Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1930.
That golden sponge cake with the creamy filling, the Twinkie, was introduced.
The popular songs were “Get Happy,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “Happy Days Are Here Again.” Scotch tape made its debut.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, April 7, 1930
Not A Diphtheria Case In 12 Months
ANSONIA – Not a single case of diphtheria has been reported to the Ansonia health officials in a year. This record, believed to be a remarkable one, was reached today when the health records showed that since April 8, 1929, not a single case of the malady had been reported to Dr. William H. O’Neil, the city health officer.
Brush Fire
DERBY – The members of the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company and the Hotchkiss Hose Company were kept busy with a stubborn brush fire that occurred in the Burtville section shortly before 6 o’clock last evening. An alarm sound at Box 51 called the firemen to a grass fire which was raging in the vicinity of Mt. St. Peter’s cemetery, Parker’s property and the Standard Oil Company’s distributing station.
Legion Post To Entertain Many
SEYMOUR – Tonight in the post rooms on Bank Street, Emil Senger Post is to hold a past commanders’ night, and all past commanders of Legion posts in the state are invited. The affair is expected to be a largely attended one, and a large gathering of former Legion post commanders will make up the gathering.
Bought Truck
SHELTON – The finance committee of the City of Shelton has awarded the contract for the purchase of a truck for the street department to L.M. Thompson and Sons, dealers in GMC trucks. The bid was $1,300 for a ton and a half truck. This was the lowest bid offered.
Tuesday, April 8, 1930
Ansonia To Have Juvenile Police
ANSONIA – Superintendent of Schools Richard T. Tobin yesterday afternoon conferred with Chief of Police John J. Mahoney upon the proposal to have schoolboys act as juvenile officers to handle traffic and dispatch the school children from school in orderly fashion. Both Chief Mahoney and Mr. Tobin are quite enthusiastic over the plan. Realizing that a greater measure of protection should be afforded the youngsters going and coming from the schools, they feel that the older boys with the white shoulder badge of authority would be able to handle the problem efficiently.
On Spring Vacation
DERBY – James Novelli, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rosario Novelli, of Gilbert Street, and a student at Harvard University, is spending the spring vacation of one week at his home here. He is accompanied by his roommate, Sam DeGiovanni, of Kansas City, Mo.
Has New Electric Cooler
SEYMOUR – W.F. Molsick, the local milk dealer, has installed a Universal electric milk cooler, one of the finest in this section of New England. He has also has installed an up-to-date steam washer and sterilizer, and the plant is now regarded as one the finest in town.
Stolen Car?
SHELTON – Clifford G. Turst of Howe Avenue is in the unusual predicament of not knowing whether or not his car was stolen last night. He left his machine parked in front of his house at 12 o’clock and about four this morning, it was found by Lt. Barnes parked on the canal bridge on Brook Street. Mr. Turst was preparing to go to work this morning when Lt. Barnes asked him what his machine was doing on the canal bridge. It was the first he had known it was missing.
Wednesday, April 9, 1930
A Mean Trick
ANSONIA – Supt. H.A. Carrigan of the street department, was called yesterday to clean the railings on the lower flight of the Cliffway stairs which had been smeared with tar paint by unknown persons. A number of people who took hold of a railing while ascending or descending the stairs had their hands covered with the stuff, which was black and sticky and exceedingly difficult to remove.
Storms’ Truck Equipped With Six Pneumatic Tires
DERBY – Six pneumatic tires are being placed on the Storm Engine Company’s chemical truck, replacing the old tires that have seen much service, and which have been giving considerable trouble. The new tires are of the Goodrich make and are expected to give long service.
Eight Kittens
SEYMOUR – At a Bank Street home, the owner and occupant has a prize cat and it recently gave birth to eight kittens, making it even a greater prize than previously. The cat, which is called “Madame Queen,” is owned by Mrs. Bessie W. Seeley and since the arrival of the big litter of kittens, the cat family has attracted no end of attention. The kittens are of the short head tiger species and each of the eight is as lively and playful as any kitten should be.
Dr. Fosdick Installs Waitte & Bartlett X-Ray
SEYMOUR – Dr. W. A. Fosdick, Seymour dentist, has just installed a Waitte and Barlett X-ray machine. This newest invention is scientifically accurate, 100 percent electrically safe and shock proof because of the oil immersed tube units.
Thursday, April 10, 1930
Garage Buildings Razed To Make Room For Parking
ANSONIA – The buildings of the land owned by the Ansonia Furniture Company in the rear of 230 Main Street, which were vacated some time ago by Stephen Germain, automobile mechanic, have been razed and the space made available through their removal will be used as a private parking space capable of accommodating 15 cars.
Revaluation Job Still Undecided
SEYMOUR – Nothing definite has been done regarding the revaluation of the town in order to comply with the state laws regarding the revaluation of all towns and cities each ten years. That the job will probably be carried over for another year seems to be the opinion of some of the town officials for the reason that no funds were set up for the work in the last budget.
Stores Renovated
SHELTON – Renovation of the stores in the Steinman-Tisi block of Howe Avenue that were destroyed by fire recently have been renovated, and Michael Smarz is preparing to take up his old stand.
Miss Sullivan Sang
SHELTON – Miss Aleine Sullivan, of Ansonia, was the soloist at the Lenten Service at St. Joseph’s Church last evening, rendering “O Salutaris” in her usual splendid voice.
Friday, April 11, 1930
Thieves Again Raid Kiely Gas Station
ANSONIA – Motor fuel thieves made another raid upon the gasoline station of Alderman John P. Kiely on lower Main Street last night, and breaking open one of the Socony pumps, took an unknown quantity of the gas. The tank was filled a week ago and Mr. Kiely had been unable to check the entire quantity sold up to last night.
Easter Eggs Cheapest Here Since The Year 1926
DERBY – Easter eggs will be the cheapest in Derby since 1926, it is said. Really fresh eggs are selling at as low as 39 cents per dozen, which is considerably lower than last year or several years preceding it. Modern methods of handling and shipping are said by dealers to be partly responsible for the price reduction.
New Ford Station
SEYMOUR – Casey’s Garage, at the corner of Bank and First streets, has been picked as a Ford sales and service station by Dutee W. Flint. A number of the Fords have been brought to the new station, including new and used cars, and the location of the new station by the Ford people will ensure quicker service to local Ford owners.
SHS Baseball Team Ready For Season
SEYMOUR – The first call for baseball candidates issued by Coach Robert Todd, a member of the Seymour High School faculty, last Monday brought out about 35 candidates. The squad have been practicing faithfully ever since.
Among the men reporting for the year’s team are four veterans from the 1929 varsity team: Rogol, who works behind the bat, Domosky at shortstop, Kottman at third base and Fisher, who last season took care of left field, but will probably be shifted to center field.
Coach Todd has some promising material from which to complete the nine and indications are that Seymour will be represented by a good team on the diamond.
Foot Expert At Kreiger’s Today
SHELTON – A highly trained foot expert of the personal staff of Dr. William M. Scholl, internationally famous foot authority, was at the store of A. Kreiger, 456 Howe Ave., today and will be there tomorrow.
The expert’s presence is to aid foot sufferers by showing them why their feet are in pain and how relief is assured. The expert will make a scientific analysis of stockinged feet. He will develop prints of them to show the exact nature and extent of the foot ailment and then how the correct relief will end the pain and remove the cause. Local people are invited to consult with this expert.