October 5, 2001

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — A LESSON IN FEAR: A decision by Newtown Middle School Principal Diane Sherlock and eighth grade faculty to cancel an eighth grade field trip to Washington, D.C., and the Gettysburg battlefield has drawn criticism from some parents who believe their children are being deprived of a great educational opportunity. The September 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, D.C., have left everyone feeling a bit uncertain about how to apply the discretion/valor equation to their travel plans, so the confusion and questions that have arisen over Ms Sherlock’s decision were probably inevitable. … An old proverb says that fear makes the wolf bigger than he is. We should be careful not to let that wolf prey on our children’s confidence in their world.

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HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER of Pat Judd.

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The Board of Selectmen voted to recommend the creation of an eyesore ordinance to the Legislative Council Monday night. First Selectman Herb Rosenthal recently proposed the creation of an “eyesore” or blight ordinance which, if approved, would give the town the authority to remove eyesores such as junk cars and trash from residential property. Town Attorney David Grogins informed the selectmen that such an ordinance could legally be enacted.

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With recovery efforts continuing at “ground zero” in New York City in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Newtown community is still donating money to help support the volunteers and the victims’ families. Through various fundraising efforts, more than $100,000 has been collected so far.

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Members of The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN), Inc., recently presented Booth Library Director Janet Woycik with a selection of art books in appreciation for the use of the library earlier this year for SCAN’s Annual Spring Juried Art Show. Anyone with an interest in art is invited to make use of the new additions to the library’s shelves.

October 8, 1976

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — OUR WEEK: Everyone has his day and we just happen to be in the limelight this time. October 10 marks the beginning of National Newspaper Week and this seven-day period bows in with the slogan “Defend the First Amendment, Freedom of the Press, A Mandate from History.” We believe that many people are becoming dissatisfied with the press, based, for the most part, on the use of sensationalism to sell papers. … The Bee strives to bring to its readers fair and accurate reporting. We also try to be in all places at all times, a feat which is, of course, most unlikely. … We subscribe to the slogan of defending the first amendment. However, we believe that by living up to the standards set forth for The Bee we are doing just that every time we go to press. National Newspaper Week will not bring any more substance to a paper than already there. It merely gives us a time to toot our own horn and to remind all Americans that freedom of the press does not exist in this country for the benefit of the press, but rather for the benefit of the people.

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Newtown-Redding State Representative John Anderson, Democrat of the 106th Assembly District, was among incumbent state legislators included in a 1,000 page study by the Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG) released late last week. The study includes views performance of legislators who are seeking reelection on a number of issues ranging from utility rates to taxes to spending, and also included an overall rating and analysis of each legislator on 23 “key” issues identified by the CCAG in the consumer, environment and open government areas. Mr Anderson received a CCAG index score of 71 per cent in the last term.

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“There must be a million of them” was the reaction of one enthusiastic youngster when he was asked if he could tell how many gumballs were in the big glass jar on display, evenings, at the Edmond Town Hall Theatre. The gumball contest is a challenge to the movie goer and is announcing the film “Gumball Rally” in which the challenge is to finish first in a coast-to-coast, non-stop sports car race. … Though the film is rated (PG) which warns that “some material may not be suitable for pre-teens,” the “gumballs in the jar” contest is open to all comers, regardless of age.

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The Legislative Council has approved Town Counsel William Lavery’s recommendation that the exchange of land approved by the September 29 town meeting between the town and Loma Sand & Gravel be effected by means of a private land sale. The charter does not specifically provide for an exchange of land, but Mr Lavery’s opinion was the exchange could take place under the terms of a private sale.

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The Newtown flagpole has been sitting smack dab in the middle of Main Street before roads were paved and modern contrivances known as horse-less carriages were ever conceived. It is the town’s landmark, and yet modern times may have finally caught up with it, and some folks around think something should be done about it, claiming it is a traffic hazard to motorists who whisk by and around it merrily day in and day out. A while back the state was asked to do a traffic study of the flagpole to see if there was truly a problem posed by its unique location.

October 5, 1951

EDITORIAL INK DROPS — POST-ELECTION: The day following town election sprouts a crop of Monday morning quarterbacks. They will tell you the answers for the success of some candidates and the failure of others at the polls. Hindsight, as usual, is most illuminating. … It is obvious that the eyes of the people are on our local elected officials, all of whom, Democrats and Republicans alike, should realize that they have an obligation to the town in the performance of the duties of their respective offices. There will be constant problems facing them, as our population continues to grow. … With election now over for a full two years, that much time awaits Mr Dickinson and all others now in office, in which to vindicate in the people’s choice and confidence in them.

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In Newtown’s biennial election held on Monday of this week, A. Fen Dickinson, Democratic candidate for reelection as First Selectman, was returned to office by a vote of 1,394, more than double the 594 ballots cast for his Republican opponent, Ben Day Smith. Mr Dickinson poled more votes than any other candidate on the ballot and surpassed all straight ballots cast in his own party by an additional 625. Edward E. Knapp, Republican, with 989 votes, was elected a selectman and Anthony Amaral, Democrat, another selectman, with 965.

