With the temperatures creeping up through the 50s toward 60 this week, you could actually see people relaxing the muscles in their jaws, which for the past few months have been set hard against winter. Yes, I know March is certain to betray us with a blizzard, or some such nonsense, but this week I really believe I felt spring on its way. And I’m not the only one thinking about warmer weather.

Jane and Don Sharpe were so tired of the winter last Sunday that they organized a beach party picnic at their home on Lake Zoar. The Sharpes filled the living room with plants including ficus trees “planted” in sandboxes and with bunches of bananas wired into the leaves. They got dry ice and poured boiling water over it to create a swirling surf that wafted its way through the downstairs. Jane rented a fountain and filled it with grapefruit juice so everyone could create sea breeze drinks. The neighbors came in Hawaiian shirts and Bermuda shorts, and everyone enjoyed a few hours of respite from the cold outside.

Herb and Michele Rosenthal warmed themselves by basking in the reflected glow coming from Democratic Presidential candidate Al Gore, whom they joined for dinner this past Saturday night… along with several hundred others. Newtown’s first couple traveled to Southern Connecticut University in New Haven for the annual Jefferson-Jackson-Baily fundraiser dinner. Mr Gore was the keynote speaker.

 Speaking of Herb and lofty events, the first selectman has a picture on his desk of himself and local businessman Robert Swart, commemorating the flight the two men took over Newtown last month. They took off in Bob’s V-35 Beech Bonanza airplane from Oxford Airport and proceeded to fly over Fairfield Hills, Hawleyville and other areas that Bob thought the first selectman might want to see from the air. You get a completely different perspective from up there, Herb said.

“When you look at things from 1,000 feet that’s how they really are,” said Bob, who is retired from Vitramon Inc of Monroe, where he served as vice president of North American operations.

Lois Barber of Sandy Hook has become involved with a living history group that does reenactments of World War II.  Lois is the area volunteer field representative for the national World War II memorial that is planned for Washington, D.C. The living history group goes around the country educating people about World War II. The group needs World War II uniforms so if you have one hanging in your closet and would like to donate it, call Lois at 270-8017. Lois is looking for one for herself, maybe a WAC or other branch of the women’s services.

Liz and Paul Arneth are back from a trip to Morocco where one of their never-to-be-forgotten memories is of getting dunked in the surf by a camel. The Arneths were riding on the camel on the beach when the driver told the animal to kneel down. Instead, it rolled over, throwing Liz and Paul into the surf, to the embarrassment of the driver.

Liz, by the way, is teaming up with another newly retired teacher, Gordon Williams, to lead a book review discussion group at the Booth Library. The subject will be the 1960s, something both of them know a lot about. The four-part series will begin on March 7. Anyone who is interested in participating should contact the library for more information.

Pushpa Kapur and her husband returned Saturday from Egypt, where one of their unexpected happenings was a chat with Omar Sharif, who was staying in the same hotel.

The Newtown High School Class of 1990 is organizing its 10th reunion. There is a toll-free hotline at 800/964-1980 (Reunions By Design) if you don’t receive a postcard in the mail and need information.

John and Tara Kortze are the proud parents of a baby girl who was born Tuesday, February 15. Kassidy Eileen came into this world at 12:16 pm and weighed seven pounds, six ounces and was 19.5 inches long.

The following day, Mike and Jane Real brought their first child into the world. Melissa Audrey Real arrived at 11:02 pm, February 16. She was 21½  inches tall, 9 pounds, 10½ ounces at birth.

Reports coming out of the high school this week say the Markettes stole the show Monday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. The NHS dance team, along with two other schools, danced alongside the New York City Dancers during halftime of the Knicks-Clippers NBA basketball game. Several parents, brothers and sisters and friends, including Principal Bill Manfredonia, were on hand to cheer the dancers on.

Newtown resident Michael Snyder was one of several members of the Fairfield Hills advisory committee who showed up at last week’s Legislative Council meeting. Mr Snyder said he supports a corporate-based vision for the campus. “Maybe a big insurance building?” joked council Chairman Pierre Rochman, alluding to the fact that Mr Snyder is an Allstate Insurance agent. “No,” Mr Snyder replied in kind. “I don’t want any competition.”

Speaking of last week’s council meeting, as council members went about their business, they did so with a constant beeping noise going on in the background. No one seemed to notice, though. That’s because the library’s burglar alarm always seems to go off during their meetings.

Audrey Grasso has now found an inexpensive and fun way to keep in touch with her kids – have all three online at the same time. Last week, she was talking to all three at once over the Internet. One was in Danbury, another in Washington Depot, and the third in Georgia.

All the budget work has apparently created a bit of stress for Superintendent to Schools John R. Reed. No worries though. Last week, he reportedly pulled out his executive stress zapper, which came complete with laser, blaster, bombs away and a ratta tat tat button.

Health District Director Mark Cooper was being hailed as a hero of sort last week after using a broom and dust pan to remove a bat from inside Canaan House, the massive building at Fairfield Hills where some town offices have been located for more than three years. Co-workers are now calling Mark “Batman.”

Well, that’s it from the Catman for this week, but be sure to…

Read me again.