USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Newtown > Newtown, Connecticut, past and present > Part 10
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The Sandy Hook Free Public Library Association, Inc., organized in 1906, still functions and is currently housed in the old grist mill opposite the fire house in Sandy Hook. This small library is usually open on Saturday afternoons and evenings.
LITERARY GROUPS
The Great Books Reading Group. Our Great Books Reading Group was started in 1950 and has now completed the reading and discussion of the books in the Five Years Courses prescribed by The Great Books Foundation of Chicago.
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The Group meets bi-weekly on Monday evenings in the Cyrenius H. Booth Library during the fall, winter and spring. The average attendance is about 20. Visitors are always welcome. During the first year there were two regular leaders; since then the leadership has rotated among the members.
American Heritage Project. The American Heritage Project of the Ameri- can Library Association was inaugurated at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library in Newtown in 1954. This group, meeting twice a month, discusses current problems of American life against the backdrop of American history and the Constitution. It is a discussion rather than a reading group, although suitable textbooks are used. About 30 were enrolled in 1954, and the project is planned as a continuing one.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
FRATERNAL AND PATRIOTIC
Free Masonry was instituted in Newtown in 1791. Its charter was revoked in 1851 and, restored in 1866, has been in active existence ever since. The Masonic Order is an international, benevolent, educational and religious or- ganization whose special aims are to build up the character of the individual and to promote fellowship.
The Newtown Masons include Hiram Lodge No. 18 A. F. and A. M. and Hiram Chapter No. 1. Each group meets twice monthly. All subscribe to their principle of "Brotherly love, relief and truth".
Order of Eastern Star. Mirah chapter No. 113. The present chapter was instituted in 1947 and constituted in 1948. It is an international organization and the auxiliary of the Masonic fraternity. Without publicity they do many acts of charity locally, nationally and internationally. At their semi-monthly meetings a social hour usually follows the ritualistic meeting.
Knights of Columbus is a Catholic Order whose Newtown branch was es- tablished in 1896. It is a fraternal society offering life insurance to its mem- bers and is open to men over 18 years of age. The local group of 69 members meets once a month. The ideals of the society are: "Charity, Unity, Fraternity, Patriotism".
Men's Literary and Social Club. Organized in 1894 it is usually referred to as The Men's Club. Its purpose is to broaden the interests of its members and to work for town improvements. Membership is limited to 20. They meet
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once a month for dinner at which time an essayist presents a speaker for the evening. Subjects may deal with local problems or world affairs.
Pohtatuck Grange, No. 129 P. of H. Organized in 1892 it now has a mem- bership of 155. Basically it is a farm organization but open to anybody whose interests do not conflict with farming. The programs, both educational and social, are planned to appeal to the whole family. It is a fraternal group meet- ing twice a month with a social hour following each meeting.
Rotary Club received its charter in 1939 and now has a membership of 50, one man from each business and profession. Their Motto is "He profits most who serves best". At the weekly dinner meetings there are discussions of prob- lems of service to the community. The club maintains four standing com- mittees :
1. Service committee in charge of programs.
2. Community Service initiates town welfare projects which later be- come separate organizations, such as cub scouts, ambulance, co-sponsoring Little League Baseball.
3. International Service concerned with such activities as furthering popular interest in the U. N .; entertaining foreign students.
4. Vocational Service aims to raise ethical standards of practice in busi- ness and the professions.
In memory of Dr. Earl P. Lasher an annual award is given to the boy scout who has the highest rating on a points basis.
Once a year the club entertains at dinner an adult leader and two mem- bers of every youth organization in town at which time the boys tell about their club activities.
Lions Club organized locally in 1949 now has 37 members. It meets twice a month and its special interest is the youth of the town. In memory of its first local president, George W. Trull, they established an annual award, given to some student for outstanding citizenship. The club gave the bleachers at Taylor Field, sponsored student driver training in the High School, for three years furnished heavy craft covers for all school books, aided eye research, co-sponsored Little League Baseball and similar projects. They raise their funds by an annual carnival and by a house to house sale of electric bulbs.
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Charles Howard Peck, Sr. & Jr. Post 308.
Established here in 1939 it now numbers 69 members, and meets twice a month in the Veterans' Memorial Building. The post is open to all veterans with overseas service. In keeping with its motto "Honor the dead by helping the living" the organization is primarily dedicated to helping disabled and needy veterans and their families. It is also a fraternal, patriotic and educa- tional group whose ideals are to foster allegiance to the government, to pre- serve American freedom and to defend the United States from all enemies.
