Date: Fri 14-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-spring-Pleasance

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

Spring seems to be unfolding at a leisurely pace, not rushing headlong into

summer too fast. There still was a bit of a chill in the early morning air

this week, and the birds seemed to be extra generous in feathering their nests

against the cool spring breezes.

The crazy killdeer that lays eggs each spring in the stones of the walkway at

The Pleasance at 1 Main Street suddenly disappeared early this week. We hope

the eggs all hatched and the family is safe somewhere, but we fear some

mischief befell the little squatters.

The bocci court at The Pleasance has already been put into play. I saw a

pretty good crowd of bocci players enjoying a good game along with some good

food and drink they had brought along last weekend. And when they left, there

wasn't a shred of trash left behind. I don't care who won or lost the game,

they are all champions in my book. We hope to see them there again real soon.

For those games that go on past sunset, there is a light on a nearby pole that

can be turned on with the switch on the electrical boxes at the south end of

the court. The light in the gazebo, however, will not be put into service

until the robin who is sitting on a nest by the light moves on with her

fledglings.

The Newtown Junior Women's Club held its monthly meeting at Newtown Meeting

House this week. The meeting agenda included introducing prospective new

members to the club, and giving an overview of what is done throughout the

year. Among the new members, two little beady-eyed mice wanted to join,

scoping out the food table for scraps. Scared away once, the mice were

provided a piece of cheese in the kitchen. When they were done with that, one

mouse made a return trip to the room, looking for a bit more. The meeting of

skittish club prospects adjourned quickly after that.

Freddi and Marty Hennessey of Newtown were recently thrown a going away party.

They will be leaving town for Boca Raton, Fla. Over 100 people turned out for

the event held at the Alexandria Room in Edmond Town Hall. The event included

food and a DJ.

The evening was not complete until Freddie took the stage and microphone and

did her solo performance to Celine Dion's theme to Titanic "My Heart Will Go

On." Feeling triumph with her solo, Freddie continued throughout the evening

stealing the microphone and chiming in with songs she knew, gracing the crowd

with her "lovely" voice. Tears began rolling as Freddie and Marty gave a

farewell "thank you" to all their friends. Good luck to Freddie, Marty and

their three children, Sarah, Alex and Laurel. They will all be deeply missed

for their many contributions to the town.

Members of the Newtown High School class of 1988 are hoping for sunny skies on

Saturday as they converge on Dickinson Park for what is being called an 11th

year reunion. The class forgot to hold its 10th year party, so it opted to

hold a picnic this year instead.

Speaking of NHS, have you seen the sharp looking cars some of these teachers

have been driving of late? Richard Pesce has been spotted in an Alfa-Romeo and

Charles Mann now comes to school in a Mustang convertible. The usually

mild-mannered guys are really starting to get hip.

The Town of Newtown employee picnic was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at

Treadwell Park. According to organizer Donna McCarthy of the health district,

the potluck event helps boost morale among the troops. She said getting

together on a social basis helps to relieve the tension during this very busy

time of year.

The Children's Adventure Center will be accepting donations for the Red Cross

to help victims of the natural disasters in the Midwest this Saturday during

the center's tag sale. The tag sale will be held from 9 am to 2 pm at the

Sandy Hook firehouse on Riverside Road. Furniture, clothing, household items,

toys and bric-a-brac will be sold. Donations of items for the tag sale will be

accepted at the firehouse from 7 to 9 am.

Four Newtown High School students are looking for help to restore the cemetery

behind George's Pizza this Saturday morning. Anyone who can help or who wants

to donate flower seeds or bulbs should contact Cassie Shewmaker at 270-7431 or

Richie Engel at 270-1791.

Be sure to mark your calendar this month for the annual Family Pizza Night

that will be held on Tuesday, May 25, to benefit the Family Counseling Center.

This year's event will be held at a different location, the high school

cafeteria.

Get well wishes to Gordon Williams who is recovering from surgery.

For the first time in nearly two years, the Republican Town Committee has all

its town positions on local board and commissions filled. It did so Monday

night when it appointed Carol Recht to the Library Board of Trustees and Bill

Furrier to the Public Building & Site Committee. Chairperson Marie Sturdevant

said those two positions were not vacant that entire time, but there was

always one seat or another that needed to be filled.

Happy birthday to Kate Valentine of the fire marshal's office. She celebrated

her birthday earlier this week. Kate made sure everyone remembered her special

day, reminding them more than a month in advance so they could avoid the last

minute crowds in the stores.

I hope by now that you don't need a reminder to...

Read me again.