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The annual election of officers of the Newtown Fish and Game Club took place in St. Rose Hall last Friday night, with Joseph Samperi of Cold Spring Road elected president, and Joseph Soracco, Bridgeport, vice president. Rev John F. Culliton was unanimously reelected club secretary and Michael Rusinko treasurer. In view of his record in raising pheasants for the club, Frederick Seman was again named game commissioner.

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Town Players’ two night production of “Harvey,” Wednesday and Thursday evenings of last week at the Edmond Town Hall, drew a slim attendance in comparison to the audiences at other recent Town Players’ performances. Nor was the audience as enthusiastic about the play as might have been desired. There was, we think, some reason for it. … it seemed to this observer that the supporting members of the cast failed to equal the performance of the two leads. There was an apparent forgetfulness of lines in several instances, and the play failed to move with the ease and smoothness which has come to be expected of Town Players.

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Colonel Robert N. Mackin of Sugar Street has resigned his position as Civil Defense Director for the Fairfield County area, according to an announcement made last week by General William Hesketh, State Director, who has named Donal G. Murphy of Westport as his successor. Gen. Hesketh stated that Col. Mackin had resigned for reasons of health. He said he accepted Col. Mackin’s resignation “with deep regret” and lauded him for “the outstanding job he has done in organizing the Civil Defense program in Fairfield County.”

October 8, 1926

A crowd of 500 people, the largest of the season, gathered at the Baxter ball field, Sunday afternoon, to witness the game between “Bill” Egan’s Pennsylvania Red Caps and the Newtown nine. “Sparky” Griscom and Conger were the battery for the Newtown team. Griscom pitched a fine game and was well supported. … The Newtown nine went down to sad defeat by the tune of the old Bryan slogan, 16 to 1.

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On Monday evening at the pleasant home of Mrs M.F. Crowe, a variety shower was tendered Miss Margaret Crowe who becomes the bride of First Selectman Thomas F. Brew, on Tuesday next; 26 guests were present. Various games were enjoyed and a bounteous luncheon was served.

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The Danbury fair of 1926 has outdone previous exhibitions of the Danbury fair in many ways. The weather, Monday and Tuesday, was perfect. Monday’s attendance was a 1000 larger than 1925 and Tuesday’s crowd was the largest than on any previous Tuesday in 20 years. The Hartford Courant won’t like this, when we say the Danbury fair is the largest and best fair held in the state. It is.

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A mission is in progress in St Rose’s church during this week. It is being preached by Father Ledwith of the La Salette Fathers of Hartford. Large crowds are attending morning and evening and they are enthused over the eloquence of the missionary Father. Even from the most distant farms the people are making an effort to attend because they realize that a mission is not an everyday occurrence.

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HATTERTOWN PERSONAL CHAT: Mrs Emma Booth of Bridgeport has been spending a week with Mrs Eugene Northop. | Mr and Mrs E.W. Northrop and son, Russell, of Stamford, and Mr and Mrs E.C. Northrop of Monroe were guests, Sunday, of their parents, Mr and Mrs Eugene Northrop. | Mr and Mrs Henry Morgan of Amagansett, L.I., arrived here, last week, and are now settled in their new home, the former Crofutt place.

October 11, 1901

S.R. Hill, one of New Milford’s esteemed and popular citizens, was a caller at The Bee office on Monday.

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Among the passengers on the afternoon train, Friday, was Dr L.J. Pons, Roxbury’s skilled and popular physician, who was on his way to Milford to pass a few days. He said he was gratified to see The Bee improving from year to year.

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Miss Mary N. Hawley has entered St Margaret’s school at Waterbury.

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Mr and Mrs Harry Brubach of Toledo, O., were guests over Sunday of Mr and Mrs Edgar Northrop.

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D.C. Peck left on Wednesday for the Pan-American exposition.

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The Midway gang are a feature of the Newtown show this year. There are more of them than ever before, and they have a greater variety of catch-penny services to trap the unwary visitor. Glib of tongue they exercise a persuasive power that brings many coins to their palms. … Add to these a host of fakirs, with knife games, in which these articles are offered as prizes, and other games in which tempting prizes are shown, a lot of “all hot” venders, two or three dining tents, and a diversity of others, and you have Newtown’s “Midway.” Judging from the army of fakirs the Newtown fair is gaining in reputation as a profitable place.—[A.B. Underwood in Bridgeport Farmer.

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Robert B. Hawley, a prominent citizen of Amesbury, Mass., died at his residence in that city on September 13, after an illness of about six months. Mr Hawley was born at Newtown, 64 years and four months ago. … Many magnificent floral remembrances testified to the esteem in which the deceased was held by his fellow townsmen. Mr Hawley leaves a widow, one son and a daughter.

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 and details 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.