The summer flag went up this week, but not before Dave Lydem got around to sprucing up the flagpole Monday afternoon. Every year, the pole gets battered by drivers who turn too quickly or get pushed into it, or just the wear and tear of Mother Nature. And every year, Dave makes sure that before the summer flag is run up the pole that the flagpole itself has been scraped and repainted — and then he even sweeps around it. Let’s all hear a round of applause for his dedication that gives us a town centerpiece of which we can be proud.

Seeing that gigantic flag unfurled in the breeze at the heart of Newtown reminds me that we have a lot of our fellow countrymen and women to thank. There are services all over Connecticut — including one at 11 am at the VFW on Tinkerfield Road — this coming Monday, May 25. Remember, it is not just a day off for sleeping in late and picnicking. Take an hour or two to pause and give thanks to those members of the armed service who dedicate their lives to protecting our country’s interests, and to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty.

The Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee is extending a warm welcome to new committee members Connie Widmann and Mona Steele. It takes a village to raise a child — and to put on a parade, so the extra hands are quite appreciated, said parade prez Beth Caldwell. “We’re still trying to get our corporate sponsors lined up,” Beth said, and as usual, the committee welcomes any donations from residents to help fund the Labor Day event. If your feelings about Newtown reflect this year’s theme, “A Passion For Newtown,” why not visit newtownctlabordayparade.org and toss a couple of dollars their way? The parade is great fun for everyone, but without community support, we could see the parade march off into the sunset for good one day.

I understand the Parent Teacher Associations around town are thinking ahead and in need of volunteers and chairs for the 2009-2010 school year. Reed Intermediate School is in dire need this year, from what I am told, so if you have an RIS incoming student, maybe you can help out. RIS committees in need of chair, co-chairs and/or volunteers are: Fun Nights, Membership, Directory, Field Day, Letters to the Troops, Dad’s Breakfast, Reflections, Geography Program, Student Photos, Active Wear, Beautification, Book Fair, Conference Week/Teacher Appreciation, Yearbook, and Volunteer Coordinator. Anyone interested can contact Maggie Conway at ctconway@charter.net.

There were some lovely melodies drifting out of Christ the King Lutheran Church on Tory Lane, Sunday afternoon, so I poked my nose in. Luckily, the Newtown Choral Society spring concert had just begun, giving me the chance to hop up on a pew and listen in. The group’s new director (and a former Choral Society member) Dave Jurman led the singers through a medley of Canadian songs, from rollicking folk songs to tender ballads. I saw a lot of toe tapping going on, and lots of smiling from the crowd, so my guess is that everyone there really enjoyed the afternoon of music. Hope you were there, because otherwise you have to wait until December to hear the Choral Society in concert again.

Newtown Middle School student Jason Horowitz lost his mother to breast cancer 15 months before his Bar Mitzvah and on Sunday, May 17, to honor her memory, Jason dedicated his Mitzvah service project to his mom by organizing a Broadway musical revue and fundraiser to support Susan G. Koman for the Cure®.  The performance was held at B’Nai Israel in Southbury. Jason told The Bee this week that the day raised roughly $1,200 for the cause, and he hopes to raise more. So far the effort has raised nearly $6,000, according to Jason. “My mom died of breast cancer,” he said on Monday, “and I really don’t want to see that happen to other people’s moms.” For information on the Susan G. Koman for the Cure® call 860-728-4955 or visit komenct.org. To help Jason raise money for the cause go info-komen.org/goto/Jason-Mitzvah.

It has been brought to my attention that not everyone realizes that this column has been penned (pawed?) by a series of cool cats ever since the original Newtown Bee kitty cat, Mountain, put claw to key more than 25 years ago to tap out the first Top of the Mountain. Since then, all of the catty remarks and “whis-purrings” have been gossip garnered from the feline point of view. Funny, people will tell a cat anything….

There is a lot of running for a reason going on in this town lately. On June 6, Newtown Parks and Recreation will hold its 35th Annual Newtown Rooster Run 5K. The event will be held at Reed Intermediate School, beginning at 8:30 am. The course will include a portion of the Fairfield Hills campus and trails. Cost is $18 preregistration for adults ($20 race day) and only $15 for students. All proceeds are for the Newtown Scholarship fund. Join in a morning of fun and fitness with the whole family. Call Parks and Recreation for more information at 270-4340.

A team of scientists and paleontologists has analyzed a 47 million-year-old fossil discovered in Germany. According to a National Geographic article, the fossil “bridges the evolutionary split between higher primates such as monkeys, apes, and humans and their more distant relatives such as lemurs.” I don’t know about a bridge to lemurs, but I do know that there is a bridge to the Pootatuck River in Sandy Hook Center where I plan to get my ducks in a row (or a front loader) this coming weekend.

There’s nothing like a duck race to work up an appetite, by the way, and this year the American Artisan Bakery is going to do something about that. Owner/baker Andy Corson will be set up in front of St John’s Episcopal at 5 Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook Center this coming Saturday, May 23, from 9 am to 1 pm, prior to the annual “dumping of the ducks” into the Pootatuck by the Lions Club. Andy will be selling his award-winning cookies, muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, and brownies. Plus, he is introducing his delectable cupcakes, as well. But that’s not all — the old summertime favorite St John’s doughnuts will be on sale, too, from 9 am to noon. For years, residents looked forward to the first Saturday of the summer months when the doughnuts and beignets were available at the St John’s drive-through, and here’s a chance to revive some of those delicious memories. Stop by, pick up some goodies, and leave yourself some time to enjoy the festivities while you nibble your way down to the riverfront.

Make sure, though, that you save your appetite for the written word and remember next week to…. Read me again.