I have always been one cool cat, but since Saturday, I have been an extraordinarily cool cat, thanks to Storm Alfred. I have all my toes on all of my paws crossed that by the time most of Newtown reads this, we will all be wallowing in the warmth of our powered-up furnaces once again.

I am bestowing my Good Egg Award on two lovely gardening angels this week, who I suspect will have their work cut out for them once this snow clears away. Waltraud Hahn-Pantan, I am told, putters in the C.H. Booth Library’s gardens every single Friday morning, to keep the fauna tip-top. The other angel is Starlet Braden of Roots to Shoots, who stops by the library whenever she has some free time to take care of trimming the boxwoods and holly, especially the holly that was taking over the Girl Reading statue outside the side entrance to the library. Thank you, gardening angels, for your wonderful work.

I had no idea of the power wielded by Newtown Health Inspector Suzette LeBlanc, until I ran into her outside of the municipal center earlier this week; she was embarrassed to admit she was one of the few Newtowners who truly had the power, having never lost it at her home. But Suzette is also one of those many most generous Newtowners who have opened up their homes to cold and hungry friends. I think that Suzette, along with the other kindly “powerful” townspeople who have helped less fortunate acquaintances this week, deserves my Good Egg Award, as well. I hope Suzette doesn’t mind sharing! I am going to give a special shout out to Knettie and Flip Archard, who kindly took in this cold cat’s family — and canine friend, Lilith — while power was out. This town is just plumb full of Good Eggs, proving their mettle during this statewide disaster.

Don’t forget that Mackenzie Page is still taking in carved pumpkins this week, for the Great Pumpkin Challenge, at 14 Main Street, in anticipation of the postponed celebration of Halloween, scheduled for this Saturday evening, November 5. The 13-year-old is accepting donations of $4 with each pumpkin brought for display, all of which will go to assist a young friend recently diagnosed with cancer and to the American Cancer Society. Mackenzie did not let the storm take out the dozens of pumpkins dropped off prior to Saturday’s storm. She covered them all up with a weighted tarp, and they are still smiling (and frowning and grimacing) in great shape.

If you still do not have power by Friday evening, or even if you do, librarian Margaret Brown reminded me that the Tellabration! storytelling program is still on for this Friday, November 4, at 7:30 pm, at the C.H. Booth Library — where there is heat, and warm treats. This story telling event is for listeners of all ages, so come one, come all, and get ready for an amazing night of tall tales.

It’s not too late to stop by the Bank of America and wish longtime personal banker Mary Herbert a fond farewell. After 30½ years, Mary is retiring, as of November 11, having seen the bank through numerous name changes, policy changes, and technological advances. “I started out with Connecticut National Bank, then we were Shawmut, and then Fleet, before the Bank of America,” Mary tells me. “I really will miss the customers. It’s been a great journey,” she says. Good luck, and have a wonderful retirement, Mary!

It was a big new week for Newtowners named Williams. Realtor Colette Williams was interviewed by ABC for her view on Alfred’s wintery wrath; and on October 31, Gordon and Lina Williams, longtime Main Street residents, shared with National Public Radio tales of Halloweens past and… the present one that did not come to pass. Visit marketplace.publicradio.org to read the “Halloween Disrupted by East Coast Snowstorm” story online.

I know for many of us, time has stood still since the big snow, but don’t forget that this weekend is the start of Standard Time. Set your clocks back one hour Saturday night, before you snuggle under the layers of blankets, and catch up on that hour of sleep snatched away by Daylight Saving Time, last spring.

Teachers Tina and Ted Welsh took the bull by the horns when the power went out Saturday, and jumped on a plane to Florida. Oh, the wisdom of educators.

Next Friday, November 11, is Veterans Day. Please take the time to thank those veterans you come upon this week, and to remember all of the service men and women who have passed on. Newtown High School will once again host a Veterans Day Assembly on Friday at 1 pm in the high school auditorium. The event will recognize and thank men and women who have served or are presently serving the country. A luncheon will be served beginning at 11:30 am at the school, and all Newtown veterans are invited to attend. For more information or to reserve a seat for the assembly and luncheon call the assistant principals’ office at 203-426-7648 to speak with Carrie Bennett.

What’s up with all of the people who have gotten out of their cars to rip down caution tape and move the orange cones off of roads deemed impassable or dangerous by town crews after the storm? It has certainly been inconvenient to take a roundabout path home, but why risk a limb or live wire toppling down on top of you to save five minutes? It is also not fair to unsuspecting travelers following behind, who may not care to risk their welfare. I hope that all of the dangerous situations are resolved by the time this goes to print, but please, in the future, if barricades are put in place, leave them there until officials decide it is safe to take them down.

NMS Principal Diane Sherlock and office staff were hard at work all week, keeping up with paperwork, despite the shut-down of schools. I was prowling through the halls and found them bent over the books, and still smiling. Only those who deal day to day with middle school drama could maintain a good sense of humor, under the circumstances, I guess.

Next week is a new week, and who knows what surprises are in store? I’ll be around, uncovering one surprise after another, so… Read me again.