USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Newtown > The 250th anniversary of Newtown, Connecticut, 1705-1955 > Part 3
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seen a more perfect play or dollhouse. Bethel's well-known Grassy Plain Drum Corps came next, the blue trousers and white shirts of the marchers contrasting with the brilliant new uniforms of the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company's men, who followed. Behind the volunteers came pieces of equipment, polished to a high gloss, hand-drawn, and dating back to the company's earliest days. First there was a very small hand-pumper, then a hand-drawn hose cart, and last the old hook and ladder, looking somewhat like tiny models of what future fire-fighting equipment was to become. Appropriately, the modern hook and ladder of the present-day, an enormous piece of equipment, brought up the rear.
Waterbury's noted drum corps, the St. Joseph's Midgets came next, young- sters putting their best foot forward, followed by two truckloads of Newtown Cub Scouts, all the boys dressed in uniform. The Newtown Penny Saver float, drawn by a Jeep, represented a very ornate baby carriage with an adult "baby", Mrs. Robert M. Carruth, taking the leading role, with her own two children, Linda and Nancy, playing themselves. Newtown's 4-H group, the Cloverettes, were next represented by a float with members aboard and Mrs. Warren Wells, assistant County 4-H Club Agent, driving. The adult St. Joseph's Drum Corps of Waterbury was followed by representatives of Newtown's Little League, who were to play a double-header later in the afternoon at Taylor Field, being driven by Richard Hibbard, manager of one of the teams.
Surrey Takes Spotlight
The Newtown Rotary Club's float was a mass of foliage, much appreciated by the horse following it, another Rotary entry. Driver of the old-time canopy wagon or surrey was Thomas Brophy, dressed in plug hat and proper livery, and chauffering his young guests who were the Misses Pat Daniells, Ann Fried- man and Linda Walsh, themselves dressed up in the fancy garb of an earlier era. That the Rotary mechanized float had a habit of stalling occasionally, due to the heat, provided entertainment for the spectators, for the horse, attracted by a dinner of fresh greens ahead of him, kept pace and munched leaves and branches from one end of the parade route to the other. Dr. John P. Miller, Jr.'s beautiful White Steamer followed, emitting suspicious hisses from time to time as though it might bring the parade to an end with one terrific explo- sion. The composure of the antique car's occupants was such as to allay fears, however, and the handsome vehicle cruised along smoothly, without the nox- ious gases of the gasoline combustion engine clouding its wake. A handsome antique Cadillac, another Dr. Miller property, followed.
The Senior Girl Scouts of Newtown rode on a float provided by the Plastic Molding Company, and Henry Carlson drove the dual-control car his Liberty Garage provides the Newtown High School for its student drivers' course. The Newtown Lions Club was represented by a large float with many persons in Colonial costume sharing their forest background with a number of Redskins,
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depicting the town's purchase from the Indians. Music was provided by the next unit, the Old Bethel Ancient Drum Corps, founded in 1883. Then came marching units of the Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company and the Auxiliary, in uniform, followed by the company's two pieces of equipment.
Lovell's Farm Equipment had a number of spanking-new tractors in the parade, ranging in size from the smallest to the largest, with the latter pulling a trailer on which there rode a bright red toy tractor, the envy of every boy along the line of march. Newtown Boy Scout Troop 70 had constructed a cov- ered wagon and pulled by a Jeep with members of the troop riding against a banner that proclaimed them to be "Pioneers of the Future". The Scouts were followed by two of their members, the Tomlinson brothers, on horseback. To conclude this portion of the parade, two carloads of Newtown realtors brought up the rear of division number two.
7
WE WERE WONDERING HOW ED WAS GOING TO GET IT HOOKED ON THE FLAG POLE
WHAT'S GOING ON
ED PITZSCHELER BARBER SHOP
WAGNE
NEWTOWNS
DANBURY
WELL
AUGUST 6, 1955
O.K POP
UP JUST A HAIR HARRY
GO RIGHT.
HONK
HONK
GO RIGHT
2
NAIL
Till Gate Hill Newtrong
9-3-1955,25
Cartoonist Ed Cullen, of Toll Gate Hill, depicts in his usual entertaining fashion, the difficulties which he encountered in placing the anniversary "collar" banner on Newtown's flagpole.
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OH MY
HEY ED ?? THAT'S A REAL RUBE GOLDBERG
R
ANNIVERSARY
SWAN.
