Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we go back to 1964.
The Warren Commission began its first hearings in the investigation of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The first of 93 witnesses was Marina Oswald, the widow of accused assassin Lee Harvey Oswald.
The Beatles arrived from England at New York City’s JFK International Airport and received a tumultuous reception from a throng of screaming fans, marking the first occurrence of “Beatlemania” in the United States.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Monday, Feb. 3, 1964
Target Practice On School Windows
ANSONIA – James Flynn, principal of Pine High School, reported to police that windows in the school are being peppered with BB shot after school hours. One window has reportedly been broken and others marked.
Firemen Quell 2 Minor Fires
ANSONIA – Two minor fires were extinguished by firemen of the Eagle and Webster Hose Companies over the weekend.
Saturday afternoon they were called to the home of Mrs. Arthur Tidmarsh of Hotchkiss Terrace, when a short in an electric oven caused a small fire.
Sunday, shortly after noon, they extinguished a small fire in the home of Richard Freeman, of Factory Court. An oil stove reportedly overflowed, fuel ignited and an overstuffed chair caught fire.
Nursing Groups’ Dinner, Meeting
SEYMOUR – President Ted Rogol of the Seymour Public Health Association advises board members of the 60th annual dinner of the board of directors of the Visting Nurse Association, of New Haven, scheduled for Feb. 18 at Les Shaw’s Restaurant.
Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1964
Marks 50th Anniversary
ANSONIA – Mr. and Mrs. John Sobol observed their 50th anniversary with an open house at their home on Platt Street Sunday. They were married on Jan. 31, 1914. They have four children, Mrs. Edwin Barlow, Henry Sobol and Mrs. William Emmerthal, all of Ansonia, and Thomas Sobol, of California, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Mr. Sobol is a retired employee of Anaconda-American Brass Company.
Dr. Pepe, Derby Native, Chosen Griffin Hospital Chief Of Staff
DERBY – Dr. Anthony J. Pepe, a native of this city, has been named chief of staff of Griffin Hospital, according to the announcement today by hospital officials.
Dr. Dwight F. Miller, Jr., has been named assistant chief of staff. Both were elected by the medical board at its organizational meeting.
Dr. Pepe, who succeeds Dr. Stewart J. Petrie, previously held the post of assistant chief of staff. He is a graduate of Derby High School, Niagara University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
DHS Homemaker Contest Winner
DERBY – Miss Elizabeth E. Yocher is the winner of the 1964 Homemaker of Tomorrow contest at Derby High School. She achieved the highest score in a written knowledge and aptitude examination given at the high school in December. She will receive a Homemaker of Tomorrow pin, and her test paper will be entered in the state contest. The state winner will be awarded a $1,500 college scholarship.
Firemen Quell Chimney Blaze
SEYMOUR – The Citizen Engine Company was summoned last night to extinguish a chimney fire at the home of Mrs. Mary Blum of Kulas Terrace. There was no damage, although there was smoke in the dwelling. Firemen were under the direction of Fire Chief John Coss. A bell alarm sounded at 8:35 p.m. from Box 232, Rimmon Street, and the town line, and recall sounded before 9:30 p.m. The fire was attributed to a clogged chimney.
Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1964
Memorial Day Group Plans To Honor JFK
ANSONIA – The memorial program of the Ansonia Memorial Day Association will be dedicated to the late President John F. Kennedy, according to Alderman Percy M. Cohen, president.
Commander John Laverty of Gordon-Viselli Post, American Legion, will be grand marshal for the parade. Mr. Cohen announced that the Lorraine Judd School of Dance will enter a float emphasizing physical fitness.
