July 23, 1993

Picture a camp cottage of your own design, according to your means, set in an attractive colony of neighbors - boating, bathing, fishing, and mountain air, with the freedom of camplife … all summer long. All this within an hour's drive of your work yet offering complete relaxation. Where could such a paradise exist? In Newtown, of course! A 1925 Bee article which described the "New" summer colony, Shady Rest as such, details an enchanting vacation spot along the banks of Lake Zoar. Shady Rest was one of town's eight lakeside communities billed as exclusive country retreats for those living in Bridgeport, Norwalk, Port Chester, White Plains, and other areas. The popularity of these colonies boosted Newtown's tourist-based economy. When the colonies opened, people flocked - by train mostly - to buy or rent a lakeside bungalow to enjoy the hot weather months. Men would settle their families at the start of the season, return to the city, and visit Lake Zoar every weekend.

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After spending three meetings debating the topic, The Board of Selectmen Monday night finally adopted a policy on when to lower to half-staff the flag on Newtown's landmark flagpole. The board voted 2-1 to follow the flag code adopted by Congress in 1976 which calls for lowering the flag by order of the president or governor and on Memorial Day. They also agreed to lower it if any of the town's police, fire, or ambulance personnel are killed in the line of duty. When to fly the flag at half-staff became an issue when Fire Marshal James Cavanaugh died. Although the flag had not been lowered when other officials died, First Selectman Zita McMahon ordered the flag flown at half-staff the day of his funeral after many residents made impassioned pleas that Mr Cavanaugh's 30 years of service be honored.

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State Department of Transportation officials met with town officials Wednesday to work out details for a proposed pedestrian-controlled traffic light in front of Edmond Town Hall. The light, which had been requested by the Board of Managers, will be timed to allow people enough time to cross Main Street. But the state warned that along with some solution to the traffic problem would come other problems. They pointed out loss of parking spaces on Main Street and in front of the building, illumination would have to be increased, and there probably would be more rear-end accidents. Also, there will have to be a public relations program to educate people about defensive walking and driving in this area.

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THIEVERY: Police report an incident of burglary and larceny at a Boulevard Extension address. Police said an unknown person or persons sometime between 6 and 11 pm on July 21, entered the home and stole various items.

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In this weather there has been a conspicuous wet spot in the middle of Main Street for the past few weeks. On Wednesday, the Newtown Water Company made repairs to a leaking one-inch brass pipe that services a residence. The leaky section of pipe was abandoned and the remainder tied to a new main line that runs near the side of the road.

July 26, 1968

BASEBALL FANS: The annual Little League picnic is scheduled for Saturday, July 27, at the Italian Community Center on Route 34 in Sandy Hook. Not only present Little Leaguers, their parents and friends are invited, but also all baseball fans in town. There will be a ball game at 10 am, an awards presentation at noon, followed by dinner.

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Construction at the new high school in Sandy Hook has progressed to the point where concrete footings are in and a start has been made on laying some concrete block. A time-table for construction is being prepared by contractor, John Zandonella. This shows, in chart form, when the various steps in construction are expected to start and be completed. All major work should be completed by September 1, 1969, with painting, installation of equipment and resilient flooring continuing into September. According to the chart, structural steel is top go in during October and November of this year. It would appear that the contractor expects enough roofing to be in place to continue heating and plumbing installation and electric work through the winter months.

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Old-97, a privately-owned, holdover from a past era of railroading, was the main attraction on a camera-rail excursion on May 19. On August 4 railroad buffs will again have the chance to ride behind this steam locomotive on an excursion to Old Railroad Days in Canaan. Bee area riders may board the train in Danbury at 11 am or New Milford at 12:05. From Danbury on, Old 97 will be the motive power, making photo stops along the way and arriving in Canaan at 3:30 pm in time to see the railroad museum and the start of the celebration of Old Railroading Days. Full-course dinners will be available. The May 19 excursion was a complete sell-out, but as The Bee goes to press, tickets for August 4 are still available. On May 19, Old 97 highballed through Botsford on a rail-camera excursion. On August 4 railway buffs will have the chance to ride behind steam - in modern cars - from Danbury to Canaan and return.

