Nick DiNapoli of the DiNapoli Construction Co. Inc. announced that his firm was negotiating to purchase the three-acre Morganti property on Prospect Street for the construction of a 45-unit garden-type apartment house, the April 30, 1964, Press reported. At the time, the DiNapoli firm had built about 60 homes in Ridgefield.
Jerry Tuccio, Ridgefield builder and developer, announced that he had contracted to buy the Olcott (Casagmo) property on Main Street for $150,000 and that he intended to ask the Zoning Commission to rezone the 22.8-acre estate to enable him to build garden apartments on the parcel. Mr. Tuccio said he planned to cater to the needs of older, retired people and schoolteachers. He said the apartments would rent for between $200 and $350 a month. Ultimately, it was David Paul and not Jerry Tuccio who developed Casagmo. Mr. Paul also developed the Fox Hill condominiums on Danbury Road.
Local and federal officials were eyeing the site of the Jesse Lee Methodist Church as a possible site for a new post office building. The property, located at the corner of Main and Catoonah streets, had been the site of 19th-Century church with a spire that dominated the streetscape of the village. At the time, the post office was located in the northern end of the Benenson shopping center and was a small section of what now is the CVS store. The idea never worked out. The church was demolished and the Morganti firm built the brick structure at the corner that now houses Carnall Insurance and the Candlelight Shoppe. The post office moved from the Benenson building to an equally substandard facility on Catoonah Street.
George M. Leeman, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Leeman of 218 North Salem Road, was accepted at Yale University for the academic year beginning in September 1964. While at Ridgefield High School, he had been active in the student council, honor society, chess club, baseball, track, the high school magazine, and the yearbook. He received the Harvard Book Prize in his junior year, the chemistry award for outstanding achievement and a letter of commendation for his achievement on the national Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
Lou Package Store took first prize in the Holiday Pin-ups Bowling League. The team consisted of Mrs. Angie Santini, Mrs. Toni Tulipani, Mrs. Mickey Beckman, Mrs. Helen Feduzi, and Mrs. Joan Pongetti. The team was sponsored by Mrs. Louis Feduzi.
The Ridgefield Playhouse on Prospect Street feature Hud, starring Patricia Neal and Paul Newman.
More than 30 Ridgefielders for Goldwater signed up for a rally at which the senator was to appear at Madison Square Garden. “The spirits of the group are running so high,” Mrs. Arthur McKenna, publicity chairman, said, “that the bar car which the New Haven Railroad plans to provide will almost be superfluous.”
The Newtown trackmen were easy prey for the Ridgefield High School cinder men. Double winners for Ridgefield were Jack Curry, triple jump and javelin; Joe Testa, shot put and discus; George Leeman, 100- and 220-yard dashes; and Larry Zar in the mile and two-mile runs.
The Ridgefield baseball squad won a 3-2 victory over Abbott Tech. Runs were scored by Doug Pribanic, Dave Hodson and Richard Polvarari.
Thirty-three athletes received awards at the Ridgefield High School Spring Banquet. Harry Pierandri received the outstanding senior athlete trophy for football, baseball and basketball over a four-year period. Paul Carboni received the Townies award for sportsmanship, and Dave Hodson was named outstanding senior student athlete. Paul Morganti, president of the Lions Club, named Brad Mortensen the most improved player of the year. Coach Robert Mark handed out varsity letters for football to seniors Harry Pierandri, co-captain; Brian MacKenzie, co-captain; Dave Hodson; Bruce Robertson; Julius Santini; Bob Degen; Gary Beaudine, Jeff Theiss; Jimmy Watson; Paul Carboni, Dennis Maurawski; George Jacobsen; and Dave Ferry. Basketball coach Harry Hyra gave varsity letters in basketball to Brad Mortensen, Richard Polvarari, Dave Hodson, Dave Montanari, Gary Cassavechia, Chip Bliss, Julius Santini, Paul Carboni, Harry Pierandri, and Chester Zawachi. Cross country letter went to Al Dodson, Larry Zar, Chip Bliss, Al Bowie, Rick Cappola, Mark Roman, Rick Hunt, and Graham Ingles.
John E. Hogan joined the Ridgefield Police Department. He was the last of four officers to be hired in recent months. Craig Kellogg, police commissioner, advised that all vacancies were now filled.