A handful of local Democrats are still glowing from their close encounters with President Bill Clinton in Danbury on Monday.

School Board member Lisa Schwartz said it was worth the $250 she spent to attend the function. Mrs Schwartz arrived at the Amber Room and when she saw a bunch of Newtown people at a table close to where President Clinton was to be, she abandoned her original table. She admits she probably took someone’s seat, but it left her mind as soon as they announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States.” She said she jumped up from her seat just in time for the President to walk by her. Lisa was still excited about the event at the school board meeting Tuesday night.

Jack Rosenthal was also all smiles this week after meeting the President at the Amber Room. Jack, a first selectman in Newtown for 12 years, says he was so excited to be able to shake the hand of the leader of the free world… twice.

Fellow Democrat Peggy Baiad brought home an extra-special memento from Monday’s event – the President’s autograph.

Steve Paproski says that Will Tucker, who milks his cows, got to shake President Clinton’s hand when the President visited Danbury. Besides working at Steve’s farm on Sugar Lane, Will also works  at Stop & Shop in Danbury and he was there in time for the President’s visit.  He got to shake the President’s hand, but first he was carefully searched by the Secret Service, who used a metal detector.

Poor Ben Spragg. The town’s mild-mannered finance director does his best not to take sides, preferring instead to play it right down the middle. But last week he discovered the middle was not the most comfortable place to be as he found himself seated between Legislative Council members Melissa Pilchard and Will Rodgers, who have had some sharp disagreements on council matters of late. If my memory serves me, Mr Spragg often found himself seated between then First Selectman Zita McMahon and former council member Bob Cascella. The two often feuded during council meetings, prompting Mr Cascella to run against Mrs McMahon in 1993.

It seems like Newtown residents are always talking about how fast the town is growing, traffic, housing, overcrowded schools, etc. But the women who work in the town clerk’s office see the town growing on a daily basis. According to Town Clerk Cindy Simon, the town has filled nearly 650 books’ worth of land records throughout its history. The town began keeping land records in 1700. Between 1700 and 1982, the town filled 300 books worth of land records. Since 1982, the town has filled another 350 books. In other words, the town has seen more development in the past 18 years than it had in the 282 years before that.

Congratulations to Kevin Cragin and Chuck Tilson who captured the championship at this past weekend’s member-guest golf tournament at Richter Park.

Taunton Press of Newtown will celebrate its 25th birthday Saturday night with a party at the Amber Room.

This month, Gladys Shaw will complete her 33rd year of working at the Newtown Savings Bank.

The William Pitt Real Estate office was closed in Newtown Wednesday to honor the life of company founder William Pitt, who died this past weekend. Mr Pitt, who was in his 70s, lived in Stamford. He was remembered this week by local agents as a philanthropist who was both honest and ethical.

Former Newtowners Greg and Chris O’Brien, who live in Germany now, are proud new grandparents of a new baby girl.  Mackenzie Grace Corgan weighed in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces.  Her parents are Kim and Dan Corgan.

Joanne Zang says that someone left a child’s stroller at the Labor Day book sale. It can be claimed by calling her at 426-5413. Joanne and her crew already are back at work. Volunteers began pricing donated books for next year’s sale the day after this year’s sale ended.

Happy birthday to Debbie Coyle, who moved to Newtown a little over a year ago with her family from California. Debbie’s friends tease her about being an avid reader of The Bee so she’s sure to see this. Debbie’s birthday – her friends didn’t say which one – is Monday, September 18.

Jim Crouch has announced that Edmond Town Hall is now equipped with a brand new heart defibrillator… just in case. I guess they can start showing more scary movies now.

And don’t forget that one sure-fire way to get your heart to beat a little faster is to…

Read me again.