Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to 1953!
In music, the song “(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window” by Patti Page is the best-selling record. Dwight D. Eisenhower is President. On television, people are watching “The Ed Sullivan Show,” “What’s My Line?” and “The Roy Rogers Show.”
In fashion, “The New Look” by Christian Dior sees women donning rounded shoulders, a full-skirted silhouette and a tight waist. Men are following the “Teddy Boy” trend, sporting greased-back hair, narrow trousers and velvet-collared jackets. In Asia, the Korean War is raging on between South Korea and North Korea. “House of Wax,” the first color 3‑D movie premieres in New York.
Here is what was happening in our Valley, according to the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Tuesday, April 7, 1953
Mrs. Davidson Is Observing 88th Birthday
ANSONIA – Mrs. Laura B. Davidson of Johnson Street is observing her 88th birthday anniversary today. Mrs. Davidson received many lovely floral bouquets today as well as numerous cards and personal greetings from her friends.
A family dinner will be held this evening at the Davidson home.
Quantity Of Orders Delays Shipment Of Girl Scout Cookies
ANSONIA – Advance orders taken on the sale of cookies by the Girl Scouts has been highly successful to date, Miss Mary Joy Barrett, Scout Leader, announced today.
Because of the great number of orders, Miss Barrett said the shipment of cookies has not yet arrived, but as soon as they are received, deliveries will be made promptly.
Gems To Be Displayed At David Schpero’s
DERBY – David Schpero’s, 23 Elizabeth St., will hold a 30th diamond jubilee at the store beginning Thursday. On display will be unusually beautiful pieces of diamond jewelry and unset diamonds provided by the store’s importers in New York City.
The gleaming, glistening gems will be offered at many special values.
Swan Lectures Three-Year-Old After Blaze
SEYMOUR – A three-year-old youngster playing with matches started a fire in the closet at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dzwonzyk at Short Street this morning at 11 o’clock. Firemen of Citizens Engine Company responding to an alarm from Box 46 quickly brought the blaze under control and damage was confined to the vicinity of the closet.
After the fire was extinguished, Fire Chief James Swan gave the child a stern lecture on the danger of playing with matches.
Wednesday, April 8, 1953
Plastic Diving Board Installed In Y Pool
ANSONIA – A new plastic diving board, the latest thing in boards, has been installed in the swimming pool at the Ansonia YMCA. The new diving board is made of fiberglass plastic and is unbreakable while giving the maximum amount of spring.
The board, unlike the average wood board of oak or fir, does not need a rest and water cannot penetrate it. The top of the board is finished with a permanent runner of silicon carbide grit, making it the safest board covering in use today.
Clifton Avenue Blocked By House Moving Today
ANSONIA – Clifton Avenue, from Short to Bridge streets, was closed by a police line this morning as workmen moved a house, located on Wooster Street near Clifton Avenue, to its new site near Joseph’s Furniture Store on Clifton Avenue.
Linemen of the Derby Gas and Electric, and Southern New England Telephone Companies removed wires and cables in the path of the structure, which was moved on trucks.
Gas Blast Damages Trailer
DERBY – A bottled gas stove exploded in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Talmadge of Park Avenue shortly after 11:15 this morning, causing a fire which was quickly extinguished by local firemen.
Box 42 was sounded from police headquarters and all three companies responded. The building was heavily charged with smoke. After ventilating it, the firemen of Hotchkiss and Storms used their booster lines. Damage was estimated at $100.
Officer Flaherty Appointed Acting Lieutenant
SEYMOUR – Several major changes in the Seymour Police Department were affected at a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners with the Board of Selectmen and the regular and supernumerary officers last night at the Town Hall.
Officer Francis Flaherty was appointed acting lieutenant of the police department, while desk officers William Wierdo, Charles Derry and Frank Walsh were named acting sergeants.
According to the commissioners, the changes were made to provide greater efficiency and effectiveness in carrying out the work of the police department.
Thursday, April 9, 1953
Tot Breaks Leg In Fall Off Swing
ANSONIA – Billy Moore, three-and-one-half year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William V. Moore of South Cliff Street, is resting comfortably today at his home, after having sustained a broken leg in a fall from a swing in the back yard of his home yesterday afternoon. Billy’s leg was placed in a cast at the Griffin Hospital by Dr. John J. Narowski.
