November 26, 1993

One of the last acts of Mary Hawley’s was to lay the cornerstone of Edmond Town Hall. As this impressive municipal edifice grew, however, Miss Hawley’s health failed, and the first time the bell in the town hall tower tolled was to mark the death of Newtown’s benefactress. She had done more than any other one person for her town, and yet when her will was read in 1930, it became clear that she intended to continue her good works form beyond the grave. She left money for the creation of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument and a library to honor the name of her grandfather Cyrenius H. Booth. Completed in 1932, the library has stood on Main Street, stolid and unchanging for the last 60 years. This week, the Library Board of Directors announced that it had decided to pick up where Mary Hawley left off and create an addition at the back of the library that will enable the Booth Library to take a big step from the early 20th century to the 21st. The plan is ambitious. The cost is estimated at $3.8 million. A state grant of $350,000 has been secured., but residents will be asked to come up with the rest through a two-year fundraising campaign and through town government contributions. There are no Mary Hawleys left to rectify the town’s deficiencies.

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Many students at Newtown High School have been drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana, according to students recently interviewed by The Newtown Bee. Twenty-three students were interviewed after being told their names would not be published. Students said many students drink. Estimates ranged from one out of three to the majority. The consensus was that many smoked marijuana but that this is less common than drinking. Students also emphasized that many don’t drink or take drugs. Their comments indicate that exposure to drugs and alcohol increase with each grade level. One student said she sees marijuana “everywhere” on weekends. Of her 15 to 20 friends, she said she knew of only one person who hadn’t tried it. Of those who have tried it, half continue to do so, and half don’t. But a senior said, “It’s a certain community of kids who do drugs. It’s not as widespread as it’s made out to be.”

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It was not by accident the pilgrims selected the fall season for their invitation to their native American neighbors. Festivals celebrating the fall and giving thanks for an abundant year probably predate written history. Setting a festive table for your Thanksgiving doesn’t need to be expensive to reflect to reflect the colorful cornucopia of nature’s bounty. Use miniature pumpkins for place card holders. Use apples as candle holders. Slice the bottom flat, then core out the top and insert the candle. Tie sprigs of wheat to your napkins with ribbon and arrange them attractively. Use a carved-out pumpkin as a holder for a centerpiece.

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The Newtown Scholarship Association will be selling cut-your-own Christmas trees Saturday and Sunday, December 11 and 12. Robert Holmes of Fox View Farm (formerly Hundred Acres Farm) has donated about 1800 Douglas fir trees ranging from 6 to 10 feet in size. Cut your Christmas tree and $25 of your $30 cost will benefit the NSA.

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When the Newtown High School boys’ soccer team travelled to Farmington to face top-seeded Hand of Madison in its second state championship in four years, everyone knew it was going to take another outstanding effort for the Indians to pull off another upset. Newtown didn’t come out like an underdog as the Indians took the ball to their powerful opponent from the opening whistle. Hand seemed to have the better foot skills, but just fifteen minutes into the game, Newtown’s Brian Wassman got loose on the breakaway. He beat his defender, who slipped down, then shot the ball past Hand keeper to give the Indians a surprise 1-0 lead. During the half coach Ashmore said, “I told them to remain aggressive in the second half, But, we really didn’t get a chance to the way they came out and scored right away. We didn’t want to sit back and protect our lead. We wanted to play soccer.” It didn’t take long before their lead was gone. The Tigers made it 2-1, then 3-1 in a matter of minutes. “They were a more talented soccer team than we were,” said a gracious coach Ashmore.

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Newtown Christian Church will be sponsoring its annual “Real Meaning of Christmas “ workshop on Saturday, December 4, from 9 am to 12:30 pm. One this special day the children will be presented with a lesson about the birth of Jesus and the gifts of the shepherds and Magi. Minister Jack Tanner said, “We want want to impress upon the children that we don’t have to spend a lot of money on gifts; the real reason for the giving of gifts is love for one another. What better opportunity to do this than to have the children make hand-made gifts for family members.”

November 29, 1968

TOWN WILL BE GAY FOR THE HOLIDAYS: The Newtown Chamber of Commerce has plans well underway to brighten the town for Christmas. The large fir tree on the Hirlihy lawn at the corner of Main Street and Church Hill Road is being lighted. There will also be a Christmas Decoration Contest, in which the Garden Club and the Town and Country Garden Club are cooperating. The lights will be turned on at the live tree on Monday, December 2 at 6 o’clock. The public is asked to attend. The switch will be thrown by First Selectman Timothy B. Treadwell, and 40 members of the High School Music Department, under the direction of Joseph Grasso, will sing Christmas carols.

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Let it be known that: For a short time The Bee was the sole possessor of a roll of film which showed that “bomb” which was found in Southbury last week. A visit to one of the associate editors from two rather official looking government men made for a change of ownership. Barbara Trosan, who puts in a few hours a week with this newspaper, spent some time soaking up the sun with her husband in the Bahamas. What has happened to all the Lion buttons which usually remain at The Hawley Manor after the club meets? And while on the subject of the Lions, where is the sign on Route 6 which should be welcoming travelers? Etta Trowbridge has been about town again after recovering nicely from surgery and making a big hit with the doctors.

