By Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1967.
Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones had their jail sentences revised, after being convicted of possession of pep pills and marijuana.
These were the songs topping the Billboard Hot 100 Chart:
“Windy” – The Association
“Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – Frankie Valli
“Light My Fire” – The Doors
“San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)” – Scott McKenzie
“Little Bit O’ Soul” – The Music Explosion
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Thursday, July 27, 1967
Blaze Believed Set At SO&C Building
ANSONIA – Ansonia Fire Chief Robert S. Cahill said this morning the fire in the rear of the old SO&C Co. plant on Front Street Tuesday night could have been a real problem if the Webster Hose Company had not been drilling in the area at the time of the alarm.
The fire broke out in the building shortly after 8 p.m. just as the Websters were holding a practice drill on vacant redevelopment land two blocks away.
Cahill said that firemen noticed smoke coming from the building and went immediately to the scene. They were joined by the Eagle Hose Hook and Ladder Company and the Hilltop Hose Company.
Cahill said someone apparently had set the fire deliberately. The flames were driving by brisk winds and even though some rain was falling at the time, the wooden storage section behind the main building was quickly engulfed in flames.
Children’s Playhouse Violates Building Code
DERBY – A children’s playhouse, sitting atop a 12-foot tower in the yard of Edward J. Skelly, of Prairie Avenue, violates zoning requirements for side and rear yards, Donald Yocher, building inspector, said today.
He said that Skelly “unwittingly” had built the play tower without first applying for a building permit.
The play tower was erected last year. A complaint was received by the building inspector from a neighbor.
The Sentinel checked with several neighbors and found that they approve of the unique playhouse, which is often visited by their children.
Board Would Terminate Court Lease, Make More Room For Police Department
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Board of Police Commissioners wants the Fifth Circuit Court lease terminated so that the courtroom at Town Hall can be turned over to the police department to alleviate the crowded conditions that exist.
In a communication to the Board of Selectmen’s meeting last night, the commissioners acknowledged that Chief of Police Kenneth Connors has talked to the presiding judge, George DiCenzo, who stated that the court would probably move out if it received a letter from the town officials requesting that the lease be terminated.
Zuraw Stars As Eagles Sink Alkies
SHELTON – Bob Zuraw bucketed 17 points and Brian Gibbs 10 as the BF Eagles trimmed the Alkies 52-44 in a Shelton Summer Basketball League clash.
Sparked by Zuraw’s scoring and Jack Hunt’s rebounding, the Eagles led 9-5, 33-16 and 41-33 at the quarter breaks.
Friday, July 28, 1967
Chain Outlets Planned For Most Space In Downtown Renewal Shopping Center
ANSONIA – Commitments from chain stores have been obtained for two-thirds of the space of the shopping center planned in the downtown urban renewal project, according to Leonard L. Farber, New York commercial developer.
A report by Farber was given at a public hearing of the Ansonia Redevelopment Commission last night in City Hall.
Farber said that 70,000-square-feet of the total 164,000-square foot shopping center building would be occupied by a two-story W. T. Grant Co. store.
Other retail companies that have given Farber commitments include two chain shoe stores, one lady’s ready-to-wear store and one supermarket.
Slogging Ballplayers Complain They Wanted Field, Not Beach
DERBY – Last week Derby officials announced that the Bradley School softball field would be reconditioned for league play, meeting a longstanding request of players that another field be developed in the city.
The request came after several new softball teams were formed in Derby. The only field in existence was the Leo F. Ryan Memorial Field, where two games at the most could be played each night.
The city decided to end the pleas of the various managers and renovate Bradley School Field.
They did. Now the cries from the managers and players are “if I want to go to the beach, I’ll go where there is water. It’s a struggle to run in this stuff and this can only happen in Derby.”
The problem now is that the players cannot run in it and the ball cannot roll in it.
Seymour To Play New London Saturday For State BR Title
SEYMOUR – Seymour’s Babe Ruth League All-Stars shoot for the big one Saturday afternoon.
The Seymour sluggers oppose New London at 4:30 at French Memorial Field, Seymour, for the state Babe Ruth championships and a berth in the New England Regional Tournament.
Seymour, which captured the District 3 crown, has advanced to the title round with victories over Hamden (9-4) and Westport (7-6).
Tom Spakowski, a righthander, is expected to pitch for Seymour, coached by John Commune and Johnny Hummel. Spakowski defeated Hamden in the state semi-finals and is well rested for tomorrow’s big battle.
Goodrich Warehouse Nears Completion
SHELTON –The outer shell of the new B.F. Goodrich Sponge Products Division warehouse manufacturing building on Howe Avenue and Hill Street is “pretty well finished,” according to a company spokesman.
The wall on Hill Street has been faced with metal siding of a muted green shade and architectural concrete block.
Work is continuing on the front wall, which is to be finished with architectural concrete blocks, black panel strips and aluminum sash windows. Two storage silos on Howe Avenue have been installed.
The project represents a $2 to $3 million investment, including interior equipment.
Saturday, July 29, 1967
Traffic Cop With A Heart
ANSONIA – Salvatore Testa is a popular cop.
He probably comes into contact with more people than any other patrolman in the Ansonia Police Department.
As a traffic cop on the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift, Testa looks out for the safety of hundreds of pedestrians daily who must cross the city’s busy streets during rush hours.
