Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1952. The Korean War was in its third year with no end in sight. Adidas purchased the rights to its iconic three-stripe logo from Finnish sports company Karhu Sports for approximately $1,600 and two bottles of Finnish whiskey. Kids were playing with Mr. Potato Head, Slinky Dog and PEZ candy dispensers, while their parents were watching popular TV shows “I Love Lucy” and “Dragnet.”
Here’s what was happening in our Valley!
Sunday, Sept. 21, 1952
The Evening Sentinel didn’t publish on Sundays
Monday, Sept. 22, 1952
Minor Auto Mishap At Main, Bridge Streets
ANSONIA – An automobile operated by John Plasko of Rockwood Avenue, traveling south Main Street Saturday evening, stopped for the traffic light on “red” at the intersection on Main and Bridge Streets and his car was struck in the rear by a machine driven by James Hennessey of Waterbury, which was going in the same direction.
Paugassett Auxiliary’s Banquet Success
DERBY – The sixth annual banquet of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Paugassett Hook and Ladder Company was held Saturday night in the headquarters, Derby Avenue. The hall was attractively decorated for the affair. Husbands of members were guests.
Fire Warden Asks Residents To Burn Brush And Debris
SEYMOUR – State Fire Warden Richard F. Wood today asked residents of the town to burn all brush and debris possible before the cold weather sets in. He explained this would lessen the fire hazard of dried leaves and brush and added this is a preventative measure against spontaneous fires. He reminded townspeople that they must still obtain a permit for open fires.
William Skurat Home From Overseas
SHELTON – William Skurat, well-known Shelton resident of Howe Avenue, is home from the seas again after serving in the Far East, including Korea, Japan and many other spots in the Pacific areas with the merchant fleets. He is visiting with friends and relatives here and expects to return to sea duty again.
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1952
Webster Hose To Parade in Nyack, NY
ANSONIA – Members of the Webster Hose Company will participate in the biennial fire chief’s inspection parade Saturday in Nyack, New York. This parade is always one of the largest held in Rockland County and fire departments from all parts of New York and New Jersey are expected to be in attendance.
At the last parade held in 1950, the Webster Hose Company won first prize for best appearance in regulation uniform in this stiff competition.
Club Cookware Demonstration At Howard And Barber
DERBY – Mrs. B. Ribecova, test kitchen representative of the Club Aluminum Products Company, will demonstrate the New Club Hammercraft Cookware at the housewares section of Howard and Barber on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Long a favorite with homemakers, this famous cast aluminum cookware has been completely restyled – new shape, new handle, new cover and new finish.
Wildcats Oppose New Haven Rival Away On Friday
SEYMOUR – Aiming to rebound from its heartbreaking 13-7 opening defeat to Shelton, the Seymour High School football team will provide the opposition for St. Mary’s untested eleven Friday at 3 p.m. at New Haven’s Bowen Field. The Wildcats emerged from the Galloping Gael clash without any serious injuries and should be in top shape for their second test of the 1952 season.
Democrats Rename Mayor LeMay For Third Term At Party Caucus
SHELTON – Mayor Malachi J. LeMay was renominated for his third term as the city’s chief executive at a harmonious caucus attended by 400 Democrats last night in the high school.
The ticket remains much the same as the one named in 1950.
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 1952
Lieut. Coppola Leaves Thursday For Waco, Texas
ANSONIA – Second Lieutenant Michael L. Coppola, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph L. Coppola of South Street, will leave Thursday for the John Connelly Air Force Base, Waco, Texas. He will be assigned to a flight school for preliminary training.
A graduate of Ansonia High School, Class of 1948, Lieut. Coppola graduated in June from the University of Connecticut, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business. He received his commission in the U.S. Air Forces on May 22 at the Armed Forces Day for R.O.T.C. cadets at the University of Connecticut.
Patricia Cammarata To Wed Thomas Marcucio
DERBY – Miss Patricia Ann Cammarata, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Cammarata of Olivia Street, and Thomas Marcucio, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Marcucio of Chatfield Street, will be united in marriage in St. Mary’s Church Saturday at 9 a.m.
