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The Amity Star
A Weekly Newspaper Published At The Bethany Press
Litchfield Turnpike, Bethany, Connecticut
Telephone - New Haven – 3-1683

Editorial Comment
CIVIL DEFENSE
Two weeks ago we printed a letter asking important questions concerning Civil Defense as it affects Bethany and other rural communities. Several readers asked why no reply from Civil Defense authorities has yet appeared.
The answers to these vital questions are not simple. It is possible that no one can, at this point, answer all of them with certainty. Our defense authorities, with the help of State and regional planners, are doing everything they can, however, to educate themselves in these matters. Only after they have learned the answers can they pass them on to the rest of us.
In another column of this issue we carry a notice concerning an open meeting to be held on April 11, at the Bethany Town Hall. Those who wish to hear the latest word on Civil Defense – and to ask questions of those in charge of it – are urged to attend.
POLICE PROTECTION
It was gratifying to note that during the Church Service hours on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday, Bethany Town Constable George E. Howard was on duty to see the congregations of the First Church of Christ and Christ Church had safe access to the church buildings and to the parking places on both sides of Amity Road. The safety of the large number of children attending the Sunday schools was well provided for.
For several years there have been conflicting opinions as to where the responsibility lies for providing this traffic safeguard. It is hoped that the town of Bethany will make regular provision for this service and proper compensation for it.

WOODBRIDGE NOTES
Members of the Woodbridge Club work on rehearsals for “Wormwood Manor,” the “family comedy in three acts which was written by Edwin R. Meiss. Under the direction of Mrs. Harry Wintsch, the play will be given at the club on three nights, April 12, 13, and 14. Tickets are now on sale. Reservations may not be made for tickets to be picked up at the door. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door until all are gone. There will be no special price for children, but those 12 years or younger may attend the dress rehearsal on Wednesday evening, April 11, without charge. The price of admission will be $1.20 including tax. A section of reserved seats will be available to late-comers at $1.80 each.
For the Sunday morning service of the First Church of Christ on April 1, the Reverend Francis P. Randall has chosen as the subject of his sermon, “The Dream That Will Not Die.” The Sunday School, under Superintendent Wilbur L. Scranton, will conduct classes at the usual hour.
The Pilgrim fellowship will meet at 7:00 P.M. in the Church Parlor under the direction of Robert J. Hawthorne.
On Friday evening, the Woodbridge post of the American Legion will present its third annual Variety Show at the Town Hall at 8:30 P.M. The program will provide a wide range of entertainment, including singers, dance teams, and two magician and a Harmonica team. A large and enthusiastic audience is expected.
Mr. and Mrs. William Wood of Redlands, California, announce the birth of a son, Carl, last week. Mrs. Wood is the former Ruth Hoff of Bethany, the sister of Carl Hoff of Woodbridge. Mr. Williams, is a native of Seymour.
Sandra Swift, Shirley Dowson, and Wendy Jones took part in the Prospect Hill-Yale Freshman Glee Club Concert given at the New Haven Lawn Club on Monday evening.
Robert Kemp, son of Center Road, who is a sophomore at R.P.L, has been spending a weeks’ holiday at home.
The Woodbridge Men’s Club will hold its annual meeting and election of officers on Monday evening, April 2, at 8:00 P.M. in the Church Social Room. Carrol G. Alton Means will talk about “A Collector’s Experiences.”
The Ladies Auxiliary of Woodbridge Post No. 120 of the American Legion will hold its regular monthly business meeting at Legion Hall on April 3 at 8:00 P.M. The ladies will have Miss Anna Wall, District President, as their guest. Refreshments will be served. Hostesses for the evening are Mrs. Florence Sackett, Miss Mary Blackman, Mrs. Marion Whiting, and Mrs. Jean Dunn.
Edward S. Miner, attending Admiral Farrugut Academy, and Allyn Miller, who is at Peekskill Military Academy, spent the Easter holidays at the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Miner of Center Road.
Woodbridge Grange No. 108 will hold its regular meeting on Wednesday, April 11, at the Town Hall. The meeting will start at 7:30, instead of its usual 8:30 P.M., so those who wish to attend the Town Budget Meeting at Center School may do so. Assistant Lecturer Mary Blackman will have charge of program, and the officers will be in charge of refreshments. The Grange’s Competitive Night will be held later.
The Connecticut Forestry Service fire-fighting crew will meet at the Woodbridge Firehouse at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 1.
Edith and Roland Dahlin, of Woodbridge, and Jeanne Savoye and Steven Loomis, of Orange, took part in the Hillhouse High School Talent Show entitled “Spring Frolic,” which was presented last week.