Division Three
Colors of the Fairfield Fire Department, together with the fire-fighters, equipment and their drum corps headed the third and final division of the parade, providing music for themselves and the following units, members of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire Company and Auxiliary. The Sandy Hook fire truck was followed by an old delivery cart of the S. Curtis & Son Company, a horse-drawn wagon of a bygone day, with the occupants tossing out sample boxes containing balloons. The legend imprinted on each of the boxes com- memorated both the town's anniversary and the company's, with a reproduction of the celebration's trademark, the Congregational rooster, printed in red. Pohtatuck Grange had a large float with many members taking part in an old- time square dance, spinning partners to the fiddling of Harry Weller. The local float was followed by the Germantown Hose Company Drum Corps of Danbury. The Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company was represented by both marchers and equipment.
An unusual float was that of Hiram Lodge, A.F. and A.M. and Hiram Chapter No. 1, R.A.M. of Sandy Hook, which for probably the first time made use of the emblems and furniture outside the Masonic Temple itself. Seated at the rear of the float, which was mounted on one of Bryant C. Edgerton's huge trailers, was C. Henry Johnson of Johnson Drive, Sandy Hook, a Mason who has held every chair in the local lodge and chapter and who is an officer at the Grand Chapter, State of Connecticut. Next came Town Players' clever medicine show wagon, an old-time snake-oil promoter extolling the merits of his elixers from the rear platform. Drawn by a team driven by Charles Ferris, Jr., with Deanie Hamburg dressed as one of the attractions of the show on the seat beside him, the wagon had its authentic musicians, Joe Ozanne and his gang, plus the fake doctor played to perfection by Addison M. Metcalf. Fredericka House of Sandy Hook, the day camp operated by the First Presbyterian Church of New York City for girls coming from the congested areas of the big city, was repre- sented by both marchers and a float. Meriden's famed Washington Park Drum Corps was next, followed by the Newtown Lumber Company float, peopled by realistic-looking Indians, but Indians of a somewhat passive and good-humored nature who distributed lollipops with a free hand to all children in sight. Castro Convertibles of Danbury had a papier mache gondola skimming papier mache waves.
Shady Rest, Sandy Hook, entered a float depicting the joys of living along the Housatonic, with residents surrounding a row boat drawn up on the shore. The Lathrop School of Dance was represented by Mack and Virginia driving their convertible, the car loaded with young pupils, stars of next year's Starlight Revue. Following was another convertible driven by George W. Northrop, with his daughter Virginia-Ginger Northrop-Queen of the Barnum Festival last year, and singer on her own radio show over WLAD, Danbury, this year in the show, "A Letter From Ginger". The Brookfield Drum and Bugle Corps followed.
The United Fire Company of Botsford had its bright modern engine in the
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lead, but it took equal pride in the second piece of equipment, its home-made tanker, completed in time to join ranks with the town's fire-fighting equipment. There followed a horsewoman on a beautiful steed, young Jennifer Mielziner, dressed as Rochambeau, the French general. A Plastic Molding Company truck had in tow one of the very earliest old-time rural mail delivery wagons. And Kenneth Shaw, driving one of his own trucks, brought along the symbol of this country's independence, the Liberty Bell.
Bringing back memories of another era in Newtown was a yoke of oxen driven by Donald Ferris, pulling an old-fashioned ox cart carrying several boys and girls in costume, while a team of young steers drawing a small cart was driven by William Ferris, Jr. Horsemen and horsewomen in colorful regalia from the Flying W. Ranch, Hanover District, brought up the rear of the nearly hour-long parade, with the car of the Newtown Visiting Nurse Association adding finis to a spectacular performance.
Reviews Parade
The parade traversed the length of Main Street as far south as the entrance to Fairfield State Hospital, then swung up Queen Street, past the reviewing stand at Queen and Glover Avenue, with marching units disbanding at Newtown High School. Motorized units and floats continued on to Sandy Hook Center. Governor Ribicoff and party left the parade at the reviewing stand where they took up their positions to witness the spectacle as it passed in review.
Later in the day, winners were announced in the two categories vying for honors, floats and marching units. In the first, the Platt Lumber Yard took top honors with its Mt. Vernon float; Newtown Lions Club was second, and South- bury Training School third. Marching units, the Newtown Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, first; Fredericka House, Sandy Hook, second; Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company, third.
