Chef Patrick Wilson is really in a pickle. He can’t decide what is more exciting: having won his first gold medal from the American Culinary Federation for the best fish platter at the Jacob Javits International Hotel Show in New York, or his upcoming gig in Upstate New York.

On Sunday, November 18, Chef Wilson will spend three hours judging hundreds of pickle entries at the Rosendale International Pickle Festival in Rosendale, N.Y. According to Chef Wilson, the festival attracts more than 5,000 pickle lovers from all over the world to the tiny New York village. For those not offering up a jar of puckery preserves to the judges, the all-day fair, which runs from 10 am to 5 pm, includes a pickle drinking contest and a pickle toss at the Route 32 Rosendale Community Center. The popular festival, a fundraiser for the town, has actually raised enough money in past years to build a recreation center in town. This is the fifth year Chef Wilson, a Newtown resident and executive chef at Saint Andrew’s Golf Club in Hastings-On-Hudson, has taken part in the fun. The trick to tasting the tangy offerings, he says, it to eat the hot ones last. From my feline perspective, however, I am far more impressed that Chef Wilson has been recognized for his superior fish platter. I wonder if he needs a test taster?

Shirley Ferris called this week with a gentle reminder that Ferris Acres Creamery has not yet closed for the season. Last week’s Bee’s Buck entry in The Bee erroneously mentioned that the photo that went unidentified by readers for two weeks had been taken at the Sugar Street ice cream stand, and the writer had surmised that people didn’t recognize the scene because Ferris Acres has closed for the 2006 season. Shirley wants to let everyone know that this weekend is in fact the final chance to get some fresh ice cream. Ferris Acres Creamery will be open Friday through Sunday from noon to 7 pm. And then that’s really it for the season.

It’s never to early to start thinking a full season ahead to spring, especially after the rains that came through our area at the beginning of the week. This week’s rains meant most trees still hanging on to their leaves had to finally give up the fight. If it were springtime, those rains would have produced an amazing amount of growth for new plants. Residents of the Historic Hattertown district of town are certainly looking forward to spring’s return next year. A few neighbors joined together a few weekends back and spent a full day planting nearly 3,000 daffodil bulbs in and around the green that is the center of that historic district.

Jerry Wilson, who does a lot of the horticultural work at The Pleasance, is brightening up the center of town next spring by planting at least 600 bulbs along the edge of the park by the roads and around the fountain. I can’t wait to see all the spring flowers. Unfortunately, there’s this little thing called winter we all have to get through first.

Volunteers have been working with bulbs of another sort on another bright display, not of flowers, but of yuletide cheer in the center of town. More than 3,000 Christmas tree light bulbs have been checked or replaced in anticipation of the December 1 tree lighting ceremonies in the Ram Pasture. In addition to making sure every bulb on the tree lights up at the end of the big countdown that night, the Christmas Tree & Luminaria Committee also takes responsibility for boxing and delivering 1,650 candles and luminarias to Main Street area residents. The annual chore takes and lot of time and money. If you want to help out this year, see the coupon in this week’s Bee for details.

Former Newtowner James Behan has been promoted to brigadier general and assigned as the Division Adjutant for the 3rd Civil Affairs Support Division in Missouri. Most people in town would be willing to salute Jim, even without the high rank. When he lived here, he served on the Borough Zoning Board of Appeals for 17 years and was an active Boy Scout leader and past president of The Cullens Youth Association.

Finally, I want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving. It’s one of my favorite holidays. Yes, the feast is great, but my favorite part of the day is the nap afterwards. But I do plan to wake up in plenty of time for you to…

Read me again.