Turning Back the Pages

100 years ago — June 1923

Henry Pulver of Whippoorwill Farm had the misfortune to fall down the stairs at his home on Monday morning. In throwing out his left hand to break the fall the hand came in contact with something that inflicted severe gashes in two fingers, necessitating several stiches by Dr. Bissell.

Mr. and Mrs. Barber left last week for Oak Park, Ill., going by the way of the Mohawk Trail. Mr. and Mrs. Smith who came with them remained here for a further visit.

For Sale (Adv.) — A white iron baby crib, with mattress, for $5.00, also a Torrington vacuum carpet sweeper (not electric) for $2.50. Both in perfect condition. Inquire B. in care of Journal Office.

50 years ago — June 1973

More than 180 boats will compete in a whitewater weekend of kayak and canoe races this Saturday and Sunday on the Housatonic River. The competition, sponsored by the Salisbury Rotary Club, has drawn more than 300 entries in contests for paddlers of all ages and skills. Rodney Aller of Lakeville is general chairman of the event, proceeds from which will benefit the Rotary Scholarship Fund.

In 1946, P.A. Parsons wrote in “Outdoor Life’s Gallery of North American Game” that the black bear “is probably extinct in southern New England ...”  Several Northwest Connecticut residents have recently seen evidence that reports of the bear’s demise have been slightly exaggerated. Three bears were sighted last weekend — in Lakeville, Sharon and Norfolk.

Gudrun Duntz of Falls Village is the new proprietor of The Seamstress, the dressmaking and alterations business on Main Street in Lakeville. Mrs. Duntz, who took over on June 1, has worked with the previous owner, Marjorie Davis, for the past three years.

25 years ago — June 1998

Time really did stand still Monday afternoon as workers removed the hands of the clock on Scoville Library’s bell tower. J.C. Woodward and Ian Pomfret of The Clockery in East Norwalk, along with Peter Haupt of Haupt Tree Co. in Sheffield, went to great lengths to dismantle the 100-year-old clock for its restoration.

It has been 12 years as chairman of the Sewer and Water Commission, and Dr. Malcolm Brown, leader of Sharon’s clean water movement, plans to step down from his post after next month. A gathering at Town Hall Saturday afternoon dedicated the water filtration facility to Dr. Brown and commission members led tours of the plant located on Calkinstown Road.

These items were taken from The Lakeville Journal archives at Salisbury’s Scoville Memorial Library, keeping the original wording intact as possible.