This week we take a look back at 1945, the year World War II ended, and the Baby Boom began!
The United Nations was founded, aiming to promote peace and cooperation worldwide. In sports, the Detroit Tigers won the World Series.
In entertainment, George Orwell published “Animal Farm,” the story of how a group of farm animals overthrow the farmer who puts them to work, and set up an equal society where all animals work and share the fruits of their labors.
Abbott and Costello performed their famous baseball “Who’s on First” comedy sketch in the film “The Naughty Nineties.”
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Saturday, Oct. 20, 1945
Biggest Crowd Of Season Expected At Football Game
ANSONIA – With the prospect of fine weather, one of the biggest crowds of the season is expected to witness the Stamford-Lavender game this afternoon at Nolan Field. The kickoff is scheduled for 2 o’clock. Chief of Police John J. Mahoney will have a squad of 15 policemen on duty at the field and along the route directing traffic.
Many Attend Silver Tea Of Hospital Aid
DERBY – Many guests from this city and the surrounding communities were entertained at the silver tea sponsored by the Dery board members of the Griffin Hospital Aid society yesterday at the home of Mrs. Lucius B. Terrell.
The affair was a financial success, and the proceeds will be used to replenish the depleted linen and housekeeping supply at the local hospital.
Polish American Club Will Conduct Dance Sunday At St. Stan’s
SEYMOUR – A dance will be sponsored on Sunday evening in St. Staneley’s hall by the Service Men’s Fund Committee of the Polish American Victory Club. Victor Zembruski and his radio orchestra will furnish the music, with dancing from 8 to 12 o’clock.
Galloping Gaels Are Ready For Naugatuck Today
SHELTON – A large crowd of fans will accompany the Shelton High School varsity football team this afternoon in their invasion of Naugatuck for a game with Coach Pete Foley’s combine slated for 2:30 p.m.
Coach “Doc” Conklin will make several changes in his lineup. Russell Batza, who has been playing end, has been lost to the service, and Harry Comcowich may be handicapped because of a bruised leg.
Shelton will be seeking their third victory of the season in the non-league contest. They lead the Housatonic League with two victories and no defeats.
Sunday, Oct. 21, 1945
The Evening Sentinel Didn’t Publish on Sundays!
Monday, Oct. 22, 1945
New Ambulance For Police Department
ANSONIA – The contract for the new ambulance for the Ansonia Police Department, at a cost of $3,500, has been awarded by Mayor Thomas J. Nelligan and the Board of Police Commissioners to the William J. Troy company, of Boston, Mass. The ambulance, completely equipped for any emergency, is to be delivered by Jan. 1, 1946, Mayor Nelligan said.
Plainville High Defeats Derby In Thrilling Game
DERBY – The Red Raiders of Derby High School met defeat for the third time last Saturday when the gridsters of Plainville High School scored twice to cinch their third victory. The score was 12 to 6.
Two Penny Carnival Of Trinity Church Thursday Evening
SEYMOUR – The annual two penny carnival of the Trinity Episcopal Church will be sponsored this year by the Young People’s Fellowship on Thursday evening in Woodford Memorial Hall.
Games for children of all ages will be provided. One of the special features will be a magic show, and three fortune tellers will be on hand to meet the demands of those curious about their futures. The fish pond will be well stocked and anglers are assured good catches.
Shelton Scores Great Comeback To Tie Naugatuck Eleven 19-19
SHELTON – After trailing 19 to 0, Coach “Doc” Conklin’s Shelton High School varsity football team staged one of the greatest comebacks on the history of the Orange and Black gridsters, and tied an improved Naugatuck High combine, 19-19, in a non-league game Saturday afternoon at the Naugatuck athletic field.
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 1945
Reported Missing
ANSONIA – Mrs. Lena Rohoza, who conducts a boarding house at 72 Liberty St., reported this morning at police headquarters that Joseph Chicknowicz, 60, a boarder at her establishment, is missing for the past few days. Chicknowicz, she told police, has been employed at the Shelton Tack Company. He is married but is not living with his family, who are said to reside in Gardner, Mass.
Grass Fire On Hawthorne Avenue
DERBY – Policeman Pasquale Mizii, on duty at police headquarters at 3:40 o’clock yesterday afternoon was notified of a grass fire on the Kellogg property on Hawthorne Avenue and sounded emergency box alarm No. 3. Firemen responded and put out the blaze.
