I can’t recall ever seeing more American flags flying in Newtown than there are now. More, even, than the Fourth of July. The town’s show of patriotism in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks is awe inspiring. The whole country, for that matter, is showing the colors like never before, and the flags are likely to fly indefinitely. As bad as we feel about the tragedies last week, that’s how good we feel about our country now.

One of the first flags flying in the wake of the attacks was at the home of patrol officer Mike Brokaw on Walnut Tree Hill Road. The Brokaws had a scare last Tuesday when they heard of the attacks shortly after they dropped their daughter, Jennifer, off for a flight to California, where she is training for the Merchant Marines. Jennifer’s flight was rerouted to Philadelphia, where she called her parents to allay their fears.

The hardware store sold out of American flags by Wednesday last week and also work gloves. The kids at Hawley were sending them to the workers in NY with notes inside. The idea for collecting work gloves from Hawley School came from Marilyn Alyward, a reading recovery teacher at the school. She said that the first day they sent more than 300 pairs. One father sent nine pair in case there were families who couldn’t afford to participate.

Dave Johnson, owner of Natural Food Distributing on South Main Street, said large orders for bulk foods have started coming in since the September 11 disaster. Customers have placed orders for 500 to 1,000 pounds of wheat, dry beans, and other staples, apparently in fear of possible food shortages.

“I haven’t seen anything like this since the millennium,” Dave said, referring to the stockpiling that went on immediately before New Year’s of 2000.

 It’s a good thing Mark Dennen had plenty of cash on him this weekend. The Newtown resident had to run numerous errands over the weekend and found himself driving all over town. On each trip, he found himself passing through one of Newtown’s emergency service fund drives to benefit the children of lost NYC firefighters. And Mark was more than happy to contribute each time through. It was the same story with Carol and Charlie Foss, who also passed through the fund drive several times. I don’t know how much of the more than $60,000 collected came out of their pockets, but I think their contributions were substantial.

Cassio Kennels on Mt Pleasant Road is collecting dog and cat food and accessories to assist the animals affected by the September 11 disaster in New York City. Dog and cat food, both dry and canned, leashes, collars, bedding, bowls, and pails, dog booties and saline solution are needed and will be given to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) for distribution.

Dan and Melissa Sorrentino had a little boy. Not so little, 9 pounds. Grandpa Mike is so excited that I was surprised that I hadn’t seen Daniel Steven at the hardware store by this time.

Betsy Kenyon’s and Wayne Kenyons’ daughter Sara had twins, each born on a different day. The twins are named Madeline and Christian.

Congratulations to David Smith, whose carved and painted duck decoy took second place at the recent Bridgewater Fair.

The Newtown Choral Society will be singing at the Newtown Meeting House at the organ concert on Sunday and has begun its regular rehearsals under the direction of Mary Andreotta at the Newtown Middle School on Wednesday evenings. The organization welcomes members from all area towns. There are openings in all voices – bass, tenor, soprano and alto. For information call 426-3769

Passersby may notice the Sold sign in front of The Ice Cream Shop on Church Hill Road. The new owners are from Oxford and will be living in the house next to the store. Previously they owned a liquor store so maybe the rum raisin ice cream will have real rum in it from now on. Think of the possible flavors: margarita, screwdrivers, white wine –it boggles the mind. Charlie White says the new owners will also get the “Gone Fishin” sign.

Karen Lewis, who graduated from Newtown High School in 1993 and then went onto Wellesley College, is currently studying architecture at Harvard University. Those of us who knew Karen in high school recall not only her artistic talent, but her beautiful singing voice as well.

Maureen McLachlan is holding another of her annual plant sales at her house at 32 The Boulevard on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. She planted a 50-foot garden last spring and has lots to sell, including plants that look good in the fall. It’s a good opportunity to view the gardens, too, which were featured in one of Sydney Eddison’s books.

Stretch and Peg Forbell have just returned from a seven-week automobile tour of the country. They’ve arrived back in Newtown just in time for fall to remind them that there’s no place like home.

Newtown’s women’s softball league champions Walker Industrial finally met their match on the diamond September 9….their husbands. The men defeated the women 9-2 in a fun battle of the sexes at Dickinson Park. Rich Caruso was the hero of the game, belting a pair of home runs. The Walker women – who finished the summer undefeated – then watched a highlight film of the season.

Newtown Youth Services Program and Parent Education Coordinator Roseanne Loring is at home recuperating from knee surgery. I bet it sure is nice to spend some time resting in bed these days. I hope you are well. Any gourmet cat food lying around so I can come join you?

Board of Education chairman Elaine McClure spent half of the last meeting of the board wondering why she was lost. The agenda had been updated and she was looking at the wrong agenda. Half way through the meeting vice chairman Vincent Saviano reached over and gave her a hand by taking the wrong agenda away. Now that’s teamwork!

I’ve run a little long this week, so I better wrap it up. Don’t forget to fly those colors and be sure to…

Read me again.