The Bee is doing what it can to alleviate the flag shortage in town. This week we are publishing a full-color flag that can be displayed in windows, on doors, or wherever you see fit. There is also a flag that can be printed out on our website at www.newtownbee.com. Be sure to get yours and show your colors.

Pat Stephenson of Sawmill Road looked around town for a flag after her husband, Ken, suggested they they fly Old Glory after the tragic events of September 11. She couldn’t find anything. But that didn’t stop her. Pat is an expert quilter, and in a couple of days she had fashioned a quilted flag, which now hangs on their house. She is now the closest thing Newtown has to Betsy Ross.

Maryhelen McCarthy is the police patrol officer who recently assembled the police department’s elaborate graphic display at the library, celebrating the department’s 30th anniversary. Ms McCarthy has put her deft hand to another project. In the police station lobby, she has assembled a graphic display on the terrorist attacks of September 11, highlighting emergency service workers’ responses to incidents in New York and Virginia. The display is located near the dispatcher’s booth. If you get a chance, check it out.

Walter Pachniuk told me this week that he was on the 102nd floor of the World Trade Center at about 9 am on September 7, 1994. He was there to see a friend who worked at Cantor Fitzgerald, the company that lost 700 of its 900 employees in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Fortunately, the friend no longer worked at the firm when disaster struck.

Heather Piccirillo, a waitress at My Place, was given a surprise birthday party there this week. Her sister, Eileen, arranged the party. But there was an even bigger surprise when Allan Matte, her boyfriend, proposed to her – on bended knee, in front of all the guests. Her reaction? A resounding yes!

Chris and Greg O’Brien, after spending time in Europe and down south, have returned to the area and are now living in Monroe. And just this week they became grandparents for the second time when their daughter, Janice, and her husband, Kris, became parents for the first time, welcoming Madison Christine Citrin on September 24.

Henry Velthuizen was making some exterior window adjustments Wednesday at the school system offices at Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. Mr Velthuizen, who helps maintain the premises, also was enjoying the fine, crisp fall weather that has finally arrived. I bet Henry will be looking for every outdoor project he can find on these beautiful fall days.

Newtown residents Neville and Debbie Meyer fit The Newtown Bee to a tee. Their names together refer to our hometown paper. Neville approximates “Newtown” in French and Debbie means “Bee” in Hebrew.

Newtown Middle School clusters 6-E and 7-E moved into their new classrooms this week. The biggest complaint was the new air freshener that the school has invested in – fresh paint. But otherwise students and teachers are glad to be out of the Library Media Center.

If you stopped by Newtown High School this week you may have felt a little out of place. It was spirit week at the school as the students gear up for the homecoming game. The place was decorated according to themes taken from decades past. One corridor evoked the 80s with a “Pretty in Pink” theme. The boys seemed to hurry though. I guess it wasn’t a “guy thing.”

Rock Ridge Country Club held its annual “Ryder Cup” challenge this past weekend and bragging rights went to Jack Duffy’s Green Team.

By the way, the members of Rock Ridge recently voted to construct a new clubhouse, and from the architectural drawings submitted, it looks like it’s going to be a beauty. It’s going to include new locker rooms, a golf pro shop, member dining rooms, and a new kitchen. The club also plans to upgrade its pool and cabana area.

Heading into Wednesday’s game at Kolbe Cathedral in Bridgeport, the NHS boys’ soccer team had all four of its games postponed due to rain. One of the games – a 5-1 win over Jonathan Law – was eventually made up last week, but it has been a soggy season so far.

For those of you who travel east in your commute every day, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that the state Department of Transportation is adding an extra lane to I-84 between Southbury and Waterbury. The bad news is that the state Department of Transportation is adding an extra lane to I-84 between Southbury and Waterbury. Expect delays for years to come.

There will only be one week’s delay between now and my next column, so be sure to…

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