February 15, 1991

Newtown is one of seven towns along the Iroquois pipeline route targeted to receive thousands of dollars for open space preservation through a first-time ever land enhancement program. The so-called "good neighbor" funding allowances will total a minimum of $7 million, all to be awarded at the discretion of an independent advisory committee.

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In March of 1990, three months before they graduated from Newtown High School, five youths made a pact. Kevin L. Hart, Paul E. Karvosky, Peter Gottmeier, Lawrence B. Fischer III, and Raymond A. Corbo all agreed they'd join the Marines. All but Kevin entered boot camp in July. Kevin went in August. Although the five didn't know there would be a Persian Gulf war after they'd join the Marines, Mrs Hart said, "They're all doing fine." Paul, Peter, Lawrence, and Raymond each graduated from boot camp at Parris Island, SC, on October 12, 1990. Kevin graduated November 21, 1990.

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The Legislative Council's ordinance committee has developed a proposed ordinance for the discharge of firearms in town. Later, a public hearing will be scheduled on the ordinance, and then the council would vote on it. Pierre Rochman, chairman of the ordinance committee, said the ordinance "is in response to concerns from citizens about shootings in town which may endanger bystanders. This ordinance gives law enforcement officials the tools necessary to control unauthorized carrying, possession, and discharge of firearms."

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Coach Owen Gallagher and his Newtown High School girl's basketball team went on a tear last week, and it was none too soon. "I have some good news and some bad news," coach Gallagher told his girls after whipping up on Warren Harding, 62-43. "The good news is… we made the states. The bad news is… now you have to practice over vacation." Somehow, the bad news wasn't so hard to swallow.

February 18, 1966

After months of research and investigation of various types of construction, the Newtown Park and Recreation Commission has announced that a contract for the construction of a pavilion of natural wood in the A. Fenn Dickinson Memorial Park has been signed with John C. Stefanko of Sandy Hook. The building, 40 by 88 feet, is expected to be completed by June 1. The contract, however, does not call for the construction of lavatories at this time. The original plan for the pavilion was designed by Mrs Nina Blake for Huntingtown Road. The pavilion fund now stands at approximately $9,000, according to William A. Honan, chairman.

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Boy Scouts from Troop 270 arrived at the Newtown High School at 10 am last Saturday and set up a typical camp and display for townspeople to see. Scout Bill Wadleigh prepared and cooked a camp meal for lunch time, and the boys demonstrated many of their Scouting skills.

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This winter the Town Players, for the first time in its many years, is opening its recently enlarged theatre with a Children's Theatre production. This production, especially prepared for a grade school audience, is Town Player's first attempt to acquaint Newtown's very young with living theatre.

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It's a new book now, Bryna Ivens Untermeyer's

Memoir for Mrs Sullavan, and the chances are good that it will be "new" for many years to come, as new readers discover it. For this charming yet thoroughly realistic small book about a feline member of the Untermeyer family will have cat people purring in competition with their pets. There will be an advance autographing party at Eleanor Bancrost Trampler's Country Book Store on Saturday, February 26, with the publisher as co-host. Mrs Untermeyer will be there from 4 o'clock on to sign her book and meet her friends. The book store is in the rear of the Chase Building, just above the flagpole in Newtown.

February 14, 1941

The A&P Store on Main street closed on Monday for alterations. New floors were laid by Joseph Collins and the interior redecorated by James Nelson. The store will be closed again on next Monday, February 17, at which time modern fixtures will be installed.

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Five members of the Senior choir of the Congregational church with their leader, Miss Agatha Canfield, and Rev Paul Cullens, attended Saturday's matinee performance of Richard Wagner's opera, "Tristan and Isolde," at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. This very dramatic work of Wagner's was music enjoyed by the local singing club.

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Anything which can bind together the nations of the world into a common purpose and create a common mind for even one day is of importance. The World Day of Prayer, the first Friday in Lent, will be observed on February 28, in 51 countries, and in more than ten thousand separate services in the United States alone. For the first time there will be such a union service in Newtown. A committee composed of women from Trinity, St John's, the Methodist and the Congregational churches is arranging details.

February 18, 1916

N. Searles Light, a representative of the State Board of Education, met the members of the Newtown Board of School Visitors, in private session at the Newtown High school building on Friday afternoon, presenting to them a survey of the conditions of the Newtown schools as the result of his recent visits. On the part of the State Board this body wants to know what the town has done with the funds entrusted to the town for the cause of education. Mr Light then took up the condition of each local district school and made specific recommendations. The meeting adjourned for a time so that Mr Light could address the teachers of the public schools who had assembled. For an hour or more he talked to them in a practical way on school problems.

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About ten of our popular young people went to the dance of the Dodgingtown Fire Co. on Monday night and enjoyed the evening and part of the next morning. Some over danced and seemed somewhat weary the next day.

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St John's Parish: On Friday evening the congregation of St John's will hold the sociable, which was postponed from last week. All the members and friends of the members are cordially invited to attend. If you have a costume of "Ye olden tyme" wear it in commemoration of Washington's birthday. But it is not required. There will be entertainment and refreshments.

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As the milk truck did not run, Sunday morning, owing to the heavy snowfall, E.S. Lovell, with a span of horses and a sled, took a big load of milk from the Four Corners at the foot of the Borough hill, to Stepney. It was a slow and tedious trip. One of W.C. Johnson's teams also took down 25 or 30 cans, which usually goes on the Stowe truck.