I know they say that everyone’s a winner at Newtown’s Labor Day Parade, and while it’s true that there are never any losers, there is a kind of friendly competition that goes on between the marching units. For example, the Mattatuck Drum Band, a perennial favorite, this year took top honors for “Best Musical Entry” over the hometown heroes, the Newtown High School Band.

There was one interesting turn of fortune for the Newtown Hook and Ladder, which in years past has been overshadowed by the always-impressive Sandy Hook Fire and Rescue. Hook and Ladder took the “Best Fire Company” award – and not just because they have a brand new and really awesome ladder truck this year. The secret to their success this year, according to one inside source, was that they all turned to the judges on the reviewing stand and …smiled. As our moms always told us, a little smile goes a long way.

By the way, Newtown Hook and Ladder’s new ladder truck, known as Truck 114, was the coolest fire truck in this year’s Labor Day parade. The truck is steered in tight spaces by turning all six of its wheels. To demonstrate that capability, firemen drove the fire truck in tight turns along the parade route, leading some parade observers to think they were watching a large red sidewinder rattlesnake in motion.

The police station became a hive of activity during the Labor Day parade on Monday, according to Police Chief Michael Kehoe. From the police station, police coordinated the multiple road closings which are required to stage the parade. This year, Main Street was closed to traffic for longer than normal – about four hours. A procession which carried huge American flags along Main Street required the lengthy shutdown. A crane parked near the police station hoisted a massive US flag on high.

Consequently, getting around the center of town was tricky, but just before the start of the parade, Bob Grossman and his granddaughter Lisa found a quick way down Main Street to the flag-raising ceremonies.

The two of them hitched a ride on the back of Milton Adams’ vintage tractor.

Newtown’s very own Dr Gellert had lots to talk about at the Labor Day Parade Monday. He was one of the announcers at the flagpole letting the watchers know who was going by. As the Paproski Farm cows walked on by, Dr Gellert observed that this is how we educate the children here in Newtown. I’m not sure whether he was referring specifically to bovine studies or to education in general. But I’ve got to agree. Going to the parade is one great way to get an education!

Jerry Capozio said the parade T-shirts designed by Brandon Thompson were so popular at the Labor Day book sale that they sold out before the parade even began.

School board member Lisa Schwartz looked like Uncle Sam at the Newtown Labor Day parade Monday. When stopped by The Bee to have her picture taken, she shook her finger, saying it better not be used. She was marching with fellow democrats in her festive attire. I wonder where she went shopping for those clothes.

George Lockwood seemed a very happy guy in the Labor Day parade. A former fire marshal and longtime Sandy Hook fireman, George was beaming as he walked down Main Street with Sandy Hook’s large complement of firefighters. The only reason George looked so spry was that he refrained from joining the limbo line at Steve and Lisa Bigham’s wedding reception the night before.

Shannon Hicks showed no such restraint at the reception. Shannon warned Steve and Lisa that if she went out to the dance floor for the traditional throwing of the bridal bouquet, she was going to be the one who caught it. Shannon has caught enough bridal bouquets in her life to fill a flower shop.

Needless to say, a little while later, there was Shannon standing out there with a gaggle of single women, and there was the brand-new Mrs Lisa Pollard Bigham, tossing a bouquet of daisies over her shoulder… right into Shannon’s hands.

“I barely moved,” Shannon purred to me this week. “Honestly, it came right to me.

“But I feel lucky about this one,” she continued. “Steve and Lisa have both become good, dear friends to me, so I figure if I am close to the bride and groom, then maybe I will finally let myself be charmed by Mr Right.” One of the members of Steve’s wedding party, Brian Levitt, a close friend of Steve’s and a former Newtown resident, caught the garter.

All of my hard-working, flag and parade picture-taking friends here at the newspaper sure hope Mr and Mrs Bigham are enjoying their two-week honeymoon in Aruba. Don’t worry Steve, we’ll leave a few rolls of film for you to use and some story topics to tackle when you return.

Newtown Congregational Cooperative Nursery School students headed back to school Wednesday. It is not clear what director Kathy Murdy was thinking when sent home a letter reminding students and parents to bring a snack when coming to school. One student told Mrs Murdy that he already knew he had to bring a snack and that the letter was not necessary. Boy, the children sure are educating the adults these days.

Newtown Board of Education members were excited Tuesday night when they looked at the agenda and saw that they had negotiations with NASA. It was a big surprise for the six members to find out that it was not the space agency but rather the administrators’ association.

Hey! What is the big idea? The school board meetings have been held in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills now since the beginning of the year and there still is no clock on the wall to stare at when things get a little dry during the meetings. Some board members and I want to know when the clock is going to be delivered or unpacked for all to share.

Ann Mazur is the newest addition at the town land use office in Canaan House at Fairfield Hills. Ms Mazur has been named the Planning and Zoning Commission’s administrative clerk. She replaces Sue Lorusso, who is on a leave of absence. Good Luck, Ann!

The Newtown Property Owners Association is publishing a newsletter giving its readers that group’s take on Newtown. A photo in the newsletter is captioned “We all want to live the good life in Newtown.” The photo depicts a father, mother, and child walking along a beach with surf in the background. Last time I checked, the ocean was a good 20 miles south of town.

Oh well. Surf’s up. Gotta go. But be sure to…

Read me again.