Here’s something we already suspected: This town is for the birds!

The overall results of the Great Backyard Bird Count are reported in this week’s Bee, and nearly all 169 Connecticut towns contributed to the state tallies over the count weekend February 18–21. We noted that Sandy Hook (with 16 reports) came in fourth for the entire state and Newtown was sixth (sending in 15 reports). But if you acknowledge that we are just one big town (New Hook? Sandy Town?), and combine the results, we beat out the top three (Durham, Greenwich, and Stamford all had 17). Just thought we would point this out.

Juncos turned out to be the most numerous birds in town. The rarest in town — at least for this count — were a single Carolina wren, a robin, a flicker, a red-tailed hawk, and a red-shouldered hawk.

So tell me again why they don’t have cat counts?

Jeff Dymerski, owner/manager of Dunkin’ Donuts at the Queen Street Shopping Center, is counting up kids. He is now a second-time proud papa since his wife Melissa gave birth last week. The couple’s new daughter is named Rose Abigail, and she joins 20-month-old brother Max. Rose was born on Wednesday, February 23, at 8:23 am, and we all think she came into the world at a very sensible and civilized hour –– just in time for our second cup of coffee. But Jeff says “the night before was the longest I’ve ever spent.” Asked about Max’s reaction to his new sister’s arrival, Jeff described the First Encounter. “Max loves trucks. When he saw the baby carrier the first time, he thought it was a new riding toy. He peeked inside and there was this baby, so he burst out crying. But he’s already getting used to her, poking her a little and touching her hair,” Jeff said. Congratulations, Jeff and Melissa. As for big brother Max, the fun really starts when she wants to play with your trucks.

Ham Brosious has just come back from skiing with the Winterset Ski Club in British Columbia where he reports that the weather was fabulous. Ham says there were sunny skies every day for 10 straight days, something that has not happened at Whistler’s Mountain in the past 37 years.

Ham says that now that he is back, he needs to get in touch with Gordon Williams about the beard-growing contest that is underway for the tercentennial. It’s really a facial-hair contest, Ham says, and he wants to be sure that there is a “Captain Ahab” category so that his entry will fit.

Eveline Jones called to say that Relay For Life will hold its kickoff on Monday night, March 7, at the middle school at 7 pm so the organizers can start to plan in earnest for the overnight event in June that raises money for the American Cancer Society. Everyone who is interested in helping with the rally is invited to attend the kickoff, but call Dawn Escoda, 270-7541, or Lynda Russo, 426-2995. Dawn and Lynda are taking a head count because Carminuccio’s and Pepsi are donating food and beverages for everyone who attends the kickoff.

When Maggie Mahony’s son, Will, told her that her name was up on the ski patrol memo board at Butternut Ski Resort one day during winter break from school, she thought he was kidding. Then she did a quick head count of the youngsters she had taken skiing and snowboarding and found herself short one. It turns out one of her son Ben’s friends had planted himself face-first in the snow off a jump. C’est la vie… other than a couple of days enduring a grotesquely bulbous (but not broken) nose and swollen lips, the young skier (who shall remain nameless) has recovered nicely.

It’s hard to believe, but this Saturday evening’s pasta dinner at the United Methodist Church will mark the 15th anniversary of the monthly event. Dr Atkins tried his best to put this regular pasta feast out of business, but it just keeps on going. Why not risk a little tomato sauce on your shirt? Be a part of the fun on Saturday, and stick around afterwards for the coffee house entertainment.

By the way, the column you just read had 40 net carbs, but that is no reason not to…

Read me again.