss Mabel Taylor, Mr Gardner, Mr Wright and Mr Clark taking turns in furnishing the music.

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A very quiet but pretty wedding occurred at St Rose’s church, last Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m., when Miss Anna E. Haugh, daughter of Michael Haugh of Sandy Hook, and George E. Lynch of New York were united in marriage. The bride was attended by her cousin, Miss Abbie J. Phelps of Botsford, while a brother of the bride, John Haugh, acted as best man. The bride was attired in a very pretty shade of brown granite suiting cut en train, trimmed in white mousseline de soie. The bridesmaid’s costume was of blue granite suiting trimmed in white India silk. … The happy couple left on the 6.20 train for New York, where they will reside.

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The Newtown Library Association has received a very handsome gift from Mrs Oscar Dikeman of 25 books [some of which follow]: “William Shakespeare, poet dramatist and man,” by Hamilton W. Mabie. “The Rulers of the South,” two volumes, by F. Marion Crawford. “Great Pictures,” edited by Esther Singleton. “Literary Friends and Acquaintances,” W.D. Howells. “Up from Slavery,” autobiography, by Booker T. Washington. “Nature’s Miracles,” in three volumes, by Elisha Gray.

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The April meeting of the Men’s club was held on Monday night at the Grand Central, Ex-Senator Houlihan being the host. The annual election of officers took place with the following result: President, Robert H. Beers; vice president, E.L. Johnson; secretary and treasurer, P.H. McCarthy. It was announced the annual ladies’ night of the club would be held on May 8 at the Grand Central hotel. Mrs Leonard Smith of Bethel, an elocutionist, has been engaged for the evening.

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Dr A.L. Schuyler, Dr Smith’s successor, drove his team from Bantam to Newtown on Thursday last, coming via Bethlehem and Woodbury. He will buy the black horse belonging to Dr Smith. Barney Kelly, Dr Smith’s capable man, will remain in the employ of Dr Schuyler.

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.