To purchase photos visit http://photos.newtownbee.com
Print
Tweet
Email
Text Size
April 11, 1997
An enthusiastic Parks & Recreation Commission visited the Amaral property off Elm Drive Tuesday night. The 13-acre parcel, up for sale by the Amaral brothers, Daniel and Marcus, lies adjacent to Dickinson Park, making it especially attractive to the commission as well as many other residents who want more park space in town, particularly ballfields. The town has been given first refusal on the sale. The Amaral land lies directly north of the park tennis courts. Parks & Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian said the commission is excited about the opportunity to get additional ballfields in town. She said at least two ballfields could be built on the property.
* * * * *
A development firm is proposing construction of a 49-unit housing complex on an 18-acre site in a wooded area behind Sand Hill Plaza. The project would be considered under the town’s “affordable housing” regulations by the Planning & Zoning Commission. Representatives of R&G Riverview, LLC, met Wednesday with town technical staff at the town offices at Fairfield Hills. The meeting was closed to the public. Five town residents attempted to attend the session but were told they would not be allowed in the meeting room.
* * * * *
The Ordinance Committee of the Legislative Council met Wednesday for the first time in several months, and one of its first orders of business was to elect Bill Brimmer as its new chairman. Mr Brimmer, in his first term on the council, takes over for Pierre Rochman, who was elected chairman of the full council last month. The Ordinance Committee has completed the framework of its proposed scenic road ordinance and expects it to be in place in two weeks. Using a proposed draft that committee member John Kortze modeled from various towns around the state, the committee created a foundation on which to create the town’s own scenic road ordinance.
* * * * *
On a crystal clear evening last week, the cub scouts of Den 4, Pack 470, along with their parents and siblings, gathered together for a private showing of the comet Hale-Bopp. The boys were enthralled by avid astronomer and local business owner, Martin Hamar, founder and principal of Hamar Laser, the Danbury-based manufacturer whose business just turned 30 years old last week. Mr Hamar personally built the two-telescope unit which was used by the scouts to view the brilliant comet. Mother Nature cooperated perfectly, delivering a clear, star-filled sky. The boys were able to view Hale-Bopp, the planet Mars, and several constellations.
* * * * *
All serious Scrabble players dream about The Big One, a record-setting score or at least one that knocks the immediate opponent into oblivion. Keith Thomas, 10, had that feeling last weekend at The Friends of the Booth Library’s Scrabble Saturday fundraiser when he attained the highest score in his age group. Keith, who learned to play Scrabble this year at Head O’Meadow School, knows the value of the letters off the top of his head. One of his biggest coups on Saturday was the 42-point word “quiz.”
* * * * *
Nunnawauk Meadows Executive Director Frank DeLucia hosted the second annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast Wednesday morning at the elderly housing’s community center. Mr DeLucia, with some help from his wife, Miriam, and the members of the paid office staff, truly showed their appreciation, serving up fruit, ham, home fries, bagels, and of course, egg a la DeLucia. “It’s something that I do in recognition of the people that volunteer for Nunnawauk Meadows, primarily the residents who help out in our meal program, in the association, and in some of the other programs we put on during the year,” Mr DeLucia said.
April 14, 1972
EDITORIAL INK DROPS: There is some satisfaction in the fact that the state’s Department of Transportation, Bureau of Highways, at Wethersfield, is now paying attention to the complaints from Newtown that removal of the ramps between Routes I-84 and 34 has created an intolerable traffic condition in the center of Sandy Hook and also jeopardized health and safety for the entire town. We are told that temporary relief will be provided between I-84 and 34 by ramps from the stub of Route 25 onto Mile Hill Road, so that traffic can move between I-84 and 34 without going through the center of Sandy Hook. However, these ramps will be removed when Route 25 is completed, returning the present unbearable traffic situation to Sandy Hook. The Chamber of Commerce and First Selectman Frank DeLucia are greatly concerned that this does not occur. So are the people in Sandy Hook, throughout the town, and in neighboring towns as well. The feeling is so strong locally that no peace of mind can be allowed the Department of Transportation until it works out a solution for all time — not just until Route 25 is completed.
