Of all the people struggling to get through this winter, battling seasonal affective disorder, craving sunlight and the sweet smells of spring, my thoughts and good wishes go out especially to the brave men participating in the Newtown Congregational Church Men’s Club’s Tercentennial Beard Growing Contest. These guys are a little over a month into the contest and have spent the darkest, coldest, more dispiriting days of winter scratching facial stubble, peering into the mirror wondering when they’re going to stop scaring their children and start looking a little more like Abraham Lincoln. Their efforts are finally beginning to pay off with some pretty good looking whiskers — and that comes from a guy who had a full set of whiskers on the day he was born. Check out Gordon Williams’ moustache if you don’t believe me.

Speaking of Gordon, did you know that while he was presenting his vivid account of the westward journey of Lewis and Clark before the Newtown Historical Society on Monday night, a new granddaughter of his, Clara Elizabeth Gulick, was in the process of being born in Exeter, N.H.? “We were so excited and especially thrilled because she was given my wife Lina’s mother’s name.” Needless to say, Gordon and Lina left Newtown first thing Tuesday morning and headed north to greet their new granddaughter.

I promised my friend Penny Meek, who is a spokesperson for Spay And Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN), that I would get the word out about a terrific service available to cat owners in the form of a mobile spay/neuter and vaccination clinic. Known as TEAM, the clinic (which is operated out of an RV) will be rolling into Southbury on Tuesday, April 19. (They will also be there next Tuesday, February 22, but are now fully booked for that date.)

“The purpose of this mobile unit is to make spay/neuter services more affordable and more accessible to pet owners and those caring for homeless cats,” said Penny. By keeping costs low, TEAM hopes to sterilize as many cats as possible before they can reproduce, which can be as early as 6 months of age. The TEAM fee is $57 per cat and participants are asked to call ahead for an April appointment at 888-FOR-TEAM. Cats or kittens must be 3 months of age or older. Check-in is at 9 am with same day pickup. Cats must be delivered in a secure carrier and payment is by cash only. Treatment by a licensed veterinarian includes a brief exam, spay or neuter, vaccinations, and nail trim. April isn’t that far away and I might stop in for the ear mite treatment myself. It’s a great service for a great cause. See you there.

Newtown Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteer drivers to deliver meals to homebound persons. Volunteers are asked to deliver meals one day a month at lunchtime to several homes. For more information call 426-0714.

As I strolled around the block the other day, I observed something unusual in the distance. A man appeared to be doing a dance around a pine tree in his yard. It involved a long stick held upright in one hand, whacking at the branches, while the other hand waved wildly up and down. Once I was closer, it became clear that he was, indeed, involved in a ritual — the ritual of taking down outdoor lighting from his tree.

While at the police station this week, I encountered George Mattegat, the town’s former animal control officer. Now that George is officially out of uniform, he is busy exploring all his sartorial options. This week he was wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with the word “Germany” in a decorative motif symbolizing Deutschland. George is enjoying his retirement after many years of chasing errant canines over hill and dale.

I recently had the pleasure of sampling a slice of homemade apple pie baked by Angelica Miller of the town’s land use agency. Not only does Angelica maintain the voluminous records of the town’s Wetlands Agency and Conservation Commission, she also makes a tasty piece of pie.

Friends and family gathered at the Van Buskirk home on Poverty Hollow last Friday night to welcome home Tracy and Peter’s daughter, Elisa. Elisa has spent the first half of her junior year living with a family in Bourges, France. Now all she has to do is remember how to speak English.

Did you know that in France, Internet chat rooms are places where cats gather? I just found that out. I’ve got to go check it out, but I’ll be back again next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.