I have noticed that during periods in our history when humankind seems to be working out its destiny in a particularly idiotic way, people tend to turn their attention to animals, projecting upon them the grace and ideals that they just don't see i
I have noticed that during periods in our history when humankind seems to be working out its destiny in a particularly idiotic way, people tend to turn their attention to animals, projecting upon them the grace and ideals that they just donât see in their own species. Given what we have all witnessed in Flori-Duh over the past weeks, people are tuning in to the cable channel Animal Planet in record numbers to refresh themselves with the nobility of whales, the majesty of eagles, and the proud prowess of lions.
As an animal myself, I donât really want to do anything to dispel the notion that we are inherently superior to humans, but after watching a trio of turkeys wander around the center of town Tuesday morning, I think our cover has already been blown. Turkeys already have a reputation for being⦠well, dumb. These three stooges certainly lived up to that reputation. If I had wings, I certainly wouldnât try to walk across a busy road. But thatâs what these guys did. The walked across Main Street (not in the crosswalk, I should add) between West Street and Trinity Church, and then they turned the corner and walked across Church Hill Road. Among those coming to a sharp stop to avoid hitting them was Maryann Adams.
Once they reached the relative safety of The Beeâs backyard, then they decided to spread their wings and fly. Hereâs a picture of the turkeys as they made their way toward the back of The Bee.
Joe Kocet told me another story of bird ineptitude this week. He was watching a flock of Canada geese take off from near the first green at the Newtown Country Club. The airborne geese gained altitude and cleared a nearby line of trees â all except two of them. The pair crashed into the branches of the trees, tumbled to the ground, picked themselves up, and with a few ruffled feathers continued their journey on foot.
The Newtown High School gymnasium was the site of a strange phenomenon Monday afternoon. The NHS boysâ basketball team was warming up at one end of the court for its scrimmage with Bridgeport Central when the rim suddenly broke off, crashing to the floor. Fortunately no one was in the area at the time, but Coach John Quinn and his team know how serious it could have been.
It looks like the school district offices are finally going to make the big move to Canaan House out there at Fairfield Hills this month. Of course everyone will not be moving at the same time, but it will be happening. The word is that the room assigned to the school board for its monthly meetings is a bit stuffy. No one has figured out whether the heat can be turned down. All I have to say is this cat likes the warm even if it means getting sleepy during the meetings.
Dr Reed told the board a small reception would be held after the move with soda and cookies. Boy, I hope I get an invitation. Cookies sound good right about now. School board member Lisa Schwartz inquired whether it would be a black-tie affair. I think black ties are optional. In this school budget season, only black ink is mandatory.
The move to Canaan House has been delayed a bit because the âconditionsâ there just were not up to par for Dr Reed. It needs some cleaning, if you know what I mean. But now that the move is near, the staff is getting excited â at least most of the staff. Assistant Superintendent Robert Kuklis deadpanned that he cannot wait to move into his âcement coffinâ up there on the hill. âItâs going to speak to me,â he told the school board Tuesday night. At least Dr Reed gets an office with windows this time around.
The latest salvo in the John Rohmer/Sally Meffert battle of the birthdays was fired Wednesday. Sally turned 59 this week, and John arranged for a very flamingoed greeting for her right on Main Street in front of the Matthew Curtiss House.
The eight-foot bird was decked out in orange and blue, the colors of Sallyâs beloved Florida Gators. The gator at the foot of the flamingo is the customary green.
All the wildlife gators were a little excited when people started to flock to the Sunshine State to revel in the post-election chaos, thinking some of them might slip and fall into their swamp. But then they found out that most of the crowd would be lawyers, and even an alligator wonât eat a lawyer.
Iâll give you a week to digest that thought, but Iâll be back, so be sure toâ¦
Read me again.