* * * * *
The Board of Finance held its annual public hearing on the requested 1972-73 budgets of the Boards of Selectmen and Education on Tuesday evening, April 11, in the high school auditorium. Nearly 500 attended the hearing, which turned into a loud vocal forum for expressions of anger against rising taxes rather than a hearing. Shortly after the proceedings began, some in the audience began shouting and actually threatening to start fist fights with W.W. Holcombe, chairman of the Board of Finance. Order was finally restored somewhat, but the cat calling, booing, and loud cries of outrage never did stop until the meeting was over.
* * * * *
The most unusual thing about the public hearing on the proposed revision of the sand and gravel regulations was not what was said but what wasn’t. Not one word was spoken by the several large sand and gravel operators active in Newtown although some at least were represented at the hearing in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall on Friday evening, April 7. About 45 people attended.
* * * * *
CARD OF THANKS: The Hawley School PTA would like to thank all those people who helped make our 50th Anniversary and Rededication Program such a successful event. Special thanks go to Mrs Anderson for the beautiful cake, the Editor and staff of the Newtown Bee, especially for their help in locating former students and teachers, the Board of Education for their cooperation and help, the staff of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library for their help in providing research material and the loan of yearbooks, and to all others who helped in any way.
* * * * *
Over 300 dogs competed in the 228th AKC Sanctioned Match sponsored by the Newtown Kennel Club in Edmond Town Hall Thursday evening, April 6. Winning dog was the Great Dane, Danelagh’s Zari, owned by Paddy Magnuson of Delhi, N.Y., winner also in the working group. The Newtown Kennel Club has a sanctioned match on the first Thursday of every second month. The next match will be June 1.
April 11, 1947
A wedding of interest to Newtowners took place Easter Sunday afternoon at two o’clock in the Newtown Congregational church when Lorraine Wheeler, daughter of Mr and Mrs George F. Wheeler of Queen street, was united in marriage with Robert Arthur Leibold, son of Mr and Mrs John W. Leibold of the Palestine district. Rev Paul A. Cullens, pastor of the church, officiated in the ceremony, which was attended by a large assemblage of relatives and friends. The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, was attired in a gown of white taffeta net fashioned with long sleeves and sweetheart neckline, and white shoulder length veil, fashioned with a wreath of flowers. She carried a handkerchief which belonged to her great grandmother. Following the church ceremony, a reception for members of the bridal party, immediate families and invited guests, numbering more than one hundred, was held in Glen Lodge, Sandy Hook. Mr and Mrs Leibold left later in the day for a motor trip through the South and upon their return will reside in Newtown.
* * * * *
With snow scarcely melted from the north side of stone fences, plans are being formed at Hawley School for the June 12th commencement. The first completed step was taken this week when Principal Carl A. LeGrow announced the selection of seniors for honor parts in the graduation exercises. The choices fell to the three high school students with highest average scholarship standings during the entire four years. They are: Valedictorian, Gloria Rasmussen; salutatorian, Frank McGregor; honor essayist, Wilma Rahikka.
* * * * *
Coach and Mrs H.S. DeGroat enjoyed the company of Miss Ann Anderson, Richard Saunders, their two sons, Bob and Eric, and daughter-in-law Katherine DeGroat, in celebrating their thirtieth wedding anniversary in New York last Saturday, seeing the very entertaining play, “Happy Birthday,” enjoying tea at Sardi’s, and other events in the great city. The celebration was held one week in advance, so that Bob could be present while Tower Hill School of Wilmington, Del., was on spring vacation.
* * * * *
The Young People’s Club continued a laudable practice started last year, and held an Easter Sunrise service at 6:30 on Sunday morning on Castle Hill. Although the weather was cloudy and the attendance was limited to about twenty-five, the sun almost broke through the clouds during the impressive service which was conducted by the young people themselves. The Bee congratulates them on the service and hopes that next year their efforts will meet with more general response on the part of their elders. All who attend these Easter Sunrise services always feel well repaid for their effort and this year’s occasion in Newtown was no exception.
* * * * *
Zaner Faust has taken a position on The Bee staff, having started his duties on Monday of this week.
