Index Pages in this issue: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Buy Easter Seals
The Amity Star
A Weekly Newspaper Published at The Bethany Press
Litchfield Turnpike, Bethany, Connecticut
Telephone - New Haven 3-1682
George D. Vaill
Editor & Publisher
Alice M. Vaill
Business Manager
SUBSCRIPTION RATES
One Year 52 issues $4.75
Six Months 26 issues 2.40
Three Months 13 issues 1.20
Vol. 1, No. 17 Thursday, March 22, 1951
Editorial Comment
ELMER L. MANLEY
The editors of thie paper never had the privilege of knowing Elmer Manley personally. We have, however, heard so many comments by his fellow townsmen during the past few days that we cannot refrain from adding a word or two of our own. His, according to the reports, was a career of unselfish public service devoted to the best interests of his town. His business career was, in like manner, marked by integrity and consideration for the rights of others. Such a citizen no town can afford to lose in the prime of his life. We join the entire community in extending sympathy to his family.
UNITED NATIONS, PLEASE COPY
Not infrequently we find adjacent towns engaging in bitter feuds and jealous rivalries which exceed the proper bounds of mere local pride. While the situation in this area cannot be said to be unique, still it is a source of satisfaction and encouragement to observe to extent to which Bethany, Woodbridge, and Orange are engaged in acting cooperatively and offering cordial hospitality to one another, for the common good. Manifestations of this healthful situation are seen in joint meetings for the discussion of school problems, fire fighting techniques, and an athletic program for the children, as well as in the invitations which clubs and organizations of one or the other of the towns have extended to residents of the neighboring communities. Larger political units--states and nations--might well observe and benefit from this example. They could not strive for closer harmony than we have here at this level.
Notice to Orange Readers
This March 22 issue of "The Amity Star" will be the last to be distributed by general circulation in the Town of Orange.
Those who wish to continue to receive the paper, postpaid by mail, are now invited to subscribe, at the rates which appear in the masthead on this page. Immediate payment, however, need not accompany subscription orders, which may be telephoned in to us at New Haven 3-1682.
The paper will be mailed free of charge to any Orange resident in military service if his address is reported to us.
BETHANY NOTES
PLEASE SAVE YOUR WASTE PAPER -- the Boy Scouts will have a Paper Collection on Sunday morning, April 8.
The Men's Club of the Congregational Church will meet on Monday, March 26, at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Hall for a Roast Beef Supper. Officer Edward Dooling, of the Bethany State Police Barracks, will be the guest speaker. Please telephone 3-0484 for reservations.
The proceeds of the spring dance which the P.T.A. is sponsoring at the Town Hall on Saturday, March 31, will be used for the purchase of film strips and possibly a projector for the Community School. Elaborate preparations are being made for an enjoyable evening, and it is hoped that the affair will be well attended. Tickets are now on sale and may be obtained from the following members: Mrs. Malcolm Brinton, Mrs. Ralph Downs, Mrs. Stanley Downs, Mrs. Grant Durley, Mrs. Alvin Eisenman, Mrs. Henry Haversat, Mrs. H.G. Jennings, Mrs. Harry Johnson, Mrs. Edward Kusterer, Mrs. Henry Lacroix, Mrs. Edward Lee, Mrs. Thomas Lynch, Mrs. Henry Riley, Mrs. Clyde Schlitter, Mrs. Sidney Svirsky, Mrs. Robert Terrell, Mrs. Henry Treffers, Mrs. Lloyd Williams, and Mrs. Theodore Wolfe.
The Catholic Women's Guild will hold its next regular meeting at the home of Mrs. James Harrison on Carrington Road on Tuesday, March 27, at 8:00 P.M. The following list of newly-elected officers will be inducted: President, Mrs. Siegel Pierson; Vice-president, Mrs. Lloyd Deugaw; Secretary, Mrs. Victor Clarke; Treasurer; Mrs. Donald Disbrow. Mrs. William Ringenberg is in charge of publicity.
The next meeting of the Eight O'clock Club will be held at the home of Mrs. Theodore Durley on Cheshire Road on Thursday evening, March 29.
"Aunt Susie Shoots The Works," a three-act mystery farce, will be presented by the Guild Players of Christ Episcopal Church at the Town Hall on the evenings of April 13 and 14. The Committee on arrangements includes: Mrs. Harry Johnson, tickets; Mrs. Arthur Simpson, costumes; Mrs. Henry Riley, properties; Edward Hinman and Frederic Cunningham, lighting and sound effects; Miss Betsey Carlson and Miss Jane Carlson, posters; and Mrs. Edward Wooding, refreshments. The play will be directed by Mrs. Arthur Tickell, with Mrs. Ralph Downs as prompter.
The pupils of the Bethany Community School last week enjoyed three movies which were shown in connection with courses of instruction. They were Colonial Children, The Steamengine, and What Is Electricity? On Monday of this week Warren H. Brockett, County 4-H Agent, showed four films, on the Coala (or "Teddy Bear"), the United Nations, United States National Parks, and a scienic railroad trip through the southwest.
THE STAR REPORTER
The Editor had the privilege of speaking before the Woodbridge Mothers' Club and their guests on Monday evening, and a generous and patient audience they were. As is customary in such cases, the canary was fed before he was asked to sing-but the quality of the song was lamentably incommensurate with the quality and quantity of the victuals.