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The Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was organized in 1939 and has a membership of 35. Their services consist altogether of hospital work for disabled veterans and their families. They raise funds by various projects, such as food sales, rummage sales, and roller skating parties for young people.
Eligible for membership are women whose husband, father, son or brother served on foreign soil; also nurses with overseas service.
American Legion, Raymond L. Pease Post, No. 163. Established in 1946 the Post has a membership of 30. Their chief activities are rehabilitation of veterans, community service, and "Boys' State", which is educational work in Americanism. The Legion gives annually a $25 award to the High School senior who has shown outstanding scholarship and qualities of leadership throughout the 4 years.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 163. This unit was organized in 1947. Its activities are similar to those of the Legion Post: rehabilitation of veterans, child welfare work, community service, and "Girls' State", educa- tional work in Americanism. Membership is open to wives, mothers, daughters and sisters of legionnaires.
Red Cross. A branch of the Danbury chapter, the local group maintains a skeleton crew of workers at all times ready to assist in time of disaster. Among regular Red Cross activities are: the blood bank twice a year and the canteen workers who serve refreshments for the blood bank; the children's swimming project in the summer; the motor corps which furnishes transportation to hospital, the blood bank and in emergencies. Home service, another important part of the work, makes contacts between service men and women and their families and also handles veterans' problems of various kinds. Funds are ob- tained from the annual contributions by townspeople. A group of over 100 volunteers make these house-to-house solicitations.
Visiting Nurse Association. Established in 1918, the funds for the work are raised by annual contributions from townspeople. Through the services of a health nurse and a board of directors the association furnishes health advice, education and home care. The Thrift Shop sponsored by the V.N.A. raises money through the sale of used clothing and housefurnishings. These funds provide dental care for school children.
Alcoholics Anonymous. The present group began meeting in 1954 and is increasing. It is composed of 20 members, men and women whose sole aim is to combat the disease of alcoholism. They meet weekly.
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CIVIC AND EDUCATIONAL
The League of Women Voters. The purpose of the League is "to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government". In other words, the League aims to help citizens to take an active part in working for better government locally, in the state, and in the nation.
How is the League's purpose carried out by its members ?
by providing information, building public opinion, and supporting legislation through study and discussion groups
meetings open to the public distribution of League publications articles in newspapers and magazines radio, TV programs, films testimony at hearings communicating with public officials
How is the League program formulated ?
In a truly democratic process: Each League adopts a program of work on local government at its annual meeting from suggestions by the mem- bership and the local board of directors. The state program, decided on at the state convention, is based on recommendations by local League members sent either directly or through the local board of directors or through the delegates to the state convention. The items for national government are selected from suggestions by local and state Leagues at the biennial national convention.
Who may belong to the League?
The League is open to every woman citizen! Being non-partisan the League neither supports political parties nor candidates, but studies issues and urges political action in the public interest. It encourages members to take an active part in the party of their own choice.
How does the League serve Newtown voters?
Regular activities include : voters handbooks instruction in the use of voting machines general election information candidates' meetings stimulating citizen interest in voting
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Other League activities in Newtown include studies and reports made on:
property valuation our schools one-man assessor planning and zoning welfare mental institutions town ordinances high school essay contest resulting in trips to the United Nations entertaining members of the United Nations Secretariat conducted trips to the United Nations for townspeople publication of the Newtown map
Finances and miscellaneous facts
The League is supported by : dues from members contributions from members contributions from interested citizens special projects
The League of Women Voters was organized in 1920 and now has a local League in every state as well as Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington, D.C. Our Newtown League founded in 1948, now has 136 members and would gladly welcome many more Newtown women interested in good government.
United World Federalists. The Newtown Chapter affiliated with the State and National organizations, was established in 1947. Its objective is to strengthen and help the development of the United Nations into a limited World Federal Government with powers adequate to insure peace. There are 36 members in the group who meet once a month.
Newtown Scholarship Association was formed in 1936 for the purpose of establishing scholarships for qualified High School graduating students who need financial assistance to continue their education. The number of scholar- ships depends on the amount of money raised annually through subscriptions and life memberships. To quote from the president's letter of May, 1955:
"Forty such awards, given annually since 1937, have been based on financial need combined with promise of achievement, and the excellent scholarship records made by recipients in such colleges and universities as Barnard, Brown, Columbia, Connecticut, Iowa, Middlebury, Spring- field and Wellesley have more than justified our confidence in their worthiness. (A 1951 winner has recently received a Fulbright Scholar- ship.)"
