The Historic Homes & Gardens Tour put on by the Newtown Historical Society last Saturday was a rousing success and although the fine weather may have had something to do with that, I like to think it was also the rare chance to visit some of the town’s lovely old homes or to stroll through their secret gardens.

Being a cat who likes to explore new places, I was in my element. One of my favorite spots was the grandchildren’s playhouse in the old stone barn at the Geckle property. Nary an electrical appliance nor technological toy to be seen –– just books, games, dolls, and a nifty play wooden kitchen set with a sink just the right size for me to curl up in and no running water coming out of the pretend faucet to disturb my nap. Of course, I woke up in time to visit Amberfield, the home of veterinarian Brian Silverlieb. It is a true gentleman’s farm. Even the henhouse was as neat as a pin though the rooster caused a ruckus when he saw me. But the stone dog at the doorway to the main house didn’t budge as I sauntered by.

Sandy Hook organic farmer Jim Shortt has noticed that people aren’t buying corn this year like they used to. “I’ve talked to some of the other farmers and they all say the same thing,” said Jim. “We think it’s the low-carb diets that are responsible, and people are cutting back on their corn consumption.” What a pity! Eating fresh corn just picked from someone’s garden is one of life’s great pleasures. Come on people, ditch those diets and enjoy some sweet corn while you may. Didn’t someone say something about gathering the rosebuds?

Passing along some garden wisdom from the farmers’ market: Don’t water the zucchini from a sprinkler or you’ll get gray powdery mildew. Actually, it’s the zucchini leaves that will get it. Use drip-irrigation instead. And if your tomatoes get white fly, plant basil nearby. Apparently the white flies don’t like the smell of fresh basil though you can take it on my authority that cats love it nearly as much as catnip.

Michelle Rosenthal dropped by Herb’s office on Monday to see if he could take a break from town business to go out to lunch for their seventh wedding anniversary. Herb was a bit short-handed this week as Jan Andras and her husband were off on a trip to Bermuda, a belated 25th anniversary present to themselves.

The Newtown High School cheerleaders have come up with a novel fundraising idea. They are urging everyone to “Flamingo A Friend!” For a donation, you can surprise friends with a flock of pink flamingoes (plastic, not real) in their yard. I hear it is also possible to secure some flamingo insurance for an appropriate donation that will protect your yard from a surprise flamingo invasion. If you are interested in participating in this fundraiser, call 426-6951.

Finally this week, I want to be the first to announce the return of The Newtown Bee’s famous Top Dog contest. Now, after so many years have passed since the last canine competition, the Bee staff has pretty much forgotten how crazy and chaotic this contest makes life around the office, so they have agreed to do it again. Complete details on the contest will be published soon in The Bee, but basic idea is this: People can bring their dogs to the Bee offices on one of a series of Saturday mornings to be photographed. All the photos will then be published in The Bee and the public will get a chance to vote for Newtown’s Top Dog. People can vote as many times as they wish, but votes cost $1. All of the proceeds from the voting will be donated to local causes. The Bee plans to heap honors on the winning dog and provide him or her with a chauffeured ride in the Labor Day Parade so that the whole town can cheer his or her election. So get ready. It’s coming.

Of course a cat would never put up with such nonsense. In fact, I’ve had just about enough of this column writing nonsense for another week, but I’ll be back, so be sure to…

Read me again.