Anytime the temperature gets above 40 degrees, I start thinking spring thoughts. I guess I’m not alone.

Ken Mackenzie was working on the tubing he uses for maple sugaring one morning last week, when he noticed this guy about eight feet away, trying to warm up. “Obviously, he was very sluggish, but very much alive,” says Ken of this garter snake. “He put up no fuss when I picked him up. He seemed to like my warmer, gloved hands.” Ken’s wife, Karen, had the “cool” snake smile for the camera, then they let him go back to snoozing next to the old well on their property, from whence he had come.

We will soon be bidding farewell to National Pet Dental Health Month (I notice Dr Mixon did not demonstrate brushing a cat’s teeth, but hopefully you saw the video at www.newtownbee.com last week in which a local pup cooperated with the Newtown Veterinary Center doctor for a demo on brushing a dog’s teeth…) I am looking forward to the upcoming March 3 holiday, which someone, somewhere, has designated as “If Pets Had Thumbs Day.” What an awesome thought. No more fumbling with the doorknob when I want to go out, no more fruitless grasping of mugs; plus the ability to actually thumb my nose at certain office puppy’s mischievous antics.

It would be so wrong of me to not acknowledge the next officially recognized holiday, though. Happy birthday, to presidents past and present! February 21, this upcoming Monday, is Presidents’ Day. Schools and town offices are closed that day, as are the post offices, so plan accordingly.

Sandy Hook School math/science specialist Kris Feda tells me fourth graders Kim Buttery, Maggie Zuvanich, and Jenna Gonski are some of the students at the school who have been helping to count the accumulated food items for the school’s 100th Day Food Drive. The 100th Day of School was celebrated Tuesday, February 15, at a number of Newtown’s school, and at Sandy Hook grade levels have been “competing” by bringing in as many food items to donate to local charities as possible. Ms Feda says the drive is being continued until February 28 this year, so all Sandy Hook School families still have time to add a healthy snack or delectable treat (nonperishable of course) to the cause. So far kindergarten students have donated nearly 70 items, first graders 130, second graders over 90, third graders over 140, fourth graders over 90, and teachers have donated over 80. I’d say the third graders and first graders at the school are outpacing the other grades, but, really, the whole school deserves a medal for bringing in more than 600 food items. Go Sandy Hook!

Ah, sweet love. It was in the air on Monday morning, and former state rep and VNA prez Mae Schmidle got a whiff of it. She was so inspired, that she drifted over to The Bee with a basket of red, heart-shaped Valentine bagels for the staff. That was enough to endear her in the hearts of all. The bagels arrived, warm, in a woven basket that looks suspiciously to me like it could be recycled as the perfect bed for a cat. Thank you, Mae!

With all the volunteering she does, it came as no surprise to me this week that Reed Intermediate School fifth grade teacher Karen King has been nominated for and named to the semifinal round in the American Federation of Teacher’s Everyday Hero program. To make it to the final round, Ms King will need votes from the public at the American Federation of Teacher’s website, www.aft.org/everydayheroes/index.cfm. Read all about Ms King’s efforts in this week’s paper, and don’t forget to vote for Newtown’s Everyday Hero.

I see there is some traditional Irish music hosted by the Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, this Friday evening, at the Newtown Meeting House, in case you want to get in the mood for next month’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations. The concert begins at 8 pm. Call 203-256-8453 for more information.

The taste of spring was nice, but I have a suspicion Old Man Winter’s not done with us, yet. I’m keeping one eye on the sky and my roof rake handy. (That’s where having a thumb would be awfully nice.) If you keep one eye on my column, I’ll make sure you know all the news that is fit to (paw)print. Be sure to… Read me again.