The Committee
Responsible for the careful planning and engineering that went into the major production on Saturday was a committee headed by :
James Brunot and Albert H. Nichols, co-chairmen
Robert T. Gorton Lee W. Glover Edward E. Knapp
Dr. John P. Miller
Ernest F. Morgan
Robert F. Reiner Bert Sheldon
Top aide for the anniversary parade was Robert Reiner, who served in a number of capacities but was most helpful at the scene of the reviewing stand
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where, operating from a sound truck, he was able to announce to the Governor, officials and judges the identity of units as they approached. Other aides were Lee Glover, Joe Wupperfeld, Ed Casey, and Leo Carbonneau.
To the committee especially, and to all the organizations and individuals who cooperated so wholeheartedly, Newtown owes a debt of gratitude. They put on a splendid show, one that is very likely to stand as the best to date. The generation of the year 2,005 will have to start its planning early to do better.
MEMBERS (1955) OF THE SANDY HOOK FIFE, DRUM AND BUGLE CORPS
Eilene Wright, Majorette Kathy Kanouse, Twirler
Fifers
Joan Bresson
Elizabeth Colaer
Patricia Griffith
Anita Hutz
Jeanette Keating
Martha Rohleder Evelyn Weber
Buglers
Alan Carbonneau
Edward Carroll
Caroline Hibbard
Joy Powell Ann Shaw
Cheryl Smith Richard Sperling
Drums
Charles Dinkler
Lorraine Keating Buddy McMahon Ronald Sienko
Marcella Wagner Emelda Walker
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Policing
Lieutenant Albert Rivers, Commandant of the Ridgefield Barracks of the State Police, who had attended one of the meetings of the Executive Committee, provided ample police arrangements for the parade, the park dedication, and the dance. Under the direction of Sergeant Walter Abel, a corps of regular and auxiliary State Police directed traffic and furnished security during the parade and park ceremonies. At the dance Sergeant Walter Foley was in charge. For this excellent service a letter of thanks and commendation was sent by the Chairman to the State Police, and was acknowledged by Commissioner John C. Kelly.
Four Town Constables also volunteered their services during the day. They were: Hiram Hanlon, Alfred J. Karcheski, John Qubick, and Louis J. Terpening.
VII. THE DECORATIONS
Newtown was gaily decorated for the anniversary celebration. The sub- committee on decorations had arranged with one firm, Columbia Decorating, Inc. of New Haven, to furnish the necessary service, and its manager, Joseph Meola, was busy putting up red, white, and blue bunting on commercial build- ings, homes, and public edifices for two weeks prior to August 6th.
Large signs prepared by E. J. Cullen were installed on the Liberty Flag Pole at Main Street and Church Hill Roads, the Town Hall, the Sandy Hook Post Office, and at all the principal entrances to the town. An interesting car- toon was drawn by Mr. Cullen for the local newspapers.
Although many houses were tastefully decorated in honor of Newtown's 250th anniversary, none recaptured the charm of our early days so completely as the delightful display in the yard of Mrs. Albert W. Peck on Main Street. It won for her the first prize in the category of home decoration.
Just as the plans for the celebration itself grew from modest beginnings, so Mrs. Peck's contribution to the gayety of the day also grew from a less elaborate outline. She consulted Frank Mack of Hattertown Road, who has been responsible for many scenic successes, and from their discussion came the decision to portray the little school which dates from 1733, and now is an integral part of Mrs. Peck's home.
For 190 years the building served the Town of Newtown well, for a short time as the Town House, as it was called, and then through the long years- long to the pupils, no doubt-as the Middle District School. Since it was a school as late as 1923, there are many citizens of Newtown here today who were pupils in this historic building.
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Mr. Mack, in giving a humorous turn to his creation, peopled the school yard with some of the pupils who can remember when, theoretically, they crept, like snails, unwillingly to school. If you look at the photograph of the scene you will see one who is not creeping. That one is young Paul Smith, literally on the run, who evidently fears that he will be late. And there is Earle Smith coming with an apple for teacher. At this early age by this tribute to authority he revealed that he would be a lawyer.
Others who are shown in all the joyousness of childhood are Walter Glover, George Canfield, Johnnie Ray, Mabel Morris, Georgie Northrop, and Alice Houlihan. And of course there had to be the teacher, Miss Catherine Murphy.
The Committee
Responsible for the decorations was the following committee:
Arthur H. Christie, Chairman Mrs. Edward J. Coleman
Edward J. Cullen
James B. Forbes
Mrs. William F. Green
Harold E. Harvey
Frank Mack
Mrs. Albert W. Peck
VIII. THE DEDICATION OF THE PARK
One of the projects close to the heart of First Selectman A. Fenn Dickinson was the establishment of a suitable town park. Through the generosity of Mr. Bertram A. Stroock of the Dodgingtown District a sum of $50,000 was made available for this purpose. A town committee was appointed and after due consideration recommended the purchase of 22 acres between Elm Drive and Brushy Hill and Deep Brook Roads, west of the Newtown Country Club. The acquisition of this property was ratified at a town meeting, and title to it was taken on July 5, 1955.
