If you think your run-up to Christmas is hectic, just consider what old St Nick has to go through. I think just making the list would wear me out. Forget about checking it twice. Somehow, Santa Claus manages to make it all the way around the world on Christmas Eve, but this year it looks like he just barely made it.

That’s Santa in the back of the old battered station wagon spotted at the Blomberg residence on Brushy Hill Road. Apparently, he lost Rudolph and the other reindeer and picked up Frosty the Snowman as a chauffeur along the way.

The story of the two abandoned white Embden geese at Hawley Pond has a happy ending, since Nancy Sprung and her daughter Jennie finally did manage to catch the second goose on December 22 at 6 pm. They brought it home to the Sprung wildfowl sanctuary where it has joined its mate and taken up residence along with the approximately 24 ducks and geese that Nancy Sprung is already fostering. Ms Sprung kindly emailed the Bee describing the homecoming reunion of the last goose with its mate who did not exactly welcome him (her?) with open arms (wings?). “He seemed plenty hungry, and what a big fellow he is! When we got him home, the other goose charged at him but then stopped dead in his tracks when he recognized him. It was quite funny! Jennie and I were putting words in their mouths like this: First Goose, ‘I’m gonna get you! Who do you think you are? This is my territory. Get outta here. Oh, it’s you! Where have you been? Well, never mind about that. Let me show you around.’ Second Goose, ‘Whoa, back off there! I thought you were dead and had become somebody’s dinner. This is a nice place you’ve got here.’ Then they talked in low tones and moved off together and we couldn’t catch any more of the conversation,” Nancy wrote.

Gordon Williams wants to remind everyone that the start date of the beard (or mustache, or goatee) growing contest for the tercentennial is getting close. Anyone who wants to participate should come, clean-shaven, to the Booth Library on Monday, January 3, or Tuesday, January 4, between 4 and 8 pm to register. There’s a $5 entry fee. The winners will be named in late March.

Members of Girl Scouts Troop 509 had a coat drive and collected 125 jackets and coats, 45 of which were donated to the children in the safe houses operated by Children and Family Aid (CFA) in Danbury, and 80 that went to agencies in Bridgeport. Some of the troop, led by troop leader Susan Miles and assistant leader Carolyn Dufner, also helped out wrapping packages at CFA on Christmas Eve, along with members of Webelos Den 12, also from Newtown. CFA helps children who are removed from their homes by the courts in the greater Danbury area because of abuse or neglect.

Next Friday night, January 7, a benefit concert is being presented at Trinity Episcopal Church on Main Street at 8 pm to raise money for books for the young adult section of the Booth Library. The concert features the “Messiah” and  “The Four Season” by Vivaldi. A reception will follow.  Tickets are $30 each and must be purchased in advance at the circulation desk in the library or at Newtown Savings Bank on Main Street.

The local Knights of Columbus are planning a free-throw contest for girls and boys ages 10 to 14 to be held on Sunday, January 9, at the Edmond Town Hall gym from 1 to 3 pm. Entry is free and there will be plaques awarded for the winners of each age level, with winners going on to the district level competition in February. 

While walking into Canaan House at Fairfield Hills on a recent frigid day, I spotted what looked like a polar explorer on his way out of the building, where the town land use offices are located. That was no polar explorer. It was Conservation Official Rob Sibley bundled for the cold and on his way off to make some field inspections.

During the terrible wind and rain storm last Thursday, a tree fell across the street on Oak Ridge Drive, diverting traffic in all different directions. Thinking the highway department would be busy removing many more downed trees elsewhere in town, two teenagers, Mike and Jay Pankowski, took it upon themselves to clear the tree from the street. With hatchets and saws, the two boys cleared the debris enabling cars to pass once again on the street.

The best in-office Christmas party of the year was once again at in the town clerk’s office. This year, the event was part bon voyage party for Carol Mayhew, the longtime assistant town clerk who is moving to Arizona. As much as I loved all the food at the party, I sure do hate to see Carol go. It’s enough to get me howling Auld Lang Syne. But that’s something I only do in private, so I’ve got to go. But I’ll be back in 2005, so be sure to…

Read me again.