This Was Newtown: 1953

From the Newtown Enterprise, Week of Dec. 17-23, 1953

Christmas contest judges to view decorated homes 

Judges of the Christmas Home Decoration Contest sponsored by the Newtown Businessmen's Association will tour the area between Christmas and New Year's to view and appraise the lighting effects.

Winners will be chosen on the basis of originality, theme and color. The contest is open to residents of Newtown and surrounding areas and is confined to home decorations of illiminous nature only. The contest features a first prize of a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, and six prizes of $25 bonds.

The areas in the contest include Langhorne Road (Route 413) to Tollgate Road; Buck Road (Route 532) to Neshaminy Creek; Richboro Road to Neshaminy Creek; Swamp Road to Indian Council Rock; Doylestown Road (Route 413) north to Sutcliffe's corner, then east through Stoopville to Dolington; Lindenhurst Road south to Yardley Pike, then west to Newtown; Creamery Road to Stoopville Road.

Homes within the area which are not visible from the main road may be insured of inspection by the judges by contacting Clement R. Righter by noon Monday, December 28.

Assisting chairman Raymond Goodnoe on the judges' committee are Peter A. Chesner, F. Stewart Whittam, Brinton H. Hogeland, Charles F. Swartz, Jr. and Stanley B. Sutton, Jr.

Newtown Methodist Church holds pre-Christmas services 

The held morning and evening services on the Sunday before Christmas.

At the morning service, the senior choir, under the direction of Fred Haley, sang "Gloria in Excelsis" by Williams. Mrs. Earl Schlachter and Mrs. Crawford Motson sang a duet, "Shine Christmas Star" by Clokey. Pastor Heyliger delivered the Yuletide sermon, "Christmas Message for Today."

At the the evening service, the choir sang "The Little Jesus Came to Town" and "Adeste Fideles." Mrs. Motson sang a solo, "There's a Song in the Air" by Speaks. The program also featured a religious motion picture, "The Guiding Star," a modern story with a Chrismas message.

The 113-year-old church was uniquely decorated inside and out.

The Youth Fellowship, of which Miss Shirley Scott is the president, was in charge of the interior decorations, including the lighting of the beautifully stained windows.

Floodlights illuminated the exterior of the church. This work was under the charge of Calvin Krusen, a member of the Men's Bible Class.

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Sno Ball Queen crowned at Council Rock High 

Gail Null was crowned Queen of the Sno Ball [sic] at the annual senior dance of Council Rock High School on Friday evening. The event, held in the Richboro Fire Hall, was arranged under the supervision of Robert Borris and Marie Dickensen, co-chairmen, assisted by Harold Feaster, a faculty member and senior adviser.

Norman W. Kratz, supervising principal of Council Rock, crowned the queen. Robert Scheithauer, president of the class, presented her with a nosegay.

The queen's court of honor included Marie Dickensen, Marilyn Taylor, Shirley Francis, Claire Costello, Ann Durst, Gay Yeager, Janet Luff, Jean Bellmeyer, Joan Coffey and Dorothy Montgomery.

Music for dancing was furnished by the "Starlighters" of Doylestown. Refreshments were served under the chairmanship of Shirley Francis.

The proceeds, yet undetermined, will be used to defray the three-day class trip to Washington, D.C. from April 21 through 23.

American Legion Auxiliary holds Christmas party

The Auxiliary of Newtown American Legion Post 440 held a Christmas party in the Legion Home on Monday night. There were 30 members present.

A covered dish supper and exchange of Christmas gifts highlighted the gathering.

Guest speaker was Mrs. Vernon Wyne of Conshohocken, Department Hospital Chairman of Valley Forge Hospital. Mrs. Wyne stressed the necessity of providing more help and encouragement for the boys [veterans] at that hospital.

Mrs. William Campbell, rehabilitation chairman, said there were 50 packages ready for the boys at the Valley Forge Hospital, prepared by the Legion Auxiliary. These packages, also called ditty bags, include many small, needed articles which are useful to those who are hospitalized, or in some way handicapped.

Mrs. Campbell also noted that 19 throw covers, as well as a large assortment of scrapbooks made by Miss Florence Carter, have been provided for the boys.

The Auxiliary will hold a junior Christmas party for smaller children from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. this Saturday. All eligible kiddies are invited to attend.

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WINTER DANCE...Given by the Newtown Junior New Century Club. Featuring Art Brown's Orchestra...At Holiday Inn on Sat., Dec. 26, 1953, 8:30 to 1:00...Admission $3 Per Couple. Tickets on Sale at Toggery.

Newtown Notes

The annual neighborhood progressive dinner and Christmas party for residents of Hillside and Clearview roads was held Saturday evening. The dinner started at the Kuchner home with appetizers and concluded at the Rohrbaughs with dessert. Games followed.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Torbert entertained at cards Saturday evening at their home on the Newtown-Yardley Road.

Staff Sergeant Fred J. Brookens, stationed at the Shaw Air Force Base, Fort Sumter, N.C. is spending a week with his mother, Mrs. Clarence Ringler of Court Street.

Mrs. Otilly Seese left Sunday by train for Fort Lauderdale, Fla., where she will be the gueat for two weeks of her sons and daughters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Seese and Mr. and Mrs. Worthington Seese.

Mrs. John Hughes, of Spring Garden Mill, has been on the sick list for the past week.

Cornelius Walter, a former principal of Newtown High School, was the speaker at the Old Timers Club of Prospect Park at the December meeting. His top was "Friendship and Brotherly Love."

Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Taggart, of Washington Avenue, spent the week-end at Atlantic City, N.J.

Mrs. H. Griffin Miller, of Centre Avenue, entertained at a family dinner at the on Sunday. The occasion marked the birthday anniversary of Robert Stapler, of Yardley, and the fifth wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. John Eynon, of Newtown.

On Friday, the members of the Council Rock High School Chorus presented a Christmas musical in the school auditorium. Pamela Conrad and Elva Leonhardt were the student conductors.

Keith Whiteside, of Media, spent the weekend with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John W. Whiteside of Edgeboro Drive.

Mrs. George W. DeCoursey of Washington Avenue will leave Friday for Indianapolis, Ind., where she will spend the holidays with her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Donald R. DeCoursey.

Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Stackhouse, of Hi-Acres Farm, will entertain at a family dinner on Christmas.