After the unfortunate death of Mr. Dickinson on May 17th, the Park Commission voted to name the new park in his honor and to dedicate it on August 6th in connection with the anniversary celebration.
When the parade had been completed that morning, Governor Ribicoff and other distinguished persons were the guests of the Executive Committee at luncheon at the Hawley Manor on Main Street. Following the luncheon, the official party proceeded to the new park, escorted by Sergeant Walter Abel of
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the State Police, and arriving promptly at 2 p.m., the scheduled time. An estimated 500 persons had assembled in the 90 degree heat to attend the cere- monies.
Among the special guests on this occasion were Mrs. A. Fenn Dickinson and her two children, Doris ("De De") and Edwin Fenn ("Happy") ; Mr. Dickinson's mother, Mrs. Harry Godfrey; his sister, Mrs. Floyd Forcier; First Selectman Louis Anderson of Brookfield and Mrs. Anderson; Selectmen An- thony Amaral and Edward E. Knapp of Newtown; Dr. Russell F. Strasburger, Warden of the Borough of Newtown; and members of the Newtown Park Commission.
Three new entrances to the park had been constructed by a town crew working under the direction of Howard A. Beardsley, the grounds had been mowed and cleared, the approaching roads repaired, a flag pole erected, and a speaker's stand installed, but otherwise the park was in its original state. Parking for visitors was provided in an adjacent meadow owned by Anthony Amaral, and was directed by members of the Explorer Scouts, led by Rev. Stuart Haskins.
The ceremonies, presided over by the Chairman, Colonel James A. Tobey, began with the playing of our national anthem and the raising of the American flag by a color guard of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 of Newtown. Members of the color guard were Commander Ernest F. Morgan, Joseph Han- lon, John Plouffe, Thomas Cassidy, Raymond Eaton, and Michael Lucas.
The invocation was then given by the Reverend Father Walter R. Conroy of St. Rose Roman Catholic Church, a church which will be observing its own centennial in a few years, since it was established in Newtown in 1858. At the Bicentennial in 1905 the invocation also had been given by the pastor of this church, the Reverend Father Patrick Fox.
State Representative Sarah Frances Curtis (Mrs. Nelson G. Curtis) next awarded the school essay prize to Faith Brown, and announced the winners of prizes for marching units and floats in the morning parade.
Bertram A. Stroock, temporary chairman of the Park Commission, and donor of the park itself, was then called upon, and made the following remarks:
ADDRESS OF MR. STROOCK
Governor Ribicoff, Mr. Chairman, Mrs. Dickinson, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen :
It is gratifying to see your interest in the new park and it will be the endeavor of the Park Commission to try to justify your hopes. I think it fitting that a brief account be given of what has taken place to date.
First, after a great deal of investigation, this property-about 22 acres- has been acquired. In addition, there are 1-7/10 acres which I regret to say have been retained by the former owner, the only consolation being that we do have some sort of a future option on this piece, which is so importantly located.
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Boundary and topographical surveys prepared by Joseph Bennitt, who donated his personal services, have been completed. The National Recreation Associa- tion, a non-profit, highly respected and efficient organization, has been en- gaged by the Park Commission to make a complete master plan for the devel- opment of the park.
The Committee believes that no work should be started until a comprehen- sive and detailed plan has been made which will guide the development of the park. This should avoid mistakes and pitfalls and result in better recreational facilities for Newtown. It is my personal hope that Newtown will follow this same procedure and elect a Planning Commission so that the growth of the town can also be directed and planned along lines most beneficial to the com- munity.
Within the next four to six weeks we hope to receive the master plan of the Park from the Recreation Association. The Commission will then study the layout and make their own decisions. Finances of course will determine how far the work can proceed.
I am most thankful that Governor Ribicoff has come to visit with us today to dedicate the park to Slim Dickinson, whose very heart was in this work, particularly because of its possible benefits to youth. I know you will be glad to learn that we have received hundreds of letters honoring Slim's memory with contributions to the park, now totaling almost $2,000. Even today gifts continue to come in and both Mrs. Dickinson and the Park Com- mission would like to express deep appreciation for this heart warming tribute to Slim.
We have recently received gifts for the park to honor the memory of other people who have passed on.
