Connecticut Yankee humorist Mark Twain was right on when he said New England weather is nothing if not changeable. It was out of the furnace and into the freezer (turn off the A/C and grab a sweater) this Wednesday morning as temperatures that had be
Connecticut Yankee humorist Mark Twain was right on when he said New England weather is nothing if not changeable. It was out of the furnace and into the freezer (turn off the A/C and grab a sweater) this Wednesday morning as temperatures that had been stuck in the high 80s and low 90s gave way to high 60s and low 70s.
Hot, humid, sunny days turned into cool, cloudy ones and the line at Dunkinâ Donuts on Wednesday wasnât out the door like it was early in the week. Iâm guessing that people like DDâs line-up of icy drinks better than the hot coffee, but you never know about people. From my perspective, theyâre more unpredictable than the weather.
Dr Thomas P. Nipper of Brookfield Orthopedics made a repeat appearance at Ashlar and Lockwood Lodge on Tuesday during the monthly Lunch and Learn program, speaking again on the topic âWhat Can You Do About Osteoarthritis?â His talk was an encore performance of an earlier, sold-out presentation given in April. That was when Ashlar Events Manager Laura Vhay was forced to turn people away at the door, leading to the installation of a new call-ahead-for-reservations policy for the Lunch and Learn programs.
Dr Nipper is an animated speaker who somehow manages to make the subject of aging, creaky knees both interesting and lively. One audience member asked him about the frequency of cortisone shots to treat joint inflammation and pain, and his answer surprised everyone in the room. âThe most common use of cortisone in the USA is for treatment of poison ivy,â he replied.
Congratulations are due to Nick Paproski, Matt Schmitt, and Ron Shimko of the Dodgingtown Fire Department, and Don Hutchinson of the Hawleyville Fire Department. These young men have passed the Firefighter I practical portion of their requirements for certification in Connecticut. The practical exam took place at the New Haven Fire Academy in early June. They are now burning the midnight oil in preparation of the written portion of the exam scheduled for June 18. Candidates for level Firefighter I must score at least 70 percent on the written exam as well as the practical skills exam, with no failures in any identified critical skills.
Chicago had cows, Buffalo had, well, buffalo, and Kent had dogs. Now the Roosters of Newtown are coming! The Newtown Parent Connection has officially launched this unusual fundraising project. Many talented, local artists have volunteered their time to âdecorateâ Newtownâs favorite symbol. The first Rooster will be unveiled at the August 6 Birthday Bash with many more to come throughout the next several months. Guess The Parent Connection will keep this Tercentennial Celebration going as long as possible! I am told there will be frequent updates as to sightings of these famous fowl.
Newtown Congregational Church will say Good-Bye this weekend to another member of its staff. (Senior Minister Steve Gordon left the church at the end of March.) Sunday, June 19, will be the last day for Mary Andreotta to serve as NCCâs choir director. She has decided to return to school in the fall, and will be working toward her teacherâs certification. The church choir takes a break during the summer months, and then school starts for Mary in October.
Alice Mascher wants everyone who submitted photos for the luminaria ceremony that took place at last weekendâs Relay For Life to know the photos are now available for pickup at the Coldwell Banker/Bob Tendler office on Church Hill Road.
Speaking of the relay, Adele Unger won first place in the Spam carving contest. It probably wasnât a fair contest, however, because even though Adele is a realtor at Curtiss & Crandon, she also has credentials as a chef, having graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Hyde Park. Adele carved a bird with wings, and it was on display during the outdoor event, but John Klopfenstein said he stayed upwind, because the temperature that evening was so hot and he wasnât taking any chances.
If you havenât entered your dogâs photo in the contest that Canine Advocates is sponsoring, there is still time because the group has extended the deadline. Entries must be postmarked by June 18. The photo and $5 entry fee should be sent to PO Box 236 Newtown 06470. Photos will be displayed in the town hall lobby. The dog that gets the most votes will win an oil painting that will be done by animal artist Beth Connolly.
Bee Publisher Scudder Smith said someone saw a mink over at the golf course over the weekend, and heâs missing a few more fish from his garden pond. Scudder is so frustrated in his ongoing battle with the mink that he is threatening to give up on Have-A-Heart traps and set out an antique iron leg-hold trap (now banned) to catch the critter. I hope heâs kidding, as usual. Otherwise, the authorities will be out to trap him. I think it would be better for everyone â Scudder, the fish, and the mink â if the mink moves on to other hunting grounds far, far away as soon as possible.
As for me, Iâm not going anywhere, so look for me here next week, andâ¦
Read me again.