This week, we go back to 1981, when Kim Carnes was singing about “Bette Davis Eyes,” and a Rubik’s cube, (inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2014) cost $3.99. Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States, and the movie Superman II was at the top of the box office.
Play Ball! The longest game in professional baseball finally ended after an unprecedented 33 innings, when the Pawtucket Red Sox finally beat the Rochester Red Wings 3 – 2 in a game that initially began April 18, 1981. Future MLB stars Cal Ripken and Wade Boggs participated for Rochester and Pawtucket, respectively.
Here is what was happening in our Valley:
Tuesday, June 23, 1981
Insiders See Finnucan Running For Third Term
ANSONIA – The political world for the city’s Democrats is a waiting game these days.
Everyone is waiting to see what Mayor James J. Finnucan will decide.
The two-term, full-time mayor said he would decide and announce his intentions in June. It is past mid-June and there is silence coming from his City Hall office.
Most political observers, though, are sure the standard-bearer will be hitting the political trail again this fall and will try for a third term.
Oxford Plane Crash Kills 2 From New Hampshire
OXFORD – Two New Hampshire men were killed Monday night when a twin-engine plane they were taking off in crashed at the Oxford Airport.
The crash, 100 feet beyond the northeast corner of the main runway, claimed the lives of Richard Therrin, 37, the pilot, and passenger Edward Scull, Jr., 29, both of Bedford, New Hampshire.
Therrin was attempting to take off in a northerly direction, according to a state police spokesman, when the wing of the six-seat Piper Aerostar tipped, sending the small aircraft nose down into a flaming heap.
The plane was leaving the state-owned airport at 9:10 p.m. and reportedly did not get far off the ground before it crashed.
Doctor Promoted
SEYMOUR – Dr. Judith Ann Foster, daughter of George M. Foster of Pearl Street, Seymour, and the late Julia Foster, was recently promoted to full professor of biochemistry in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Dr. Foster received her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Boston University School of Medicine. She has been a consultant to the National Institute of Health for the past eight years.
Shelton Band To Set The Pace For Miss America Parade
SHELTON – Beautiful performances are no rarity as far as the Shelton High School Marching Band is concerned, but this fall will mark one of their more glamorous outings to date.
The band will head to Atlantic City, NJ in September to participate in the Miss America pageant.
The 120-member band, plus color guards, majorettes and pom-pon girls, will lead the Miss Connecticut contingent in the weeklong pageant’s kick-off parade down the boardwalk Sept. 8.
Wednesday, June 24, 1981
False Report
ANSONIA – A bomb scare at about midnight today at Farrel Co. caused the plant to be evacuated, police said.
The caller said a bomb was in the parking lot. Police said all three lots were checked, and no bomb was found.
Derby Holds Commencement For 167 Seniors
DERBY – The 167 members of the Derby High School Class of 1981 had perfect weather conditions when then 105th commencement exercises were held at Ryan Field last week.
The graduates dressed in red and white gowns and mortarboards marched from their alma mater to a reviewing stand of hundreds of parents and friends who watched in hushed silence.
It was also the “graduation” of Dr. Angelo E. Dirienzo, the school superintendent for the past 14 years. He, too, was planning to continue his educational pursuits, this time as Oxford superintendent.
Theft At School
SEYMOUR – Officials at Seymour High School reported Tuesday that a compressor valued at $300 was missing from a wood shop at the school. Police are investigating the theft.
Thursday, June 25, 1981
Vandalism Reported
ANSONIA – A backhoe parked at the site of the $1.5 million Ford Street road project was vandalized, police said. The back window was broken sometime between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.
Police Unit Turns Down Contract
ANSONIA – The city’s police are about to enter their eighth month working without a contract.
The Board of Police Commissioners Tuesday at the police station in a closed-door session rejected a contract proposal that had been approved by Local 457 of the International Brotherhood of Police Officers two weeks ago.
The local voted 12 – 0 in favor of the two-year pact calling for an 8 ¾ percent salary increase the first year and 9 percent the next.
“They just rejected it without comment,” a union spokesman said.
Derby To Lay Off 12 Teachers
DERBY – A dozen teachers in the Derby school system are facing layoffs by a Board of Education that is attempting to find ways to live within its $3.3 million budget.
Top school officials and members of the board said today a layoff of teachers was “unavoidable” saying the school system could not stay within its appropriation without such action.
