Hurricane season officially ended on November 30, and aside from a few windy days and lots of rain on Thanksgiving, it looks like Connecticut got off easy this year. The area has also managed to sidestep the two inches of snow that normally falls by
Hurricane season officially ended on November 30, and aside from a few windy days and lots of rain on Thanksgiving, it looks like Connecticut got off easy this year. The area has also managed to sidestep the two inches of snow that normally falls by this time each year, as well, leaving Santa and Mrs Claus dreaming of a green Christmas, so far. With temperatures still quite warm, the arrival of the lovely garlands and bows decorating the Commons at Church Hill and Queen Street seems out of place. Pine garland should not appear until itâs below 45. I think Iâll tuck my tail around my nose, just in case, though, when I go to the tree-lighting Friday night in Ram Pasture.
The tree lighting, of course, is just the beginning of all the holiday fun in Newtown this weekend. The Holiday Festival on Sunday is going to fill Main Street with enough good cheer to see most people through all the cranky lines at the cash registers in the stores over the next three weeks.
People are looking forward to Christmas for lots of reasons this year. Rick, Nora, and Conor Murphy hope to be âsleeping with the chickensâ sometime around Christmas week if all goes well. Renovations on the antique chicken coop that the Murphyâs moved down from Massachusetts to their Poverty Hollow property earlier this fall are nearly completed. Some of the coopâs original windows have been installed in the front of the master bedroom suite addition and inside the electrician, plumber, and H/AC guys are making good strides. The breezeway connector section attaching the coop to their 1700s home is practically done, says Rick, and the mason will finish up the two brick steps to the doorways in the front. All that will be left is the nesting, something designer Nora is pretty handy at.
The similarity of the vehicles driven by Shannon Hicks and Maryellen Harris created a little confusion on Church Hill Road this week. Maryellen called a tow truck to her place at 3 Church Hill Road after the clutch on her red Jeep Wrangler failed. As usual, Shannon Hicksâ red Jeep Wrangler was parked at The Bee next door at 5 Church Hill Road. Of course the tow truck operator pulled up and started to haul Shannonâs Jeep away. Both women emerged from adjacent buildings, crying âJeepers!â before the truck drove off with the wrong car.
Lynn and Larry Williams will be in Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon, helping their friend and ordained minister Anne Coffman celebrate her installation as the new pastor of Olivet Congregational Church. Ms Coffman, who is one of the co-founders of Ridgefield Opera Company (as is Mrs Williams), decided to forego the full formal installation because she wanted to celebrate her new appointment with music. The Williamses are among the musicians who will join Ms Coffman, a well-known soprano, in presenting a performance of Christmas music to include a caroling sing-along on Saturday, December 2, at 3 pm, at the church, 2102 Main Street in Bridgeport. Everyone is invited to the free performance, which will be followed by a Christmas cookie reception. Child care is available (just call ahead, 203-333-7259).
Some area Girl Scout troops are encouraging cookie buyers to purchase boxes for our servicemen and women deployed overseas, which the scout troops will ship to the soldiers. Have you purchased yours yet?
Ginny Lathrop celebrated her 92nd birthday in fine fashion last week, enjoying an evening with many friends and Lathrop School of Dance Stardusters. At 92 years of age, not much can be given to a woman who has joy, love, and friends surrounding her. An honor can be bestowed upon her though. Donations were gathered and an honorary scholarship has been created for Virginia Lee Lathrop, co-founder of Lathrop School of Dance. The scholarship will be awarded to a Newtown High School senior interested in dance, drama, or theater. The scholarship will be given at the June 2007 graduation through the Newtown Scholarship Association.
Trying to keep up with Ginny wears me out, so Iâm heading off for a nap now. But Iâll be back in plenty of time for you toâ¦
Read me again.