June 11, 1993

A brief but violent thunderstorm ripped through Newtown Wednesday afternoon, blowing trees onto power lines and houses, and knocking out power to 589 homes, most of them in the Sandy Hook area. A huge limb fell on a house at 23 Washington Avenue, crushing the porch and car port and knocking the garage out of kilter. Some 336 homes were still without power at 8:30 am Thursday. The storm hit Newtown a little after 3 pm, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Within a half hour several roads were closed due to fallen trees and sparking wires. Bobbi White, who lives at 23 Washington Avenue, was standing in her living room ironing at about 3:15 pm that afternoon when the storm arrived with force. "There was a huge wind and it seemed to go right through the house," she said. A tree limb crashed through the glassed porch at the home where and her husband have lived for 22 years. Mrs White said that just an hour before, she had been eating lunch on the porch, which was reduced to splinters.

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The state legislature this week did the people of Connecticut a favor by banning smoking in state-owned buildings, municipal buildings, and schools, beginning October 1. While the health hazards of smoking, or breathing someone else's smoke, are well documented, smoking proponents were still arguing this week that their personal rights include the right to foul the air other people have to breathe. At long last the state has finally rejected this notion, and now the majority of people who are non-smokers, school children included, can breather easier. This finally clears the tobacco smoke from anyplace where public business transpires.

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A garden has been planted at Newtown Middle School in memory of Roseanne Brown. Mrs Brown, who taught at the school for 22 years, died suddenly last month. The garden was planted around the flagpole at the school, according to Assistant Principal Al Cashman, as a reminder of the patriotic attitude Mrs Brown tried to foster in her students. Also, he pointed out, because Christmas was her favorite time of year, a spruce tree is part of her garden. The plantings were purchased from money donated by school staff and parents. Students from The Greenery, the work experience program at the high school, will maintain the garden.

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To The Editor: Meals on Wheels in Newtown again wishes to thank The Newtown Bee for its continued support in publicizing our organization. Thank you especially to Mark McGrath for his thoughtful coverage of our annual recognition coffee and our appeals for new drivers. With this help, MOW was able to deliver over 1,450 meals to house-bound Newtowners so far this year. Sincerely, Bobbi Bowles, Publicity.

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LOVELL'S, REMEMBER, IS COMING DOWN: The wheels of demolition have been turning, so very slowly, that some people in town are wondering of Lovell's Garage is really coming down. Yes, we still think so. All the permits from the town are in order, and still to come is the final word from the state concerning asbestos. That permit takes ten days to process and since we are now starting our fourth week of waiting, it should be along at any moment. It seems that the tar that was used for the flashing contains 20 percent asbestos and must be removed. Space-suited men are waiting in the wings so it appears that Lovell's will be taken down before it falls down of its own accord. Stay tuned.

June 14, 1968

LOCAL DOCTORS ASK SEARCHING QUESTIONS: Within two weeks there have been five traffic fatalities in our town. These may have diverse causes and may not share common factors; nevertheless: Do drivers go too fast in town? Do we have enough signs? Do we have enough police? Is there adequate police patrol of backroads? Are sufficient summons being issued? Are courts adequately punishing offenders? Are our roads safe? Do we need formal traffic education? Do parents prevent their youngsters from using the streets as playgrounds, or do they look the other way? What do we do about reports of youngsters harassing drivers? Are the townspeople really interested in seeking answers to these questions? Sincerely, J. Benton Egee, MD, Robert S. Grossman, MD, Stanley Saperstein, MD

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On the all-day referendum on Monday, June 10, voters approved additional funds to construct and equip the new high school in Sandy Hook by a vote of 1,185 to 838. The extra $995,000 approved Monday brings the new building's total costs to $4,945,000. The original appropriation of $3,950,000 was authorized at referendum in March by a vote of 1,082 to 821. That vote was taken during a late blizzard which was believed by many to have cut the number of voters drastically. This year's referendum brought out 103 more Yes voters and 17 more who voted No. On Tuesday, June 11, the construction contract for the school was officially signed in the Edmond Town Hall Mary Hawley Room. Groundbreaking ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, June 17, at the high school site on Route 34. It is expected that a good many townspeople will turn out for that event.

