Ham Brosious was the first to sign up at the Booth Library for the beard- (or mustache, or goatee) growing contest for the Tercentennial. Ham dyed his hair brown last year to celebrate his 80th birthday but he says he is growing the color out too so that everything will match. He hasn’t decided whether he will grow a handlebar mustache or maybe mutton chops, but he offered a few words of wisdom as he signed up. There are three stages in a man’s life, he said: youth, middle age, and “you’re looking good.”

Gordon Williams says anyone who couldn’t make it to the official facial-hair growing signup on Monday and Tuesday still has an opportunity to take part in the contest. Those who are still interested should call Gordon at 426-6443.

Suzanne Rogers hopes that it was only a New Year’s Eve prank but someone has taken the “Careful Turkey Crossing” sign from in front of her home on Currituck Road. The sign was installed last fall to warn motorists of the birds that frequently cross this busy section of roadway. Ms Rogers isn’t very optimistic about getting the sign back, however, as she pointed out that whoever took it also took the entire bracket that it was mounted on.

This is the Sunday for boys and girls ages 10 to 14 who want to take part in the free-throw contest sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at the Edmond Town Hall gym from 1 to 3 pm. The event is free and plaques will be awarded in each of the eight categories. Winners will go on to the district level competition next month.

Lost in all the news following Governor Jodi Rell’s political address and all the goings on in the state legislature this week, was news about our own Representative Julia Wasserman. It seems her expertise in public health is needed. As the former health director in New Fairfield, our state representative has been tapped to join the Public Health Committee, forcing her to give up one of her favorite assignments on the Program Review And Investigations Committee. We’re certain that she will do Newtown proud in her new capacity helping to craft statewide health legislation.

Amber Edwards will be appearing later this month at the 92nd Street Y when the institution’s “Lyrics and Lyricists” series begins its 35th season. The Newtown performer will be joining singers Christine Andreas and Jason Graae, pianist Alex Rybeck, and Charles Osgood as narrator, for performances of “Serenade in Blue — The Lyrics of Mack Gordon.” The Academy Award-winning Gordon wrote the lyrics to “At Last,” “I’ve Got A Girl in Kalamazoo,” “There Will Never Be Another You,” “You Make Me Feel So Young,” and dozens of other familiar songs. There are five performances planned: Saturday, January 29, at 8 pm; Sunday, January 30, at 2:30 and 8; and Monday, January 31, at 2 and 8. Tickets are $45 and $55, and additional information is available by contact Y-Charge (the box office) at 212-415-5500.

Town Historian Dan Cruson participated last year in excavations at a house in Newtown that was once the homestead of a former slave named Cato Freedom who lived in Newtown. Dan will talk about his findings in a free Newtown Historical Society program at the Booth Library’s community room on Monday at 7:30 pm.

You can see all strange sorts of wildlife on the grounds of Fairfield Hills; there are always turkeys, rabbits, deer, and raccoons around. But if anyone hiking the campus happens to run across a small model aircraft, its owner would like to know about it. It seems Newtown resident Robert Taylor was taking his new AeroBird Challenger model airplane for a New Year’s spin behind the middle school January 1, when the orange and silver craft — which has a four-foot wingspan — got off its electronic leash and was lost from sight over Fairfield Hills. If you happen to locate this strange bird, please contact him at 203-270-1974.

Well, it’s time for me to slip my leash and head for the hearth for a long winter’s nap. But it will just be a catnap, so I’ll be back next week so you can…

Read me again.