I don’t care if it’s bad luck or not, I like seeing some of the holiday decorations outside homes in Newtown this season. I was reading last week that Epiphany, or January 6, is the traditional end of the Christmas holiday and is the date on which we are supposed take down the tree and decorations. To do so earlier is thought to bring bad luck for the rest of year. With the lack of snow and chilly weather this season, however, I think it’s nice to keep whatever we can around to remind us that it really is winter.

Even Newtown Congregational Church has broken with tradition this year. The deacons have postponed their de-greening of the church — the time when they take down all of the pine boughs, wreaths and Christmas tree in the sanctuary — until this coming weekend.

People’s curiosity about Newtown history was readily apparent at the talk given by town historian Dan Cruson Monday night, January 8. Historical Society president Lincoln Sanders said that more than 100 history buffs, including two high school classes, crowded into the meeting room and lobby at the C.H. Booth Library to hear Mr Cruson speak on the history of slavery in Newtown.

This year’s activities surrounding the Relay for Life are coming together nicely. Anyone interested in finding out more, or considering getting involved as a volunteer or team leader can come to the kickoff meeting at 7 pm, January 31, at Newtown High School. You may also get to meet the 2007 Relay honorary chair, Abbi Winters, a local 4th grader who has already undergone several bone marrow procedures. Relay co-chairs, Helen Benson and Kathryn Wolf, as well as a contingent of other neighbors and organizers will be on hand, so consider heading out and lending your volunteer support to this great, award-winning and community-building cause which directly benefits American Cancer Society research and outreach programs.

Sandy Hook School’s letter writing project has received the names and addresses of more than 70 service men (and two women) serving overseas. Dr Tony Salvatore, at Reed; Wayland Johnson, Lions Club; Cdr Ernest Ingram, VFW; all the Newtown Churches; the Connecticut National Guard Family Service Program in Hartford have all been a big help in getting the names and addresses. They also have a request from Col Will Rogers to send letters to four Marine units that he is in touch with. Letters will be mailed the week of January 22.

While traveling through town this week, I noticed police Patrol Officer Steve Ketchum, among other police, directing traffic at the intersection of Glover Avenue, Main Street, Sugar Street, and South Main Street on what was one of the few cold days so far this winter. For the past several months, the state has been working on replacing the traffic signals there with new improved signals. Steve, who looked cold in the January chill, said “Hello,” and then went about directing traffic flow to make sure that the cars, trucks, and buses that travel through the area stay clear of the electricians who were working on the signals there.

As much as the residents of Ashlar enjoy visits, the guest book at 139 Toddy Hill Road has been used less than usual during the past ten days or so. Residents and staff have been dealing with a nasty stomach bug recently, which has meant more precautions than usual when it comes to stopping the spread of germs. Unfortunately this also means that visitors were discouraged from going inside the building at all last week and even over most of the weekend of January 6–7. The good news is, by the end of this week the restrictions on visitors were loosening enough so that some residents were able to see their family members and friends again.

Jay Kaplan, director of Roaring Brook Nature Center, will offer a free public program on snakes at C.H. Booth Library on Thursday, January 25. If you saw Snakes On A Plane, and are a little queasy about slithering things, you might want to consider attending. Jay says lots of fears and phobias about snakes are completely unfounded. It might be just what you need to hear to get you back into the movie theater — or on a plane. Refreshments will be served at 7:30 pm, followed by Jay’s program.

Since I have a phobia about missing deadlines, I’ll end it here. But I’ll be back next week, and with any luck I’ll bring the real January along with me, so be sure to …

Read me again.