Play (Wiffle) Ball! This week we take a look back at 1953, the year the Wiffle ball was invented in Fairfield, CT. David N. Mullany designed a ball that curved easily for his 12-year-old son. It was named when his son and his friends would refer to a strikeout as a “whiff.” The Mullany family has been making the favorite backyard staple, inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2017, ever since at its Shelton factory.
“Make Room for Daddy,” starring comedian Danny Thomas, debuted on ABC and the Hollywood hunks of the day were Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift.
Fun Fact: Swanson had 260 tons of leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and didn’t know how to get rid of it. They asked their workers for ideas, and one man thought they should package it in individual trays with sides and freeze it. Thus, the TV Dinner was born.
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Tuesday, Sept. 29, 1953
Opossum, Not Skunk, Shot In Garage Pail
ANSONIA – What was believed to have been a skunk in a garage pail in the yard of Mrs. Margaret Emerson, of Dwight Street, yesterday, turned out to be an opossum. Patrolman Vincent Riordan shot the animal.
Mean Trick Played On Motorist Parked On First Street Hill
ANSONIA – About the meanest trick that can befall any motorist was reported to Police Sgt. Joseph Liberti at police headquarters by Walter J. Yazluk of Old Ansonia Road, Seymour, early today at 2 a.m.
Yazluk said he parked his car yesterday afternoon at 4 o’clock on First Street and went to work in the American Brass Company. After leaving work at midnight, he found that the air had been let out of the four tires, the valve pins removed, two windshield wipers broken off, the cap on the gas tank was stolen and all the lights were turned on, running the battery dead, so that he was unable to start the car.
Meteorite Seen By Many Here
DERBY – A flaming meteorite cutting through the skies last night shortly before seven o’clock was seen by many local residents, one of who was Fabio Lucarelli, Sr., the musician, who told The Sentinel this morning that he “had never seen anything like it.”
The fireball, which remained in view for about three seconds, also made an appearance in Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Mr. Lucarelli said the meteorite resembled “a torpedo with a flaming tail.”
Firemen Battle Six Acre Grass Fire On Jensen Farm
OXFORD – The Oxford Center Fire Company and the Quaker Farms Fire Company were called out yesterday to battle a brush and ground fire on the farm of Henry Jensen, Rock House Hill Road. The wind fanned the fire which burned over six acres.
State fire fighting crews were called and the 500-gallon water tank on the town truck was put into use for the first time. It proved its worth as there is very little water in any of the brooks and steams in town.
Seymour Ranks 116th Among 587 Towns In Pedestrian Safety
SEYMOUR – The Town of Seymour established a good record in the 1952 National Pedestrian Protection Contest for states and cities held for the 14th year, according to the latest statistics released.
According to the annual report of the N.P.P., there were 587 cities reported in the under 10,000 population group, and Seymour’s rank among these cities was 116th.
High School Cheerleader To Sing Tomorrow On TV
SHELTON – Miss Vivienne Moran of Pine Rock Park, a Shelton High School cheerleader, will appear on Wallie Dunlop’s Talent Hunt Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. on WICC-TV, channel 43, Bridgeport. Miss Moran, a vocalist, will compete with three other acts for a chance to appear in the Talent Hunt finals later this month at a Bridgeport theater.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 1953
Young Man Ripped ‘No Parking’ Sign, Will Face Court
ANSONIA – A 17-year-old young man, of Liberty Street, was arrested by Patrolman John J, Foley this morning at 9:30 o’clock and was booked on a charge of damaging a ‘no parking’ sign.
According to police, the young man is alleged to have ripped the sign off a post last night near Linett’s Hardware Store on Main Street. The young man will be arraigned in City Court Saturday morning.
Derbyite, 38, Is Held For False Alarm
DERBY – A 38-year-old Derby man, who “wanted to have some fun and see the fire trucks go by” was booked on a charge of turning in a false alarm of fire. He was arrested by Chief of Police William S. Donovan.
In City Court this morning, Judge George L. Harvey sentenced the man to 10 days in jail.
Pedestrian Safety Drill Thursday For Maple Street Pupils
SEYMOUR – Safety officials of the Seymour Police Department will conduct a pedestrian safety drill Thursday at 9:15 a.m. for school children of the Maple Street School from the first through the fourth grades.
Police Lt. Frances Flaherty and Policeman Salvatore Feducia will instruct the pupils in observing the safety precautions to be followed when crossing intersections, such as the four-way intersection in front of the Maple Street School.
Peter D’Angelo New President of The C.Y.O.
SHELTON – Peter D’Angelo, Shelton High School grid star, was elected president of the C.Y.O. of St. Joseph’s Church for the new term. Other officers are Miss Patricia Tilki, vice president; Edward Durk, secretary and Robert Stevens, treasurer.
Thursday, Oct. 1, 1953
Grass Fire
ANSONIA – The Fountain and Charters’ Hose Companies responded to an alarm from Box 75 this morning at 11:20 o’clock to extinguish a grass fire on property of the Three Saints’ Church on Clifton Avenue. The fire was extinguished with the use of lines from the booster tanks on the Fountain and Charters Hose Companies truck.
