This week, we take a trip back in time to 1983!
“Go ahead, make my day,” the quote made famous by Clint Eastwood in his movie “Sudden Impact,” was on everyone’s lips. Other top quotes from back in the day included “Say hello to my little friend,” famously uttered by Tony Montana in “Scarface,” and the talking computer that asked “Shall we play a game?” from the movie “WarGames.”
American ice skater Scott Hamilton won the Men’s Figure Skating Championship in Helsinki.
In the 4th Big East Men’s Basketball Tournament, St. John’s beats Boston College, 85 – 77.
The Madonna Influence: 1983 was the year when the fashions sported by Madonna would quickly become a part of the current trends. These include crop tops, lace gloves, mesh shorts, and large ribbon-like headbands. While her belt buckles were still in the future, the Madonna trend was certainly a strong influence on young people’s wardrobe this year.
The 1983 Dodge Caravan was the first car with built-in cup holders.
Cost of a Super Bowl ad in 1983 was $400,000. In 2025, that same ad for a 30-second Super Bowl commercial is about $8 million.
Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. At the time, reporters asked her questions like “Do you cry when things go wrong on the job?” and “Will the flight affect your reproductive organs?”
The top movies of the day were:
1. Return Of the Jedi
2. Terms of Endearment
3. Flashdance
4. Trading Places
5. WarGames
6. Octopussy
7. Sudden Impact
8. Staying Alive
9. Mr. Mom
10. Risky Business
Here is what was happening in our Valley, as stolen from the microfilm edition of The Evening Sentinel!
Thursday, March 10, 1983
Cook Co. Will Move To Florida By Nov. 30
ANSONIA – The Sentinel learned today that the H.C. Cook Co. Inc., one of the oldest companies in the Valley, will close its plant here and move to Venice, Fla., Nov. 30.
Although company officials could not be reached for comment this morning, several sources within the company verified that the business is relocating, as previously reported by The Sentinel almost a month ago.
And, according to one employee, just two of the 56 employees will be “taken” to Florida.
Cook, owned by LRC North America, INC., has a plant in the Venice Gardens Industrial Park in Florida, and that is where the manufacture of manicure implements will be conducted.
Funds Are Approved For Derby Cleanup
DERBY – Federal funds for the cleanup of more than 30 metal drums found on O’Sullivan’s Island leaking toxic chemicals have been approved by the Boston office of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The recommendation of “superfund” eligibility for the cleanup is now being sent to Washington, which has final jurisdiction on the matter, according to a state EPA spokesman.
The superfund was set up two years ago to address environmental problems which pose a possible immediate health threat. The Derby spill fits perfectly into superfund criteria, EPA officials said.
Bar Owners, Minors May Face Liquor Commission Hearings
VALLEY – Permittees and minors found in violation of the law on Friday night’s raid into Valley bars may appear before the Liquor Control Commission within 30 days.
Johh F, Healy of Milford, chairman of the commission, said in an interview last week that the procedure allows people under investigation to “plead their case” in an informal hearing.
Nine drinking establishments in Ansonia, Derby, Seymor and Shelton were raided Friday night by two Liquor Control agents and about 16 policemen from the Valley Street Crime Unit and the four police departments.
Fifteen minors, mostly females, were found in those bars, The Sentinel learned.
Friday, March 11, 1983
Unit Okays Fingerprints For Pupils
ANSONIA – A youth identification program for school age children was accepted by the Board of Education Wednesday night.
The program, recommended by Police Chief James J. McGrath, involves fingerprinting children, with parent’s permission, and giving the fingerprint card to the parents.
“With the number of missing or abducted children climbing yearly, a parental outcry is now being heard,” McGrath said in a letter to the board.
Pigeons Creating Derby Problem
DERBY – Pigeons are bombarding the downtown area with enough droppings to lead one city official to speculate that the birds might be “flying cows.”
That speculation was made by President of the Board of Aldermen Leo Moscato after the proprietor of the Bridge Street Smoke Shop on Main Street presented the problem to the board at its monthly meeting at City Hall Thursday night.
“This might sound funny, but it’s not,” Paul Pascuzzo said concerning the mess the birds make.
He said the birds live in the vacant Sterling Opera House on Elizabeth Street, and asked the board, who is responsible for its upkeep, for help.
Many of the windows in the 93-year-old structure are open. Screens covering the windows have been torn out, giving the birds easy access to the building.