April 7, 1922
EDITORIAL INK DROPS: No civic event in the memory of any person in town now living has been fraught with such a deep spirit of interest and enthusiasm as were the exercises, Wednesday night, of the dedication of the new Hawley school. They were dignified and in happy keeping with the sentiment of the hour. Our good friend, Miss Hawley, has bestowed upon her town a gift of inestimable value. It goes without saying that the town was doubly blessed in having C.B. Taylor, whose supporting action in giving the Taylor athletic field was also commendable. We doubt not that Wednesday was the happiest day in Miss Hawley’s life. We facilitate her on her breadth of vision and in the name of our citizens thank her for what she has done. Would, that in all our towns, people blessed with means had the same vision of helpfulness.
* * * * *
The most notable civic event in Newtown in the last quarter century, the dedicating of the new Hawley school, took place on Wednesday night, the exercises being held in the auditorium of the school. It was filled to capacity, about 450 people being present. Occupying seats on the platform were Attorney Charles G. Morris, Chairman of the School Board, Selectman John J. Northrop, Dr A.B. Meredith, secretary of the State Board of Education, Selectman Thomas F. Brew, Supervisor of Schools F.H. Johnston, J.L. O’Neil, W.A. Honan, F.H. Duncombe, Charles Peale, H.W. Wheeler, members of the School Board, Rev J.L. Lasher, Rev E.O. Grisbrook, Judge Oscar Pitzschler, Martin A. Corbett, Levi C. Morris, Thomas Holian, Principal Badget of the High school, Henry G. Curtis, Frank Wright, Samuel Hewlett and William S. Hewlett, of Bridgeport, Philip Sunderland and Edmund Watson of Danbury, C.L. Hunt of Bridgeport, Nestor Light, W.S. Dakin and L.T. Garrison of Hartford, E.W. Ireland of Danbury, J.R. Perkins, principal of the State Normal school, Danbury, and A.P. Smith.
* * * * *
News of the death of Miss Eva S. Hammond came as a shock to the community, Wednesday. It was known that she had been ill for the past few weeks, but her death was quite unexpected. She passed away about 3 o’clock, Wednesday morning. With her sister, Miss Sophia B. Hammond, she had been accustomed to come from their home in Brooklyn to spend the summer with their aunt, Miss Ruth Hammond. Upon the latter’s death some four years ago, the sisters succeeded to the homestead estate on Main street, and became permanent residents. The devotion of the sisters to each other, and their active interests in church and benevolent circles have been marked features.
* * * * *
Cards are out announcing the marriage of Martin Theodore Moller, son of Mr and Mrs Martin A. Moller, and Miss Bertha Wilhemina Bergenhelm, on Saturday evening, April 8, at 8 o’clock, at the Swedish Congregational church, Laurel avenue and Grove street, Bridgeport. A reception following the ceremony will take place in the social room of the church. Quite a number of people of Newtown will attend. Mr and Mrs Moller are to make their home in Newtown, where Mr Moller is engaged in poultry farming.
* * * * *
The heavy ice storm of Thursday night and Friday morning broke off a great many limbs from the trees through the Street and on Mt Pleasant and put the electric light service out of joint for a time.
* * * * *
A meeting of the teachers and older members of the Church school was held on Friday night in the social room of the Congregational church, when Miss Ebba Moller, superintendent of the Cradle Roll, and assistant to Miss Seaman Mead in the primary department, was presented with an umbrella. Miss Moller left on Sunday to make her home in Bridgeport. Refreshments of cream and cake were served.
April 16, 1897
Note: The microfilm files for The Newtown Bee do not include an issue for April 16, 1897. There is no mention of a missing issue within the editorial notes in the following week’s paper, so it is unclear if there was a gap in microfilm or an unexplained gap in publication.
* * * * *
Do you have photographs of people or places in town from a bygone era? The Way We Were is the perfect landing spot so that your photographs can be enjoyed by Newtown Bee readers. Images can be e-mailed as attachments to [email protected], subject line: Way We Were photo. When submitting photographs, please identify as many people as possible, the location, and the approximate date. If you live locally and would like to loan a photo/photos, please give us a call (203-426-3141) to let us know when you will be visiting.
You must be logged in to post a comment. If you do not have an account, please register here.