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The State of Connecticut has acquired two tracts of land totaling roughly 70 acres adjoining the Paugussett State Forest in Sandy Hook for $6,900. Made available through the wishes of the late Charles G. Morris of Newtown and his heirs, the land is valued at $49,000. The $6,900 represents taxes and other expenses incurred in holding the land. According to deeds from Town Clerk Barbara Parker's office, one tract of 10 acres is in the Great Quarter section. The larger tract is located on Gelding Hill. Both tracts adjoin the state forest and both are wooded.

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EXPLORERS ARRIVE: On Wednesday morning The Bee received a telegram from Leonard Manz, leader of Explorer Post 70. The ten scouts and their leader left Newtown last Sunday and headed on a two-week camping trip to Canada. Arrived. All is well. Lennie. North Bay, Ontario.

July 30, 1943

The large elm tree at the entrance to the driveway between Knapp & Trull's store and the Congregational parsonage fell early Saturday morning, wakening many residents in the center of the village. The tree, which was well over 100 years old, was badly decayed and in falling, toppled directly on the sidewalk. Fortunately, the tree fell at a time when there were no cars parked of the store, or pedestrians on the street. Some of the limbs were over fifteen inches in diameter. The only damage done was to the gas pumps in front of the store. During the morning the State Highway Department removed the tree from the sidewalk. Thus another "old timer" leaves the scene and Main Street is minus one of the elm trees which once lined it on both sides.

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The Bee is indebted to W. Flewwellin of Spears Inn, Canton, N.C., and Danbury Conn., for a copy of the July 23 issue of the West Asheville News, published in Asheville, N.C. in which appears on the front page the following item on the Town Court of Newtown. Evidently, Newtown is now heralded abroad for more than its flagpole in the middle of the street! The item: Put away your lantern Diogenes, here he is: A man walked into the Newtown City Court and said he wanted to pay his fine. "What fine?" asked the judge. The man explained that he hadn't the money until recently to pay a $25 fine levied back in December, 1938.

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John F. Holian, son of Mrs Thomas Holian and the late Mr Holian of Church Road has passed his state bar examinations and is now associated with the law offices of David Goldstein in Bridgeport. Mr Holian graduated this spring from Harvard Law School.

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Once again blood donors are being solicited for the second Red Cross Blood Bank which will come to the Consolidated School in Monroe on Friday, August 6. Transportation will be provided to all who wish to donate blood, and arrangements can be made by telephoning the Red Cross Headquarters, (84), or Mrs Earle P. Lasher, (525).

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Townspeople are reminded that contributions will be welcome in the annual drive for the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Newtown, which is now in progress. Donations should be sent to Harold H. Burtch, treasurer, Newtown Boy Scouts Troop Committee, Box F. Newtown.

July 26, 1918

Members of the Sunshine Branch at Sandy Hook are earnestly requested to attend the monthly meeting, which will be held at the home of Mrs W.G. Hard, Berkshire, on Saturday, July 27, at 3 o'clock.

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Redeeming Love, a Paramount production, featuring Kathlyn Williams in a five-reel recent release, will be shown at the town hall this Friday evening, followed by a splendid comedy. The managers are planning for one of Charley Chaplin's latest.

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Frank Banks, the popular jitney man, secured an expert chauffeur, and with lady friends, enjoyed a shore dinner at Savin Rock Tuesday night.

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At the service at Taunton Schoolhouse on Tuesday evening, A. P. Smoth will speak. Tuesday evening, Reverend E. O. Grisbrook will conduct a service and preach.

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Mr and Mrs Howard Emerson of Ansonia were guests of Mr and Mrs Arthur J. Smith on Friday last. Mr Emerson is some golf fiend as well as business manager of the Emerson Publishing Company, publishers of The Evening Sentinal, and we take off our hats to the excellent playing of the game.Please consider sharing your old photographs of people and places from Newtown or Sandy Hook with The Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed to kendra@thebee.com or brought to the office at 5 Church Hill Road to be scanned. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date.