Mayor Edward J. Cecarelli said “a man who likes pigeons” has contacted the Sterling Opera House Foundation about removing the birds.
Trzcinski Recuperating
SEYMOUR – Police Chief Walter M. Trzcinski has been discharged from Griffin Hospital where he underwent surgery last week. He is convalescing at his home. During his absence, the Board of Police Commissioners has designated Lt. John Olenechuk, Sr., as acting police chief.
Saturday, March 12, 1983
Offering Scholarships
ANSONIA – The Naugatuck Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club has advised that its state organization will offer four $500 scholarships.
The goal of the scholarship is to help working women return to school to upgrade themselves, advance their degree status or change careers and also to train unemployed women to re-enter the work force.
Crackdown At Bar
DERBY – Police continued their crackdown on underage persons patronizing bars in Derby. Ten minors were found in the New Jade Restaurant in the Orange-Derby shopping center Friday night. Police will notify the State Liquor Commission of the violation of state law.
Purse Stolen
DERBY – An employee of the Dew Drop Inn on North Avenue reported to police Friday that her pocketbook that contained $25 in cash had been stolen. The pocketbook was recovered a short time later, but the money was missing.
Sunday, March 13, 1983
The Evening Sentinel Didn’t Publish On Sundays!
Monday, March 14, 1983
Two Alarms Reported
ANSONIA – Firemen responded to two alarms over the weekend and early today.
An open fire was reported at 49 Bassett St. Sunday at 2:05 p.m. The Charters and Fountain Hose Companies responded to the alarm.
The Eagle, Webster, Charters and Fountain Hose Companies were summoned to a service station at 142 Wakelee Avenue at 8:03 a.m. today. A fire had broken out in one of the cars parked in the lot and was extinguished without incident.
In Production
ANSONIA – Appearing in the cast of the University of Bridgeport production of “Guys and Dolls” is Susan Sovinski of Ansonia. Susan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Sovinski, is a junior majoring in art.
Probe Vandalism
DERBY – Police are investigating another case of vandalism at the Derby Lodge of Elks on Elizabeth Street. Another large window was broken over the weekend.
Tools Stolen
DERBY – Police are investigating the theft of a quantity of tools from the Beard Co. on Main Street. Two young men were observed in the area before the tools were discovered missing.
Man Retires
SEYMOUR – John Warsenick of Seymour has retired from the Seymour plant of Bridgeport Brass Co. after more than 40 years of service.
Warsenick worked in the rolling mill division as an annealer for about 20 years and in the wire mill division for the past 20 years. He was honored at a dinner attended by plant officials and the management-union pension committee.
Tuesday, March 15, 1983
Decision Due On Kreiger’s
ANSONIA – Reports circulating this morning that a decision has been made to keep Kreiger’s open has been called “premature” by its owner, Arthur Press.
Press said because of the recent upturn in the economy, a number of options are being weighed, but no decisions have been made.
The Ansonia Mall store had been expected to close in December after an announcement was made that due to poor economic conditions it would go out of business.
Press, who also owns the Fair Shoppe in Derby and Marty’s Place stores in Derby and Ansonia, refused comment on what options were being considered.
Ansonia Seeks Region Crown
ANSONIA –Ansonia High School’s No. 1 ranked Chargers will be shooting for the CIAC State Class M Region IV Tournament championship tonight.
Coach Tom McQueeney’s Naugatuck Valley League champion Chargers, boasting a 19 – 2 overall record and 12-game winning streak, will oppose Middletown’s 8th ranked Tigers at 7:30 p.m.
Superfund Is Used First Time In State
DERBY – Federal funds totaling $100,000 have been allocated for the cleanup of an unknown number of 55-gallon drums found leaking toxic chemical at O’Sullivan’s Island three weeks ago.
A spokesman for the federal Environmental Protection Agency said this morning the cleanup was appropriated out of the $1.6 billion “superfund” – the first time such funds have been used in Connecticut – under the “immediate removal” category.
Juvenile Nabbed
DERBY – Police said that a juvenile was referred to juvenile court authorities after he was apprehended leaving Caldor’s Department Store with merchandise valued at $71.94.
Rennison Wins Two State Titles
SEYMOUR – Seymour High School track star Tim Rennison won two events at the State Class M Indoor Track Championships at Yale University.
Rennison was the meet’s only double winner as he won the high jump and 800-meter run.
