Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-election

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

I always wonder how many people make up their minds who to vote for in an

election by watching political ads on TV. The candidates seem to spend

thousands, sometimes millions, of dollars trying to make their opponent look

sleazy, incompetent, or just plain stupid. It seems like a good use of money,

doesn't it? We spend several weeks trumpeting to the world how idiotic our

candidates are, and then when one gets elected we celebrate with brass bands

and balloons. What does that say about us as voters?

That reminds me of a story about Adlai Stevenson the first time he ran for

president against Dwight Eisenhower in 1952. An enthusiastic supporter greeted

him by saying, "Governor, every thinking person will be voting for you."

Stevenson replied, "Madam, that is not enough. I need a majority."

In the midst of all this year's campaigning, State Senate candidate John

McKinney and his wife welcomed a baby girl on October 25. The infant, born

three weeks before her due date, weighed 4 lbs 14 oz. The McKinneys were so

sure they were going to have another boy that they hadn't yet picked out a

girl's name. They were delighted, however, and finally decided on Graysen.

Mom, baby, and dad are doing fine.

Win Ballard was rather nonplused when his ticket was drawn as the winner of

the 1968 Mustang convertible raffled off by the Lions Club. Win has been a

Lion for more than 20 years but never envisioned winning the big prize. He

says that driving such a snazzy car complete with V-8 engine and an exhaust

system that you can hear half a block away is a bit ... well, much. When he

had to bring the car to town for a publicity photo this week, he showed up

incognito, wearing dark glasses and a baseball cap. The last snazzy car Win

owned was a pink Rambler and that was many years ago.

So many people -- 429 -- turned out for the flu clinic at the senior center

this week that Dr Draper ran out of the pneumonia vaccine that also was

offered. Only 106 doses of the new 10-year vaccine were available. Another

clinic will be held within the next few weeks so those persons considered

high-risk for pneumonia can get an injection.

Mary Musnicki, the "Miss Brennan" who taught in the Flat Swamp Schoolhouse

from 1941 to 1946, stopped at The Bee last week to drop off some delicious

cookies and an example of the stained glass work her husband does. She

mentioned that it might be fun to have a reunion of the students who attended

the one-room schoolhouse during those war years. After the war she married and

was a teacher in the Danbury schools for many years.

Dog warden George Mattegat was spotted driving around town this week in a

Subaru station wagon. The transmission went on the pick-up truck he usually

uses to pick up stray dogs and cats. His new truck won't be in for another

month or so.

The well-known Sturdevant's Photo Lab was sold recently to Ritz Camera Shop.

Sturdevant's, owned and operated by Richard and Marie Sturdevant of Newtown,

has been a family business for 69 years.

Congratulations to the Newtown High School field hockey team, which qualified

for the state tournament for the first time in 17 years Monday. Coach Owen

Gallagher told his players that there's a price to pay for qualifying for

postseason play -- more practice.

And finally there is a lost and lonely Yankees cap hanging on one of the end

pegs in the foyer of the Booth library. It seems like it's been there for

weeks. Someone out there had to go through all the celebrations bare-headed.

The weather's getting cold, so go get your cap, whoever you are.

And with a tip of my cap, let me remind you to...

Read me again.