Oxford Readies Park For Opening
OXFORD –The Park and Recreation Commission says it will open Jackson Cove Town Park July1, but the Board of Selectmen may close it if the commission does not solve litter and security problems.
First Selectman William J. Stakum told the commission at Town Hall Monday that he does not want to have the park closed.
However, he said the park will remain open only if the operation is “orderly.”
Playground To Open In Town
SEYMOUR – A six-week program of supervised activities sponsored by the Recreation Commission at seven neighborhood playgrounds will get underway Monday, Paul J. Sapko, director, said.
The play centers will be located at Seymour High School, Bungay School, Chatfield School, Maple Street School, Great Hill United Methodist Church, Sochrin’s Park and French Memorial Park.
Friday, June 26, 1981
Derby May Discard Mortarboards
DERBY – Graduation mortarboard caps may be going the same route as sheepskin diplomas went plastic.
At last night’s Board of Education meeting, Superintendent of Schools Angelo E. Dirienzo said High School Principal Thomas J. Gersz said they were exploring the possibility of using paper caps at graduation ceremonies.
Dirienzo said there have been problems at commencement exercises when graduates threw the hats in the air after the ceremonies. There have been reports of people getting cut by the flying hats and one graduate was reportedly hit in the nose this year.
Betty Ippolito Receives Harvard Sports Award
DERBY – Betty Ippolito, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alphonse Ippolito, and a member of this year’s graduating class at Harvard University, shared the spotlight at the annual senior letter winner’s dinner of the Harvard Varsity Club and Harvard Department of Athletics.
Miss Ippolito was presented with the 7th Mary G. Paget Prize for her outstanding contribution to women’s athletics at Harvard. She was also honored for her ability and leadership in more than one varsity sport.
Engineer Urges Bridge Removal
SEYMOUR – A Conrail engineer has suggested that the most feasible solution to problems with vandalism to the pedestrian bridge from Main to Humphrey streets would be to remove the bridge.
Police Chief Walter M. Trzcinski said he asked Conrail to consider replacing the wooden structure with a metal one. Trzcinski said the present bridge was a constant problem to the town because of vandalism. Frequently, boards are removed from the sides of the bridge by vandals, causing hazardous conditions, he said.
A Conrail engineer said he did not know of any changes that could be made to the existing bridge to alleviate the problem, and the only solution, he could offer, was removal of the bridge.
Saturday, June 27, 1981
Finnucan To Seek Mayoral Rerun
ANSONIA –Mayor James J. Finnucan will announce Monday that he will seek a third term in City Hall, The Sentinel has learned.
He has scheduled a press conference “to disclose his political intentions” for 8 p.m. Monday at Rapp’s Paradise Inn.
Walsh Earns Eagle Badge In Ceremony
DERBY – Before several hundred friends and Scouters, Tim Walsh, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Walsh, was presented with his Eagle badge.
The ceremony was prepared by Ed Purcell and the presentation done by Edmond D. Strang.
Strang presented the badge to Mrs. Walsh, who pinned it on her son. Walsh presented his mother with a miniature pin.
Walsh has shown leadership in his Scouting and Explorer career including being a patrol leader in Troop 3, senior patrol leader of the troop and president of Post 33. He won the Laurence Potter Leadership Trophy for three years.
Woman’s Club To Sponsor Banjo Concert
OXFORD – Oxford residents will get a taste of the “good old days” July 12 when the Junior Women’s Club sponsors a free banjo concert at the new bandstand at Town Hall.
The Easton Banjo Society will begin picking out the tunes at 3 p.m. as club members sell popcorn, punch and balloons during the two hours of entertainment.
Turschmann Honored
SEYMOUR –Sgt. Thomas R. Turschmann, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Turschmann, was named non-commissioned officer of the month. He is assigned to Fort Benning, GA.
Rev. Keane To Bless Cars On Weekend
SEYMOUR – The summer season will be ushered in at the Church of the Good Shepherd with the annual blessing of cars after each Mass this weekend.
The Rev. Martin T. Keane, pastor, said this custom was carried out at the beginning of the summer vacation to ask God’s blessing on the parishioners and their families.
Allan Decorated
SHELTON – Master Sgt. Arthur G. Allan, son of Myra Allan, was recently decorated with the second award of the Air Force Commendation Medal at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona.
Commendation Medal is awarded to those individuals who demonstrate outstanding achievement or meritorious service in their performance of their duties.
