* * *

A recommendation that the Orchard Hill property tract be nominated for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places “as a significant industrial archaeological resource” is included in a comprehensive feasibility study by Huntingtown Road resident George W. Adams. Following through on his offer of two months ago, Mr Adams, a consulting engineer, presented the study to the Parks and Recreation Commission Tuesday might at no cost to the town. Over the past several months the property has been coveted both by sports groups wanting to develop it for ball fields and nearby residents preferring to preserve it as a nature area.

* * *

A hot weekend followed by severe thunderstorms kept people uncomfortable or literally in the dark over the last week. The thunderstorm Monday night caused a power outage lasting for nearly six hours for some CL&P customers. Meteorologist Pete Bergman said that last weekend’s weather set all sorts of records both in the state and the northeast. The summer, on a whole, was the second hottest in records, which go back to 1946.

* * *

The Newtown Boosters recently purchased a videotape camera and recorder for Newtown High’s athletic department from the Video Movie Corner in Newtown. The top of the line Canon unit has such features as slow motion, stop action, frame by frame advance and audio dubbing. The Boosters also purchased a tripod and AC adapter.

* * *

Firemen really had a stinging problem on their hands over the past weekend. A dead ash tree on Tunnel Road mysteriously caught fire and putting out the fire provided some anxious moments for the firefighters, who made four trips to complete the job. Presenting a problem were swarming bees which prevented firemen from getting close to the source. On Sunday morning at 12:16, with so much dead wood the fire started up again. Then at 3:51 am the same problem cropped up. Shortly after dawn, Newtown Police Lt Michael Fekete was summoned with his beekeeping suits, accompanied by tree expert John Mead, who felled the tree. “The bees really took off, and your guess is as good as mine where they went,” the Hawleyville Asst Chief said.

* * *

The Booth Library will be closed from Monday, September 19, through Friday, September 23, to allow workmen to complete heavy masonry work which must be done to the building during fire code compliance renovations. Librarian Janet Woycik said no books will be due that week so patrons needn’t worry about being charged extra fines.

September 19, 1958

Considerable activity has taken place the past two weeks at the site of the former Liberty Garage at the foot of Mt Pleasant. The old building has been completely demolished and footings are being put in for the service station which is being erected by the California Oil Marketers of Bridgeport, subsidiary of the Michael Hoffman Fuel Company of Bridgeport, owners of the property. Plans call for the building to be of Colonial design with brick face and white trim.

* * *

A large turnout of parishioners, townspeople and out of town friends attended the dedication of exercises of the new St Rose School and Convent, located on Church Street, Sunday afternoon, at 3:30 o’clock, when Rt Rev Bishop Lawrence J. Shehan, DD, of the Bridgeport Diocese officiated. Leaving the church, the procession marched to the convent where Bishop Shehan set the cornerstone, then entering the building, blessed the rooms. The procession continued to the school where the Bishop set the cornerstone and blessed all the classrooms.

* * *

M. Frederic Rees was elected as chairman of the Board of Education on Wednesday evening to replace Nelson G. Curtis whose resignation was announced earlier in the week. Mr Rees has been a member of the Board since October 1955 and since that time has served as secretary.

* * *

The Silliman Company of Bridgeport has brought action in Supreme Court in Bridgeport seeking a permanent injunction against the town of Newtown, based on the constitutionality of Chapter 44 of the state statutes. The permanent injunction sought by the Silliman Company would prevent interference by the town with its plan for the construction of a gravel processing plant at Botsford Depot.

* * *

At the monthly meeting of the Newtown Park Commission held last Thursday in the Selectman’s Office in Edmond Town Hall it was decided that Dickinson Memorial Park would remain open until the first of December. During the winter when the pond is safe for ice skating, it will be open with a constable in charge. A brief report on the summer season indicated that both facilities and personnel arrangements have been highly satisfactory.

* * *

In about one month since taking effect, Newtown’s zoning regulations face a contest for survival. A special town meeting, called on petition, has been scheduled for Friday evening, September 26, at 8 o’clock in Edmond Town Hall to weigh the future of zoning. In sampling public opinion since the petition was filed, The Bee has found that townspeople are almost unanimously opposed to any action to rescind zoning at the present time.

 

September 15, 1933

STATEMENT BY WILLIAM M. STRONG Regarding His Dismissal From The Position Of Librarian Of The Cyrenius H. Booth Library, Newtown, Connecticut: My silence at this time would be construed as not only acquiescing in the action taken by the Trustees of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library on Tuesday, September 6, but in accepting it as at all fair… I have served the Library since my election December 17, 1931… I have not been remiss in courtesy and friendliness in freely and fully serving the public… No one of the Board of Trustees had voiced any basic criticism or sought to find my point of view about any basic library matter… A better description of the action taken would be to say not that I was dismissed but that I was crucified to please pettiness and jealousy.

* * *

The residence of Gilmer Siler is resplendent in a new dress of white paint. George G. Canfield, local painter and decorator has the work in charge.

* * *

Martin J. McGrath, proprietor of the Hawleyville Garage on the Danbury-Newtown State road, whose home is at 13 Home Place, Danbury, who was burned while fighting the fire at the Village Barn roadhouse in Hawleyville on July 23, has been discharged by his physician. He underwent treatment for 51 days and was confined to the Danbury hospital for five weeks.

* * *

The Board of Trustees of the Newtown Savings Bank have declared a semi-annual dividend of two per cent payable October 1, 1933. This is at the rate of four per cent per annum. This makes the 156th consecutive dividend paid by this bank. Its 78th annual statement will appear in The Bee, October 6.

* * *

At a special meeting of Trinity Parish on Monday evening it was unanimously voted to extend a call to Rev William G. Wright to become its rector. Mr Wright has been for a number of years curate at St Paul’s church, New Haven, where he has been popular with all, both young and old. He is married and has a child. It is expected if Mr Wright accepts the call that he will begin work here about November 1.

* * *

In a hectic battle before an enthusiastic audience, last Sunday, the Newtown Yankees humbled and humiliated the Sandy Hook Giants in an 11 inning game, eventually winning, 7-6. Backed by some flashy infielding, still flashier outfielding and a larger crowd, Marvin McGuire displayed his pitching talents to the “bestest” advantage, keeping the Giants’ hits well scattered and himself pushing the Yankees on to victory.

 

September 18, 1908

DANBURY FAIR THE GREAT INSTITUTION TO CELEBRATE ITS FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY THIS FALL The Danbury fair is steadily going ahead. It is a good fair every year. It has an immense patronage and holds the esteem of everybody. It has character and backbone. It has enterprise and wears well. It is no wonder its exhibits increase and its attendance multiplies. The fortieth annual will be held this fall, October 6 to 10. There is no doubt it will be larger than any of its predecessors, for the Danbury fair is growing by leaps and bounds.

* * *

O.E. Morgan is now running his cider mill at Hattertown every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday. No waiting. Take your apples and bring home your cider.

 

* * *

The private school at the High school building opened, Monday with Miss Florence Ashcroft of Codersport, Pa., as teacher. Ten pupils were enrolled, but more are expected later.

* * *

WANTED — A home for a sturdy 12-year-old German boy. Apply to Carl Imhoff, Huntingtown District, Newtown, Conn. NOTICE — Will make cider every Saturday until further notice. L.A. Bourquenez, Botsford, Conn. WANTED — At once, a first class horseshoer and general blacksmith. Good wages and steady work for a sober man. F.J. Hosford, New Preston, Conn.

* * *

C.M. Thorpe of Hattertown has dug some fine potatoes, this year. He dug four potatoes one day last week, that weighed one pound each and they were nice and smooth.