Date: Fri 11-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-Lobsterfest

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

If you think you were hot this week, consider what I have to go through

wearing a black fur coat when the mercury climbs toward 100 degrees. I was so

hot, I couldn't even flick my tail without breaking into an unseemly pant.

I've got to talk to the boss about getting a provision in my contract for ice

cubes in my water dish when the temperature gets over 85... a kind of cube

clause in my contract. And while I'm drinking, I might as well eat, so it

wouldn't hurt to ask for a lobster clause as well.

There are going to be plenty of lobster claws in Sandy Hook this weekend. The

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company has scheduled its 12th annual

Lobsterfest at the main fire station on Riverside Road Friday, June 11 and

Saturday, June 12, 5 to 9 pm.

For those who don't like lobster, there is also steak on the menu, plus

special fare for kids. I hear there will also be live entertainment, though I

have been assured that the volunteer firemen won't be performing.

The Bee's arts editor, Shannon Hicks, turned 30 years old this week, and it

seems everyone she ever met decided to surprise her with flowers, balloons,

streamers, cards, and every manner of festive decor you can imagine. Shannon

insisted on stuffing her little office space with all of it, and the area

looked like the aftermath of a fight to the death between Guy Lombardo and Pee

Wee Herman. Anyway, happy birthday Shannon.

Four generations of the Gaffney family were represented when Audrey Gaffney, a

former longtime resident of Toddy Hill Road, celebrated her 85th birthday

recently at Nunnawauk Meadows. About 70 family members and friends attended,

some traveling from as far away as Maine and New Orleans, La., to help

celebrate the event.

Family members attending included Mrs Gaffney's four sons and their wives,

Sherman and Joyce Gaffney of New York state, Jim and Nan Gaffney of North

Carolina, Fred and Kathy Gaffney of New York state, and Don and Diane Gaffney

of Pennsylvania; five of her nine grandchildren; and all six of her

great-grandchildren.

Regina Platano of Newtown co-chaired the committee for the annual luncheon of

the Danbury Regional Commission on Child Care, Rights and Abuse Wednesday at

the Stony Hill Inn and presented community service awards on behalf of the

commission to several area residents. Among recipients was Marie Walker of

Newtown, whose many activities on behalf of children and families through the

years has made Newtown a better place to live. She is indeed a treasure.

Don Minor, who works in The Bee 's production department, was ready to reach

out and touch someone upside the head after trying to rectify a billing

problem with Southern New England Telephone recently. Apparently, someone had

used Don's calling card to make some unauthorized calls, and after trying to

get everything straightened out on the phone, he was told that he would have

to go to the phone company's office in Waterbury to get the matter settled.

Good customer that he is, Don complied and showed up at SNET's Waterbury

offices with his problem. He was then told that this kind of problem could

only be solved over the phone, so Don walked to the far side of the room where

there happened to be a pay phone on the wall and made his call to the people

who did and then didn't want to deal with him in person. Don hopes this matter

is finally settled, but if I were a SNET employee, I wouldn't ask Don "Where

may I direct your call?" anytime soon.

If you're over at Home Depot on Federal Road in Danbury this weekend, look for

the tent in the back of the parking lot where they will be conducting a "2x4

Weekend" to benefit the Habitat for Humanity home building project on Philo

Curtis Road here in Newtown. The program offers everyone the opportunity to

buy a piece of lumber, which will be set aside for the project. A donation of

$25 will buy a 2"x10"x20" length of framing lumber; $10 will buy a 2"x6"x16"

piece of lumber; and $5 will buy a regular 2x4. You will even get to sign your

piece of lumber, or write a greeting to the volunteer builders and the

prospective homeowners on it. The event will take place on both days at Home

Depot from 8 am to 6 pm.

Well, next week's column is already under construction, so be sure to...

Read me again.