Here it is, August, the dog days of summer. We have been spared the usual sultry days and nights so far, but the month is still young. Dog days were originally named for the Dog Star Sirius, which once appeared in the sky at sunrise during this time of the year. I also recall reading somewhere that the ancients (of some civilization — maybe a land where cats were worshipped?) used to sacrifice a brown dog to Sirius at the start of this season…. Uh oh. There is a certain brown dog at The Bee who better watch his back. Run, Deeke, run!

There is some exciting music happening at McLaughlin Vineyards over the next few weeks. Grammy Award winner Stacy Phillips, a dobro (resonant guitar) player accompanied by a fiddler, will be under the tent at the Alberts Hill vineyard this Sunday, August 9, from 1 to 4 pm. Tickets are $15 in advance and the price of admission includes a wine tasting and logo glass. Call 426-1533 for reservations or go to McLaughlinVineyards.com for information and directions. Another Grammy winner, Will Ackerman, will perform Saturday, September 5, at 7 pm. Will plays New Age guitar and is the founder of the Windham Hill record label. Sounds like a great opportunity to hear some first class music and sample some first class wine. What better way to wile away the last days of summer?

Newtown High School welcomed a new teacher this week, and he will not be able to commute from home while working at the school. NHS Principal Charles Dumais was excited to share with one of our reporters this week that Ding Hong, a teacher from the school’s Chinese sister school, Liaocheng Middle School No. 3 in the Shandong Province, arrived this week. Mr Hong will be teaching three Chinese language courses and will be working with the Social Studies Department on the Asian studies courses. Welcome Mr Hong! We’re hoping here at The Bee you will enjoy your stay in Newtown, and if you come to visit our office, don’t be surprised to see a handsome cat typing away. 

Congratulations to a fellow member of the media community. CommuniTyVision 21, the local public access channel operated by Charter Communications, received recognition recently at the New England Cable and Telecommunications Association (NECTA) annual public service awards gala. CommuniTyVision 21 was awarded First Place for its TV spot campaign promoting “Recycle Your Videotapes,” produced by Megan Irwin. Producer Mark Ingram received an honorable mention award for his video titled “Cyber Bullying.” This 60-minute program featured three local professionals, Gary Gramling, Chris Delia, and Alex Boianghu, who shared their knowledge regarding Internet safety, including training parents to recognize and stop cyberbullying, harassment, taunting, and teasing.

Town Clerk Debbie Aurelia’s office always has something interesting on hand. I noticed recently that she has a stack of postcards that bear an interesting image, a view of the town clerk’s office in Edmond Town Hall as it looked in 1932. Compared to today’s office, it was a pretty austere affair — spartan, you might say. I bet if you asked her to see one of the sepia-toned postcards, you would be impressed with how things have changed in the past 77 years.

I’ve been feeling a little slap happy this summer, and it’s no wonder. With all of the rain, mosquitoes have had the perfect conditions in which to reproduce. The State of Connecticut Mosquito Management site has some useful suggestions for keeping the mosquito population under control. Dispose of tin cans, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar water-holding containers that have accumulated on your property. Empty standing water from used or discarded tires that may have accumulated on your property (e.g., tire swings). Drill holes in the bottom of recycling containers that are left outdoors. Clean clogged roof gutters on an annual basis, particularly if the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug up the drains. Turn over plastic wading pools when not in use. Turn over wheelbarrows and do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths. Change water in birdbaths and wading pools on a weekly basis. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools that are not being used. Be aware that mosquitoes may even breed in the water that collects on swimming pool covers.

August is a busy time for town workers, and I see that workers at Edmond Town Hall have been busy sanding the floor of the Alexandria Room for its refinishing. The work there is part on an ongoing project to improve the facility to make it better suited for the functions held there. In a building that size, it just seems that improvement projects never end.

Speaking of improvements, the police department recently outfitted its lobby and interview room with stylish new chairs, and I did a “three bears” thing by trying out each and every one. The new padded, purple fabric-covered chairs are modern looking and much more comfortable than the basic chairs that they replace. The interview room, though, still retains its eclectic charm, with the prime seating there being a hardwood church pew.

I know those Good Eggs are out there doing their good deeds, summer or not. If you know someone who is just too nice for words, who always gets the job done, but is rarely recognized for all that he or she does, why not nominate them for a Top of the Mountain Good Egg Award? Send your nomination to Nancy@thebee.com, subject: Good Egg. I’ll be watching for your suggestions!

Speaking of suggestions, thanks for the thumbs up on my weekly Facebook note called “Feed The Cat” from Lauren Gagne — but don’t be shy, folks. If you want to feed the cat, become a fan of The Bee on Facebook. Your bit of nice but newsy gossip from around town could climb to the Top of the Mountain.

As for me, I’m climbing into the nearest hammock for my afternoon nap. I’ll keep one eye open for the goings-on around town, though, so next week be sure to… Read me again.