Betty Christensen received an early Christmas present last week when the January issue of Connecticut Magazine was released. Right there on the magazine’s calendar page was a full-color reproduction of Ms Christensen’s watercolor, “Main St Newtown.” Seems the editors of the magazine felt it was not only a great work of art, but a great representation of the colors and scenes of a New England January. The painting’s appearance was tied in with Society of Creative Arts of Newtown’s upcoming winter show, “Color in January,” which will be presented January 13 through 21.

And Betty wasn’t the only Newtowner to receive accolades in the magazine. Marty Ferrari is mighty proud that his restaurant, Leo’s, on South Main Street was voted best breakfast and lunch in Fairfield County in Connecticut Magazine’s annual readers’ poll. The poll also was published in the January edition.

Even cats can feel the cold and I sure was shivering last Friday night, but I made it over to St Rose Church to get a look at the live nativity scene that took place for several hours. I almost didn’t recognize Pastor Bob Weiss because he was bundled up so well against the freezing temperatures. The costumes were terrific, and it’s no wonder; many of them came from Florida, where Father Weiss’ brother, Jon, has a company that supplies costumes to Disney World. Other costumes were made by Catherine Ochs, who also did a terrific job. Many parishioners – adults, children, and babies – took part in the program along with cows, chickens, alpacas, and a camel (actually a llama in disguise) loaned by local families.

Rita Power coordinated the live nativity, while Ann Marie Mitchell, Eileen Dunseith, and Jill Kimball coordinated the Christmas Eve pageant at St Rose. Queta and Kevin Donovan held posada and piñata celebrations for all the children during the last week of religious education classes.

After viewing the nativity, I traveled down to the Cardinal Shehan Center in Bridgeport last Friday night to see Newtown take on Kolbe Cathedral’s seven-foot sophomore center Fernando Bonfirm. The Nighthawks have not had it easy this season. First, they play the state’s number one-ranked team, Warren Harding, then they have to take on a guy who is eight or nine inches taller than Newtown’s biggest player. The good news for coach John Quinn and his team is that no other seven-footers remain on the schedule.

Chuck and Melissa Pilchard made a grand entrance to a Christmas party at the Maurer residence at Walnut Tree Village last weekend. As Chuck got out of the car, he dropped his keys, then accidentally stepped on them, triggering the car alarm. As the alarm sounded out, residents of the complex came running out to see what was the matter. I can just hear Melissa now. “We’re here!” she probably said.

 After being away all weekend, the Kelley family arrived home Christmas night to find two dead squirrels stuck in the chimney. It seems they must have tried to follow Santa down the flue, but they obviously didn’t have his magical powers.

There were so many cars in the parking lots in front of local merchants on Tuesday that it looked like the crush the day before Christmas. All the shoppers were out again, this time scooping up all the bargains on the after-Christmas sales.

It was plenty cold at Canaan House this week when the boiler conked out and emergency repairs had to be made. Staffers like Nancy Kokoski, the fire marshal’s secretary, were hauling around space heaters on Tuesday, trying to keep warm, before they were finally sent home.

Fortunately for the workers in Canaan House, town offices will be closed again for a long weekend beginning at noon on Friday, December 29. They will reopen at 8 am Tuesday. (But the landfill will be open regular hours on Friday; on Saturday it will close at 11 am.)

Are you from the Newtown High classes of the 1960s? It is reunion time!

The Class of 1965 and all other 1960s classes are invited to a class reunion at Colorado Brewery on 6 Delay Street in Danbury on December 29. The festivities begin at 8 pm. There will be complementary beer from 8 to 9 pm with a cash bar after that. Bring your dancing shoes to enjoy the music and remember to bring your pictures to share with your former classmates. The restaurant is open for dinner from 5 to 10 pm. Reservations are suggested, but let them know at Colorado Brewery that you are part of the Newtown class reunion. Call 791-1450.

I might have been a member of the classes of the 60s in one of my former lives, so maybe I’ll sneak down there and join the fun. If you want to hear all about it, be sure to…

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