This week in history!
From the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Ansonia Historical Commission.
Note: the summaries are paraphrased from the original Sentinel articles if parts of the original were unreadable
Friday, Jan. 1, 1926
New Year Reaches Ansonia on Time
ANSONIA — A hilarious and joyful welcome was tendered newly-born 1926 in various quarters of the city last night and this morning. The coming of the new year was the signal for many people to effervesce with good cheer and merriment, the reception given being a jubilant and fitting one. Many homes throughout the community were the gathering places for old and young who stayed up until an early hour cheering the welcome of 1926. There were public social events at the opera house also, which was crowded from 8 o’clock in the evening until 2 o’clock in the morning.
Sterling Crowded to see Jackie Coogan
DERBY — The Sterling Theater was crowded to see the performance Thursday afternoon and evening and again this afternoon to see Jackie Coogan in the comedy Old Clothes. Young and old thoroughly enjoyed the feature and doubtless the theater will again be crowded to capacity this evening.
Quiet Holiday
SEYMOUR — Aside from the watch night services and private home parties last night, Seymour was very quiet and not an arrest was made, something unusual for Seymour’s New Year.
Saturday, Jan. 2, 1926
Water Floods Market
ANSONIA — The bursting of a frozen water pipe in the Ansonia Public Market at 195 Main street early this morning caused some damage and much inconvenience. The break was discovered by Officer Jack Shea who was on patrol duty on Main street, and hearing an unusual sound from which the market is located, made an investigation. The proprietor of the market was notified and the water was finally shut off.
Skaters Found Frozen Deer
DERBY — While many were enjoying the skating on Lake Housatonic yesterday afternoon, a party of young men began to skate up the lake and upon reaching the log cabin where the Naugatuck and Waterbury Boy scout camp every summer, they noticed an object frozen in the ice. It was a deer and it was necessary for the lads to chop up the ice to remove the animal from the icy water.
Engagement Announced
DERBY — Mr. and Mrs. Otto A. Peterson of 278 Derby avenue, announce the engagement of their daughter, Lillian Pauline, to George Henry Perkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Perkins of St. Ronin street, New Haven. The wedding will take place in the near future.
Monday, Jan. 4, 1926
Naugy Downs AHS by 41 to 8 Score
ANSONIA — Ansonia high school’s invasion of Naugatuck Saturday night for a basketball joust was a most disastrous one. Naugy swarming all over the Lavendar and winning easily by a score of 41 to 8. After the first few minutes of play, Ansonia did not have a look in and although it tried hard in an attempt to give Naugy a battle, the result was a miserable failure.
Contract Awarded for New Building
DERBY — The Derby Gas & Electric Company is today signing a contract with Charles Smith & Sons, Inc. for the erection of a three-story fireproof building on their property formerly occupied by the Birdseye house on Minerva street.
Elks Plan Dance
SEYMOUR — Now that the holiday season is a thing of the past, and the Elks having done their bit to make the needy happier, are turning their minds toward their annual dance, a function which was started with a bang last year. The annual affair will be held soon in George’s Hall.
Tuesday, Jan. 5, 1926
To Address Rotary
ANSONIA — Phillip Troup, editor of the New Haven Union, will be the speaker of the weekly meeting and luncheon of the Rotary Club tomorrow noon at the Manufacturer’s club.
Basketball is at Last Started
DERBY —With the gymnasium completed to an extent which will permit the playing of basketball and the gymnasium classes to begin, practice for the winter sport stated in earnest in the local high school.
Canadian Moose Head
SEYMOUR — A moose head in an open crate on the railway station platform attracted many spectators this morning. It was for B H Matthies who shot the moose on his last trip to his Canadian camp. It is a beautiful head, that of a young moose, and will no doubt find some convenient place in Mr. Matthies’ residence as a decoration and proof of gunnery accuracy.
Wednesday, Jan. 6, 1926
Essay Competition for High School Students
ANSONIA — Students in the Ansonia High School have been given the opportunity to help themselves financially and at the same time win national honors through competing in a nationwide $500 essay contest on the life and work of Benjamin Franklin.
Mrs. Atwell Gives Interesting Talk
DERBY — The third in a very popular series of current events lectures by Mrs. Marion Gaylord Atwell of New York, under the auspices of the Woman’s Club, was given yesterday afternoon before a large and enthusiastic audience in Library hall.
Attracting Attention
SEYMOUR — The moose head received by Representative B H Matthies yesterday and shot by him a short time ago in Canada has been placed in the store window of the Seymour Commerce Co. where it is attracting considerable attention.
