Despite the “dogged” manner in which Bo, the White House pup, pretended to be open and inclusive in his Friday, July 17, article in The New York Times (written under his nom de plume, “Ben Greenman”), his disregard for the fairer breed (that would be cats) slipped out in one telling paragraph: “By comparison,” wrote ‘Bo,’ “consider the way that the news media scrutinized Buddy, the Clintons’ Labrador. Before his untimely death by car accident in 2002, Buddy was persistently maligned by rumors that he did not get along with Socks the cat, as if that were his fault. (Cats, need I remind you, are jerks.)” (Italics are mine!) Oh, Bo. Bad dog. Bad dog.

Benny, so far as I can tell, is a good dog. The 11-year-old Akita/St Bernard mix is also Newtown’s #1 Dog this year, thanks to owner Debbie Springmeyer’s registering him for his license during June. I saw him flaunting a giant dog bone necklace one day last week, made by town clerk Debbie Aurelia. His good friend, Tanya, was standing by wagging her tail wildly in support.

Let me get all of this canine stuff out of the way, right off the bat. Kelley Michael sent in this picture taken on Taunton Hill Road, Saturday, July18. Looking as though he hadn’t a care in the world, this coyote was taking in the lovely day. I suspect that the placid attitude this wily coyote is conveying in this photograph is just a cover. I’m sure there were plenty of little mice in the field shaking in their shoes. (I hope everyone’s cats in the neighborhood were inside, too!)

Visitors surprised Tracy and Peter Van Buskirk on Saturday, when a gentleman who once lived in their home stopped by. The Van Buskirk’s graciously gave him a tour of his old 1970s stomping grounds, which he told them was actually a small commune at the time he lived there. No wonder the incredibly busy Van Buskirks are always so laid back; it’s the vibes from another era.

As curious as a cat, I had to take a peek at the Newtown Bee Facebook question of the week to see how Newtowners responded to the most recent quiz, “How would you improve traffic flow at the flagpole?” A lot of strong opinions were offered, but far and away, respondents favored just chillin’ and leaving the flagpole, our own version of the Fenway Park Pesky Pole, just as it is. Close behind that was the suggestion that drivers pay a little more attention to driving or take a few lessons; followed by an equal number of those who would put in traffic lights, make it a left turn only option from Church Hill Road, or get rid of the flagpole altogether. Want to put in your two cents worth on next week’s question? Become a fan of The Bee at facebook.com.

Lots of jeweler wannabes in Newtown love going to The Jewelry Café in Southbury, where they can create their own bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, or purchase a piece from local artists who take part in the cooperative there. Owner Laura Brown tells me that she is extremely excited and honored to have recently been nominated for NICHE magazine’s 2009 Top Retailer Awards. This annual award from the fine crafts trade magazine recognizes 24 retailers and gallery owners as top retailers, and one as Retailer of the Year, says Laura. It highlights those retailers dedicated to fair business practices and strengthening the North American craft community. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Philadelphia on August 2, so I’m wishing Laura the best of luck.

Good luck to some youthful performers, as well. Carolyn, Abby, and Annika Fagerholm, and Christie Halloran have all been spending part of their summer over the border… in Southbury, that is. The girls have been working with Newbury Musical Theatre Company, which has been working on this summer’s production: The Music Man. In this musical, Professor Harold Hill rolls into town planning to swindle the Iowa residents by promising them a boy’s band that he doesn’t ever intend to deliver. His plans are changed, however, when he inadvertently falls in love with Marion Paroo (being played by Samantha McCloghry of Southbury), the town librarian and music teacher. Performances will be in the auditorium at Pomperaug High School, off I-84, exit 16, and are scheduled for Saturday, July 25, at 7 pm; Sunday, July 26, at 2 pm; and Friday and Saturday, July 31 and August 1, at 7 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 senior citizens, and $8 for ages 8 and under, and will be available at the door. Call 264-1009 for reservations and additional information.

Newtown’s own actress/singer/songwriter Tracy James is taking on a big role beginning this weekend, too. Tracy will appear in the lead role of Mrs Robinson in the Torrington Warner Theater production of The Graduate, from July 18 to July 26. She’s a little nervous, but says come see her — just don’t let her know you’re there until you greet her backstage afterward! Call the theater at 860-489-7180 for ticket information.

Ever get a frog in your throat? Dan Holmes, landscaper for the Justamere Farm featured in last weekend’s home and garden tour, shared a tale of such a misery with me. The home and garden tour sponsored by Newtown Historical Society was a great success once again (see Shannon Hicks’s coverage of the event in this week’s Enjoy section and online), but it seems a few people were a little surprised at something they saw at one property. Justamere Farm has a beautiful lily pond within one of its garden rooms, complete with koi fish and frogs. The frogs put up with all the visitors for most of the day, but by late afternoon one was hungry and decided to have a snack… gulping down a fellow frog in one bite right in front of a couple visiting the farm. “This poor lady was traumatized, she told me, by what she had seen,” Dan told me. And rightly so, I say.

Ahem. Excuse me while I clear my throat.

Now, what was I about to say? Oh, yes. Clear out a few minutes on your calendar next week to… Read me again.