Chef Patrick Wilson swears that he is a Newtown resident, but I suspect that he is a world resident. Patrick received his World Chef Certification recently, an international governing body for chefs, and just got back from consulting at the Nine Dragons Resort in Shanghai, China. The Nine Dragons is a Westin Hotel complex with polo and golf clubs, a horse race track and multimillion-dollar villas. “It was a grueling task done with limited resources a long way from home,” says Patrick. “One day, at the commissary in Shanghai I had to grind my own hamburger meat.” But he got along, thanks to sign language and kitchen help with a good sense of humor. It wasn’t all work and no play, though. He made time to see the sights, dine on lots of exotic cuisines, and ride the Meglev train at 450 kilometers an hour. And now he is off to Woodstock, Va., where he will be guest chef at his son Jack’s military academy. Both Patrick and Jack have recently become certified open water scuba divers, so plans for diving and eating trips are on the agenda, as well. Connecticut life must seem pretty slow motion after all of that.

 I was snuggled up on a comfy pillow the other day reading a book of poetry when I remembered I wanted to wish Newtown High School senior Allyson MaKuch good luck for her upcoming trip to Hartford on March 10. Allyson will be one of 17 students from the state competing in the Poetry Out Loud state finals. She competed against other NHS students on February 9 to become the student who moves on to the final round at the state level. From me and my human counterparts here at The Bee, good luck at the capital!

Jennie Williams and Nancy Lee Schultz will be representing Newtown this weekend during “The Eyes of March,” a two-weekend exhibition by The Reflectionist Artists. The regional artists’ group has taken over the former Lake Carmel Firehouse, 640 Route 52 in Kent Lakes, N.Y., and have created a unique exhibit where visitors are given the opportunity to communicate directly with the artists about the creative process. The exhibition will open this Sunday, March 8, from 1 to 4 pm, with an artists’ reception, and the continue next weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 14–15, also 1 to 4 pm. Works on view will range from figurative to abstract, with the artists exploring the question “What do you see?” Admission is free. Want more information? Call 845-228-ATOL (2685), send email to info@reflectionist.org or visit reflectionist.org.

The next American Red Cross (ARC) blood drive at Trinity Church will be taking place on Monday, March 9, from 8:30 am until 6:15 pm. We all know that it’s always a good thing to donate blood if you are able to — one day it may be your own life that depends on blood donations, so why not put some good karma into the (blood) bank just in case? Appointments are available for the March 9 blood drive, but walk-ins are always welcome. A reminder: donors need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 100 pounds and should be in generally good health. It’s also a good idea to eat a low fat, well-balanced meal within four hours of giving blood and drink plenty of fluids the day before and the day of a donation. If you need additional info or want to make an appointment give the ARC a call at 800-448-3543 (800-GIVE-LIFE).

Judging by this photo, Jim MacNaughton has quite a way with the local wildlife. According to friend and neighbor Wendy McMurtry, who took this photo, Jim can walk out of his house and just offer up his version of a turkey gobble and a flock of wild turkey come wobbling out of the woods for him. Of course Jim isn’t teasing the birds. As you can see, he has a treat ready for them when they show up. Lately he’s been offering goodies to a flock of nine hens and one male bird.

When I think birds, I think eggs, and when I think eggs, I think Good Egg! Coach Dave Foss has been nominated by someone here in town who thinks the low-key track coach deserves some recognition. “Despite teaching at the high school all day [Dave is a history teacher there] and having a very young family, he spends hours every afternoon coaching the track team and attending the meets on the weekends, some of which go on very late at night,” says the secret admirer. “He also had a lot of input into the Newtown Youth Academy and it is thanks to him that there is a track there for the team and the town to use, rather than a walking track suspended above the ground.” It’s guys like Dave who keep our town a whole lot nicer. Dave, you are a Good Egg! Remember to keep a sharp eye out for those folks around town who deserve my Good Egg Award, and let me know at Nancy@thebee.com. Maybe it’s the kid down the street who shovels your walk, the neighbor who drops off a half gallon of milk when they know you can’t get out, the friend who sends a little note to lift the spirits of others. I know that there are lots of unsung heroes in our town, so let me purr about them a little.

I get a little cranky when I lose naptime, and this weekend it is time to “Spring forward,” meaning a whole hour of sleep disappears Saturday night. But if you don’t want to be out of step with the rest of the region on Sunday, don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour when you hit the sack Saturday night. At least the return of Daylight Saving Time offers a ray of hope that underneath the fresh piles of snow lurks true springtime.

Even though the Hawleyville Post Office is temporarily moved to the Newtown Commerce Road site, the Save Hawleyville Post Office grassroots group continues to promote and support the USPS efforts to find the appropriate space for the new Hawleyville Post Office that has been promised to the community. But they also want to support those businesses who support them. Check out the website savehawleyvillepo.com for some great coupons, and make sure to visit those businesses. Hawleyville Deli is offering a free large coffee on Mondays; M&G Cleaners will give a ten percent coupon on incoming dry cleaning on Thursdays; Rizutto’s Pizza on Route 6 offers a free bottle of house wine — choose from ten wines — with the purchase of two entrees, Sunday through Thursday; and Wingcat Web Design has a coupon for a free customized email marketing campaign. But remember, you have to present a new coupon every time you take advantage of these great deals, available only online at the Save Hawleyville Post Office website.

I’m off to print out my coupons. While you sip a glass of that free wine next week, I hope you will pull out The Bee and …. Read me again.