Newtown artist Carol Smith is feeling like she is ready to take on a job in an auto body shop, after a mishap with her “Bare Bear” gave her some hands-on experience in bondo repair. Carol was one of several area artists who painted a five-foot-tall resin bear last summer as part of a fundraising collaboration by five Northwest Connecticut organizations. The creatively decorated bear statues were then placed at various sites in the region and visitors to the area were invited to go on a “bear hunt.” The bears were on exhibit throughout September and October, then shipped off to Winsted for a November 10 auction to support Litchfield County Association for Retarded Citizens, The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council, the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, The Tri-State Chamber Foundation, and the Winsted Health Center Foundation.

Unfortunately, Carol’s contribution, “Bare Bear,” took a dive out of the trailer in transit to Winsted and ended up a real Boo-Boo Bear. “I think he just wanted to return to Newtown for a visit so he jumped out of the trailer in hopes of making an escape,” said Carol. “Bare Bear” did make it back to Newtown, alright, and spent several days under the tender care of Carol as she bondo-ed his broken arm and ear and patched the many scrapes and scratches. After a final priming and repainting, the resin bear was carefully trailered back to the auction where he was bought by “a woman in Winchester who was told of his escapade and seemed to think that made him even more interesting,” Carol said. He fetched $2,300 for the cause. Seems like a pretty good end to what could have been an “unbearable” conclusion.

Another unbearable situation continues in Hawleyville, though. “We are now expediting repairs to existing conditions in our present quarters to best fulfill our commitment to serve the Hawleyville community effectively and to provide our employees with a safe work environment.” So said Maureen Marion, public relations and communications spokesperson for the USPS, in October. Regulars to the little Route 25 post office have really got to be alert to see those repairs, though, as the shabby exterior and cramped interior seem remarkably the same after the fix-up. “The USPS replaced our loading dock, so we have a new loading dock; and the best thing is, they cleaned out the space in the other part of the building that we don’t occupy,” said Hawleyville postal clerk Rich Ruscitto. “It was a real mess in there.” Other than that, said Mr Ruscitto, the USPS simply replaced their heater with a new one and installed a window air conditioner. So Hawleyville PO customers who were hoping for some major sprucing up will have to keep on waiting, it looks like.

Need a break from the craziness of the holiday shopping? If you missed the Lessons and Carols presented at Trinity Episcopal last Sunday afternoon, Newtown Congregational Church choir will celebrate Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 9, at 1 pm, at the 14 West Street church. The Christmas story is told in nine short lessons interspersed with the singing of Christmas carols and hymns that will offer a peaceful pause during a hectic season.

College students are waiting to hear some inspiring words from the presidential hopefuls, it seems, and a former Newtown resident is one of them. Stephanie Greenfield, 20, a junior majoring in business studies who grew up in Newtown, was on hand at snowy Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H., on Monday evening for the MTV/My Space Third Presidential Dialogue with Senator John McCain, and a quote from her was picked up for the mtv website story. In an interview with MTV newspeople, Stephanie was quoted as saying, “I didn’t know much about McCain before Monday, but thought he was great. ... It’s the first time I’ve been able to see his charismatic side. I definitely learned more from coming out to [the Dialogue], and he’ll definitely be in my thoughts on Election Day.” It’s good to know that college students are willing to take time out from a busy schedule before finals to think about the bigger world picture and how it affects them.

Jennifer Ober hosted a party Sunday, December 2, for a special man in her life — and it wasn’t husband Garry. Jennifer’s dad, Howard Gorham, was the guest of honor in celebration of his 70th birthday. A resident of Newtown for 44 years, Jennifer’s dad has been involved in the Newtown Congregational Church, Scouts, soccer, the Lions Club, and the library book discussion group over the years, as well as being a swell dad to herself and brothers Jim, Matthew, and John, said Jennifer. Howard’s wife, Barbara, daughters-in-law Peggy, Tracy, and Sue, and 12 grandchildren gathered at the Ober homestead on Westwood Terrace for the special occasion and had a great time, according to Jennifer.

Life’s a party for Robyn Gaines. She has been on television, attended special parties, and shopping events at American Girl Place in New York City, exhibited a collection of her American Girl dolls at the library earlier this fall, and event met actress Emma Roberts during the premiere of Nancy Drew a few months ago… and the roller coaster ride that has been 2007 isn’t quite finished for Robyn. Her next adventure will be on Sunday, when the 10-year-old American Girl collector from Newtown is featured during one of the December 9 segments on CBS Sunday Morning. I’ll make a concerted attempt to get up in time to tune in and catch a glimpse of Robyn.

Won’t you be sure to tune in next week to… Read me again?