Straight from the archives of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1975. The Vietnam War was nearing its end. Disco was taking over the dance floor. And actor Jack Nicholson (a.k.a. Randle McMurphy) was tormenting Nurse Ratched in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.”
The critically acclaimed film went on to win the so-called “Big Five” at the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Screenplay. Only two other films, since the inception of the Academy Awards in 1929, have won all five of these major awards: “It Happened One Night” (1934) and “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991).
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, May 19, 1975
Ansonia Girl Named National Science Winner
ANSONIA – Miss Maureen Cieplak of State Street today was named one of 110 winners of a national science exploration scholarship. About 5,000 students had applied.
Miss Cieplak, 17, was named a finalist to participate in one of 18 scientific expeditions to be held this summer in the United States and abroad. She told The Sentinel that she would be assigned to a Massachusetts conservation expedition to take place through the month of July.
Four Boaters Go Over Dam In Derby
DERBY – Four boaters had a ride Saturday night they won’t soon forget.
They went over the Ousatonic Dam in a 16-foot outboard motorboat and did not get a drop of water on them, despite the fact that the river was running exceptionally high at the time.
Police said Raymond Fosco, Jr., of Trumbull was operating the boat that was pulling Norman Levesque, 14, of Shelton, a water skier. Passengers in the boat were Nancy Martin, 13, of Shelton, Gloria Maler, 14, of Shelton and Richard Russell, of Shelton.
As the boat and skier approached the dam, the motor stalled. Fosco was unable to restart it, and it was quickly dragged toward the dam by the strong current. Levesque, who was wearing a wet suit, swam to shore. He made his way to the Shelton side of the river, and flagged down a driver who took him to Shelton police.
Elks To Vote On Merger
DERBY – A vote on a proposed merger with Ansonia Lodge of Elks will be taken by Derby Lodge of Elks at its monthly meeting tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. at the Elks’ Building.
Exalted Ruler Joseph E. Houde has called on as many Derby Elks as possible to participate in the balloting because of the importance of the matter.
Officers, trustees and the Past Exalted Rulers Association of Derby Lodge recommended the merger of the two lodges, which then would use the Derby building at its quarters.
Shelton Dedicates New High School
SHELTON – Nine months after it opened its doors, Shelton High School was officially dedicated yesterday afternoon. The ceremonies were attended by about 4,000 persons.
Retiring Superintendent of Schools Percy Kingsley told students and residents they should “seize the opportunities available to them at the new facility.”
Kingsley indicated pride in the quality of the new $12.5 million structure in a brief dedication talk.
Tuesday, May 20, 1975
Groups Launch Restoration Of David Humphreys House
ANSONIA – An expert on historical house restoration will tour the Gen. David Humphreys’ House on Elm Street Thursday as residents launch a $200,000 restoration project.
David Hart, director of consulting services of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, will be here most of the day to discuss with restoration organizers what needs to be done to restore the house built in 1695 to its original condition.
Details ranging from the width of door frames and proper nails to the correct procedure for hiding electrical wires will be discussed as the organizers work toward their goal of authentic restoration.
School Board In Derby To Avoid Teacher Cuts
DERBY – No teaching positions or courses will be eliminated for the 1975-76 school year in Derby public schools.
The Board of Education last night unanimously agreed to continue with the present staff next year. It added a stipulation that if any job vacancies were created through resignations or retirements, it would review the situation and decide whether to fill the vacancy.
VRPA Approves Seymour Proposals
SEYMOUR – The Valley Regional Planning Agency last night approved Seymour’s proposed zoning regulations with a prediction they would prevent the building of multi-bedroom apartments in Seymour.
The new regulations include three new zones: townhouse, garden apartments and an R-65 zone for all unzoned areas.
Considered stricter than existing zoning regulations, the new ones were written by the Seymour Planning and Zoning Commission with the assistance of the state and Edward L. Burdell, VRPA director.
Shelton Wins 13th Behind Zahornasky
SHELTON – Senior righthander Gary Zahornasky emerged as Shelton’s pitching hero here yesterday afternoon, limiting Amity to one run in a route-going performance as the Gaels beat the Spartans 5-1 to remain on the heels of front running North Haven in the Housatonic League race.
Boosting his mound mark to 3-0, Zahornasky blanked the Spartans the final eight innings after surrendering a run in the first frame. Although touched for nine hits, Zahornasky was tough in the clutch and got stronger in the late innings. He struck out six, walked only one and stranded eight Spartans.
Wednesday, May 21, 1975
Ansonia Lions To Celebrate 25th Year
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Lions Club will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a dinner-dance at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Rapp’s Paradise Inn.
The speaker will be Past International Director Joseph W. Ganim.
Harry M. Feinberg, the first candidate for the office of district governor from the Ansonia club in 25 years, will be introduced. Cabinet members and representatives from more than 20 clubs in the district will attend to honor the Ansonia Lions for their community service achievements.
Derby Elks Favor Merger
DERBY – The Derby Lodge of Elks last night voted in favor to merge with the Ansonia Lodge of Elks.
A merger motion was approved at a regular meeting of the Derby Lodge.
The officers, trustees and past exalted rulers had unanimously voted to support the merger that was approved last night by members present.
