Jennifer Laviano
The president
Sibbi Beards
Mrs. America
No one would say 25 years ago why a legal notice for an 18-lot subdivision on West Mountain and Rippowam roads that had been rejected turned up in a Planning and Zoning Commission file, saying the development had been approved.
The March 28, 1991 Press reported the subdivision had been denied by a 7-2 vote, but the notice, bearing the apparent signatures of the commission chairman and the secretary, was in the file. A memorandum in the same file says the document is fake, noting that the notice “was typed on Town of Ridgefield stationery — we use plain paper for legal notices — and had not been stamped ‘received’ by the town clerk.” The fake said the notice had appeared in the March 15, 1990 Press; a notice did appear that day, but it properly said the subdivision was “denied.”
A security guard at Ridgefield High School was busted for marijuana possession on the school grounds.
The high school’s student employment service said teens looking for work wouldn’t find many job openings. “The economy has definitely had an effect,” said Karen Mannhaupt, a volunteer at the office.
Irene-Burr Dayton, who had been active in many town organizations for 35 years, died at the age of 59.
Inside Out, the theatrical group in which young Ridgefielders acted out real-life problems, inspired the formation of a regional group, based in Danbury, called Melting Pot Players. Both were led by Ruth Leibowitz.
In a letter supporting the school budget, Michael and Jean Jaykus said, “We appeal to those people in town who, like us, are finished with their own children’s education. We ask that you remember how important that those school years were to their success, and how hard you fought for the school budgets then. Ridgefield’s students are ‘our children.’ They are still a very good investment.”
Colin Hoddinott, record-breaking high jumper at Ridgefield High School, was the third ranked high jumper in New England.
Jennifer Laviano was elected president of the student body at Skidmore College in Saratoga, N.Y., where she was a junior majoring in English and minoring in government and law.
George and Ginny Leeman were interviewed on their “making music together.” They liked to play organ-piano duets. “He’s technically better,” said she. “She’s more accomplished,” said he.
50 years ago
Romeo G. Petroni, one of Ridgefield’s two representatives to the state legislature, announced he would seek the Republican nomination to run for congressman from the Fifth District, the March 31, 1966 reported. Petroni was the only Republican to announce thus far to oppose incumbent Congressman John S. Monagan of Waterbury, a Democrat.
John Ethelbert Davis of East Ridge, a member of the New York Stock Exchange, died at age 66. His wife was Maude Bouvier Davis, aunt of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy.
Times were dry, and the Ridgefield Water Supply Company banned sprinkling of lawns.
The Morganti brothers — Paul, John, Joseph, and Robert — began construction of a “two-story brick colonial retail building” on the corner of Main and Catoonah streets, long the site of the Jesse Lee Methodist Church. Four stores were planned downstairs, offices up.
The boards of Selectmen, Education and Finance all declined to participate in a radio program, “Ridgefield: Education in A Growing Community,” planned by WLAD in Danbury. First Selectman Leo F. Carroll said one reason for declining was that it was on Easter Sunday night. School Chairman Allen O. Shafer said the invitation was on short notice. Thus, the program was in danger of being cancelled.
Craig’s Jewelry Store was offering a complete table service of Swan Lake sterling silver, Westminster China and Harmony Crystal, regularly $725, for only $500 (equal to $3,690 today). Today single replacement pieces of the Swan Lake silverware run from $60 to $100 each, and there were 44 pieces in the offering.
Sibbi Beards of Lounsbury Road was one of three Connecticut finalists in the Mrs. America Beauty Contest. A homemaker, she also acted in many local amateur theater productions.—J.S.
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