History
50 YEARS AGO: Town children march for 250th

Apr 24, 2008

Karl S. Nash, chairman of Ridgefield’s 250th anniversary committee, announced the schedule of events for the town’s observations, the April 24, 1958 reported.

Opening ceremonies were scheduled to begin at the War Memorial on Main Street on April 27, the 181st anniversary of the 1777 Battle of Ridgefield and would conclude  with a parade on Sept. 20 and closing ceremonies on the 30. Other events included: a parade on May 23 with all the  town school children and a historic pageant at Veterans Park School; a flower show at the old West Lane School house; the Volunteer Firemen’s Ball on the East Ridge athletic field on June 28; a May 30 Memorial Day parade; the July 4 Italian American Club annual Field Day where six pigs were prepared for Italian roast porchetta and the town’s fireworks; a July 20 tour of Ridgefield’s old houses; the Aug. 1 fire department carnival and parade of visiting fire departments; an Aug. 9 street dance on Main Street sponsored by he Nutmeg Club; Ridgefield High School’s open air concert on Aug. 14 and  Danbury Symphony Orchestra’s concert in Cleves auditorium on Sept. 14.

John Scott of West Mountain Road, representing Time Magazine, and Arkansas Gov. Orval Faubus engaged in a sharp verbal exchange at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon in New Orleans when Gov. Faubus alluded to the vile misrepresentations of certain U.S. press organizations that had reported on the desegregation events in Little Rock. Mr. Scott responded to the governor saying, “We are sometimes accused of having biases. We prefer the word convictions. Indeed, we are proud of our convictions.”

The Ridgefield Playhouse on Prospect Street featured “ Teacher’s Pet” with Clark Gable and Doris Day followed later in the week by “The Long Hot Summer” starring academy award winning best actress, Joanne Woodward with actor Paul Newman.

The Connecticut Civil Defense announced its plan to build an 80-foot tower at the State Police barracks on East Ridge in order to create a more efficient and integrated communications system in Fairfield County.

The freshmen of Ridgefield High School held a dance at the East Ridged gym featuring The Rhythm Aces of Fairfield. Tickets were 75 cents “stag” and $1.25 “drag.” Sally Nash was in charge of decorations; Tom Fossi, entertainment; Sandy Pierandri, refreshments and Tammy Sullivan, publicity. 

The largest freight shipment of appliances ever received at the Ridgefield freight depot was received by the D.F. Bedient Company.

Mr. and Mrs. James McManus announced the birth of their sixth child, a boy. Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Sherwood announced the birth of a daughter.

A “loyalty dinner” was held by Jesse Lee Methodist Church as a kick-off event in their drive to raise $60,000 to purchase the former Freund property on Main Street opposite Branchville Road. Alex Santini catered the barbequed chicken event and Francis D. Martin, chairman of the drive, was toastmaster.

Joseph Egan, a member of the New York State bar and house counsel for the White Towers restaurant organization, petitioned for admission to the Connecticut bar. The Egan’s and their five children, which included Joseph Jr. our current judge of probate, lived on Adams Road in the new Washington Park development off Branchville Road.