This is the time of year when the sap is rushing up and down the trees. Cold nights and warm days get things moving in the maples, and before long Morgen McLaughlin will have some Y2K vintage syrup from the trees at her vineyard in Sandy Hook. I’m hoping this year will be a sweet one for me. I’ve made a few investments, and after watching the Dow and NASDAQ rushing up and down the charts like sap in a sugar maple, I thought I’d check to see how my kitty litter futures were doing.

So, as I was perusing the Business Day section of The New York Times on Monday, I noticed an interesting article on IBM’s new strategy to promote Linux as the operating system of the future. Newtown’s own Nick Bowen, a senior researcher with IBM, figured prominently in the story as the head of a team that investigated and recommended the new strategy late last year. The report produced by Nick’s team was hailed by IBM’s top brass and described by The Times as “a coherent, top-to-bottom software strategy for IBM.” And to think I’ve been watching litter all this time when I should have been watching Linux.

I’ve also been watching a lot of movies of late, trying to get caught up in time for Sunday’s Academy Awards. The Sixth Sense, nominated for best picture of the year, is playing up at Edmund Town Hall, and will be for the next week. I loved the movie, but I’m afraid that is all I can say about it. I’m following town hall Theater Manager Tom Mahoney’s explicit instructions, which he posted on the gold bars of the box office. First, he instructed patrons that if they arrived late to please consider coming back to another showing; it’s the kind of movie that needs to be seen in its entirety. Second, he pleaded with patrons who had already seen the film not to discuss it, as there are a number of surprises that if known ahead of time would ruin the experience. As best as I could tell, people were heeding Tom’s request: I didn’t hear a word uttered about the movie in either the ticket line or concession line. So as not to upset Tom, I’ll leave it at that.

Legislative Council member Peggy Baiad held a St Patrick’s Day party last Friday night and almost every council member was there to celebrate. Many of them got to meet Peggy’s husband, Tony, for the first time. Tony is often out of the country, traveling on business to countries like Kazakistan and other exotic places.

Jan Andras and her family spent last week at Walt Disney World, where they bumped into a handful of Newtown residents. Among them were Kevin Cragin and his family, who, while vacationing, ran into Jack and Theresa Rosenthal, who were in Florida celebrating their recent marriage. Jack and Kevin reportedly went on a handful of rides together. Picture Jack and Kevin sitting together on the “It’s a Small World” ride.

A family in San Diego, Calif., is very happy that Newtown trains its lifeguards so well. Ryan Loring, a veteran lifeguard and sophomore at Springfield College, spent spring break in southern California training with the men’s track and field team. It was not all work, though. One of the later days of their trip was spent at the beach in San Diego. Team members were enjoying the surf and sand but also had been warned about strong rip tides. Ryan is a strong swimmer and knows how to handle that type of current. However, a young boy swimming nearby was not as adept. He struggled against the tide and was quickly pulled out to sea. Ryan knew he would be able to reach the boy faster than the lifeguards on duty, so instinct kicked in. Out he swam, rescued the boy, and brought him back safely to shore. So who says Newtown guards have nothing on Baywatch?

There is still room in Mark Tombascio’s next beer tasting, Tuesday, April 4. Mark has obtained an exclusive oak cask of JW Lee’s Harvest, a single malt barley wine. Along with sampling the cask of Harvest, Mark has around five different Scotch Ales that he wants to taste; plus he promises me that he will be showing others how to begin to brew beer at home. The cost for this tasting is slightly more than usual, $25, to compensate for the expense of bringing in the special keg of barely wine. Call Mark at My Place Pizza for more information.

Tom Swetts, who is supervising making sets for the high school production of The Music Man, has put out a call for wagon wheels. If you have any wagon wheels that you can lend, call the high school office at 426-7646.

Don Gabriel, owner of The World of Wine and Spirits in Ricky’s Shopping Plaza, is running a returnable can and bottle drive from now until the weekend of April 12 to raise money to fight multiple sclerosis. Don says he will match the amount of money collected. The store also will be participating in the National Multiple Sclerosis Walk-a-Thon that will be held on April 12. Anyone who has questions should call Don at 426-0557.

Joanne Didonato, secretary at Sandy Hook School, is celebrating her 51st birthday on Saturday. Happy birthday, Joanne!

On Thursday, March 30, Judy Volpe will be selling daffodils on behalf of the American Cancer Society at Avance Esthetiques, the day spa in the Sand Hill Plaza. The bunches of flowers are $5 each. Proceeds help the cancer society’s programs of cancer research, education, and services to local cancer patients and their families.

Mae Schmidle is sporting a new hairstyle these days, choosing to replace the long blonde curls with a straighter look. But she’s still wearing her famous red outfits. It’s good to see some things never change.

The Knights of Columbus of Newtown and the Saints of the Home and School Association of St Rose School will face off in the fourth annual Nick Hayes charity basketball game at Newtown High School next Friday, March 31, at Newtown High School. The fun starts with a two-on-two for high school students at 6 pm, followed by the game at 7 pm. There will be games and prizes for children, too. All food is $1. Admission is $3 for adults and $1 for kids, with the proceeds benefiting scholarships.

Speaking of basketball, John Grimardi may be the only Newtown resident with all four of his Final Four picks remaining in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. In a year that has seen one upset after another, John managed to pick Purdue, Michigan State, Duke and Miami – all of which are still alive.

Here’s a sure pick for you: I’ll be right here next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.