Over the years, many people have come to depend on Testa’s guidance at busy street corners. He has a way, which many by-passers admire, of controlling rushing automobiles and hurried pedestrians.
“You have to let them know who’s boss,” Testa said. “They must watch me and not move until they get the signal from me.”
Ippolito Named Principal In Middlebury School System
DERBY – Michael S. Ippolito, a former teacher and coach at Derby High School, has been appointed a principal in the Middlebury school system.
He will assume his new duties Tuesday as principal of the Shepardson and Johnson schools.
Ippolito left Derby in February to accept a position as guidance counselor at Southbury High School.
During his last eight years in the Derby school system, Ippolito taught in the elementary schools and social studies at DHS. He also coached the DHS track team for seven seasons.
Clay Donated By Beard Plant To Improve Bradley Ball Field
DERBY – Derby Street Commissioner Pasquale Maturo said today that the Beard Sand and Gravel Plant in Derby donated five loads of clay this morning to be spread on the infield at the Bradley School Field.
Recently city officials decided to renovate the field for league softball play. Somewhere along the line something went wrong, and the new infield turned out as soft as beach sand.
Military News
SEYMOUR – Marine Pvt. John Kevalas, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kevalas of Mountain Road, is serving with Platoon 395, H Company, 3rd Battalion at Parris Island, S.C.
Kevalas enlisted in the Marine Corps June 27 and is undergoing basic training at Parris Island. He was graduated from Seymour High School, Class of 1967.
Thieves Take Food At Mohegan School
SHELTON – A break at Mohegan School last night is under investigation.
According to police, entry was gained through the skylight, and an undetermined amount of food was taken from the cafeteria.
Sunday, July 30, 1967
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays
Monday, July 31, 1967
Chief Warns Of Pulling False Alarms
ANSONIA – Ansonia police today were investigating a series of false alarms that occurred last night in the second the third wards of the city.
Four alarms were pulled between 11 and 11:30 p.m. Police Chief William O’Brien said today that the offenders, if caught, will get “the limit.”
“Those men who answer the alarms are volunteers and it is dangerous for them to come from home in the middle of the night to answer a false alarm,” O’Brien said. “I am publicly warning the offenders. If they are caught, they are going to be in more trouble than they bargained for.”
Troop 3 Ends Two-Week Camp
DERBY – The Scouts of Troop 3, Derby, have ended a two-week stay at Houstaonic Scout Reservation.
A 20-mile overnight hike to the White Foundation in Litchfield, where the Scouts visited the Nature Museum, swan, cooked meals and shared a campfire with a neighboring Boy Scout troop was the feature event of the week.
William Kruysman, aided by Richard Rollinson, James Florenzak and Henry W. Boladz, led the hike.
Seymourite’s Mother Feted On 95th year
SEYMOUR – Mrs. Viola Hemstreet of New York, mother of Earl Hemstreet of Omar Street, Seymour, recently celebrated her 95th birthday.
An open house for friends and relatives was held at the Collettee Rest Home, Broadalbin.
Meriden Runaways Caught By Shelton Police
SHELTON – Two 15-year-old boys, runaways from the Meriden School for Boys, were apprehended while tampering with a car early today at the corner of Howe Avenue and Crescent Street, police said.
The boys were reportedly returned to the school. Police said a hose had been inserted into the gas tank of a parked car.
Tuesday, August 1, 1967
Retires After 37 Years
ANSONIA – James J. Hennessey, of Holbrook Street, Ansonia, an employee of the Seymour Plant of the Bridgeport Brass Co., retired today after 37 years.
He was a sheet metal roller for 33 years in the rolling mill division and a round edge roller in the wire mill division for the past four years. Hennessey was a guest of honor at a farewell gathering at the plant.
Ansonian Winner In Fishing Contest
ANSONIA – Art Stanton of Ansonia took first prize yesterday when he caught a 40-pound codfish 60 miles off the coast of New London’s shore.
He and three other Valley men were aboard a chartered fishing boat.
The others were Derby Fire Chief John Nicoletti, Buck Jones and Sonny Stanely, both of Ansonia.
Stanton, who was the first Ansonian to win first prize in the fishing contest held daily throughout the summer in New London, is employed at Murphy Ford and as a sand blaster at Farrel Corp.
Lightning Damages Fire Alarm System
DERBY – The Derby fire alarm system was struck by lightning during the brief electrical storm early this morning. Several fuses were burned out in the control tower on Cottage Street.
Superintendent of Fire Alarms Gino DiMauro made the necessary repairs this morning.
2nd Pumpkin Festival Is Scheduled Sept. 24
SEYMOUR – Plans are underway for the 2nd annual Pumpkin Festival Sept. 24 at French Memorial Park, from noon to dark.
The Seymour WATES will operate the cider and doughnuts booth, and the newly formed American Field Service will have an ice cream wagon. The Seymour Education Association will have a booth of children’s books.
A scarecrow contest for children will be held this year. Prices will be awarded for the most original, funniest and most horrible.
Shelton Solider Wins Bronze Star
SHELTON – Spec. 4 Miles E. Bush, son of Mrs. Adeline Bush and the late Eugene M. Bush, has been awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service as a medical corpsman with the Infantry Division in Vietnam. He was recently discharged after serving three years in the U.S. Army. He also received the Purple Heart medal for wounds received on active duty.
Bush graduated from Shelton High School, Class of 1962.