Date: Fri 15-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-y2K

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

I want to assure everyone that I am Y2K compliant. When the year 2000 rolls

around, I will go right on writing. Whether the computers that process my

well-crafted commentary week after week cooperate is another thing. The

tech-types at The Bee say they think everything will go OK on January 1, 2000,

but something in the way they hedge their comments makes me think they

wouldn't wager their pocket-protectors on it.

They tell me the problem is that computers may mistake the year 2000 for the

year 1900. Computers are supposed to be smart, right? One of them beat Gary

Kasparov at chess, right? And yet the computers of the world are going to get

up one fine Saturday morning a little less than a year from now and think that

it's 1900. And everyone's out buying technology stock? How smart is that?

I hear that planners from the state Department of Transportation are looking

into ways to improve I-84. I would like to see the state cut down on the noise

levels from the highway. Ever since the interstate was finished in Newtown

about 30 years ago, the steady hum of traffic has been audible through large

tracts of Newtown, day in and day out. My modest proposal is to bury the whole

thing and give the town a little peace and quiet.

Newtown resident Howard Lasher is getting a rare dose of peace and quiet at

his home in New York City, where he is recovering after undergoing successful

triple bypass surgery December 20 at New York University Medical Center.

Howard, who had a swelling in his left leg, went in for a routine test at

Danbury Hospital and was told by Dr Jonathan Alexander that he had two

blockages in his heart. "I feel 1,000 percent better," said Mr Lasher, who has

lived in Newtown since 1982 and is president of the Lasher Group, a Wall

Street trading firm. Howard plans to head to Newtown for further rest and

relaxation later this month.

Congratulations to Christina Maturi of Newtown Florist on Church Hill Road.

The FTD Association recently announced Christina's flower shop has

demonstrated its commitment to upholding the integrity of the professional

retail florist. Newtown Florist recently passed a quality inspection by FTD,

which took place in November.

Last Saturday's Connecticut Post featured a story on a possible coaching

change involving the football program at Stratford High. Newtown High football

coach Bob Zito was mentioned as a likely candidate to take over the job.

However, according to the story, the current coach, Walt Czekaj, is not ready

to leave. Mr Zito was an assistant at Stratford from 1984-89.

Who in the town hall is going to turn 50 years old January 16, 1999? I'm not

supposed to tell, but you should know that Leslie in the Finance Office is

planning a surprise party for this "gentle Ben" this Thursday, January 14. I

heard Leslie is planning to serve a big cake.

I'm glad to hear that Dr Tom Draper will be continue to contribute his medical

wisdom to the town's health district for the next couple years. The district's

board of directors just appointed him to another two-year term as health

adviser. Health director Mark Cooper also got another three years tacked onto

his term.

When Mary Andreotta takes over the direction of the Newtown Choral Society on

January 20, she will be continuing a tradition of music she began as a Newtown

High School student in the late 1970s. Back then she was Mary Whitney, and she

was singing with the choral singers under the leadership of Tony Inzerro.

Are you looking for great discounts for restaurants, movies, ski lifts? The

Friends of the Cyrenius H. Booth Library have only a few Entertainment Books

left in stock. These make great Valentine Day's gifts. The books sell for $30

and can be purchased at the main circulation desk at the library.

The Newtown High School class of 1979 is planning a 20th year reunion at the

Fireside Inn on Saturday, July 31. For information about the reunion call

Reunions By Design, Inc., at 800/772-9556.

A Pancake Day to benefit heart transplant recipient Rich Rauner will be held

at the United Methodist Church on Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook on Saturday

from 8 am to 2 pm. Tickets at the door are $5 for adults, $2.50 for children

under 10, and $15 per family. The event is being co-sponsored by the Lions

Club, Newtown Congregational Church and United Methodist Church.

And don't forget that next week is National Clean-Your-Desk Week. That way

you'll have plenty of space on it for The Bee so you can...

Read me again.