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Electric service will be interrupted in parts of Newtown from 1:30 to 3:30 pm on Wednesday, June 19. The areas that will be affected are listed in an advertisement in this paper. If Wednesday's weather is bad, the work will be done the next day at the same time. CL&P regrets the inconvenience but is doing work to increase voltage and improve service.

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TEEN DANCE SATURDAY: Teen Action of Newtown will sponsor a dance at the town park pavilion from 8 to 11:30 pm on Saturday, June 15. The dance will be open to Newtown teen-agers and their guests. Dress is casual. Price will be $1.50 for everyone who is not a member of the Teen Age Center and $1 for members. The Sound Corp and The Soul Session bands will supply the music.

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BOTSFORD DWELLING BURNS: The Quonset hut home of Mrs Carol Murphy on High Bridge Road was destroyed by fire in the early morning hours last Friday, June 7. The call came in at 4:31 am. The United Fire Company of Botsford under Chief John Trowbridge, together with Engine 1 and the aerial truck of Hook & Ladder Company responded. In addition to Mrs Murphy and her two daughters, Cindy Lee, 3, and Tracy, 1, Miss Linda Wagner and Miss Terry Kanus were in the building, which was gutted by the blaze. Cause of the fire was under investigation.

June 18, 1943

In keeping with the times and restrictions on travel by automobile, Lt and Mrs Richard Webster Hyde were driven in a horse-drawn surrey from Trinity Church to the home of the bride's parents, Mr and Mrs Stephen E. Budd on Main Street, for a reception following their marriage on Saturday afternoon, June 5. Lt Hyde has since returned to convoy duty with the Navy, to help hasten the day of peace and normal living.

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Graduating from high school in a time of war is not a happy circumstance. Yet we urge boys and girls in that position not to be distressed. The future may be uncertain, but for four years in high school, if properly spent, have prepared them in good measure to meet whatever role they may be called upon to fill. As they move ahead, we remind them of the importance of those homely traits of character such as honesty, determination, cheerfulness, friendliness, and others about which not much is heard in these hectic days of war.

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A small claims court will open in Newtown, effective July 1, 1943. Small claims of $100 or less will thus be handled by the court, it being expected that an announcement will be made by the business houses of the town in next week's issue of The Bee. Establishment of the small claims court is considered a progressive measure and will benefit the local business concerns who, even though they never resort to the court, will find that its existence will mean easier handling of delinquent accounts and a strengthened position in settling accounts.

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Albert Nichols, Newtown's erstwhile Postmaster and now a Corporal in the Ordinance Department at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland, visited family and friends in town on Monday, spending the major part of a few days' leave with Mrs Nichols and Mr and Mrs Perry Wallen in New York. Al is looking well and reports Army life to his liking. He says the Army is doing a great job. Friends enjoyed seeing him again, even though for so short a visit.

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NEIGHBORHOOD CARD PARTY: A neighborhood card party will be held at the home of Mrs Charles Hawley on Washington Avenue, Sandy Hook, on Wednesday, June 23, at 8 o 'clock for the benefit of Pohtatuck Grange. Prizes will be given at each table and refreshments served. All those within walking distance are most cordially invited to attend.

June 14, 1918

Disregarding the rain there were eight tables at the Monday night whist at the country club, and all reported a jolly good job. Miss Marguerite Beecher was the hostess. Next Monday evening there will be a little change in the program with a new novelty to add to the zest of the playing, a variation in the matter of refreshments. Mr Hoover says we must conserve and in the matter of prizes, the less said about them the better.

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The case of the State vs William Knapp, who was charged with not sending his daughter, Hazel Knapp, to school, was heard by Justice McCarthy. He pleaded guilty and was fined $5, and costs on one count, amounting to $15.50. It was shown by the records that the girl had attended only 48 out of 180 days. The State proposes to get after many of our citizens for failure to send their children to school. Mr Knapp contended that the girl had a weak heart and was getting over the whooping cough. But testimony was introduced showing that the girl had walked in cold weather about Taunton and as far as Hawleyville. The justice had been very lenient with Mr Knapp and could have fined him on more counts.

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The Town school committee is considering the advisability of transporting the students of Head of Meadow district to the Middle district schools. Anyone who would be interested in transporting them will please confer with H.C. Hubbell, who has the matter in charge.

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The cake sale, announced Friday at Mrs W.H. Kiernan's, has been indefinitely postponed.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.