This week we take a look back at 1962.
Columbia Records released “Bob Dylan,” the debut album of the singer-songwriter of the same name, iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe was found dead of an overdose inside her Los Angeles home and McDonald’s created the Filet-O-Fish for Catholics abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Friday, March 16, 1962
Truck-Car Crash Blamed On Cat
ANSONIA – A truck and a car were damaged in an accident this morning at 8:15 o’clock on North Main Street, when the driver of the commercial vehicle stopped suddenly to avoid hitting a cat.
Police said Lewis Dube of Ansonia was operating a truck owned by Stamford Plumbing and Supply of Waterbury on North Main Street and stopped suddenly to avoid hitting the feline. His truck was struck in the rear by an automobile driven by Mrs. Joanne Mudry of Ansonia, also traveling in the same direction.
The cat was not injured.
Mrs. Petzold Has 23rd Grandchild
ANSONIA – Mrs. Eleanor Petzold of Locke Street became a grandmother for the 23rd time Monday with the birth of a daughter to her daughter, Mrs. John Keefe of North Spring Street. The baby, Eileen Jean, was born in Griffin Hospital. Mrs. Petzold now has 12 grandsons and 11 granddaughters.
Storms Expect Large Crowd
DERBY – A large crowd is expected at the St. Patrick’s Night party at the Storm Engine Company Saturday. A full course corned beef and cabbage dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. During dinner, Irish dances will be performed by the Halstead Children of Bridgeport.
Trinity Brownies Mark Founding
SEYMOUR – Brownie Troop 36, sponsored by the St. Mary’s Chapter of Trinity Church, celebrated the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouting in America at their meeting at the parish hall. A flag ceremony was held with Theodora Klarides and Cathy Wilhelmy as flag bearers. Deborah Holloway and Donna Jones were color guards. The meeting closed with a friendship circle and “Taps.”
Three Practical Nurses Graduated
SHELTON – Three women from Shelton were among 18 student practical nurses who received caps at ceremonies held Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock in St. Vincent’s Hospital auditorium, Bridgeport. The three are Mrs. Jean Boyce and Mrs. Alice Branch who were graduated from Bridgeport Hospital and Mrs. Loretta Annechiarico who was graduated from St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Saturday, March 17, 1962
Websters March In New York
ANSONIA – Stay-at-home residents viewing the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City will be looking for a glimpse of the Webster Hose Company stepping jauntily before the cameras. The Third Ward smokies are due to leave their starting point at East 48th Street and Madison Avenue at 3 o’clock. Forty-eight members are included in the Webster unit for the parade.
Stop And Shop Files Suit To Reduce Tax Assessment
DERBY – Suit has been instituted in the Common Pleas Court in Waterbury by Stop and Shop of Middletown for a reduction in the tax assessment on its Derby store.
The action is brought against the Board of Tax Review of the City of Derby, who in January rejected a petition from Stop and Shop for a reduction of its assessment on the Derby store as included in the Grand List for 1961. The company maintains that it was not a correct valuation of its taxable property on Oct. 1. The assessment was $90,000 on furniture and fixtures and $150,000 on stock and merchandise.
Break Ground Shortly At New Shopping Center
SEYMOUR – Ground-breaking ceremonies at the new Seymour Shopping Center are expected to be launched within the next two weeks. A trailer has already moved into the area in preparation for the start of the construction program. Gov. John N. Dempsey is expected to be on hand for the ground-breaking exercise.
Title to 60,589 square feet of land in the Second Street redevelopment area for $75,869.50 was transferred from the Seymour Redevelopment Agency to the Seymour Shopping Center.
Tenants of the building will include a First National Store and Savings and Loan Association of Waterbury, while negotiations are in progress with several other potential tenants.
St. Joseph’s School Honors St. Patrick
SHELTON –St Patrick’s Day was observed at St. Joseph’s School with a show produced and directed by Sister Marie Ancilla, fifth grade teacher. The show consisted of recitations, group singing, dance numbers and accordion segments. The stage, gaily decorated in green and white, was transformed into an Irish village for the production.
Sunday, March 18, 1962
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays.
Monday, March 19, 1962
Great Day For Websters Despite Late Start Up ‘Emerald Aisle’
ANSONIA – ‘Twas a great day for the Websters, even though they were delayed nearly two hours in starting up Fifth Avenue in the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City Saturday afternoon. The Derby Hill smokies celebrated the Feast of St. Patrick in a merry manner, despite a long, cold two-hour wait at East 48th Street and Madison Avenue, their starting point for the parade.
Once underway, however, the Websters put on a terrific show for the hardy souls who had been viewing the parade since early afternoon. As they passed the cathedral, the Third Ward smokies formed a 32-man cross in tribute to Cardinal Spellman.
Snatch Whiskey Between Bars; Lucky $ Stolen
DERBY – Three minor breaks occurred over the weekend, Lt. Edward Slezak reported this morning.
Officer William Burke patrolling his beat on Main Street discovered that the rear window of the Warsaw Package Store had been forced open. Someone had reached in between the iron bars and taken 10 pints of whiskey.
For the second time, within the past week, a break was reported at the Cozy Restaurant on Derby Avenue. Officer Boleslaw Tracz, who investigated, said that four “good luck” $1 bills were taken from the wall and a small amount of petty cash taken from a glass jar.
