We know it is spring when our main mountain man, Appalachian Trails consultant Harlan Jessup, emerges from hibernation and sheds his street shoes for sturdy work boots. Not that we haven’t seen Harlan around town all winter at Newtown Historical Society lectures and in the Booth Library’s Genealogy Room. But those indoor Harlans were a milder, gentler version. Watching the outdoor Harlan take on a Newtown Trails project is an experience not to be missed.

Whether he is striding into the underbrush to remove invasive species with his entrenching tool, swinging a hand ax while staking log steps down a steep embankment, or showing volunteers how to winch boulders out of a stream –– there is no doubting his skill. To join the fun, show up at 9 am at the Dayton Street Bridge on Saturday morning, April 9, where trail workers led by Harlan will be setting out to improve the Rocky Glen section of Al’s Trail. Any questions, call Newtown Trails chairman Pat Barkman at 426-8949.

Relay For Life is holding a contest for children in grades kindergarten through fourth to come up with a mascot for the event at Newtown High School in June. Entry forms will be available in the offices of each participating school and are due back by April 12. Once a winner is chosen, Father Bob at St Rose has promised to get his brother — who makes costumes for Disney World — to create the costume in time for the opening ceremony. The contest winner will get a pizza party for his or her entire class.

I expect Don Bates down at the Drug Center will be selling out of Dramamine this week as people prepared for some rollin’ on the river aboard the Show Boat next week at Newtown High School. The ever-popular musical will be performed by the high school drama students on Thursday, April 7, at 7 pm; Friday, April 8, at 7:30 pm; Saturday, April 9, at 7:30 pm; and Sunday, April 10 at 2:30 pm. Call 426-7983 to purchase or reserve tickets. I had a sneak preview of the scenery and costumes this week, and it looks like it’s going to be a great show.

Well, winter is driving yet another Newtown couple to Florida. Doris and Clifford Bulmer will be heading south soon, so the town officially said farewell and thank you to Doris for her long volunteer service to Newtown. At a recent meeting of FISH (Friends In Service Here), Doris was presented with an official proclamation of appreciation from First Selectman Herb Rosenthal and a card signed by all present. Doris was a veteran driver for FISH as well as its president. She was also pitched in at the FAITH Food Pantry and drove for Meals on Wheels. Both Doris and Clifford will be sorely missed.

It looks like Kathy and Bob Geckle will have a front row seat for the big tercentennial fireworks display this summer. Organizers hoisted a red balloon 200 feet into the air from the pyrotechnic launch site at Fairfield Hills last Thursday and it looks like Queen Street is going to be the place to be for the best view.

For those of you who are counting calories but hate to count all day, Burger King may have just what you’re looking for. The fast food joint introduced its Enormous Omelet Sandwich this week, which includes three strips of bacon, two eggs, two slices of American cheese, and a sausage patty. At 730 calories and 47 grams of fat, this sandwich allows you to dispense with most of your calorie counting for the whole day first thing in the morning. It’s a dieter’s dream!

Speaking of dreaming, you won’t get much dreamtime on Saturday night. The clocks spring ahead an hour at 2 am Sunday, so be sure to point them some place safe. The return to Daylight Savings Time seems to sneak up on us each year, especially when spring seemed so late in coming.

Since I’m going to lose an hour of sleep this weekend, I think I better go take a nap now, but I will be back, so be sure to…

Read me again.