If anyone tells you that Newtown lacks an independent spirit, tell them that it just ain’t so. Conventional wisdom after Tuesday night’s presidential primary votes around the country has already paired off Gov George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore in the November election. But Newtown voters put their stock in the two party mavericks: Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Bill Bradley.

I would suggest that Newtown’s party leaders, Republican Marie Sturdevant and Democrat Earl Smith, start searching now for a maverick candidate to head the ticket in next year’s municipal elections… me, for instance. I know public service can be hard, but you know about cats’ uncanny balance and how they always land on their feet.

Elaine McClure had a challenge keeping her balance Tuesday night, trying to fulfill both her duties as the school board’s chairman and as a mother. In the end, her role as mother won. Mrs McClure had to leave a meeting of the Legislative Council’s committee on education early to go and hear her daughter Brittany sing the national anthem at that night’s choral concert. Brittany has been a member of the elite singers since her junior year. Mrs McClure was able to get the concert on videotape and still made it back to the board of education’s meeting, which extended well into the night. When asked how Brittany did, Mrs McClure said great. “But I’m biased,” she pointed out.

One of my heroes, The Cat in the Hat, was certainly present throughout the school district last Thursday, and nowhere more so than at Head O’ Meadow School. Students carried around several stuffed versions of Dr Seuss’ famous character during a celebration honoring his birthday. Guest readers throughout the day included First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, who read the Seussian yarn, If I Ran the Zoo. Afterwards, Mr Rosenthal commented that the book might have been more appropriate than he first realized.

Father Bob Weiss is back saying Mass at St Rose, after a two-month sabbatical. The Reverend definitely knows how to take time off. Besides spending New Year’s in Paris, he spent time in Florence and Sienna before lunching with the Pope in Rome. He also made a stop in Germany before heading to Arizona for a spiritual retreat. The last week of his time off was spent actually relaxing, he reports, soaking in the sun in the Cayman Islands. During Mass last Saturday night, Father Weiss, colored a golden brown hue by the sun, wore white vestments instead of the typical green vestments of this time of year. He was aware of this mistake, however. “I know, I know,” he told the congregation. “I just had to show off my tan.”

 I sure do miss seeing the Newtown High School cheerleading squad. The cheerleaders have not been seen at a basketball game in nearly a month. They weren’t there to cheer on the girls’ basketball team during its SWC championship game or at the boys’ first-round SWC playoff game because the games were on the road. The cheerleaders now only cheer at home games, except, apparently, state tournament games. The girls’ hoop team played at home last week in a state tournament game without the benefit of the cheerleaders’ crowd-stirring spirit.

Economic Development Commission Chairman A. Winthrop Ballard showed up at Monday night’s Board of Selectman meeting, but told the board he had to leave early. Selectman Bill Brimmer suggested that Win probably wanted to get home in time to watch the TV show Ally McBeal.

Ask Building Official Tom Paternoster about his new fire helmet. The toy helmet was a gift from Sandy Hook fire chief Bill Halstead after Tom accompanied him on a recent fire call at Ashlar.

Tom Swetts has just returned from Virginia, where he visited the Rev Frank Dunn, who was rector at Trinity some years ago. Frank has just finished a sabbatical during which he traveled across country.

This warm weather has Charlie White working to get his ice cream shops in Newtown and Woodbury ready to open for the season. I saw Charlie this week and asked him about a rumor that his shop on Church Hill Road is for sale. After first denying it, Charlie brightened and retorted, “It’s always for sale. Make me an offer.”

Here’s an offer no one should be able to refuse…

Read me again.