Date: Fri 02-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Mountain-Fourth-of-July

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

We of the animal kingdom are always amazed at how numb human beings can be to

the world. Horses, I've read, get all skittish before earthquakes strike, and

I recently heard that dogs can sense an impending seizure in a person. As for

me, I can sense through the tips of my whiskers when a shrimp hits the kitchen

floor downstairs and five rooms away. People, on the other hand, walk around

all day bumping into each other. They seem to be off in some other place as

they stumble through the day, totally oblivious to what is happening around

them.

So when it's time to pay attention to something important, they always have to

make loud noises -- to wake themselves up, I suppose. Have you ever known one

of those families that rings a bell for dinner? As I said before, for me

dinner is a sudden presence I feel from my whiskers to my bones. I certainly

don't need a bell.

So you would think that a country as great as ours could wake up to pay

attention to notions as great as freedom and independence without setting off

all kinds of firecrackers. By the end of the day on the Fourth of July, I'm

usually a nervous wreck from all the noise. Ahh, if only the animals were in

charge.

Speaking of loud noises, there was much roaring in the vicinity of the

Methodist Church in Sandy Hook last Saturday morning for the annual Blessing

of the Bikes. It's the third year that the event was held and the first time

that it didn't rain, although a little rain would have been welcome. Pastor

Terry Pfeiffer and Chaplain Mary Patterson blessed the bikers, most of whom

came on motorcycles. Others -- and this was a first -- came by pedal power.

Bob Virgilla and Chuck Samson, both members of the congregation, were setting

out to ride their bicycles to the ferry in New London and thought a blessing

might keep them safe.

At age 73, Alex Sawchyn was the oldest biker to show up. He said he has been

riding a motorcycle since 1940, when the only models available were Harleys,

Indians, and the six-cylinder Henersons. Mr Sawchyn was busy with his video

camera, making a documentary on motorcycles. Rick and April Arnold were among

those who were interviewed by Bob Cutting for his Pathways of Faith program

that airs on Channel 21, cable's public access channel. Bob was there because

many of the bikers are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Jan Andras reports a very busy day in the first selectman's office Monday as

phones rang off the hook all day. A lot of people were calling with

complaints, which is nothing new. The sheer number of calls was what set this

day apart. Jan and fellow office staffer Mary Kelley both agreed that it may

have had something to do with the fact that Monday was a full moon.

Congratulations to Richard Sturdevant who fired a hole-in-one Thursday, June

24 on the par three, 175-yard 13th hole at Ridgewood Country Club. Dick said

he knew it was close, but did not realize he had shot his first ace until he

looked in the hole. The longtime resident happened to be playing by himself at

the time, so he didn't think there were any witnesses. Fortunately, however,

one of the guys from the pro shop saw the whole thing, helping to authenticate

Dick's big shot.

Newtown resident Nick Borrello was welcomed in as president of the Newtown

Rotary Club Monday evening, taking over for Bart Smith. The annual "pass the

gavel" event at the Fireside Inn was a big hit as Dr Borrello's entire dental

staff showed up much to the surprise of the club's new president. Looking to

commemorate the occasion, Dr Borrello passed out toothbrushes which had the

words "Newtown Rotary" etched on the side.

Local plumber Al Penovi was spotted moving his famous toilets earlier this

week along the side of Route 34. Don't worry, though, those toilets aren't

going anywhere. Mr Penovi was asked by both town and state officials to move a

handful of hot water tanks away from the road. The tanks happened to be

located behind the toilets, which were quickly returned to their original

spot.

In an effort to keep up with the summer rush, a handful of students have been

hired as summer help in town offices. Kristin Schieloh is working in the town

clerk's office. Kristin is a Newtown High School graduate and is a student at

Cedarville College in Ohio. Samantha Byrne is spending the summer in the tax

collector's office. Samantha recently completed her sophomore year at Southern

Connecticut State University in New Haven. The tax collector's office also had

six students helping out last week, stuffing envelopes full of tax bills. Of

course, the Parks and Recreation Department hires dozens of summer helpers

during the warm season.

Monsignor George Birge got a nice surprise during the noon Mass last Sunday

when Selectman Bill Brimmer, who is a member of the parish, presented him with

a proclamation from First Selectman Herb Rosenthal that declared the day

Monsignor Birge Day in Newtown. It was the last Sunday Mass that Msgr Birge

would celebrate here because he starts his new job as pastor of Holy Trinity

Church in Sherman on July 1.

Ten-year-olds George Martens and Joe Bowen were at the Yankees game Tuesday

night (George was celebrating a birthday), and they got to see Derek Jeter

smack a home run in the late innings to seal the win for the Yanks over

Detroit. In fact, the two got a pretty good view of everything at the stadium

from their field level seats. And as it turns out, the entire stadium got a

pretty good view of them as well as their pictures were put up on the big

screen on the scoreboard during the game.

Scudder Baggett, a friend of George and Joe, was also at the game. Jeter's

home run won him a buck from his grandfather, who does not suffer the loss of

any dollar lightly. Grandpa will probably never bet against Derek Jeter again.

Don't forget the Red Cross Blood Drive at Edmond Town Hall next Wednesday,

from 8:30 am to 6:45 pm. There is a critical need for blood right now despite

the efforts of people like Bruce Goulart. Bruce, who lives on Lori Lynn Circle

and operates Goulart Construction Inc, has just joined the ranks of those who

have donated 80 units of blood -- a total of 10 gallons. Someone should give

the man a ten gallon hat.

I've got to get out of here to a nice quiet place before all the fireworks

start, but I'm sure I'll be hearing plenty about Newtown folks before the next

week is done, so be sure to...

Read me again.