Youth Accused Of Peeping
ANSONIA – A 16-year old boy, of Mill Street, was arrested by Supernumerary Officer David O’Donnell last night at 7:30 o’clock and booked on a charge of peeping in windows on Beaver Street. He will be given a hearing in the City Court Saturday morning.
Board of Aldermen Vote For Sewer Construction After Hearing Pro And Con Arguments By Four Attorneys
DERBY – The Board of Aldermen voted in favor of the construction of a sanitary sewer on Evelyn Road and authorized Mayor Anthony DiRienzo to request the Board of Apportionment and Taxation for the sum of $1,200 for the project.
Henry And Kitik Field Pilots Of Wildcat Eleven
SEYMOUR – Coach Joe Gesek of the undefeated Seymour High School football team today revealed that he had designated John Kitik and John Henry to serve as field co-captains of the Wildcats for the balance of the grid schedule.
Both Kitik and Henry are playing their third season with the Wildcat eleven. Henry is the 185-pound left half back performer, while Kitik is a 180-pound left tackle.
Friday, Oct. 2, 1953
Mead, Bibby Fly To Columbus, Ohio To Get Fire Truck
ANSONIA – The new 1,000-gallon pumper for the Webster Hose Company will arrive in Ansonia Sunday. William Mead, assistant driver of the Websters, and John Bibby, chief driver for the Eagle Hose company, left LaGuardia Airport last night for Columbus, Ohio, where they will acquire the truck from the Seagrave Corp.
The two firemen will drive the truck to Ansonia. Upon their arrival, the equipment will be mounted on the truck which will be placed on display each day next week as part of Fire Prevention Week.
Surgical Bra Added To Line
DERBY – Mrs. Ann Palmieri, proprietor of the Professional Girls’ Shoppe on Elizabeth Street, announced today that she is now carrying the new surgical brassiere, Tress Secrete Restoration, a new post-mastectomy bra discovery by the La Resista Corset Company, Bridgeport.
The new bra promises a rebirth of happiness for women who have had a breast removed. It is weightless and simple to fit and solves the figure problem by controlled air inflation. It can not be detected and can actually give a better contour than before surgery.
Electric Service Out For Short Time On Hawthorne Avenue
DERBY – A junction fuse blew out at Hawthorne Avenue near Coon Hollow Park causing interruption to electric service in the area for about an hour yesterday. Repairmen of the Derby Gas and Electric Company replaced the fuse and service was restored.
Forest Fire Still Burning Under Ground
OXFORD – The ground and forest fire which started Monday on the property of Henry Jensen and Carl Ekstrom of Rock Hill House Road is still burning. The Center Fire Company’s truck was at the scene yesterday and last night and the 500-gallon tank on the town truck has helped supply water to the firefighters since Monday.
Eight Auto Mishaps During September
SEYMOUR – Seymour Police investigated eight auto accidents during the month of September, according to the monthly report of the Seymour Police Department. Only one motorist was reported injured in the total number of accidents.
Ambulance Corps Marks Anniversary
SHELTON – The Echo Ambulance Corps is starting its fifth year today. The corps was activated on Oct. 2, 1949 as a volunteer ambulance emergency service. Since that time, it has answered almost 1,000 calls. The corps is planning a fund drive in the immediate future.
Saturday, Oct. 3, 1953
Cops Ask 20 Percent Hike In Pay
ANSONIA – A committee representing the regular members of the Ansonia Police Department requested a 20 percent increase in salary and payment of a hospitalization plan by the city at a meeting with the police commissioners this morning in the office of Mayor William T. Sheasby. The police now pay for their own hospitalization.
Bartender Loses Shirt In Tussle After Refusing to Serve More Beer
ANSONIA – A bartender who refused to serve a customer any more beer had the shirt ripped off his back in a rumpus at John’s Tavern on Broad Street last night.
Patrolmen Edward Turgeon and Angelo Gagliola booked the 46-year-old man, of May Street, on charges of intoxication, breach of peace and assault on the bar keeper.
Derby To Open At Home Against Naugy October 10
DERBY – The 1953 edition of the Derby High School football team will make its first appearance at home next Saturday and will be faced with the task of stopping the best Naugatuck High school team in the past 10 years. The Greyhounds showed their potential power in their first game, blasting Wilby of Waterbury by the score of 49 to 0.
R.A. Women’s Club Plan Halloween Social
SEYMOUR – The Russian American Woman’s Club will sponsor a Halloween social Oct. 31 at 6 p.m. at the Russian American Hall, Church Street.
Mrs. Eva Belinsky and Mrs. Mary Rozum are co-chairmen in charge of social arrangements.
Two Shelton Men At University
SHELTON – Rev. William J. Healy, dean of Fairfield University, has announced that two Shelton young men are among those enrolling for the freshman class. They are Maurice J. Martin of Union Street and Thomas R. Smarz of Clifft Street.