It was a cold raw day, pouring down rain outside, but to look at the Class of 2002 at their graduation last Friday evening, you’d think they were spending the day at the beach. Commencement exercises are always a time for celebration (and a little troublemaking), so it wasn’t too far into the ceremonies that the beach balls and bubbles started making their appearance. Even a gentle rebuke from Principal Bill Mandredonia didn’t quell the mischief.

All in all, it was a wonderful evening. The ceremonies ended with lots of group photos in the lobby of the high school auditorium. From there, the Class of 2002 dispersed to about 2002 graduation parties all over town. In fact, the last I heard, the parties are still going on. I hope they wind up in time for all the graduating seniors to head off to college.

June 18 was John Reed Day as proclaimed by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal. I think Dr Reed wished it was another day after the bomb scare at the middle school dampened everyone’s mood for celebrating. He noted later that the last day of school is usually uneventful; he wished things had worked out so he could have driven up and down Main Street waving at people. Frankly, he could still do it, but people may think he’s gotten eccentric in his retirement.

Another busy year came to an end this week for Newtown’s school nurses. At the middle school, nurses Barbara Reilly and Joyce LaForte report more than 20,000 visits over the course of the year. Those visits ranged from headaches and fevers to health screenings and eye tests. These days, all students are eligible to get an education, no matter what the ailment and school nurses are responsible for helping children with disabilities more easily get through the day. They’re also experts in hugs, which can sometimes be the best cure of all.

The former home of the Wakelee & Isaac Law Firm at 10 Queen Street was demolished Friday. The wing of the building located at the corner of the Big Y shopping center was removed and will be rebuilt later this year. Attorney George Wakelee moved to an upstairs office in a separate section of the building after more than 40 years at the old location.

Luise Lank’s friend John help her celebrate a birthday this past weekend by taking her to see Aida (not Evita) Saturday afternoon in New York. He then surprised her later than night with a gathering of friends at the Inn at Newtown Inn for drinks. Luise has provided many pictures of the dogs at the pound for The Bee, but on this night, she was the one being photographed.

The wedding of Margie Czel and Bob Keegan is coming up this weekend, and Margie must be ready for just about anything at this point. She’s had a few surprise showers in her honor, including one last week organized by some of the ladies from her church. The plan was to let Margie think she was attending a regular Circle of Grace meeting, where members would socialize over friendly board games like Yahtzee. Meanwhile, nearly three dozen friends (and even her sisters Barbara and Debbie were in on the surprise) showed up at Newtown Congregational Church to decorate the lower meeting hall, put out some refreshments, and shower Margie with gifts.

When she walked into the meeting room Tuesday night, Margie was completely surprised. After the ladies hollered “Surprise!” Margie’s first response was, “You know, I thought there was a good turnout for Circle of Grace tonight.” After some laughter and hugs from her friends, Margie’s next question was, “Does this mean we aren’t playing Yahtzee tonight?”

After all these surprises, Saturday’s ceremony for Bob and Margie will be a piece of … wedding cake.

Newtown’s notables spent time June 13 at the annual Hospice breakfast. Legislative Council Chairman Don Studley was one of the servers for the table. When he was found talking too frequently to the guests, his wife Marg, who co-chaired the event, clapped her hands as a sign to her husband to get serving. I bet there are times when First Selectman Herb Rosenthal wishes he could just clap his hands and get the whole council to do his bidding.

Marsha Moskowitz and Karen Finlayson turned serving at the breakfast into a competition to see who could be the best server for their tables. When the coffee pot dried up at one of their tables, the other would try to show her competition up by filling cups at both tables. The winners were the coffee drinkers … and Hospice, of course.

Summer is finally here and motorcycles are filling up the back roads. Bikers should always wear helmets as a safety measure –– and having your bike blessed wouldn’t hurt. The Sixth Annual Blessing of the Bikes is scheduled for 8:30 to 11:30 am at the Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road. There will be a freewill donation and a hearty breakfast served to all the bikers who show up.

Time for me to hop on my Harley Hog and cruise the town for more news. With any luck –– and maybe a blessing or two –– I’ll be back next week, so be sure to …

Read me again.