Probably high on the list of resolutions for many of us in the New Year is to use less pricey gasoline, and now Connecticut residents have the chance to buy one of the most sought-after new cars on the market — the Smart Car for two. Briefly available in the US in 2005, the miniscule 2008 Smart Car has been engineered to meet US safety standards and will make its debut in our state in mid-January. For those of you that haven’t yet caught the chatter about the vehicle, the Smart Car is an itty-bitty, 3-cylinder car just under nine feet long and barely more than five feet tall. Encased in a steel tridion “safety cell” the Smart Car can hold its own on the highway or the city streets, according to literature that landed in my mailbox last week. The two-seater boasts 40 to 45 mpg on highways and 33 mpg for city driving, and dealers are counting on Nutmeggers being sick and tired of $3-plus gas prices to boost sales. For bopping around town with not a lot of errands to do — the manufacturer’s list notes a locked glove compartment under “storage” — the Smart Car might be a reliable (and adorable) solution. I did notice that air-conditioning and a radio are listed as optional equipment, though….

It looks like a ponytail is not optional equipment for Newtown Bee paper hawker Fry anymore. Fry, as Rich Goessinger is known around the shop, snipped off his two-foot-long ponytail last week and donated it to Locks of Love. Earlier this year another Bee guy, Matt Seaman, took the scissors to his long locks, as well, to support the charity. Locks of Love is a great cause, but I think I’m going to keep my long fuzzy tail wrapped tightly around me in case anyone gets any ideas….

Heard from former resident Caryl Stratton recently, who was sharing some very exciting news: When the Daughters of the American Colonists (DAC) met back in November at the Curtis House in Woodbury, it was announced that Caryl, who was already the Connecticut State Regent of the DAC, has been asked by the national president to be the national vice president of the Appalachian Section. VP Stratton has held many offices in DAC. She was chapter regent of the Angell Husted Chapter, Greenwich, from 1994 to 1997; she served as state regent for two terms and one term as acting regent in the 1990s; and she has even been Atlantic Coast Chairman of the Flag of the United States of America committee and also Atlantic Coast Chairman for Insignia.

The Connecticut Society of DAC meets three times a year. Its objectives are to honor the past, appreciate the present, and plan for the future. Any woman who is a citizen of the United States, who is at least age 18, and is related by lineal descent of an ancestor who rendered civil or military service in any of the Colonies prior to July 4, 1776, is eligible to membership. Caryl’s ancestor is Governor Thomas Welles. Also, her great-grandmother, Grace Blakeman Beers (Mrs George Beers), was an early Daughter and a founding member and officer in the Hartford chapter of DAC.

Caryl and her husband, Leonard Persson, live in Woodbury these days but Caryl is a Newtown girl at heart. She graduated from Newtown High School (and recently attended her class’s 50th reunion), and her daughter and son-in-law are Sue and Jim Shortt, of Shortt’s Farm and Garden. Anyone interested in becoming a member or learning more about the group — or even touching base with Caryl — can give her a call at 263-0449 or send e-mail to caryl.Stratton@sbcglobal.net.

It’s never too soon to plan ahead. Mary Maki, president of the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, has given me the heads up that the huge book sale is looking at a date change in 2008. Save the days between July 12 and 16 this summer to visit the region’s largest book sale at Reed Intermediate School on Trades Lane. The timing is perfect to pick up beach reads and vacation novels. As always, the Friends appreciates donations of books, CDs, DVDs, and music. Donations can be dropped off year around at the library.

Some news from summertime resident Selma Kenter has filtered my way. Selma lives most of the year in Istanbul, where she runs Ark Tekstil, a fabric and quilting business. Along with a good quilt exhibition in the spring, Selma writes that she also squeezed in some interesting trips to India, Nepal, Croatia, Bosnia, Greece, and  England, as well as two voyages on the Aegean Sea in 2007. Despite some business and personal problems that cropped up last month, she is now looking forward to a better year in 2008 and sends wishes to all who know her in Newtown for a year of good things, patience, and strength.

You can send your own good wishes overseas to Newtown’s own Sgt Mattegat, and they will be gratefully received. George Mattegat stopped by the office last week, and proudly showed off a military photo of his son William, who is currently on his third tour in Iraq. If anyone is interested in sharing news from Newtown with Sergeant Mattegat, he would love to hear from home. His mailing address is Sgt William Mattegat, 103rd Enco 9th EN BN, COB Speicher, Iraq; APO AEO 9393.

Jennifer and Cody Foss of The Fitness Loft on Simm Lane are throwing a First Anniversary Party this Saturday, January 5. “We would like to thank everyone for everything they have done and want you to celebrate our first year together,” writes Jennifer. From 9:30 am to 11 am, The Loft will launch a member wellness challenge, also known as the “jeans contest.” Then the gym closes at 5 pm and the festivities begin. Food, drink, and live music will be provided. Come one, come all. Just plan to have a good time. Call 304-1400 if you have any questions.

The only question I have left in this New Year is, will you take the time next week to …. Read me again?