The Star Reporter
Mrs. Grace Schilf Hamilton writes from Los Angeles to tell us her interest in the “Wheelman’s Rest” picture and to give further confirmation to the identity printed earlier. She recalls buying candy in the Beecher store as a child. She speaks kindly of the paper and mentions her pleasure at seeing the picture of her nephew, Albert Schiff of Woodbridge, in a recent issue. We are grateful to her for this communication.
OVERDONE
The Star Reporter happened to be in Woodbridge for another Sunday afternoon fire alarm this week. In attempting to make a pictorial record of this occasion, however, he inadvertently (i.e., ignorantly) turned his lens to a wide-open setting and proceeded to over-expose about fifteen members of the junior fire-fighting crew, whom he had persuaded to pose for him, after the cessation of hostilities. Apologies are extended to those who expected to find themselves immortalized in a rare Star photograph – and who now discover that the pose was in vain.
MORE LOCAL HISTORY
Clarence R. Newton has written us a most interesting letter concerning local history and his family’s diaries, which cover an extraordinary period of over 100 years – from 1831 to 1932.
In 1832 Mr. Newton’s grandfather, Sidney Newton, wrote of the motivation to secure corporation rights for Bethany, which was a part of Woodbridge at the time. On April he said in his diary: “Had a town meeting; voted to pursue the petition to the legislature for a Division of the Town. Voted to sell the Old Town House.” (This building, Mr. Newton says, was at Payne’s Corner, back of the house now occupied by John Robinson.)
The separation was finally accomplished, and on May 25 his entry read: “The Petition for division of Town has passed the Senate. The revel is over! The strife is ended! The ragged throng is dispersed. And they have come back again to their scratching their shallow pates because The Town is divided and their lamps have gone out or become imperceptibly dim. Glory be to those good men and true who love a religious government better than Infidelity. Sawd shingles.”
He later records the sale of the “Old Town House and Land” at auction for $77.75 “to Liman Tyrell and Co.”
Other items concern the Woodbridge Church: November 8, 1831 – “Attended a Society Meeting for the purpose of transacting to a New Meeting House.” March 13, 1832 – “Afternoon went to society meeting. Voted that Edward Hine Jun. build the Bacement to the Meeting House for $300. 25 and take the Old House at 200.” June 17 – “Parson Hawes delivered a sermon Math. 12:32 and from 3rd Peter 2:3. Warm but a large breeze that racks the Old House.” June 20 –“Began to raise the Meeting House. Had a general turning of men, Women and Children in profuse abundance, raised the square part of the House and then partook of the dainties wich had been prepared by Ladies.” December 30 –“Parson Hawes gave a farewell discourse to the Old House in a good stile, - another Singing School at Davises.” On that day the new Meeting House was dedicated, January 1, 1832, it rained and very few attended the services. Sidney was apparently a musician; the end of the item says: “Pretty good Singing though I say it.” January 13, 1833: “Granny Ford was carried into the New House and a sermon to Case after She was buried.”
BETHANY NOTES
O. D. Crooker, the Bethany Civil Defense Advisory Committee’s Director of Publicity, has announced that a public Civil Defense meeting will be held at the Bethany Town Hall on Wednesday, April 11, at 8:00 P.M. Moving pictures pertaining to Defense will be shown, and speakers from the State level, as well as the members of the local Committee, will be present to answer questions. All who are interested in Civil Defense, and who would like to know where Bethany fits into the over-all picture, are invited to be present.
The Ladies of Aid Society of the First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Bethany will have an all-day sewing meeting at the home of Mrs. Robert Calhoun on Hatfield Hill Road, Wednesday, April 4, beginning at 10:30 A.M. All members are asked to bring a covered dish and their own place settings.
George S. MacKenzie of Bethany Wood has been ill this past week.
Pvt. Robert J. Hickey, who is stationed at Camp Gordon, Georgia, has recently spent a few days’ furlough at the home of his family, the Norman Pecks on Peck Road.
Miss Harriet Calhoun, daughter of the Reverend and Mrs. Robert Calhoun, of Hatfield Hill Road, was one of four girls from the New Haven area to be honored for outstanding scholastic achievement at the recent Honors Day Chapel at Wellesley College. Miss Calhoun was named a Durant scholar and also won honors for her work in freshman year. She is majoring in philosophy and is active on the worship committee of the Wellesley Community Chapel. She attended the Prospect Hill School New Haven and the Headington School in Oxford, England.
Malcom Brinton, Jr., who is a student at the University of Pennsylvania, spent the Easter weekend with his parents, Dr. and Mrs. M. H. Brinton on the Litchfield Turnpike.

Bethany Cancer Drive Will Begin Annual Campaign April 1
Mrs. Edward G. Kusterer as Chairmen has announced the team of Bethany solicitors who will work on the Cancer Fund Drive which begins on April 1. Bethany’s goal is $500.00 – little more than a dollar a family. The New Haven Hospital has a Cancer Detection Clinic which is available to residents of the area. It is hoped that the town will donate its share toward the support of this important medical program. The Solicitors include: Mrs. Dan Brinsmade, Mrs. Raymond Cable, Mrs. Richard Bachelor, Mrs. Joel Field, Mrs. Victor Clarke, Mrs. Harry Austin, Mr. Clifford W. Wilcox, Mrs. Raymond Gillmor, Mrs. Joseph McNutt, Mrs. Grant Durley, Mrs. Walter Reil, Mrs. Raymond Black, Mrs. L. G. Munro, Mrs. Edward Hinman, Mr. A. Raymond Johnson, Miss Barbara Schilf, Mrs. Walter Beletsky, Mrs. Horace Isleib, Mrs. Raymond Goodrich, Mrs. Frank Murray, Mrs. Joseph Jesudowich, Mrs. Nathan Podoloff, Mrs. Nicholas Spykman, and Mrs. W. O. Hamister, Assistant Field Army Chairman.