The Ansonia Lodge will vote on the merger at its next meeting Tuesday.
Seymour Selectmen Vote 1-Year Retirement Delay For Feducia
SEYMOUR – The Board of Selectmen voted last night at Town Hall to grant Lt. Salvatore Feducia, head of the Detective Bureau, who will reach retirement age next March, a one-year extension beyond his retirement date.
Feducia, a 33-year-member of the department, joined the department in 1942. According to state law, he can continue to work after reaching 65 but must have authorization from the Board of Selectmen.
Media Center Dedicated At Sunnyside
SHELTON – The Sunnyside School PTA held a dedication of the Gertrude Shaw Media Center recently.
Five grandchildren of the late Mrs. Gertrude Shaw, a former teacher of 25 years at the school, made the dedication by placing a plaque in her honor on the wall of the Media Center. They were Robert, James and William Shaw and Susan and Gary Hudak.
Thursday, May 22, 1975
Valley Would Get $200,000 Under New State Education Bills
VALLEY – The Valley would get $200,000 more for education from the state if two bills passed yesterday by the State Senate are signed by Gov. Ella T. Grasso.
The senate approved changes in the way the state aids local education and passed a bill that if signed would authorize an instant lottery plan.
The maximums each Valley Community would get under the new proposal are: Ansonia, $48,424; Derby, $30,062; Shelton, $79,685; Seymour, $39,074 and Oxford, $17,125.
The Senate also approved a bill to restore prayer in public schools, and to open almost all government meeting and records to the public.
Valley Brothers Invent Alarm For Fishing Rods
ANSONIA – Who would ever dream that fishing rods could become automated?
The answer: Arthur and Michael Michel of Derby and Edward Michel of Ansonia.
The brothers recently invented a bite alarm device for fishing rods. It consists of a buzzer, a light and a rod support. When a fish bites, the buzzer goes off, warning the fishermen.
The Michels are trying to market their devices with the assistance of the Raymond Lee Organization, Inc., of New York.
According to one of the Michels’ wives, the men fish for a hobby.
Vandals Mar Derby Green
DERBY – Nick Jeanette, coordinator of municipal affairs, was irate today.
Yesterday, he supervised the Public Works Department sprucing up of the honor roll on the Derby Green. Flowers were planted and flags placed in appropriate places.
During the night, the area was vandalized. The flags were stolen and flowers ripped out of the ground.
“God help them if I should catch them,” Jeanette said. “We work all day to get ready for Memorial Day and in a matter of minutes, irresponsible people have to spoil it.”
Shelton Orders Sponge Demolition
SHELTON – The B.F. Goodrich Co. and the Grand Sheet Metal Co. have indicated they would begin demolition of the Sponge Products Division ruins within 30 days after they were ordered by Mayor Francis X. Kelley to begin the work.
Kelley gave the two companies 30 days, effective at 5 p.m. yesterday, to begin demolition on Plant 4, which was demolished by the March 1 fire-bombing.
Friday, May 23, 1975
Ansonia Dedicates $900,000 Shredder
ANSONIA – “I just hope the thing works,” Mayor Michael J. Adanti said yesterday.
Thus began the dedication ceremonies of the city’s $900,000 bulk-refuse shredder at the public works complex.
Adanti’s remarks came after a delay of more than a year in the shredder’s operation because of various mechanical breakdowns.
Adanti made comments that were echoed throughout the day by residents and officials that the shredder could become a significant factor in bulk-refuse planning for the Valley. With landfill space gradually being depleted, the shredder could be looked to for compacting and recycling purposes.
Military News
DERBY – Three children of Mr. and Mrs. James J. Farrell of Main Street, are pursuing military careers.
Miss Michell C. Farrell, 17, recently enlisted in the Army under the Delayed Enlistment Program. Miss Farrell will report for duty Jan. 6 after graduation from Derby High School. She will be trained as an accountant and will be stationed at Fort Ben, Harrison, Indiana.
Her sister, Miss Helena M. Farrell, was recently promoted to the rank of private first class. Miss Farrell worked in the Army’s Defense Institute Library until April 7 when she entered the Defense Language Institute to study Punjabi. She is a 1974 graduate of Derby High School.
James J. Farrell was recently promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is receiving advanced training for computers and other related fields at Kessler Air Force Base, Mississippi. He is a 1973 graduate of Derby High School.
Vandals Plague Seymour
SEYMOUR –Vandalism in Seymour parks continues to worry the Board of Park Commissioners partly because it forces the town to spend money for repairs that could otherwise be spent to improve or expand recreation facilities.
Paul F. Sponheimer, chairman, said that the main gate to French Memorial Park was badly damaged by vandals recently. Extensive repairs are needed.
Littering has marred the Bungay School field and Chatfield Street Park during softball games. Sponheimer said spectators and players frequently tossed cans and bottles around the field instead of placing them in refuse containers.
Main Break Damages Pump Station
SHELTON – Several factories and warehouses on Route 8 were without water Wednesday because of a break in a 16-inch water main at the Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. pumping station off Route 8.
The pumping station had damage when the water poured from the main.
Shelton Fire Chief Leroy Brainard dispatched fire pumpers from the Echo’s Huntington and Storm Engine Company of Derby to stand by and guard against the outbreak of fire.