Lt. Slezak said that Mac’s Radio Shop on Seymour Avenue, next to the Cozy Restaurant, was also broken into, but nothing of value was taken.
Concordia Dinner Features Twist
SEYMOUR – The annual corned beef and cabbage dinner of the Concordia Singing Society was largely attended Saturday night. Entertainment featured a twist contest won by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Valenti, with second and third prizes going to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Tarby and Mr. and Mrs. George Waldron, Jr.
Two More Breaks In Huntington; $41.50 Stolen
SHELTON – Two more breaks were reported to Shelton Police over the weekend. A total of $41.50 in cash and a quart of whiskey were stolen from homes in Huntington, according to Police Chief Bart Flaherty.
Tuesday, March 20, 1962
Buys Ansonia Funeral Home
ANSONIA – Glenn H. Wyatt, president and director of the Cyrus E. Lewis and Son Funeral Home, of Derby, has bought the Leslie O. Jensen Funeral Home on State Street.
Mr. Jensen, after serving the community for 25 years, plans to retire from active business but will be available as assistant to Mr. Wyatt.
Hotchkiss CD Unit Saw Globetrotters
DERBY – Members of the CD Auxiliary Unit of the Hotchkiss Hose Company were guests of the company at the New Haven Arena Sunday night where they saw the Harlem Globetrotters in action. Assistant Fire Chief Carroll Curtis made the arrangements.
Home On Leave
DERBY – Seaman James M. Stanislawski, son of Mrs. Sophie Musto, is home on 15-day leave after completing 26 weeks of Navy schooling in the field of radioman at the U.S. Navy Schools Command, Bainbridge, MD.
While attending the school, Seaman Stanislawski was promoted from seaman apprentice to seaman, and upon completion of the school he became an assigned “striker” to the field of radio.
Stanislawski is a 1960 graduate of Derby High School. He enlisted in the Navy on May 24, 1961.
In Sewing Contest
OXFORD – Oxford Grange is participating in the National Grange sewing contest now in progress. Members and friends of members who are interested in entering are asked to contact Miss Katharine Lineweber, local chairman, for information.
To Disconnect Fire Signal For 8 Hours
SEYMOUR – Fire Chief Raymond H. Sponheimer said the town fire horn will be discontinued Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while repairs are being made to the tower at the Citizen Engine Company headquarters. He said only the Seymour Manufacturing Company brass mill whistle will be in operation.
Chief Sponheimer asked all homeowners to be especially careful during the dry months ahead when burning trash and to watch outside fires until they are out.
140 Pints Donated At Bank Backed By Sponge Division
SHELTON – One hundred and forty pints of blood were donated yesterday at the Red Cross Blood Bank at the Community Center, sponsored by the B.F. Goodrich Sponge Products Division, in cooperation with the blood program of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Chapter. Among the 140 donors were four who became gallon donors. They are: William Kiley, Roy Ranno, Clifford Strumello and Miss Angelina Vitali.
Wednesday, March 21, 1962
Ex-Ansonian’s Toothbrush Has Toothpaste Inside; Patent Awarded
ANSONIA – A former Ansonia man, now a Beacon Falls resident, has been granted a patent on an “injector-type” toothbrush. It is a hollow toothbrush with a chamber in its forward end and a detachable injector which attaches to the end of a toothpaste tube or aerosol bomb for filling. The paste flows out of the tube through the hollow chamber in the brush and up through the bristles.
The inventor, Theodore Rallis, says the injector cap will fit the conventional toothpaste tube or bomb and once filled can be readily injected into the brush.
Actors Colony Names Banquet Manager
ANSONIA – Don Pirritino has been named banquet manager for the Actors Colony Inn’s newly redecorated, 800-seat theatre night club. He recently completed an Army tour of duty. The inn features an all-new private banquet and three semi-private banquet rooms.
Injured Cop’s Duty Discussed
DERBY – Police Commissioners William Rossi and Wilson Rondini met with Chief of Police Ivan F. Cable and Lt. Edward Slezak at police headquarters last night.
Although no one would comment officially, it was also reported that the matter of a patrolman who was injured while on duty and who, since returning to duty, has been assigned to a police cruiser, was discussed. It is reported that a complaint had been received about his permanent assignment in the car, but the commissioners decided not to change his assignment because his injuries will not yet permit him to do foot patrol.
Citizens Quell Kerite Blaze
SEYMOUR – The Citizen Engine Company was called out last night to extinguish a fire in the old Kerite Company office on Day Street. Fire Chief Raymond H. Sponheimer said some old papers and office records burned in an upstairs office. Cause of the blaze is unknown, he said, and damage was negligible.
High School Graduation Moved Indoors
SEYMOUR – The 1962 commencement exercises of Seymour Senior High School will be held indoors in June, thus ending the series of outdoor graduation ceremonies held since the 1955 flood at the Bungay School grounds. The action was taken by the Board of Education last night.
The vote to resume the indoor commencement ceremony was carried 7-1, with Peter C. Wols casting the dissenting vote.
The high school faculty and principal have expressed their favor of an indoor graduation for the class of approximately 115 seniors.