It looks like we’re heading for a white Christmas, which I believe truly brings out the best qualities of a black cat like myself. As much as I don’t like cold feet, I really do think that walking around in snow shows me off to my best advantage.

We got a dose of the white stuff on Wednesday morning, and the roads were plenty slippery. It’s a good thing that school was delayed for a couple of hours, and all the high school students could sleep through the rush hour on Route 34. During the morning hours there were three serious accidents on Route 34. The snowy landscape sure looks pretty, but it can be dangerous getting around in it. I guess that’s why Santa taught his reindeer to fly.

Although town offices are heavily decorated with Christmas items this time of year, there are few people around to enjoy them. During the holiday season, activity in public offices slows to a snail’s pace, as the public becomes preoccupied with Christmas preparations.

The town employees held their annual holiday party last Friday at the Sandy Hook firehouse on Riverside Road. There was plenty of food, music, singing, and dancing. It is nice to see this hardworking bunch get a chance to let its hair down from time to time.

After having his picture taken with an elf cap on two years ago at the senior center Christmas party, First Selectman Herb Rosenthal says he learned his lesson this year. Herb managed to remove this year’s Christmas cap – complete with a rack of antlers – just moments before a Bee photographer clicked away.

Kristen Pino was spotted ringing the Salvation Army bell in front of Super Stop & Shop this past Friday. The eight-year-old may be the youngest bell-ringer in local Salvation Army history. Speaking of bell-ringers, it seems Dick Sturdevant has taken over the task on a full-time basis this holiday season. Jolly Dick has spent more than his share of time in front of the kettle.

The Community Room at C.H. Booth Library smelled very sweet on Saturday as over 40 children lined up to make gingerbread houses. Children’s Librarian Alana Maloni warned the children before they started frosting their houses to not eat the frosting since it was made from raw egg yokes. She was quick to point out that she did not care how much candy they ate, but she was not responsible for what the frosting could do to the little ones. I bet the kids’ stomachs ached when they got home. There did not seem to be too much candy on their houses, but their hands were at their mouths a lot.

The activity, meant for children, sure brought out the kid in some of the parents. More parents seemed to be decorating the houses than children. Some parents even saw some houses that were not being decorated by children yet and inquired whether they could take on the task. Maybe next year it should be a decorating event for adults instead.

Santa Claus made an early stop to the Newtown Congregational Cooperative Nursery on Tuesday. When Santa (Joe Corrino) came into the room his son Joey ran to hide, having no idea that Dad was behind the white bearded face. Zachary Weiland, a three-year-old, gave Santa a long list. He was even using his fingers to point out where he was on that list.

Newtown High School cheerleader Helena Buonagurio didn’t let a severely injured ankle get in her way at the varsity boys’ basketball game last Saturday. Helena, with a large cast on her leg, wasn’t doing any flips or twists, but she was still in uniform and sat with the rest of the squad. The senior tri-captain injured her ankle during practice last week. The four-year varsity cheerleader hopes to be back within six weeks. Next year, she plans to become a cheerleader at either the University of Florida or Florida State.

A gentleman from England has written to The Bee seeking information regarding his uncle, Frederick Taylor, who apparently lived in Newtown in 1937. On July 30, 1937, the paper published an article about his travels around the world. At that time he would have been about 29 years old. He was a valet to Walter J. Hutchings, who was the foreign manager at that time for the Fox Film Corp. Mr Taylor may have resided with Mr Hutchings in the Taunton District. His nephew believes he later married and joined the Marine Corps, but all contact was lost at that time and the family has heard nothing further from him, in spite of extensive inquiries. If anyone has any information about Mr Taylor, they should call Jan Howard at The Bee.

Now that part of the School District Office has made their move to Canaan House, Dr Reed admits he enjoys the windows. Everyone pitched in, making the move quick and easy. It only took four days to have everything packed up. When it was mentioned that maybe the school district could start a moving business on the side, Dr Reed quickly responded with, “I don’t think so.”

I’ve got to get moving myself, but I’ll be back next week to report on any clatters that may arise on the roof, so be sure to…

Read me again.