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The ninth annual “Out Of The Shadows” dance was attended by about 200 people last Saturday night at the Knight of Columbus Hall in Newtown. Music was provided by Joseph Grasso’s orchestra. The dance was sponsored by the Newtown Association of Retarded Children. Proceeds will go toward the many projects of NARC, a preschool program opened to retarded children from Newtown and surrounding towns, and summer camp and recreations programs for retarded children in Newtown.

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The Ladies Auxiliary of the Sandy Hook Fire Company wishes to express its gratitude and deep appreciation to all merchants who contributed to the International Night dinner recently sponsored by the auxiliary to benefit the building fund for the new substation. Their interest helped make the event an outstanding success. Committee Chairmen Mildred Halstead, Eleanor Lewis, Marion Platt, Louise Andrews, Helen Casey.

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On Wednesday, December 4, there will be an organizational meeting at Newtown High School for the Newtown Ski Club. This will be a time to renew “Y” memberships, discuss plans for coming trips, and, it is hoped, to see a short film on skiing. The club expects to become an active Saturday group during the snow season, and because Newtown High School is on double session, this meeting will eb a great help. Membership is open to students grades 7 – 12.

December 3, 1943

A bit of evidence, bearing out the fact that it’s a small world after all, was realized when The Bee recently learned First Sergeant Willian Hanlon, and his uncle, Private Joseph Hanlon, both of Sandy Hook, met in Italy. Sergeant Hanlon is with a Field Armor division and his uncle is with the Ordnance Department. Both are reported to being the best of health, and, we imagine, seeing lots of action.

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Thanksgiving was an unusually happy occasion for the William H. Mackenzies of the Newtown-Bethel Road, since their guest included Chief Officer Walter H. Hickman, who has his Master’s rating with the British Merchant Marine. He has been on active duty in the Mediterranean for the past twenty months. He is enjoying two weeks furlough with his wife, the former Margaret Mackenzie.

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On Wednesday, December 1, the Newtown Committee for the Connecticut War Campaign reported contributions totaling $5,200. This exceeds Newtown’s quota of $4,960, with contributions still coming in. Newtown has done it again! Chairman George Stuart reports that, although it was planned to close the campaign on December 1, it will remain open for another few days so that every dollar possible will be raised for the support of the National War Fund.

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Master “Teddy” Smith, son of Editor and Mrs Paul S. Smith, is recovering form a case of bronchitis, which has kept him, quite recently, confined to his bed for several days. The Smith’s dog, “Foxy” has made a faster recovery than her small master, which is no consolation to “Teddy,” even though the dog’s troubles came from eating too many bones.

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On Thursday morning, May Bradshaw Hayes introduced her new series of morning radio programs from WICC, sponsored by Howlands Dry Goods Company. Among the events she spoke of, was the Book Week observance at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library, and the enjoyable program that took place on Friday, November 19.

November 29, 1918

THE HOME BOYS IN FRANCE: A letter from Arthur W. Fairchild. Dear Folks At Home— By this time I suppose you are wondering if I am alive. Well, I am very much so, thank you! I’ve been at the front again but am back now. It was a rather hard trick under conditions there. Writing was impossible. I did get a little gas up there, but not enough to hurt me at all but enough to give me a case of bronchitis or something like that. Just a cold in the head and sniffles at night and no voice. Now don’t you worry. If I was sick I would tell you so. I am telling you frankly just how I am. So, if you hear in a round-about way that I was gassed, don’t worry because I wasn’t at all but got just a little that didn’t hurt me but just made me catch a cold. So, I am taking a little vacation back here with the boys to be sure it gets no worse. I have lots of your letters to answer but am not going to start in today. Old John Boche is on his back now and we are all doing our “dam’dest” to level him right now. I am going to close and you can expect another letter in the near future. Love to all. Arthur Fairchild

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Santa Claus has again decided to make the Danbury Hardware Co., his store for headquarters. To accommodate him and make things more convenient for the public, they have given over to toys one-half of the rear of the store downstairs as well as the front of the second floor. Toys of every conceivable kind are available and it will pay readers of The Bee to drop in and see them. “Buy in a live store where you can get what you want at prices you want, where quality, service, and prices have got to be right.”

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John Frank, one of the oldest residents of the southern part of town, dropped dead on Tuesday, about 10:30 am while going up the road to his mailbox. Mr Frank was 82 years old and had resided in Newtown more than 50 years. Surviving him are his wife, two sons John Frank of Huntingtown, and Fred Frank of New London, and a daughter, Lena Draeb of Brooklyn, N.Y.

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Those Douglass dress shoes for men are dandies. The Lion brand for the boys and misses, at H.G. Warner & Co’s.

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A very fine address was given by Dr Emma B. Tucker on “China,” at the residence of Mrs Banks and Mrs Pierce, last Friday night. Dr Tucker is a lady of marked ability and refinement and her portrayal of the needs of China was very interesting. Refreshments of wafers and punch were served.

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.