As Temporary Chairman, I would like to thank the members of the Park Commission, Mrs. William Walsh, Jr., George Jackson, Dick Winship, Rudy Berkemann and Dr. Egee-and the advisory members, Mr. Howard Beardsley and Mr. Art Christie, for the time, effort and interest they have given. I would also like to thank the many other people who have in one form or another assisted and contributed to this endeavor.
In conclusion, the Park Commission would like the Governor to know how deeply we appreciate his being with us today to honor the memory of our friend and First Selectman, A. Fenn Dickinson.
* *
In introducing Governor Abraham Ribicoff, the Chairman pointed out that he was a native of New Britain, Connecticut, but had lived most of his life in Hartford, where he had served with distinction as a local judge, as a member of the State Legislature, and as a Representative in the Congress of the United States, before his election as Governor in 1954.
Governor Ribicoff, who spoke extemporaneously and eloquently without notes, paid tribute to "Slim" Dickinson, as he was known affectionately to his many friends, as a man whose greatest qualities were compassion, love, and sympathy for his fellow men.
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He eulogized the first selectman for his personal qualities, pride in and love of Newtown, and political support in last fall's state election. That Mr. Dickinson, a Democrat, was one of the first active supporters of Ribicoff for governor, was revealed as the state executive told of a visit to his office in Hartford by the Newtown official in February, 1954, to announce his support if Ribicoff chose to run. Slim was the first man who spoke to me formally of running for governor," Gov. Ribicoff said.
Gov. Ribicoff pointed to the three-time first selectman's strength in a Republican town as "a great tribute to qualities which transcended political considerations. You could do yourselves no greater honor than to name the park for Slim," he said.
The natural surroundings of the park are an appropriate memorial to "a natural, self-effacing man who was without pose", the governor said. "To the people of Newtown, I salute your 250 years. May the name of Slim be bright over the years as the people of the town enjoy the park," he concluded.
Unveils Plaque
The governor's address was followed by the unveiling of a memorial bronze plaque by Howard A. Beardsley, road foreman under First Selectman Dickinson and present town supervisor of roads. The plaque, set in a granite boulder at the center of the park, bears the following inscription :
This Park Is Dedicated To The Memory Of A. FENN DICKINSON First Selectman Of The Town Of Newtown 1949-55 by Hon. Abraham A. Ribicoff Governor of Connecticut August 6, 1955
In closing the ceremonies, Chairman Tobey stated, "Here among these stately, fragrant pines, here on these rolling meadows of our beloved Newtown, we have today made our contribution to history."
The exercises closed with the benediction by the Reverend Paul A. Cullens of the Newtown Congregational Church.
The Committee
The subcommittee in charge of the arrangements at the park included the following:
Richard S. Winship, Chairman Howard A. Beardsley Miles Harris Arthur J. Smith
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IX. THE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL GAMES
The Newtown Little League put on a post-season double-header Saturday afternoon, August 6, at Taylor Field as part of the activities for the celebration of the town's 250th anniversary. With a crowd of over 200 watching, the third- place Yankees trounced the Red Sox, the league's cellar occupants, 17-0 in the opening game, while the Dodgers beat the league-leading Giants, 9-8 in the rousing finale. Both games went four innings.
The Yankees went to work on the Red Sox, scoring eight runs in the first inning and four more in the second, Ronnie Beardsley, Don Steisel and Tommy Gann shared the pitching assignment for the Yankees, each keeping the Red Sox under control.
The Giants started out with one run in the first, and the Dodgers came back to take the lead with two runs as Dan Dayton and Gary Hoyt singled and Jim Tenney drove them home with a double. The Giants tied the score at 2-all in the second, and added another in the third to take the lead. Then the Dodgers came through with a four-run rally in the third on two walks, a hit batter, a single by Hansen and a double by Chipper Hull.
The league-leaders came back strong in the fourth with three singles and doubles by Sperling and Stickles as they scored five runs to run the count to 8-6. Stickles who relieved Cliff Beardsley in the third, walked the first three batters in the last half of the fourth. After Hansen had grounded out, Hull popped a weak fly to second and Tenney was doubled off third, apparently ending the game. But Umpire John Plouffe called the ball dead and the batter out on an infield fly ruling, starting the best rhubarb of the day as the Giants protested the decision.
When play was resumed, Tomlinson smacked a single to send Tenney and Walsh home with the tying and winning runs. Chipper Hull, who relieved Bill Christie in the fourth inning with two out, received credit for the victory.
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