I thought June was the month that was supposed to bust out, not sluice away down the drain. I don’t know when it was decided that New England would be the new England –– the planet’s downspout –– but I think the thing should have been put to a vote. Sure, there are a few misguided souls who love the wet weather. I know a bunch of spaniels and retrievers who are never happier than when they are all wet and stinky, but I have to say that rain is a major problem for us cats. I’d just as soon jump in the river as go outside these days.

I suppose I could bring myself to forgive Mother Nature for this June-in-April’s-clothing if by chance she could come up with a warm sunny evening on the 18th, when the Newtown Class of 2003 is scheduled to graduate. This year, Owen Beams will be giving the valedictory address for his class. Owen describes himself as a “generally positive kid who makes things fun,” so I’m looking forward to his comments. His speech should be pretty amusing –– he says his favorite author is Dave Barry.

Graduation is all about endings and beginnings, and this year’s The Bee’s coverage of graduation will mark our own transition, from one education reporter to another. Last week, I told you that reporter Tanjua Damon was moving from covering classrooms to teaching in classrooms with her departure from The Bee to take a fast-track teacher certification course. This week, a new education reporter, Larissa Lytwyn, newly graduated from the classrooms at Central Connecticut, is picking up the coverage where Tanjua left off. Larissa’s first full day on the job on Tuesday was a long one. She got up early so she could make it to the office by 8 am, and it was around midnight when she fell back into bed after spending the whole day on the job and then covering a marathon Board of Education meeting that night. She was back in the office at 8 am Wednesday ready to do it all again. Ah, the energy of youth!

Despite all the rain, the major part of the new plantings planned for Hawley Pond are already in the ground. A hard-working crew consisting of Brian Sacco and his friend Kenny, and Scudder Smith, spend part of last Saturday planting switch grass and blueberry bushes and spreading 20 yards of mulch. This weekend, they hope to finish the gardens off with some iris, forget-me-nots, and some more grasses. Still to come are some large rocks, a bench near the dam, and a geyser-type fountain in the pond to keep the water circulating.

When the 2003–2004 town and education budget finally passed May 28, First Selectmen Herb Rosenthal was among those who came to the Newtown Middle School at 8 pm to hear the results. When the numbers were announced, Mr Rosenthal cried out with some exasperation, as well as relief, “I knew it! My father is always right.” He said that before the second referendum was defeated, his father, and former longtime Newtown first selectman, Jack Rosenthal was “convinced” it would go down and it did. Then the day before the third referendum, his father was equally “convinced” it would pass and it did. Must be something about the wisdom of the fathers, Herb.

Bill Denlinger must be starting to feel like the Man With No Name. Through no fault of his own, Bill Denlinger was either identified wrongly (as in a recent Bee photograph taken during the raising of the summer flag when he was called Bill Lavery) or completely overlooked (as in a subsequent Bee story about Lions Club Duck Day celebrations that named Gordon Williams as current Lions Club president). For the record, I would like to say that Bill Denlinger not only helped raise the summer flag (although Bill Lavery would undoubtedly have been glad to lend a hand had he been there) and that Bill Denlinger is the current Lions Club president. Reporter Dottie Evans says she takes full responsibility for these errors and promises it won’t happen again. Sorry, Bill Laver… er, Denlinger.

 A letter was received this week from Wesley J. Stanton, a former longtime resident of Newtown, who now lives in Maryland. He said he and his wife, Ruth, receive The Bee every week. He recounted how he was a member of the first Boy Scout Troop 170, which was started by the Rev Paul Cullens, who he described as a “masterful leader and teacher to a group of young boys.”

The troop met in the loft over the Morris and Shepard Store. “Thinking back,” he wrote, “what patience they must have had because we were not quiet during the meetings and activity that went on.” Of Rev Cullens, he said, “We sure loved him, not only as scout master but also as a dear friend. A great, good man.” Mr Stanton remembers that his father, Wesley J. Stanton, and two others were the “whole police force” in Newtown at one time. They were unpaid, he said, except for part of a fine placed on “errant lawbreakers.”

Mr Stanton writes, “If any of the old troop is still with us, I would love to hear from them.” Mr Stanton’s address is 133 Farmington Road West, Accokeek, MD 20607.

Well, it’s time for me to troop out of here for another week, but I’ll be back, so be sure to…

Read me again.