If, in his remarks, the speaker left the erroneous impression that he dowsn't welcome calls at any time of the day or night, this notice is intended to serve as a correction. The telephone is our main artery of commerce, and its ring is music to our ears.
(Incidentally, Mr. Randall turned off the gas.)
TO WRAP A FISH
Sad indeed is the ultimate fate of a newspaper -- the individual copy of the paper, that is. Unless it is a prticularly fortunate copy, it is cast away as soon as read, or used to wrap a fish, or stuffed into a rathole. Some papers are lucky: they get picked up by the American Legion in Orange or Woodbridge, or by the Boy Scouts in Bethany (see calendar for April 8) and thus are privileged to serve again in a useful capacity. A few get tucked away and turn up years later.
Mr. Albert Clark of Orange has given us a copy of The Milford Telegram dated January 23, 1874. A weekly paper, it was apparently suffering financial pains at the time, since nearly a full column was devoted to acid remarks about delinquent subscribers and their empty promises to pay. There are quotations on the subject from seven other newspapers, including: "Alas, poor souls, where will they go, if Satan turns them out below? 'Tis plain to all, they have no show, who leave and owe the printer." This is from the Winsted Herald, whose editor was Theodore F. Vaill, grandfather of your Star Reporter.
The Telegram reported the death of Benjamin Clark of Orange, who, in his 95 years of life, had never been out of the State and who had "only on two occasions. . . .ever enjoyed riding on the steam cars." Benjamin had voted for Thomas Jefferson and had been drafted in 1812 and 1814.
Among the front page ads in the paper were those of four doctors, one of whom "would solicit a share of the patronage of the public." Another described himself as a "professional bone setter." A Bridgeport dentist offered a beautiful set of warranted artificial teeth for $10.00 -- with traveling expenses allowed patients from Milford and vicinity.
The department-store character of today's drug store is not new. In 1874 the drug stores of Milford were offering "drugs, medicines, toilet articles, brushes, combs, soaps, perfumeries, confectionery, fishing tackle, clocks, cigars, pure wines and liquors, canned fruits, blank books, stationery, sewing machines, oils, paints, and varnishes."
When that 1874 issue came from the press, one of its contemporaries, The Hartford Courant, was already 110 years old, and it is today one of the best papers in the country. The Courant editorial column recently carried the following comments on our favorite subject, the newspaper:
"The Times of London received a complaint the other day. A reader said it didn't burn well. Tried without avail to get the fire going, morning after morning. Would have to shift to a Beaverbrook paper unless it became more inflammatory. Others defended the Times. Some said it burned well. Others that it made good covering for the shelves. Philosophers chimed in. Said the relative inflammatory power of Times, Express, Graphic or Mail was unimportant. Ideas are the thing, and all that.
"True enough. But even after you start the day right by reading your favorite newspaper, it can still serve a variety of useful purposes not mentioned by delicate readers of the Times. Excellent for garbage disposal. And as many shabby men have learned, tucked inside a thin coat it takes the bite out of the wind. No home should be without a paper if there are puppies in the house. And subsequently there's nothing like a folded newspaper for teaching a young dog good manners.
"Long before DDT was even a gleam in a scientist's eye, your favorite newspaper was doing double duty as a fly swatter. Men have used it with success to fill out the hatband, when wither through unwise choice, or legacy, a large hat has to be worn. Thin shoes can be retreaded temporarily. One could go on indefinitely outlining the compelling reasons why your omnibus friend, the morning newspaper, is indispensable. When it comes to lighting picnic fires, too, it has been demonstrated that even the Daily Worker is not more inflammatory than The Courant."
Vincent
CLOCKS WATCHES JEWELRY
11 Bank St., Seymour, Conn.
Tel. 2579
Gifts
Fresh cut flowers
Westville Florist
565 Whalley Avenue
R. Baumer & Son Tel. 8-3547
Tel. 8-32325
Coronet Hat Shop
1104 Chapel Street, near York
38 Fountain St. Tel. 3-1690
Heritage Shop
Beautiful Easter candles, cards, candies, jewelry and gifts
ACTORS COLONY INN
CONNECTICUT'S FINEST THEATRE RESTAURANT
Route 34 On The Housatonic River, Seymour, Conn.
*Dancing and N.Y. Stage Show Every Saturday 9 P.M. to 1 A.M.
No Cover Charge
Telephone: Derby 4-9690
Marianne
INTERIOR DECORATOR
SLIP COVERS -- DRAPERIES -- BEDSPREADS
910 WHALLEY
Phone 3-0691 or 3-0135
FREE HOME DEMONSTRATION!
You call--we come! with this new Smith-Corona
WORLD'S FASTEST PORTABLE!
We'll bring this Smith-Corona to your home or office, show you all its many advantages and let you try it yourself! It's the most popular portable we've ever sold. Has 38 features, full-size professional keyboard and the fastest action of all. No obligation to buy.
TELEPHONE 5-6195
Whitlock's Inc.
ESTABLISHED 1900
15 BROADWAY - NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT
Real Estate Insurance KUSTERER BROTHERS, INC. Orange -- Woodbridge -- Bethany 129 Church Street New Haven Tel: 6-2143 The Clothesline Marjorie Shutkin Bethany, Conn. Telephone 3-1171 Sample Wool Suits $27.98 - 39.98 Wool Toppers $25.00 - 39.98 Pure Silk Dresses $18.98 - 19.98 Play Shoes and Casuals $2.98 - $4.98