Life in Newtown, CT

Quirky Street Facts in Newtown, CT  A while back, we posted about the different sections of Newtown which is a neat little post with a snippet of information on the different sections of town.  We've been thinking awhile about quirky street facts in Newtown and thought we'd share them them with you.

• Route 25 is known as South Main Street, Main Street, Mount Pleasant Road and Hawleyville Road


• Route 302 is known as Sugar Street and Dodgingtown Road


• Route 34 is known as Berkshire Road and Washington Street


• Head O Meadow has 3 separate sections of road that do not meet together.  They are located off Castle Hill Road, Route 302 and Boggs Hill Road


• Bentagrass Road has 2 separate parts that do not meet together.  One is located off Brushy Hill Road and the other is located off Boggs Hill Road


• Georges Hill Road also has 2 different sections - one is located off of Brennan (which is off of Currituck) and the other is located between Pond Brook Road and Butterfield Road.


• The Old Road is another street with 2 sections that do not meet.  One is off of Currituck Road and the other is located off Mt. Pleasant (Route 25)


• There are also lots of "paper streets" in the Lake Communities.  Paper streets are only shown on the original map of the community and today, do not exist as named streets.

Now, what you might be asking yourself, is "how could so many streets have different sections that don't meet together?" (we asked the same thing ourselves when we first moved to Newtown).  We were told that long ago, people who lived on these roads blocked off the usage to local traffic and claimed the land for themselves.  How true this is, we don't know, but it makes for interesting folk lore.

Oh, one last quirky street fact in Newtown, CT, don't pay attention to the street numbers of houses (unless in a new subdivision).  They don't tend to make a lot of sense.  For instance, all the mailboxes can be on one side of the road - odds and evens together), or as you're driving up a street and the house numbers are going up, you could arrive at #100 before you arrive to #70. 

If you know of any other quirky street facts in Newtown, CT, please let send us an email.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
(203) 470-9818

Congested Area in Newtown, CT  As you travel north on Route 25 into Newtown, CT - just as you're about to enter The Borough - right near Amaral Motors and Chintz & Print is a sign that always cracks us up!  It's a yellow diamond sign (which is a cautionary sign) that says "CONGESTED AREA".  As you can see from the photo, this is far from a congested area in Newtown, CT. 

Given that Route 25 is a major road in Newtown, there is traffic from time to time, but nothing that would require a congested areasign at the side of the road.  We don't know why this sign was placed where it is or what the purpose in doing so was.  So, as you travel up Route 25 into Newtown, look for the CONGESTED AREA sign at the side of the road.

P.S.  The mustang shown in the photo is being raffled off by the Newtown Lions Club.  Click here for more information.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Friends of the C. H. Booth Library Annual Book Sale  The signs are up and posted around Newtown!  The 2010 Friends of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library annual book sale is coming!  The 2010 book sale will be held Saturday, July 10 - Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at the Reed Intermediate School located on Trades Lane, Newtown, CT.

2010 HOURS:

9:00 am to 5:00 pm Saturday and Sunday
9:00 am to 7:00 pm Monday and Tuesday
9:00 am to 12 noon Wednesday

During the year, when you have those books that you don't know what to do with. donate them to The Cyrenius H. Booth Library.  Tax Receipts are available.  Just drive around to the rear of the building, walk up the steps and leave your used, old books with the collection of other donation.  The annual book sale is a great fundraiser for the Cyrenius H. Booth Library. 

If you haven't been to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library or the Annual Book Sale, we suggest you stop by for a visit.  It's located at 25 Main Street, Newtown - just south of the Newtown flagpole!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Dog Walk and the Governor's Horse Guard, Newtown, CT  Earlier today, Riley, the Real Estate Dog, went for a walk in the large field behind the Governor's Horse Guard.  It was a beautiful day - breezy, not too hot and a bright blue sky.  Half of the large field is planted with corn and it is bordered by a trout stream on one side (Riley, of course, went in it to cool his hot feet off). 

On his way back up to the car, Riley, the Real Estate Dog, noticed how beautiful the grounds of the Governor's Horse Guard looked today.  It was especially nice that there were two horse riders out and about.  Riley doesn't see too many horses being ridden at the Governor's Horse Guard as he doesn't walk there when there are events.

As you can see from the photos, Riley, the Real Estate Dog, was right about the beauty of the Governor's Horse Guard today.  Come to think of it, Riley, the Real Estate Dog, is usually right.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

The Newtown Bee, Newtown, CT  Back at the beginning of the year, we posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, with one being The Newtown Bee.

The Bee Publishing Company is located on Church Hill Road, not too far from the Newtown flagpole.  The Bee Publishing Company publishes both The Newtown Bee, a weekly newspaper that has served the town of Newtown, CT 1877, and Antiques and the Arts Weekly, which is the nation's weekly antique newspaper. 

Residents of Newtown all know The Newtown Bee and look forward to reading each new addition on Thursday afternoons. It can be purchased right outside the Church Hill Road location.  The Bee Extra is a supplement that is delivered by mail to each home.

Like many small town publications, The Newtown Bee features local community events and happenings.  The Newtown Bee is broken up into different parts and sometimes has special circulars.  Our favorite section, of course, is the Real Estate section :-)

The Bee Publishing Company has been located on Church Hill Road, Newtown since 1903.  The building has gone under renovation several times over the years.  Today, it is a friendly red building that houses much of Newtown's History.