Flood Parking Lot For Skating Rink
DERBY – The parking lot at Coon Hollow Park was flooded for use as a skating rink this morning by the Public Works Department. If the temperature drops and the water freezes, supervised skating will be held Friday from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday from 1 to 5 and 6 to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
2,152,000 Pieces Of Mail In 1963
SEYMOUR –Postmaster Stanley L. Zaprzalka spoke to the Seymour Rotary Club last night at the Garden Gate. He was the guest of Town Counsel Lewis R. Whitehead. Mr. Zaprzalka discussed the Zip Code program. The speaker also outlined other improvements incorporated in larger post offices in the past years. He said the local post office handled 2,152,000 pieces of mail in 1963.
Packing Material Burns At Factory
SHELTON – Quick work by Reznik Metal Spinning Metal Company employees and Echo Hose Hook and Ladder company firemen prevented a serious fire at the Roberts Street plant yesterday afternoon. Loose packing material under a bench flared up, according to a company spokesman, and employees immediately began extinguishing it while firemen were called.
Thursday, Feb. 6, 1964
Pleasant Street Burglary Nets $345 In Cash
ANSONIA – Three hundred and forty-five dollars in bills and change were taken in a break at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Howard, Pleasant Street. Mrs. Howard said $175 was money from Social Security payments and the balance was a reserve she had saved. Included in the total were two, fifty cent pieces and four quarters. Mrs. Howard said the thief or thieves entered the home by using a key to open the back kitchen door. She said the key had been on a hook outside the door.
Joseph C. Matto Assigned To Langley
DERBY – Airman Third Class Joseph C. Matto, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Matto of Hawthorne Avenue, has been assigned to Langley Air Force Base, Va., following graduation from the technical training course for U.S. Air Force jet aircraft mechanics at Amarillo Air Force Base, Texas. He was trained in the maintenance and inspection of jet fighter planes currently in use by the Air Force. He was graduated from Derby High School and entered the service in September.
Sewer Firm To Begin Work
SEYMOUR – The Perazzini Construction Company of Waterbury, low bidder, has been notified by Charles Makres, chairman of the Seymour Sewer Authority, to commence work on construction of domestic sewers and apparatus for the Day, Maple and Pearl Street areas by Saturday. The Waterbury firm’s bid for the work was $269,580.
Friday, Feb. 7, 1964
To Take Over Mayor’s Office
DERBY – Mayor John L. Bartimole will relinquish the duties of his office Saturday at 9 a.m. He will turn over his office to Bob Piorkowski of Post 33, who along with other Explorers elected to the city positions, will take over the reins of the administration for the day.
Others who will take on official duties are Richard Sturges, who will perform the duties of city city clerk under the watchful eye City Clerk Albert P. Mizi; Robert Sturges, chief of police, under the supervision of Police Chief Ivan F. Cable; Ed Musante, who will take over the duties of Public Works Commissioner Americo Cornachini, who will be standing by.
Magazine Shows Isaacson’s Store
SEYMOUR – Isaacson’s Store on Main Street is featured in the current issue of Today’s Business magazine under the caption “Your Neighbors in New England are Stepping up the Promotion Pace with Modern Lighting and Décor.”
A photo of the modern Isaacson store is carried in the centerfold of the publication. Two bright entrances, one on Main Street and the other at the opposite end of the block, say “Welcome Shoppers.” High-level lighting and comfort conditioning are other phases of the store’s new look.
Beautification Of Route 8 Planned Here
SEYMOUR – Areas omitted in the State Highway Department original planning for beautification of Route 8 are to be included in the project.
State Representative Ralph J. Caprio has been assured by the highway commissioner’s officer that areas excluded in the state’s original planning will be taken care of in the spring. Those areas of beautification include across from the Congressional Church and approaches to the General David Humphreys Bridge.
Cruisers Cover 8,917 Miles In January
SHELTON – If the Shelton patrol car mileage for January had been on one car it could have equaled a trip from Shelton to San Diego, Calif., and back again, plus an extra trip to Miami, Fla., according to the monthly report of Chief Bartholomew Flaherty released this week.
The local patrol cars, traveling 8,917 miles, were not on a pleasure trip. Instead, they were investigating 159 general complaints, 27 accidents, 11 vandalism reports and making 14 emergency trips, among other things.