Index     Pages in this issue:  1  2  3  4

The Amity Star
A Weekly Newspaper Devoted to the Best Interest of Bethany and Woodbridge
Editor and Publisher
George D. Vaill
Business Manager
Alice M. Vaill
Subscription Rates
Full year - 52 issues - $4.75
6 months - 26 issues - 2.40
3 months - 13 issues - 1.20
Single copy - .10
Litchfield Turnpike, Bethany, Conn.
Vol. 1, No. 7     Thursday, January 11, 1951

Editorial Comment
The efforts of Chief Kenneth W. Howland in Woodbridge and William J. Stevens in Bethany, and of their assistants, have resulted in some very intelligent and well-laid plans for the defense of this area. These plans, however, cannot be put into operation without an all-out volunteer response from the townspeople. Volunteering has, so far, been slow. Surely no one can minimize the extent of the possible dangers confronting us or the folly of waiting until the bombs start dropping. Under the circumstances it shouldn't be necessary to call for volunteers more than once.
It is encouraging to note the enthusiasm with which the people of both Woodbridge and Bethany have come forward to support the campaign to save the Lake Dawson spruce tree. In another column of this issue we are printing the text of the petition now being circulated in the two communities. Anyone who wishes to add his signature may call us (3-1682) for information.
The concert series discussed on Page 1 is worthy of wholehearted support. It brings to this area an opportunity for education and pleasure which is lakcing in many cities of far greater size than New Haven. The young people's appreciation of the muisc, however, will be increased if they can hear some of the selections in advance. Owners of recordings are urged to lend their albums to the schools or to other interested groups.

Communications.
To the Editor:
The number of highway accidents and fatalities is a nationwide problem and cause for concern. Yet the solution to [t]his problem lies in action taken by local communities. This writer, therefore, wishes to congratulate our First Selectman, Mr. Saxton, on the action hw is now taking, which will surely be a contribution to the state highway safety drive. Mr. Saxton is filing a petition with the State Highway Department, on behalf of the town, requesting a blinker light on the curve at the intersection of Litchfield Turnpike and Carrington Road.
For many years this sharp curve at the foot of the long hill on Route 69 has been the scene of frequent accidents, and recently the situation has become worse. There have been six accidents in 3 1/2 months, and two within the last week. The residents of this area feel it is their responsibility to prevent the occurrence of a fatal accident on this spot, and we therefore hail Mr. Saxton's prompt action, and hope the State will make an equally prompt response to his request.
Marion S. Davidson
To the Editor:
I certainly enjoy reading every inch of your paper including the ads. We moved up to Bethany from Westville a little over three months ago so I'm well acquainted with all the Westville business people whose ads appear in the Star.
About the beautiful Norway spruce which we almost lost, we'd be glad to sing a petition to save it, as the ride down the hill would just not be the same to us that those two beautiful trees were like two sentinels guarding the lake.
Here's wishing the Star continued success!
Gladys C. Buckholz

Committee Heads --
(Continued from Page 1)
Edward H. Hinman: security, police, fire, and rescue.
Dr. Ned M. Shutkin: medical, first aid, special services, feeding, temporary shelter, clothing.
Orville D. Crooker: asministration (projected plans for defense, education and training, procurement and supply, manpower studies, and fiscal).
Personnel to implement the work of these special departments will be chosen within a short time. It is hoped that all Bethany citizens will volunteer for this important work.

Bethany Notes --
(Continued from Page 1)
The winter Well-Child Conference will take place on Wednesday, January 17, from 2:00 to 3:30 at the Clark Memorial Library. Mrs. Henry P. Treffers is chairman of the committee in charge, and she will be assisted by Mrs. William F. Brucksch, Mrs. Victor M. Cutter, Jr., Mrs. Stanley H. Downs, Mrs. Ned M. Shutkin, and Mrs. A. Raymond Johnson. Dr. Ella W. Calhoun will be the examining physician, and whe will be atttended by two nurses, Miss Susan Cocciola and Miss Frances Gazarian. Further information may be obtained by calling 3-1497.
The Discussion Group of the Bethany League of Women Voters will hold its monthly meeting at the home of Mrs. Nicholas J. Spykman on Wednesday evening, January 17. The subject of the meeting will be "Bethany's School Interests," and both elementary and high school plans will be discussed.
On Tuesday, January 16, the Home Economics members of the Farm Bureau will hold their regular monthly meeting at the Town Hall. In the morning, the group will work on plastic handbags. In the afternoon, Mrs. Betty Preston, a member of the Farm Bureau staff, will give a talk on family budgets, called "Does Your Dollar Go Too Fast?" The hostesses for the meeting are Mrs. Grant J. Durley and Mrs. Russell P. Winter.
Daniel Bonnett, son of Mrs. Stanley H. Downs of Carrington Road, left Wednesday morning to report for military service.
The Jolly Juniors 4-H Club will meet at the home of Ruth Littlefield in Bethany Wood on Tuesday, January 16, at 4:00 P.M. Arrangements will be made for girls who do not regularly go on the Carrington Road school bus to get to the meeting, and parents are urged to arrange their own transportation for the return trip at about 5:15 o'clock. This group is under the leadership of Mrs. Stanley H. Downs, with the assistance of the Misses Edith Doolittle, Kay Harrison, June Harrison, and Kathryn Cartmell. The girls meet at the homes of members on alternate Tuesday afternoons and have chosen cooking and sewing as their projects for the year.
Miss Marion S. Davidson, of Litchfield Turnpike, is a member of the Speakers' Committee of the Association for a United Church. She arranges engagements for speakers to appear before adult Bible classes, men's and women's organizations, and high school groups.
Malcolml H. Brinton, Jr., son of Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm H. Brinton of Litchfield Turnpike, after spending the holidays at his home, has returned to the University of Pennsylvania, where he is completing his senior year.
The telephone number of Mrs. William Klein of Falls Road, recently appointed Town Nurse, is 3-4213.
(Continued on Page 3)

