There is just something about a good thunderstorm. As one approaches, the air feels clammy, leaves remain perfectly still, and a charcoal gray curtain rolls across the sky. The wind picks up, the sky opens up and pours down sheets of rain, and jagged, electric fingers slice through the sky. It really is a wondrous time to stop what you’re doing and look outside.

Unless you’re on the job.

During last Saturday night’s thunderous display, members of the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company didn’t have much time to stand around and behold nature’s power – a bolt of lighting struck a Charter Ridge Drive home, causing them to respond. But some good did come out of the storm for the firefighters: their new thermal imaging camera was put to the test for the first time at a fire. Firemen used the infrared device to check the house interior for hot spots. The company obtained the camera recently after a long fundraising campaign.

Although he was not present at Saturday night’s fire, Sandy Hook firefighter Bill McAllister has not let a broken foot stand in the way of fighting fires. The veteran McAllister has been present at several recent structure fires despite having to negotiate hectic scenes with a crutch. Now that’s dedication.

When it comes to a project, Gordon Williams also knows a thing or two about dedication. He told me this week about two Treadwell Park Playground Committee contests that will be coming up in the next few weeks. The committee, of course, is busy making plans and raising funds to build a new playground at the Sandy Hook park that will mirror the ones at Dickinson Park and some local elementary schools.

Recently, the committee pitched the proposal to local elementary students, and got a whopping response. Students will now be charged with coming up with a name for the future park. Interested students should send their suggestions for the park’s name to the Parks and Recreation Department by June 5. The winner will be chosen that week, and will receive a pizza party, along with getting their picture taken of The Bee.

The committee will also be holding its “Pennies From Heaven” drive in an effort to collect spare change to go towards fees for constructing the new park. The student who has collected the most pennies, nickels, and dimes by June 5 will win a prize, and the elementary school that collects the most money will win an ice cream party.

Anyone interested in helping out with this project is encouraged to call Gordon at 426-6443 or Tammy Marks at 426-5333. The Treadwell Park playground project is sponsored by Newtown Lyons and the Parks and Recreation Department.

Speaking of P&R, its director, Barbara Kasbarian, is back in town this week after spending a week’s vacation in the Dominican Republic. It was not all fun and games, however, as Barbara came down with what she is calling a case of Montezuma’s Revenge.

Bee reporter Steve Bigham fared a little better during his recent vacation. Steve returned recently from a Caribbean cruise, during which time he proposed to his girlfriend of over two years, Lisa Pollard. Lisa, it just so happens, is an administrative assistant in the town’s building department. Steve reportedly popped the question along the streets of Cozumel, just off the beach. Congratulations you two.

Kudos are also in store for Donna Norling, the clerk typist in Hawley School’s main office. Donna had a birthday Wednesday, and the office was adorned with clusters of balloons. Her officemates smiled as they told me that they treated Donna better than usual, in honor of her special day.

The Jolly Green Giant is making his way to Sandy Hook School. Joanne Didonato tells me that the school is anxiously anticipating Saturday’s big fundraiser, an annual event that has been taking place for as long as Joanne as been in town, maybe longer. Joanne, in case you don’t know, has lived in town for over 20 years. The Giant will leave his green footprints down Dickinson Drive, while stopping students and parents long enough to paint a green stripe on the tips of their noses. There will be games, crafts, baked goods and other food, face painting, and the infamous quilt raffle. Stop on by – the fun will start at 10 am and end at 4 pm.

Town workers have been busy as beavers in recent weeks spiffing up the former town land use offices in Town Hall South, beneath the police station. The offices have been improved for use by the town social services department. The department has operated for years in cramped quarters on the top floor of Edmond Town Hall. Town officials decided to improve the interior of the Town Hall South after fixing a leaky roof there and correcting drainage problems that had led to water problems in the building.

Now, if they could just figure out the phone system. The whole voicemail system for the town has been down for the entire week. Some dispatchers have been wondering whether or not the voicemail difficulties are the result of a computer virus, but as of Wednesday SNET hadn’t been able to figure the source of the problem.

Lori Saputo is trying to figure out where some members of her high school class, the class of 1990, are. She tells me that the NHS class of 1990 is planning its 10th reunion for Friday, November 24, from 7 pm to midnight at Roberto’s Restaurant in Monroe. The cost is $50 per person. Reservations are being taken by Reunions By Design, PO Box 3492, Westport, CT O6880, or call 800/772-9556. There’s also a web site: www.reunionsbydesign.com. Any class of 1990 members out there, get in touch with Lori.

When the Newtown Choral Society has its spring concert, Bonita Cartoun will be sharing a solo with her daughter, Meg Friedrich. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, May 27, at 7:30, at the Meeting House.

Chris O’Brien came all the way from Germany last weekend to attend a shower for her daughter, Janice, who is getting married this summer.

Plans for this year’s Labor Day Parade already are in the works. Kym Stendahl and Lisa Franze, co-chairpersons of the Newtown Summer Festival, say the annual requests for donations will be sent to all residents soon. Each contribution goes a long way toward ensuring that the parade can be staged each year.

Rich and Pat Barillari traveled to Buffalo, N.Y., this past weekend to watch their son, Rich, who is a member of the Iona University baseball team which was in town to face Canisius. Unfortunately, big Rich never made it to the game, after coming down with a nasty case of kidney stones that put him in the hospital. Rich was back in town this week and reportedly recovering nicely.

I’ve just about worn myself out for this week, so some recovery time sounds really good to me too. But you know where to find me for next time, so be sure to…

Read me again.