Ed Osterman has learned never to assume anything. He knew he had to pick up his wife at the airport on Monday and that she was on Flight 656. He assumed she was flying on American because he and Marge always used American to collect their frequent flyer miles. So he checked with American, and drove to Kennedy Airport to collect her. She wasn’t on the plane.  It turned out that she was on a United flight 656 that was landing at Newark airport – in 15 minutes.  It took Ed an hour and a half to get there, partly because he was stalled in traffic for a half-hour at the Holland Tunnel.  “I was in left field,” Ed admitted sheepishly, “or rather I was at Kennedy.”

Jessica Tendler made her television debut with Peter Jennings on Eyewitness News Tuesday, October 19, discussing career counseling. Jessica appeared for a brief moment, long enough for one or two words. Her success on the screen could have producers ringing her phone off the hook.

Newtown resident Bernie Reidy was recently knighted “Knight of the Sepulcher” by the Roman Catholic Church of Bridgeport. The honorary title is given to lay people of the church. No word on whether Bernie will be decked out in metal armor.

Clark Kathan, head of Edmond Town Hall maintenance, says his building will remain warm throughout the winter, despite the ongoing project to replace portions of its aging boiler system.  And  town employees working at Canaan House can breathe a little easier now that October 15 has passed. A state law prohibits the heating systems from being turned on in state-owned buildings before that date. Employees had to put on their sweaters during the cold spell that hit the Northeast earlier this month – prior to October 15.

Experts in the insect world are urging resident not to panic; this is not the attack of the Ladybugs. Many residents, especially those living in white houses with a warm southern exposure, reported discovering dozens of Asian ladybugs settling on their windows this past weekend. Some even managed to make their way inside homes. The phenomenon is caused by October’s warm, crisp air and gentle winds, which draw the beetles out of the woods.

Congratulations to Don and Darlene Jackson, who were honored this past weekend with the Newtown Tennis Association’s “Distinguished Citizens Award.” Also recognized was top-notch tennis player Bill Elliott, who was named the NTA’s “Man of the Year.”

Newtown resident Mike Real put his first duck out of commission Tuesday afternoon while hunting on Lake Lillinonah. Fortunately for the ducks, and unfortunately for Mike, it turned out to be a Styrofoam-type of mallard, which was accidentally run over by the boat.

Flu season must be on the way. The boss got everyone together at The Bee for their annual flu shots from Dr Bob. Then Mark Cooper called to report that the local health district will hold a free walk-in flu clinic at the Sandy Hook firehouse next Thursday, October 28, from 8:30 am until 10:30 am or until all those who have shown up have received their free shots. Free pneumonia vaccines also will be available. Mark says the clinic usually has been held at the senior center so he wants everyone to know about the change of location.

And while we are on the subject of staying healthy, stop at the Booth Library on Wednesday morning between 10 am and noon for a free blood pressure screening courtesy of the nursing department at Ashlar of Newtown.

Let’s hope the weather will be good this weekend. The Dodgingtown Fire Department is planning a big open house at its firehouse on Route 302 on Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm. There will be activities for the entire family and free information and give-aways including batteries for smoke detectors. The Newtown police and the volunteer ambulance corps also will participate.

On Sunday, eight Newtown area churches are sponsoring the annual Crop Walk for Hunger beginning at 2 pm at Trinity Church, rain or shine. Everyone is invited to join in this walk to Head O’ Meadow School and back. There will be refreshments along the way for the walkers.

With the Year 2000 just around the corner, Marie Sturdevant, Melissa Pilchard, Joan Tynan and Carol Mattegat want everyone to think about celebrating New Year’s Eve in a very special way. They are planning a big party to be held in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall. There will be music by Dougie Jam and refreshments beginning at 8 pm. A buffet dinner will be served at 9 pm and the year 2000 will be welcomed with dessert and champagne at midnight. The cost is $75 per person. It will be BYOB with setups and sodas provided. The profits from the evening will be used for the Newtown Mural Fund’s maintenance fund.  Contact any members of the committee, or Marie at 426-5957, with your reservations or questions as soon as possible.

Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Newtown Woman’s Club has made arrangements for the Yale Mobile mammography van to come to Sand Hill Plaza on Monday from 8:55 am to 2:20 pm. Appointments are required; call 203/688-6800.

Today is Charlie Foss’s birthday. Happy birthday, Charlie.

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