Summer seems to be travel-time for everyone in Newtown, but the most traveling I do is from one soft spot to another. Apparently that’s not enough for everybody.

Soon-to-be NHS freshmen Emily Rowe and Emily Moller spent three weeks in July touring six European countries as part of the People to People Student Ambassador Program. The Emilys visited England, where they viewed London from the top of the world’s largest ferris wheel, the London Eye; France, where they took in the famous museums; Belgium, where they stopped at the World War I memorial, the Menin Gate; The Netherlands, for a visit to the Anne Frank House; and Germany, where they spent three days and nights with host families. In Switzerland the delegation picnicked atop the Pilatus Mountain and then descended the mountain in quite the interesting manner: via an alpine bobsled. Not your typical July outdoor activity around here, I’d say.

Parents and friends welcomed the two girls home July 26, whose heads, I think it is safe to say, are still whirling from all the excitement — or maybe that’s just jet lag. At any rate, both girls were thrilled to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience that allowed them to represent our country and see the world.

Speaking of whirling, my catlike reflexes failed me this weekend when surprise reshaped my chronic sleepy-eyed expression. After turning down an unfamiliar driveway, I encountered a face I recognized as retiring Town Clerk Cindy Simon. With her tag sale in full swing, she had hoped to sell a few pots, pans, and even two camera tripods to lighten her packing efforts as she prepared to move this week. Leaving behind her longtime home and municipal career, she is heading toward an unknown adventure in the rural parts of Florida. But what’s this I hear about the household feline being sent ahead to scout out the area? Leave it to a human to put the onus on the cat. At any rate, I suspect that Ms Simon has a lifelong foundation of friends, family, memories, and a career to call a success in Newtown, which should give her the confidence to enjoy something new as she travels south. I’ll miss the friendly greeting each time I slip into her office.

It’s not as far as France or Florida, but former Newtown Bee Circulation Department staffer Terence Ford spent a recent weekend in Killington, Vt. While some might be longing for the snow-covered trails, Terence liked the bumps and rocks just fine. He participated as both a lead mechanic and rider in the annual 24 Hours of Killington mountain bike marathon. It seems the modest Newtowner only set out to fill the seats for his two-wheel team mates temporarily when needed, and then ended up putting in four hours and helping secure a third place finish for his team! Go Terence!

There has been a fair amount of action among town officials this week. Anyone who knows Newtown Finance Director Ben Spragg knows his favorite sidekick, Franklin, the lovable pug/terrier mix Ben adopted a while ago. Well, it seems my furry friend learned a hard lesson about picking on one of those black and white striped playmates last weekend. Poor Franklin tangled with a skunk and lost, big time. But thanks to a quick in-home bath and an emergency shampoo and treatment from Franklin’s groomer the next morning, he is one sweet smelling pooch once again.

On a sweeter note, Republican Registrar of Voters Karin Aurelia and her husband, John, have become proud grandparents yet again, but this time it’s a granddaughter, after having had four grandsons.

Karin and John’s daughter, Susan Blanar, gave birth to a daughter on July 13, at Danbury Hospital. Sophia Blanar weighed in at 7 pounds and 13 ounces. Susan and husband, Brendan, live in Brewster, N.Y. Incidentally, Sophia is the niece of Assistant Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia.

While chasing the mouse on my computer, I somehow opened up the site for Mid-Atlantic Apiculture, where a call to action for beekeepers was posted last week. It seems the House Agricultural Committee failed to include any additional funds for colony collapse disorder research when finalizing the Farm Bill. Colony collapse disorder has been plaguing beekeepers in 35 states, including Connecticut, with unexplained disappearances of entire bee colonies. Honey also needs to be defined as a specialty crop with regard to the Farm Bill, perhaps then enabling colony collapse disorder research dollars to be drawn from specialty crops funds. I wouldn’t worry so much about this, except that I have observed that my bee balm has been fairly bee-free this summer, as have a lot of other flowering plants that I normally have to “bee” wary of when looking for a shady spot to lounge around. That’s the buzz, anyway.

Furry and feathered beings have found another friend in town, I’m happy to report. Congratulations to Newtown resident Starlet Braden, whose property was certified recently by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat. Starlet’s property is landscaped to welcome all creatures, from birds of the skies to rabbits in their burrows. That’s my kind of person.

In my prowls about town, I have noticed that the old Johnson Homestead on South Main Street has a coat of white paint on it. I don’t know if that’s the final color, but it sure is shiny and bright. Well, if I’m going to need a nap if I am going to continue prowls about town, so that next week you can be sure to….

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