Sgt Flynn is involved in training, said Mrs Flynn, so is frequently away from his main base in northern Iraq. "It's a big center," she said, "so even when he returns from a mission, he doesn't always have time to answer all of his e-mails o
Sgt Flynn is involved in training, said Mrs Flynn, so is frequently away from his main base in northern Iraq. âItâs a big center,â she said, âso even when he returns from a mission, he doesnât always have time to answer all of his e-mails or to call.â Mrs Flynn reported, however, that he says he is doing well and that things are going better than he thought. But she added, âIf he was in trouble up to his eyebrows, he wouldnât tell me.â
The Flynns and Sgt Flynnâs friends back in Newtown have been doing their best to make his stay in Iraq as homey as they can. âA bunch of Billâs friends sent him a Christmas tree and bulbs,â she said, and when her son requested a pound of Dunkinâ Donuts coffee, he ended up with 24 pounds being shipped to him. âI guess the mail department there joked with him that he had exceeded his mail quota,â said his mom.
It seems like the coffee spots in town have been bursting with activity this week, and I donât think it is just folks trying to motivate themselves for one last holiday shopping trip to the mall. Colleges all over the United States have been regurgitating students back into the fold this month and the prodigal children are congregating at their old stomping grounds once again. Gives a rather festive air to the town, I think. Welcome back, NHS graduates of yore.
A lot of drivers like to deck their cars with boughs of holly and such this time of year, but my favorite so far is a maroon utility vehicle I saw on Church Hill Road the other day. Either side of the windshield sports a reindeer antler and smack dab in the middle of the grill is a big, red Rudolph nose. If that doesnât bring a smile to your face, you are definitely in Scrooge mode.
Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown held its annual Holiday Luncheon at My Place Restaurant. This yearâs raffle winners were Debra Cody, Louise Hanlon, Nita Hill, John Stott, and Angie Vaiuso.
If youâve every been tempted to own your own fire truck, you better check out the emergency rescue truck Newtown Hook and Ladder is selling at the side of the road on Church Hill Road. The vehicle is priced at $15,000 OBO, which given its power and wow factor, is a bargain. Donât plan on responding to any emergencies or rescues with it, however. Itâs best to leave that to the experts.
What really put me into the Christmas spirit this past week was the Living Nativity Pageant that was staged by St Rose of Lima Church on the church grounds on the night of Saturday, December 16. Scores of onlookers watched as the Nativity was performed, with narration. The colorful costumes and powerful themes made for a moving experience.
The Christmas mice made their way through the milk and cookies (they did not spot me) and sat catching crumbs from cheese and crackers, sour cream and onion dip, and the occasional splash of sorbet dripping from the table in the town clerkâs office Wednesday afternoon. Enjoying an early holiday celebration that filled the office with smiles, conversation, and too many calories was Town Historian Dan Cruson, who would probably not leave a scrap of deviled eggs for the quiet mice. Town Clerk Cindy Simonâs festive greeting warmed the room and her office personnel mingled with Finance Director Benjamin Spragg who also joined the holiday party. Also notable was the presence of Police Chief Michael Kehoe and Captain Joe Rios. Chief Kehoe wore a handsome Christmas necktie with an artful depiction of St Nicholas on it.
Pushed aside were computer keyboards and paperwork and covered for the afternoon were inboxes and phone messages. The only urgent matters were town hall employees wishing one another a Merry Christmas and looking back on the year. Mr Cruson notes the Tercentennial Committeeâs job of celebrating the townâs 300th anniversary, which soon will be immortalized in a memorial in front of town hall, is now done. The committee will disband and officially no longer exist after December 31, he said. On to other projectsâ¦Mr Spragg is wrapping up both gifts and town financial affairs this time of year, while the town clerkâs office and other departments prepare to tear down calendars for 2006. The mice and I await the New Yearâs treats.
With so many old calendars torn down, it appears that a lot of you will be heading into the New Year without an essential tool for navigating the weeks and months ahead â The Newtown Bee calendar. The Bee still has some of its ever-popular free calendars left. The supply is limited, however, so make a resolution that you can keep even before 2007 gets here: pick up your Bee calendar today.
Iâll be back here next week for my last report of 2006, so be sure toâ¦
Read me again.