Great Shortage Of Homes Here, Committee Says
SEYMOUR – The building committee which is a part of the Seymour Council for Post War Planning, at a meeting Thursday, revealed that there is a great shortage of homes and rentals in our community. This shortage is in existence throughout our state, as shown by findings of similar committees in various towns and cities.
Hobby Horse Gift Shop Will Move Out This Evening
SHELTON – The Hobby Horse Gift Shop, which has been operating at 70 Wooster St. under the direction of Mrs. Mae Anger, will vacate the premises this evening.
The gift shop, which offered many fine and attractive gifts, has been compelled to move and suitable new quarters cannot yet be found, it was announced by Mrs. Anger this morning.
Wednesday, Oct. 24, 1945
Reported Missing, He “Just Moved”
ANSONIA – Jospeh Chicknowicz, 60, reported as missing for the past few days by Mrs. Lena Rohoza, who conducts a boarding house at 72 Liberty St., walked into police headquarters last night and said that he had been informed he was listed as missing.
“I just moved, that’s all,” he told desk officer William Shuron. “I don’t think it’s anybody’s business if I want to move,” he said.
Chicknowicz now lives on Broad Street.
Walter H. DeForest, Former Postmaster, Dies At His Home
DERBY – Walter H. DeForest, postmaster of Derby from 1925 to 1935, and for the past number of years retired, died this morning at his home. Mr. DeForest suffered a stroke Sunday night and had been in precarious condition ever since. He failed to rally, the end coming early this morning, closing an active and busy life to public service through the post office.
Seymour Men On Ships Returning From Overseas
SEYMOUR – Local service men listed by the Associated Press as returning to the United States from the European theater of operations are:
Frederick L. McCusker, private first class, Seymour, aboard the Mariposa, which is due to arrive today at Boston, Mass.
John F. Quinn, private first class, Seymour, aboard the Mariposa, which is due to arrive today at Boston, Mass.
Clifford B. Woodward, private first class, Seymour, aboard the Pontotoc Victory, which arrived yesterday at New York.
Chester Ferris Nominated For Kiwanis Post
SHELTON – Chester D. Ferris, official of the Derby Gas and Electric Company, and president of the Shelton Republican Club, was nominated for the presidency of the Shelton Kiwanis Club at the luncheon meeting yesterday in the Shelton Methodist Church.
Thursday, Oct. 25, 1945
American Brass Receives OPA Citation Award
ANSONIA – An OPA citation award was presented to the American Brass Company labor- management transportation committee by State Director Stanely Crute of Hartford, for its excellence in fairly and aggressively carrying out the rationing program, at a dinner last night in the Hotel Clark, Derby. The award was accepted on behalf of the committee and the American Brass Company by Horace W. Schneider, co-chairman of the committee.
Child Rescued By Unknown Man From Burning Bed
ANSONIA – Ulysses Grant, 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Grant, asleep in a bed which burning furiously when the mattress was ignited by a short circuit in a bed lamp in their apartment on the third floor of the Mackowski block, Main Street, yesterday afternoon at 3:10 o’clock, was rescued by an unknown man living in an adjoining apartment.
A neighbor seeing smoke pouring out of the Grant apartment ran to the street and turned in an alarm from box 37, located at Main and Colburn streets. The Eagles and Webster hose companies responded.
Fire Chief James T. Doyle highly praised the man who had rescued the child, but could not learn his identity for he had disappeared in the crowd watching the firemen at work. The boy was untouched by the fire and knew very little as to what happened when snatched out of the bed and taken to an apartment on the second floor.
Elmer T. Voytek Gets Commission
DERBY – Elmer T. Voytek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Voytek of Sixth Street, was graduated from Yale University yesterday morning and received his commission as ensign in the U.S. naval reserve.
Ensign Voytek enlisted in the naval reserve in November 1941 and served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of operation. He is spending a 17-day leave of absence at his home. He will report for active duty on the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Fall River on Nov. 10.
Godkin Family Reunion Held; A Happy Time
SEYMOUR – With all the members home together for the first time since May 1940, the Godkin family of Walnut Street enjoyed a most happy reunion over the weekend.
Cpl. John Londona Returns Home
SHELTON – Cpl. John Londona, son of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Londona of Howe Avenue, was recently discharged from the army of the United States and has returned home to take up his civilian duties again.
Cpl. Londona was inducted into the army on Feb. 19, 1941, and was sent to Watertown, NY to take his basic training. He spent one year and nine months overseas during which time he participated in the battles of France, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Luxembourg and Germany.