This week we take a look back at 1968, the year the author of this weekly feature was born! It’s also when The Doors’ frontman Jim Morrison allegedly exposed himself at a Miami concert, Elvis Presley’s ’68 Comeback Special aired on NBC and actor Charlton Heston uttered the famous line “Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape!” in the “Planet of the Apes” movie.

Here is what was happening in our Valley!

Saturday, March 2, 1968

Fire Takes Ansonia Building, Ruins Western Union Office

ANSONIA – A single alarm fire destroyed the Ansonia Western Union office this morning and caused heavy smoke damage to three surrounding businesses establishments.

Box 43 was sounded at 9:40 a.m. by a passerby who had noticed smoke coming out of the office at 89 Main St.

When firemen arrived, smoke was pouring out of the Ansonia Billiard Center, above the office, and the Asimus Insurance Agency, next door in the same building.

Firemen from the Eagle Hose Company and the Webster Hose Company battled the blaze for almost an hour before bringing it under control.

Addition Is Planned To Shopping Center

DERBY – The Valley Shopping Center Inc. plans to erect several stores on a Derby site between Atwater Avenue and Valley View Avenue on property recently purchased from John Santangelo.

The site comprises approximately 3 and a half acres.

A spokesman declined to state the number of stores that would be built in this proposed new shopping complex but did say several businesses had indicated interest in locating there but that “no contracts” have been signed.

The new complex will face the existing shopping center on Pershing Drive.

Elks To Hear Hockey Star At Irish Night

DERBY – Harry Howell, all-star defenseman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League, will be the speaker at the Derby Lodge of Elks Irish Night at the lodge rooms Thursday.

Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.

Howell, a veteran defenseman, is one of the hardest-hitting players in the league and is captain of the Rangers when he is on the ice.

Tisi Solves Mystery Of Missing $45,000

SHELTON – “Nothing amiss, just a number of bills that were all paid at once,” said Shelton Mayor Vincent P. Tisi, Jr. today concerning a reported shortage of $45,000 in the Street Department financial books.

Tisi and Street Commissioner G. Alton Russell told the Board of Apportionment and Taxation Thursday night the Street Department budget had dwindled from $54,000 to $9,000, since January.

City officials said that $45,000 in expenditures in one month seemed to be a little too much, although they did grant it was possible.

Tisi checked the books himself yesterday and said he found one bookkeeping error. An $8,000 partial payment for a tractor was deducted from the Street Department’s books, when it should have come out of highway equipment account.

Monday, March 4, 1968

440 Honor Mayor Hale

ANSONIA – An estimated 440 persons jammed Rapp’s Paradise Inn Saturday for a testimonial dinner and dance honoring Ansonia Mayor Lester H. Hale.

Frank Rapp, owner of the restaurant, said it was the largest attendance recorded in the facility.

In his talk, Hale told of the redevelopment and rebuilding of the city.

“Together, we will make certain that the shopping center in the downtown urban renewal area will become a reality, that the housing for the elderly on Beaver and Central streets and on Woodbridge Avenue will be completed, that our community center will serve its objectives, that the disposal plant and incinerator will be completed and used efficiently and that the flood control measures will be pursued,” Hale said.

Mayor, Dirienzo Urge Big Grid Dinner Turnout

DERBY – Mayor Harry F. Cicia and Dr. Angelo E. Diriezno, superintendent of schools, today urged parents of team players and football fans in general to support the banquet to honor the 1967 Derby High School team planned for 5 p.m. March 10 at Actor’s Colony Inn, Seymour.

“We are honoring the work of 30 youngsters who brought honor to Derby High School and the city,” they said. “They worked hard and a championship resulted.”

Retiring Priest To Be Given Testimonial

SEYMOUR – The Rev. Albert A. Callahan, pastor of St. Augustine’s Church, will be honored at a testimonial dinner May 26 at Warsaw Park, Ansonia.

Father Callahan, a longtime pastor, will be retiring June 1.

Dinner will be served at 2 p.m.

Troop 26 Honor Court Makes Two Eagle Scouts

SHELTON – Scouting’s highest award, the Eagle Scout Award, was presented to Gary Zaremski and Joseph Ciola at the recent court of honor of Boy Scout Troop 26 at St. Lawrence parish hall, Huntington.

Presentations were made by Ronald Mansbach, Housatonic Council Boy Scouts of America. Both scouts presented their mothers with miniatures of the award.

Tuesday, March 5, 1968

Planning Unit Elect Miss Kiely Chairman

ANSONIA – Miss JoAnne M. Kiely, Ansonia attorney, was named chairman of the Ansonia Planning Commission last night at City Hall.