The Star Reporter
Mrs. Stanley M. Parker, of South Pease Road, Woodbridge, has entrusted to our care a hand-blown soda bottle from the Clinton factory. (We are trying to photograph it so that the lettering will show.) This bottle was found by members of the Parker familiy in an old barn on South Pease Road in 1919 or thereabouts.
Mrs. Parker has several other interesting hand-blown bottles, among them one which bears the legend: "Old Sachem Bitters and Wigwam Tonic." That must have been a potent cure-all capable of medical miracles. It was probably compounded of sugar, water, the juices of miscellaneous roots, and a dash of alcohol -- 50%, perhaps. Years ago this land was full of "essence vendors" who went about selling tonics, many of which depended, for their therapeutic powers, on their ability to make the sufferer forget his troubles. If anyone knows the history of "Old Sachem," please let us know.
*
Our free Skate Exchange is growing in popularity. Let us know if you ahve any items to add to the list next to the Classified column on page 4.
*
In an early issue of this paper, we carried an advertisement which announced that George S. MacKenzie, of Bethany Wood, had two saddle horses for sale. He still has - but that's not what we are concerned with at the moment. One day last week the horses somehow got out of their pasture and were roaming about the neighborhood, minding their own business and doing the normal sort of thing that you would do if you were a horse. They were spotted by the children in the school bus, and pandemonium broke loose. One seven-year-old, steeped in the lore of Hop-a-you-know-who and the Lone Whatzis, raced from the bus to his home, burst into the house, and yelled: "Mommy! Where is my lasso? The MacKenzies' horses are out!" And we are happy to report that, riding a small pedal-powered tractor, he joined in the general shouting and pursuit of the docile animals - and was somehow instrumental in helping to corral them, though we haven't yet found out just what he did. We do know that he didn't stop to strap on the customary holster and two guns, so it must have been a hand-to-hand contest.
*
A Woodbridge informant says that the bottle-capping industry started in the Minotte Nichols house at the corner of Amity and Dillon Roads, not far from the small-beer and soda-water factory. Historians, please advance and furnish details.
*
Walton Smith, of Pease Road, has shown us his interesting collection of over 200 bridle buttons -- decorative pieces worn by horses at a point where two of the bridle straps cross, just below the ears. Many of these are beautifully engraved in silver or worked in other metals, in glass, inleather, or in wood. The supremacy of the motor-car makes such a collection a rare and valuable one today.

Woodbridge Notes --
(Coontinued from Page 1)
day, January 13, at the Masonic Temple in Westville at 2:00 P.M.
Joseph Perrotti, son of Mr. and Mrs. Chester Perrotti of Litchfield Turnpike, and Walter Ettore, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Ettore, and nephew of Miss Margaret Ettore of Manilla Ave., left on January 2 to report for military duty at Camp Devens.
Announcement has been made of the engagement of Janice Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Frederick Thomas Shepherd and the late Mr. Shepherd, to Russell VonBeren, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Russell David VonBeren of 105 Alden Avenue, New Haven. Miss Shepherd attended Connecticut College and is now a senior at Larson College. Mr. VonBeren attended The College of William and Mary and will graduate from the University of Bridgeport in June.
Mrs. M. Cochrane Cole, of Bronxville, N. Y., was the guest speaker at the meeting of the Woodbridge Garden Club at the Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. She spoke on "Flower Arrangement" and illustrated her talk with various suggested arrangements. Included among the guests at the meeting were members of the Garden Clubs of Ansonia, Orange, and Westville. Mrs. Har-
(Continued on Page 3)

One Hour Martinizing Is More Than Dry Cleaning
1327 Whalley Ave.

906 Whalley Ave.     Tel. 3-2625
Sachs Dept. Store
Benjamin Moore Paints
Rubbers, boots and arctics for the entire family.

if you are an asthma or sinus sufferer try a Rexair in your home
Prescribed by many doctors
Miss Marion Davidson
Tel. 3-1809     Bethany

Tel. 3-0956
3-1362
Merritt Russell
Bethany, Ct.
Bethany Fuel
Range and Fuel Oil
Your Neighborhood Dealer Serving Bethany and Woodbridge

D'Andrea's Pharmacy
Rexall Drugs
Famous for prescriptions
M. S. D'Andrea, Reg.Pharm.
911 Whalley Ave., New Haven, Conn.
We Deliver     Phone 3-0642
Hallmark Cards - Fine Cosmetics - School Supplies - Magazines - Candy

Prospect Store
Union City Rd., Prospect
J. Fusco, Prop.
Telephone Orders (call Waterbury 5-1791, colelct)
Complete line of fancy foods, meats, and grocereis
Delivered in Bethany Every Friday
open sundays, 9:30-12:30

N. Kuljian, Inc.
Formerly Antaki's Oriental Rug Company
Expert washing-cleaning, repairing, storage, dyeing and demothing
Office and Plant 66 Fitch Street
New Haven, Conn.     Phone 6-2969