We are beginning to think the Old Farmer and his notorious Almanac are onto something when it comes to forecasting the weather. Either that, or he got lucky with his predictions for May. The 2003 edition published last November includes a theme poem
We are beginning to think the Old Farmer and his notorious Almanac are onto something when it comes to forecasting the weather. Either that, or he got lucky with his predictions for May. The 2003 edition published last November includes a theme poem for each month and this monthâs ditty just could not have been more appropriate for what we experienced over Memorial Day Weekend. Here it is. Move over Accu-Weatherman and make room for the Old Farmer.
Rotten luck, itâs
Raining buckets.
Foggy, boggy, smells wet-doggy.
Not as cold, but weâre growing mold.
We regret to mention another drenchinâ.
Sunny at last! Look fast! It wonât last.
The Memorial Day weekend weather may have been lousy for backyard barbeques, but it was great weather for ducks! Last Saturday the Newtown Lions Club had its Third Annual Duck Race at the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook, and nearly 2,000 rubber ducks took the plunge from the Church Hill Road bridge. The first duck across the finish line belonged to Lisa Packard, who won a Cub Cadet lawn tractor for coming in first. Of course it was too wet to mow the lawn when Lisa got her prize home.
Nobody told Tanjua Damon it was too wet to mow this week. She tried to get her lawn done on Tuesday night, and her lawn tractor rolled over on her. Fortunately, she wasnât injured seriously, but it did mean that Tanjua had to limp her way through her last week as a Bee reporter. Tanjua is joining a fast track teacher training program and hopes soon to be teaching classes rather than covering them as an education reporter. We all wish her the best of luck in the future ââ both with mowing and teaching.
Another Bee employee is leaving this week. Barbara Oravez, a longtime advertising representative for the paper, has decided to sample the pleasures of retirement, which will consist mainly of spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.
Leif Becker, the son of Edmond Town Hall office manager Marcy Becker, broke 370 boards in a minute with karate chops last Saturday at Teikyo Post University to raise $10,414 for the National Leukemia and Lymphoma society. Leif was attempting to break the world record of 415 boards, but he was philosophical about falling short and said he plans to make another try someday. He is the owner of the Southbury Academy of Karate.
Bob Brown stopped by The Bee to report that plans are progressing well for the 50th reunion of the Newtown High School Class of 1953 set for July 26 at the Stony Hill Inn. So far almost all of the 32 classmates have been located or accounted for. Still missing is Jeffrey Westcott and James Beach, although Bob says it appears that James Beach may be deceased. The class of â53 was the first class to graduate from the Queen Street School, having spent most of the year in the Hawley School. The graduation ceremony took place in Edmond Town Hall. Anyone who wants to contact Bob can reach him at Bwtr107@aol.com or by calling him in Bridgewater at 860-354-4190.
One of the newly ordained priests in the Bridgeport diocese is being assigned to St Rose. The Rev John Inserra will be coming to Newtown this weekend. Father Inserra, 40, was a computer systems analyst for Branson Ultrasonics in Danbury before entering the seminary.
Donna DeLuca, principal of St Rose School for the past seven years, has announced that she is resigning to become a stay-at-home mom for her sons Matthew and Andrew. A search committee is being formed to find a replacement.
Newtown Youth Servicesâ director Debbie Richardson spent time at a Yankees game last Thursday. I donât think it mattered who the New York team was playing as long as she could watch Derek Jeter play.
Honestly, Ms Richardson was sorry she missed seeing 40 of Newtownâs youth be honored at the 15th Annual Outstanding Youth Awards. Newtown is truly filled with students who care about their community and really wanted to serve in any capacity they can.
While at the police station on Tuesday, I saw a marked police car drive by with more antennas on it than many porcupines have quills. By my count, the vehicle has at least nine antennas projecting from its roof and trunk, probably enough antennas to start a broadcasting network. The antenna-laden car is used by police to close in on homing signals emitted by properly equipped stolen vehicles.
Police Patrol Officer Maryhelen McCarthy was driving by in a patrol car at Town Hall South the other day and stopped to say âHello.â When I looked into the car, I was surprised to see the departmentâs new mounting arrangement for flat-screen computer monitors on the carsâ dashboards. That, plus various adjacent communications paraphernalia, had me thinking I was looking at the bridge of the Starship Enterprise. Captain Kirk, we have a burglary in progress on Arcturus 4.
The countdown has begun at the high school as seniors prepare for the 180th day of school to arrive. Why you might ask? In one word ââ Graduation! The Class of 2003 is hoping Mother Nature will have pity on them and provide a beautiful sunny day on June 18 so that ceremonies can be held outside at Blue and Gold Stadium. The festivities begin at 5 pm.
Thatâs enough pomp and circumstance for now, but Iâll be back next week, so be sure toâ¦
Read me again.