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Citizen's Committee on Education was organized in 1953 by an indepen. dent group of residents. It is open to all townspeople whether parents of school children or not. Present membership about 100. The chief purposes of the group are: to become better informed about education and Newtown's school system; to make studies of certain school problems and occasionally to hold public forums; to cooperate with all school officials and the Parent-Teachers' Association. A recently completed project was the study of "The Reading Program of Newtown Elementary Schools".
Parent-Teachers' Association. With a membership of about 600, its aims are to interest parents, teachers and other individuals in the improvement of school conditions. This group sponsors the Used Clothing Exchange, the pro- ceeds from which are used for scholarships for higher education. In addition it maintains throughout the year a Career Conference committee for student guidance; a committee for Teachers' Lodgings; a committee for After School Activities. Each September it sponsors a Children's Fair. Monthly meetings are devoted to problems concerned with schools and a better community.
Mothers' Club. The local club with a membership of about 65 was organized in 1945. Its principal aim is to help mothers improve their understanding of children and the home. They meet once a month and usually have a speaker. Also, they sponsor 3 scout troops, contribute to local health needs and to the Herald Tribune Fresh Air Fund.
Homemakers' Club. Founded in 1922 and affiliated with the Extension Service of the University of Connecticut it now has 27 members. Monthly meetings are led by 2 members who have been to a training class in Danbury and who in turn teach the other members what they have learned. All the projects are concerned with homemaking and crafts such as hooked rug-mak- ing, foreign cooking, stenciling fabrics, information on detergents, the com- plete use of sewing machines, etc.
Horticulture Club. Organized in 1953 its membership is limited to 45 men and women of Newtown.
Its objectives are to :
1. promote interest in horticulture
2. encourage and assist civic projects involving horticulture
3. further the conservation of natural resources especially soil and water
4. increase knowledge of the artistic use of plant material both outdoors and in
Berkshire Garden Club. Organized in 1954, the purposes of the club are to promote an interest in good gardening and to participate in civic and com- munity improvements. The number is limited to 30 residents of the town and
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10 associate out-of-town members. It sponsors an annual plant sale and flower show.
The 4H Club is one of the oldest clubs in town, and is connected with the Extension Service of the University of Connecticut. Its aim is to help the youth of America to become better citizens by doing 4H projects. The club is open to all girls and boys of ages 9 to 21 and is divided into groups. The girls have two homemaking clubs where they are taught homemaking, cooking, sewing, child care, etc. The boys' groups are instructed in agriculture, chicken raising, dairy, sheep raising, etc. For outstanding accomplishments prizes are awarded by the county agent.
Boy Scouts. Formally organized in Newtown in 1928 with two patrols, there are now 200 scouts. The number includes the Cubs, from 8 to 11 years of age; Boy Scouts 11 to 14; Explorers over 14. In 1945 land was purchased on Church Street on which were built two cabins, one for boys, the other for girls, where the regular weekly meetings are held. The Explorers go on many trips including skiing and canoeing under the leadership of their scout master. He formed the original group, and has been honored with the Silver Beaver, one of Scouts' highest national awards.
The principal aim of Boy Scouting, an International Organization, is "to teach citizenship through love of outdoors, nature and fun". Their familiar motto is "Be prepared", their slogan "Do a good deed daily".
Girl Scouts. Organized in 1928 the Girl Scouts now include the Brownies of 2nd, 3rd, 4th grades in school; the Intermediates 5th-8th grades; and the seniors 9th-12th grades. The total enrollment is about 190. They meet once a week in their own cabin on Church Street unless they go on out-of-town trips.
The seniors must complete a 5 point program before they are eligible to work for their "aide bars". These points are: camping, service, emergency preparation, council and expanding interests along chosen lines. The 2 kinds of "aide bars" for which seniors have worked are hospital and library. About 50 adults are connected with the work of the Girl Scouts.
The organization is international whose chief purpose is "training in citizenship, in service, and in consideration for one's fellow man".
Boys' Social & Athletic Club. Popularly called SAC. It originated in 1946 and was incorporated in 1948, as an independent, self-governing, non-sectar- ian, non-political, self-sustaining organization to promote "health, social, ath- letic and character development of the boys in this vicinity". Boys 10 to 20 years of age are elected to membership on the basis of character qualifications. They must work to be "active members". Otherwise, if away at school or in the service they become "inactive members".
In addition, for legal purposes there is a group of 40 to 45 adults called "Sustaining Members". The newest group of 25 is of "Participating Alumni".