Small Grass Fires On Academy Hill
DERBY – The Storm Engine Company, in response to a still alarm, went to Academy Hill last night at 6 o’clock where they extinguished a small grass fire.
Derby Nine To Open Season Friday
DERBY – The Derby High School baseball team will open its 1953 season Friday afternoon in West Haven, squaring off against Notre Dame School at the latter team’s home field.
Seymour Is On Fatality-Free List For First 3 Months
SEYMOUR – The Town of Seymour has been free of traffic fatalities during the first three months of 1953, according to statistics compiled by the Connecticut Safety Commission, as compared to one fatality during a similar period in 1952.
SHS Principal Undergoes Surgery At New Haven Hospital
SEYMOUR – Edward MacConnie, principal of Seymour High School, was reported to be in fair condition this morning at the Grace-New Haven Community Hospital, where he is a patient in the Memorial Unit. Mr. MacConnie underwent major surgery earlier this week.
Friday, April 10, 1953
Recreation Commission Rules No Softball At Nolan Field
ANSONIA – A hectic meeting of the Recreation Commission, which steamed almost four hours at the City Hall last night, concluded with only one definite point – there will be no softball games allowed at Nolan Field this season.
The session got underway shortly after 8 o’clock and concluded at 11:45, being taken up almost entirely with the request of the Windy Hill A.C. to play softball games at the south end of the football field as was done in former years, but had been nixed since the end of World War II.
Do Not Use Cartons For Garbage Refuse
DERBY – Street Commissioner John Benanto this morning appealed to residents not to use cardboard cartons as garbage and refuse receptacles. He pointed out that the City Charter specifically states that metal containers are to be used for this purpose. Greatest violators are those in the downtown area where cardboard cartons are invariably used to hold garbage and refuse. This practice must stop, the street commissioner emphasized.
Kerite Company Registers Trademarks
SEYMOUR – The Kerite Company of Seymour and New York, NY, has had its trademarks registered for electrical insulating materials, according to a list of trademarks compiled at the offices of Wooster and Davis, patent attorneys, Bridgeport.
Two Seymour Soldiers Due Home From Europe
SEYMOUR – Private Richard Gorman and Master Sergeant Donald Woytovich of Seymour, are among the Connecticut troops returning from Europe aboard the General Callan, which is due to dock at New York on Monday.
Saturday, April 11, 1953
Brothers Reunited
ANSONIA – Two Ansonia brothers who enlisted in the Air Force together last June, trained together but who were separated after basic training, have been reunited in Korea. Airman Third Class William Rallis and Airman Third Class John Rallis are stationed six miles apart near Suwon, Korea. They are the sons of Leandros Rallis of Colony Street and the late Mrs. Helen Rallis.
Comic Books Free At Commodore Hull Sunday Afternoon
DERBY – Nicholas Lionetti, manager of the Commodore Hull Theater, has arranged to present the first 500 children who attend the Sunday matinee with comic books. Pictures being shown are “High Noon” with Gary Cooper, 1953 Academy Award winner for best actor of the year, and “African Queen,” with Humphrey Bogart, 1952 Academy Award winner for best actor of the year.
Rain Washes Out Wildcat Opener
SEYMOUR – Rain forced postponement the Seymour Wildcats’ opener with St. Mary’s Friars of New Haven slated yesterday afternoon at French Memorial Park Field.
Tuesday afternoon, the charges of Coach Dan Heffernan will meet the Derby Red Raiders in a Housatonic League game at Coon Hollow Park, Derby.
Town Crew Completes Redecorating Town Hall
SEYMOUR – The town crew, under the direction of Second Selectman Raymond H. Sponheimer, road foreman, has completed redecorating the interior of the Town Hall. All of the walls in the municipal offices, as well as the court room, council room, nurses’ office and the police station have been given a fresh coat of paint and even the cells in the jails have been painted.
The color scheme harmonizes throughout the building, with soft shades of green and yellow predominating. Many visitors to the Town Hall have commented on the attractive appearance of the freshly painted interior.
