Steve Oberstadt, manager for the girls’ varsity volleyball team at Newtown High School, was on hand to watch the team at Friday night’s game, October 12. Steve, a senior at Newtown High School, was injured in a head-on car crash on Mt Pleasant Road October 3 and is making his way around the school in a wheel chair now.

The team was more than a little happy to see Steve, as is apparent in this photo shared with me by Judy Loose. I’m sure he’ll have no problems getting from one place to another and taking care of his managerial duties with all of this support. Get well, Steve!

I’m always on the lookout to help fellow felines, and I hope you readers will keep an eye out for my friend Napoleon. Napoleon was in the car that was involved in that fatal car accident on I-84 last Sunday afternoon, the one where a truck crashed into Honda Civic and a woman named Kimberly Pitts was killed. Well, Napoleon was Kim’s cat, he was in the car with her, and he hasn’t been seen since the time of the accident. He’s a young cat, less than 2 years old, and weighs only about 14 pounds. He’s gray, both of his back paws are doubled-toed, he has all of his claws, and he may be injured. Because the accident happened between Exits 8 and 9 on October 14, it’s quite possible Napoleon has made his way into Newtown by now. If you’ve seen him, please call State Trooper Michael Downs at 267-2200.

I don’t want anymore accidents of any kind, so I am making it a point to stop by the Drug Center or World of Bikes to pick up some battery-operated candles for my jack o’ lantern. Sweeping capes and dangling fringes on costumes can easily catch on fire if they come in contact with a real candle on Halloween night, resulting in severe burns. The flickering of a flame-free candle behind the grinning smiles of carved pumpkins is just as impressive as the real thing. I’m sure I can dig up the change from beneath the couch cushions to make this worthwhile purchase.

Newtown Venture Crew 70 under the deft leadership of Peter and Tracy Van Buskirk took advantage of the picture-perfect autumn weather last Saturday. The Crew backpacked ten miles under sunny skies and camped beneath the stars (and their tents) near the Massachusetts border before putting in another five miles on Sunday morning. That’s nothing, of course, to this group of youngsters who bicycled more than 200 miles last summer in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. Word has it that the Crew is heading out next month for Punkin’ Chunkin’ in Delaware. Sounds like they do a lot of fun things, and they are open to all new members, boys and girls, between the ages of 14 and 18. Send an e-mail to pcvabuskirk@hotmail.com for information on how to join. I’d join, but it’s so much more fun for a cat to read about their adventures. Someone has to be the impartial observer.

I’m not too impartial to admit that my favorite scarecrow sculpture on the middle school lawn this week is the Cheshire Cat. The hand-standing statue gave me a good chuckle when I walked among the many terrific creations. While anything involving a cat is going to get extra points, it is apparent to me that all of the artists put in a great deal of work to make these quality entries. Congratulations and good luck to all of the middle schoolers who worked on the excellent display.

The new 2008 Farmer’s Almanac is full of trivia. I found this little blurb under “Tastes & Trends” intriguing: “Instead of bouquets, brides are carrying puppies or kittens, and canines are serving as ring bearers, suitably attired. Tiaras, top hats, and tuxedos are available in formalwear shops for four-footed friends.” Now I know that no self-respecting feline is going to be seen in public wearing a tiara, but what worries me are the puppies and kittens standing in for flowers. I sure hope they have nets set up when the bride throws her “bouquet.” I vote for roses.

Speaking of voting, there is a great opportunity coming up to find out what local candidates have to say. The Bee is hosting a candidates’ forum next Wednesday evening, October 24, at Edmond Town Hall. I have an idea it is going to be a popular event, so I’m going to get there in plenty of time to grab a seat before the 7:30 pm start.

Hopefully you will also vote next week to… Read me again.