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Annual dues for boys 10-16 is $1.00; 16 years and over $2.00; Sustaining Members $10.00. Local activities take place in their own SAC Park. Some of their major projects are made possible by contributions from interested towns- people and their one benefit a year.
Town Players. Organized in 1936 this group has the unusual distinction of having sustained itself continuously for almost twenty years including the war period. It has put on all types of plays, usually four a year. The group now numbers 70 and membership is open to all who enjoy amateur theatricals in all its various aspects: writing, directing, producing, acting, lighting, make- up, costuming, scenery, public relations.
At present Town Players own a tiny playshop but they hope some day to build some sort of little theater which would be available for continuous use both for rehearsals and productions.
SPORTS AND RECREATION
Newtown Fish and Game Club. Organized about 30 years ago the club now numbers about 200 members and they welcome additional members. Their special interests are the preservation of fish and game in the community, and affording special opportunities for fishing and hunting for the members.
Little League Baseball. A branch of the National Organization, the local Little League was formed in 1955 sponsored by some local service clubs, business firms and individuals. In accordance with national regulations there are 4 teams of 15 boys in each. Their ages are 8-12 years and they play at Taylor Field.
Other Clubs: Newtown Country Club, Rock Ridge Country Club, Badminton Club, Bowling Club, Kennel Club.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
"Newtown's History and Historian, Ezra Levan Johnson"
Prepared by Jane Eliza Johnson, 1918
"Newtown's Bicentennial 1705-1905"
edited by James Hardin George Allison Parish Smith Ezra Levan Johnson
"Historical Notes and Maps, Newtown 1708-1758" John N. Boyle
"One Hundred Years of Schools in Newtown" Mortimer Smith
"The Story of Two Centuries of the Congregational Church, Newtown, Con- necticut 1714-1914" Susan J. Scudder
"Consecration of the Fourth Church Edifice, Trinity Parish, Newtown, Con- necticut," 1882
"History of the Church in Connecticut" E. Edwards Beardsley, D.D., 1872
"Rev. John Beach and His Descendants" Rebecca D. Beach
Annual Reports of the Town of Newtown Files of "The Newtown Bee"
Newtown, Connecticut Town Records
Newtown, Connecticut Land Records
"The Newtown Academician" a paper edited by pupils of the Newtown Academy Account book of Peter Nichols, 1813-1814
"Hills and Homes of Berkshire"
prepared in 1881 for the Housatonic Railroad
"History of Fairfield County" Lynn Wilson
"Commemorative Record, Fairfield County" J. H. Beers 1899
"History of the Indians of Connecticut" Edward de Forest
"Connecticut Historical Collections" John Warner Barber, 1836
"Beginnings of Connecticut" C. M. Andrews, 1935
"Settlement of the Connecticut Towns"
Dorothy Deming, 1933
"Guide to the History and Historic Sites of Connecticut"
Florence S. Marcy Crofut
"In Olde Connecticut"
Charles Burr Todd, 1906
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Trumbull
"History of Connecticut" "History of Connecticut"
"Connecticut Guide"
Norris Gilpin Osborne, 1925 issued by the State Planning Board, 1935
"Connecticut Guide" issued by the W .P.A., 1938
Connecticut State Register and Manual, 1954
Reports of the Bureau of Census, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
"Ancient Woodbury"
Cothren
"History of Stratford"
William Howard Wilcoxson
"Yorktown" Burke Davis, 1952
"History of Ridgefield, Connecticut"
George L. Rockwell
"Salt Box House" Jane DeForest Shelton excerpts from the diary of Dr. Ezra Stiles
"Oliver Wiswell" Kenneth Lewis Roberts, 1940
"France and New England" Allan Forbes and Paul F. Cadman
Journal de la Campagne D'Amerique
Diary of Alexander Berthier translated from the French by Mrs. Hastings Morse
"When the French Were Here" Stephen Bonsal Manual of the Geology of Connecticut Bulletin #6, 1906, W . N. Rice and H. E. Gregory
The Glacial Geology of Connecticut Bulletin #47, 1930, R. F. Flint
State Geological and Natural History Survey Bulletin #83, Storrs, Connecticut, 1955
"Geology of the Newtown Area" an unpublished article by Rob Roy Macgregor of the Department of Geology, Wesleyan University
"Agricultural Trends in Newtown"
an unpublished article by Raymond J. Platt, Fairfield County Farm Bureau "Public Assistance"
an unpublished article by Rose Jarmak, District Supervisor, Welfare Department, Bridgeport, Connecticut
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