Miss Kiely replaces the Rev. Julian A. Taylor, whose five-year term on the commission was not renewed because he changed his residence to New Haven.

High School Near Finish, White Says

DERBY – Derby High School is 95 percent complete, Kevin P. White, chairman of the Derby High School Building Committee, said today after he and other members toured the facility.

Dr, Angelo E. Dirienzo, superintendent of schools, said a janitor has been assigned to the school to accept equipment which will begin coming in this week. Seats for the auditorium are due next week.

Scout Cookies To Be Delivered

DERBY – Mrs. William M. Miller, chairman, has announced that seven Girl Scout troops in Derby have taken orders for 5,844 boxes of cookies.

Troop cookie chairmen have been notified that the cookies will be delivered to designated depots tomorrow. Girl Scouts will deliver the cookies to their customers.

Contract Signing For Road Employees

SEYMOUR – The Seymour Board of Selectmen and Local 1303, Seymour town employees, were scheduled to sign a contract today providing for an increase in salaries for road department employees.

The new pact provides a five percent increase for hourly rated workers.

19,980 Boxes Of Cookies Sold

SHELTON – Mrs. William M. Miller, unit cookie chairman, has announced that 25 Girl Scout troops in Shelton have sold 19,980 boxes of cookies.

Troop cookie chairmen have been reminded that all cookies will be delivered to the designated depots tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 6, 1968

To Crown Statue

ANSONIA – Miss Irene Mary Scheld, daughter of Mrs. Joseph W. Scheld and the late Mr. Scheld, has been chosen to crown the statue of the Virgin Mary May 5 at the Church of the Assumption, Ansonia. Miss Scheld’s attendants will be Miss Jean Whalen and Miss Cynthia Reyher.

Parking Area To Be Built At Park

DERBY – Construction of a parking lot at Pickett’s Pond at Osbornedale State Park will get underway as soon as plans have been completed by the architect.

In addition to the parking lot, which will have a Chatfield Street entrance, a small, heated shelter with a concession stand will be built, as well.  

High School Chorus To Present Musical

SEYMOUR – The Seymour High School chorus will present a musical farce, “Bubble Trouble,” at 8 p.m. March 15-16 at Seymour High School auditorium.

Lead players in the cast will be William Demsky, Benjamin Stochmal and Laurene Peck. Mrs. Wayne Pittman is the stage director, and Steven A. Csuka, the vocal director.

Landmark Grocery Ends Half-Century Of Service

SHELTON – A familiar institution that sold penny candy, imported cheeses and ingredients for Italian dinners to server generations of Shelton customers has gone out of business.

After 50 years, DeAngelo’s Grocery Store at 348 Coram Ave., has closed. Its 83-year-old proprietor, Antonio DeAngelo, is looking forward to the planting season to start his garden, to make wine and to generally take life easy.

The only remaining reminders of the business are an ornate, gold-finished cash register that rang up sales over the years, one display case and an ageless safe whose door won’t close.

Thursday, March 7, 1968

Building Permits Top $1.2 Million

ANSONIA – Building permits issued in February for the construction of a new office building for the Farrel Corp and for the housing for the elderly complex at Central and Beaver streets boosted the total estimated value of Ansonia construction for the month to more than $1 million.

Building Inspector Andrew J. Morris issued 12 permits during the month for a total estimate of $1,260, 550.

Eagles Sending Books To Vietnam

DERBY – The monthly meeting of the Derby Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, will be held at 8 p.m. tomorrow at the Eagles’ home, Anson Street, Derby.

John Ryan, Eagles spokesman, said that six packages of pocket books and magazines would be mailed to U.S. servicemen in Vietnam.

Hoffman House Going Down

DERBY – The Hoffman House, a Derby landmark, started to fall to the wrecker’s hammer today.

At one time the top hotel in Derby, the Hoffman House later became a German-type beer garden.

Until it was purchased recently by the Farrel Corp., as land for possible expansion, the building was used as a rooming house.

Haversats Mark 25th Anniversary

OXFORD –Mr. and Mrs. Earl Haversat recently celebrated their 25th anniversary at a party at their home. The couple was married Feb. 26, 1943. They have three sons, James, an employee with the Seymour Post Office, David, with the Air Force in England and Larry, an eighth-grade student at the Oxford School.

Selectmen Urge Making First Street One-Way

SEYMOUR –The Seymour Board of Selectmen will urge the Board of Police Commissioners to comply with the request of the Chamber of Commerce and designate First Street as a one-way thoroughfare on a trial basis.