If you missed Valentine’s Day and still want to send someone hearts and flowers, I suggest you celebrate Spay Day USA on February 28 and direct your expressions of affection to one of two local animal welfare groups that are helping to control the regional overpopulation of companion animals. Owners are encouraged to have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered (or to at least schedule an appointment for the procedure) on Tuesday. Those who want to help with a financial donation to help others who can’t afford to spay or neuter their pets can donate to The Animal Center or SNAN. The Animal Center can be reached at TheAnimalCenter.org or 313-4814. The Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN) can be reached at  426-5730.

Newtown High School orchestra students will be tuning up for their trip to Italy this April by performing throughout the day at Lexington Gardens on Saturday, March 18. As shoppers with spring fever stroll through the picturesque greenhouse they will be entertained by numerous duets and ensemble groups performing a variety of musical masterpieces. Shoppers may order a copy, or two, of Newtownopoly, a hometown version of the popular Monopoly game, the students are selling to help fund their trip. Local artist David Merrill is lending his talents by providing the cover artwork for the limited edition collectors’ item. The cost for the game is $25 and the last day to order a game is March 31. Anyone interested in ordering a game may call Linda Jones at 270-9763.

With schools out for February vacation many Newtown teachers are basking in a warm, tropical climate trying to muster the strength to finish out the remainder of the winter; not so for seventh grade math teacher Betsy Stevens. Ms Stevens spent the week installing insulation in her soon-to-be complete barn-style house she is building in Bridgewater.

Down at the Senior Center, Florence DePalma was so thrilled by the help Newtown Junior Ambulance Corps members offered in updating her File of Life that she asked not one, but five of them to take her blood pressure this past Wednesday morning. They all complied with good humor, even though they had caught on to her after the second reading.

While at the Botsford Fire House this week I checked out the volunteer fire company’s new rescue/pumper fire engine. It’s quite a piece of gear, combining the functions of a rescue truck and fire pumper on one chassis. The truck is painted the distinctive yellow-green and white color combination used by Botsford fire vehicles. That yellow-green is so bright that it just glows on foggy days.

The model theater seat positioned in the Edmond Town Hall lobby has been getting quite a workout, judging from the wear marks on the seat. You would think Tom Mahoney was providing seat-side popcorn service or something.  

Skip the green beer and try to forgo the corned beef and cabbage. The Circle of Love at Newtown Congregational Church will host a special event, which they’re calling Spuds N’ Duds, on Friday, March 17, at the church. Beginning at 6 pm, the women’s group will offer baked potatoes with just about any kind of topping you can think of. That’s the Spuds part of the evening. Following dinner (the spuds will be accompanied by soft drinks and coffee), models will show of some of spring’s new fashions thanks to clothing and accessories provided by Dress Barn — hence the Duds part of the evening. All are welcome to this event. A donation of $10 is requested. For ticket information contact the church office at 426-9024.

If cats could drive, I would be out cruising around the town this week. With the school buses on vacation, the roads are pretty quiet in the early morning hours and even a kitty just able to peek over the steering wheel would be able to see that there is far less activity at the Queen Street shopping center. Maybe I’ll stop by town hall and ask for a license. I hear they hand them out to dogs.

Fortunately, you don’t need a license to nap, so I’m off for my spot on the hearth, but I’ll be back next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.