Near freezing temperatures and predictions of snow flurries may mean we can’t put away those turtlenecks and winter coats just yet. But the daffodils don’t mind the cold. They’re ready to come out of hiding and put on their annual spring show.

For those on a watch for the first blooms, check out those south-facing clusters that someone planted long ago alongside Mt Pleasant Road at the top of the second hill. They’re usually the first daffodils in town to show their yellow faces. Then take a stroll up the Booth Library walkway to the side entrance where hundreds of bulbs were planted beneath the Bradford pears. It’s a sight for sore eyes.

Another sign of spring? The return of fresh ice cream at ice cream stands. We haven’t heard from The Ice Cream Shop yet, but Ferris Acres Creamery posted its big ice cream sign this week, alerting all passersby that it’s almost time for us to start visiting the Sugar Street creamery once again. The shades roll up and the windows will be open again on Wednesday, April 12.

It was a kitty’s dream come true. I took advantage of the sunny weather last week to prowl around the neighborhood and what I saw on Old Tavern Road made my heart go pitter-patter. Fifty robins (yes, I actually counted them) were gathered at the side of the road, feasting on some delicacy there. Not only that, they let me sidle up to within ten feet of them before they decided to take to the air. So close, and yet so far….

Antiques And The Arts Weekly Ad Rep Bette MacCarthy and her husband, Peter, of Hanover Road, drove south last weekend to find spring fully underway. Bette’s official purpose was to attend the Charleston International Antiques Show, but she also managed to spend a magical afternoon visiting Brookgreen Gardens in nearby Pawley’s Island, S.C. “I couldn’t believe all those magnolias in full bloom!” she raved. At the antiques show, Bette chatted with Martha Stewart, who was the keynote speaker for the event, about a photo taken of Ms Stewart four years ago that Bette had brought along to give her. “She was statuesque, stunning, and very friendly,” said Bette. When Martha told Bette that she got all her information about auctions and tag sales from reading Antiques And The Arts Weekly, Bette handed over the old photo with “From Bette at the Bee” written on the back. “Martha seemed delighted to have it. I just wish I’d managed to take another picture of her, but we were too busy talking. And I was too flustered to get out the camera.”

 I’ve taken heed of the Friends of the Library’s plea and have bagged up my books from this winter’s reading early to donate to the book sale. Being an animal of leisure, myself, I don’t want the sale volunteers to be doing too much last minute scrambling to prepare for the new, July 4th weekend book sale date.

Ryan Loring popped the question to Kelly Boyle of Easthampton, Mass., in grand style last Sunday. The St Patrick’s Day Parade is an annual tradition in Holyoke, Mass., and Kelly thought she and Ryan were there just to watch. Shortly into the huge parade, Ryan brought the event to a total stop as he stepped out into the middle of the parade path, dropped to one knee and proposed to Kelly. Parade watchers clapped and cheered as Kelly finally realized what Ryan was doing. Ryan’s mom and dad were hiding in the crowd and caught the moment for posterity. Kelly did say “yes.”

Friends and family of Phil Crevier, the organist for Newtown Congregational Church, already know he is a man of many talents. Phil can play the organ and piano like it’s nobody’s business, of course, but how many people know Phil has a passion for cooking? Last Sunday morning Phil was crowned the 2006 NCC Chili Champ. Parishioners had enjoyed tasting chili cooked by 15 of the church’s members following the worship service on March 12. Votes were sold at $1 apiece (or six for $5), all to benefit the church’s Human Services Committee, and more than $375 was raised for the church’s missions budget. NCC Human Services chairman Jerry Cole presented Phil with a Chili Champ crown and trophy: The Golden Ladle.

Brenda and Joe Schlesinger of Newtown walked with their Irish wolfhound Ronan in the Greenwich St Patrick’s Day Parade on March 12. You may remember the Schlesingers and Ronan — they were featured in a front page story in the March 10 issue of The Bee. Ronan attends obedience training at Cassio Kennels in Newtown owned by Joy Brewster. She is also show chair of the Greenwich Kennel Club. Ms Brewster learned from the parade chairman that planners sought an Irish dog to march this year. The Schlesingers were happy to participate in the parade, and marched up front in the procession. Mr Schlesinger was surprised by the spectators’ support away from home. “People made it their point to come down to Greenwich. There were people on the sidewalk yelling, ‘Newtown! Newtown! We saw you in the paper,’” he said when he stopped in to share some of the family’s photos from the parade last week. “It was great that they came down to see us.” He also surprised himself, noting, “I never thought I’d have so much fun” walking in a parade. The Schlesingers and Ronan have been invited back for next year’s parade in Greenwich.

And you are invited back for next week’s column, so be sure to…

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