Next time you vist Newtown, stop by a local store and pick up the latest issue of The Newtown Bee.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown Patch  We've been aware of this website for a month or so.  We became fans on Facebook and thought it time to let you know about the Newtown Patch.

Website:  http://newtown.patch.com

Company Overview:

Newtown Patch is part of a growing national chain of Patch websites devoted exclusively to covering the news and people of Newtown.

Mission:

Our mission is to deliver relevant news and up-to-the-minute information about the town and its residents as fast as possible, and facilitate community discussion

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/NewtownPatch

Want to stay up on Newtown, CT happenings?  Check out the Newtown Patch!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification:  Bob and Richelle Ward, licensed Realtors with Prudential Connecticut Realty, are very pleased to announce their recent completion of the National Association of Realtors' (NAR) Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification program.  This certification will allow Bob and Richelle to better assist those home buyers who are behind in their mortgage payments and also assisting buyers who are interested in purchasing a distressed property (short sale and foreclosure).

If you are behind in your mortgage payments and are facing foreclosure, contact us ASAP.  We understand and promise to keep your information confidential.  The foreclosure clock is ticking.

If you need to sell your home, but owe more than it is worth, contact us and we will help you get through the short sale process.

If you would like to purchase a foreclosure or short sale, please contact us.  We understand the pitfalls of dealing with the banks and know how to get the job done.

Put Bob and Richelle's new Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification to work for you.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Newtown, CT Parks and Recreation  We try to post useful information that helps people to know more about Newtown.  Last April, we posted about Golf Courses and Parks in Newtown.  In this post, we mentioned Newtown Parks and Recreation, as they run the town parks.  Newtown Parks and Recreation is responsible for more than the town parks - they also have Town Programs.

Newtown Parks and Recreation puts out new programs each season.  They print up a nice program that describes each program and gives the schedule for each one.  Programs are very diverse and some are broken out by age range.  Here's a sampling of what Newtown Parks and Recreation typically offers:

• Swimming at the Newtown High School and the town pool at Treadwell Park
• Day Trips - there is usually one to NYC
• Computer Courses
• Adult Programs - Yoga, Knitting, Portuguese, Pilates
• Fun for All Ages - Legos, Claymation Moviemaking, Skating at Dickinson Park
• Youth Programs - Dance, Home Cooking, Etiquette
• Youth and Teen Programs - "The Garage" Teen Center, Intro to Animation
• Teen and Adult Programs - Self Defense, Zumba, Scrapbooking
• There are even Kidsfit Programs and Preschool Programs!

The newest park to Newtown Parks and Recreation is the dog park located over at Fairfield Hills.  We understand that it will be called "Park and Bark".  There are many places in Newtown to walk your dog, but the dog park will be a nice place for dogs to play together.

When you see the next Newtown Parks and Recreation flyer, check it out and sign up for a class or two.

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

Ram Pasture, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, but the one location that we frequently pass by is Ram Pasture.

Ram Pasture is located at the intersection of Route 25 and Route 302 (Sugar Street).  It's a big open field with a pond.  The annual holiday tree lighting takes place here and until recently, we didn't really know much more about Ram Pasture.

So, Richelle took a trip to the Cyrenius H. Booth Library to find out more.  There she found "A Mosaic of Newtown History", a book written by Dan Cruson, Town Historian.  Inside were several pages about the history of Ram Pasture which were quite informative.  Here is a little history:

• The original name for this section of land was "Home Common" and it contained what is today known as Ram Pasture
• Ram Pasture was owned by individual town residents until it was reassembled as a 12.5 acre parcel of land by Mary Hawley, Newtown's benefactress, in the 1920's
• Upon Mary Hawyley's death, ownership of Ram Pasture went briefly to Yale University. 
• The Newtown Village Cemetery Association maintains this property
• In all likelihood, very few rams actually grazed on Ram Pasture

Ram Pasture is quite pretty and a very peaceful place.  It is a reminder of Newtown's history and of days gone by. 

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818

The Inn at Newtown, Newtown, CT  We recently posted a blog, Pictures of Newtown, CT.  The photos posted are all iconic Newtown, CT images, with one being The Inn at Newtown.

To many long time residents, The Inn at Newtown is still the Hawley.  The Hawley Manor was the name of this business from approximately 1930, when Mary Hawley died, until 1999 when the establishment was sold to the current owners.

The Inn at Newtown is comprised of several distinct parts:

1. The Tavern:  The more casual part of the restaurant.  Get a table by the windows in front & watch life in Newtown.  The bar is also located in this area.
2. The Restaurant:  The more formal part of the restaurant.
3. The Fairchild Room:  Great space for a private party.  Weddings.  Birthday parties.  Graduation parties.  Banquets.  Business dinners.  Anniversaries.  Church socials.  Family reunions.  Sports team dinners.  Bereavement dinners.
4. Proud Mary's:  Open Friday and Saturday night.  Proud Mary's has a separate entrance from the parking lot side of the building.  The fireplace with seating, make for a cozy place to have a drink
5. Outdoor Dining:  During the warmer months, enjoy your meal AND eat outside on the deck.

The Inn at Newtown is centrally located on Main Street - just Sorth of the Flagpole.  The Inn at Newtown holds wine tasting events, has special Holiday menus and great hamburgers with tabasco onions!

Bob & Richelle Ward, Realtors, ABR
Prudential Connecticut Realty
www.connecticuthomesforsale.com
Cell - (203) 470-9818