Town Will Have Christmas Tree
SEYMOUR – A town Christmas tree will set up in the railroad parking lot for the Christmas season, and the business section of the town will also be decorated with colored electric lights, John Strumello, president of the Chamber of Commerce, announced today.
The tree will be donated by Fred Hummel and will be decorated by the Citizens Engine Company members. First Selectman Harry F. Mannweiler told the Chamber that town employees would set up the tree.
Albert Schulz To Be Honored Tomorrow On 100th Birthday
SHELTON – Albert Schulz, who celebrates his 100th birthday Thursday, will be the guest of honor at a birthday party given by his former employer, Sidney Blumenthal & Co. About 30 of his former associates and long-time friends will gather at Rapp’s Conti Room at 6 p.m. tomorrow to pay tribute to Mr. Schulz.
Mr. Schulz was born in Fern Heide, Germany, Sept. 25, 1852, and emigrated to this country in the 1870s. He married Emma Burg in 1880 and settled on Myrtle Street, Shelton.
He worked as a blacksmith first for the New Haven Railroad and later for the Shelton Looms.
Thursday, Sept. 25, 1952
Young GOP Want Nixon Kept On Ticket
ANSONIA – The Ansonia Young Republican Club last night sent a telegram to the Eisenhower Headquarters at The Hotel Commodore, New York, expressing full confidence in Senator Richard Nixon and demanding that he be retained as the Republican vice-presidential candidate.
The telegram stated “The Ansonia Connecticut Young Republican Club endorses retaining Senator Nixon as the Republican vice-presidential candidate. We have the utmost confidence in Mr. Nixon’s honesty and integrity, and we are proud to have him on the Republican ticket.”
Plans Approved For New School
DERBY – Preliminary sketches and outline specifications for the new elementary school have been approved by the State Public School Building Commission.
The letter said “Preliminary sketches and outline specifications, together with statement of needs, for the for proposed new Irving School have been reviewed and approval of this department given on Monday. It is our recommendation that preliminary approval for state aid purposes be granted.”
Coach Joe Gesek
SEYMOUR – Coach Joe Gesek is convalescing at his home on Spring Street, after having undergone an emergency appendectomy Sunday at Griffin Hospital. Dr. Edward R. Harvey, Jr. is the attending physician. Gesek will be sidelined for at least another week. In the meantime, his football coaching duties have been taken by assistant coach Dan Heffernan.
Lavietes Named By O.P.S. For Advisory Board
SHELTON – Raymond P. Lavietes, treasurer and general manager of the Shelton Plane and Tool Mfg. Co., has recently received an invitation from Tighe E. Woods, director of the Office of Price Stabilizing, to serve on the advisory committee for the small tool industry. Meetings are held periodically in Washington, DC to help solve the price problems facing this industry that is so vital not only to our civilian economy, but also to our defense program.
Friday, Sept. 26, 1952
Seeks Nomination
ANSONIA – Stephen Sydor of Fifth Street today announced that he will seek the Democratic aldermanic nomination in the First Ward. This is the first time that Mr. Sydor, a longtime party worker, has sought public office.
Commander-elect of St. Peter and St. Paul Post, Catholic War Veterans, Mr. Sydor served in the Pacific Theater with the Army Corps of Engineers for three years during the last war. He is at present in the Corps Reserve, with 10 years’ total service.
Annual Report Of Activities Of The Police
SEYMOUR – The Seymour Police Department reported 159 arrests, investigated 397 complaints, 129 auto accidents, issued 133 traffic and parking tickets, answered 191 ambulance calls and its patrol car traveled 73,190 miles during 1951-52, according to the annual report of its activities.
The beginning of the fiscal year found the police department with the largest budget in its history at $42,733.60, due mainly to salary increases necessitated by the mounting increases in the cost of living.
Grass Fire Quelled Off Grove Street
SHELTON – The Echo Hose Hook and Ladder Co. extinguished a grass fire in the rear of the home of Mrs. Malcolm M. Eckhardt last night shortly after 8:15 o’clock at 24 Grove St. There was no damage.