Date: Fri 06-Feb-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

Mountain-skunk

Full Text:

TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

Here's a puzzle for you: How should one hungry, trapped skunk be removed from

the bottom of an empty swimming pool during the dead of winter without the

remover getting sprayed for his efforts?

Mailman Gary Allen called The Bee Wednesday afternoon because he had spotted a

skunk in just such a predicament while driving his route, and he wondered what

he could do for the poor critter. Unfortunately, the owner of the property was

away and Newtown's animal control officer, George Mattegat, is out sick this

week. Not wanting to see the poor creature starve to death, Mr Allen has been

tossing dog biscuits and kibble into the empty pool, which he says the skunk

gratefully gobbles up. And there is still some water left in the bottom for it

to drink.

Local wildlife rehabilitator Pat Hubert suggested the skunk might climb out on

its own if a plank or heavy log were secured at an angle "and tied to a nearby

tree or some other firm object so it wouldn't roll over." We hope that someone

-- the owner, the police, the animal control officer or Mr Allen -- can figure

a way to bring this story to a happy conclusion. Stay tuned...

Prior to Monday night's meeting of the Board of Selectmen, First Selectman

Herb Rosenthal held a question and answer session with a group of Webelo Cub

Scouts from Pack 170. The curious scouts grilled the first selectman with all

sorts of questions, including "What is your favorite song?" "Are you married?"

and "What would happen if everyone moved out of town?"

After several long nights of budget deliberations, Mr Rosenthal seemed pleased

that no one asked him about the town's spending plan.

If your own spending plan for the coming year includes a cash donation to the

Faith Food Pantry in Sandy Hook, now is the time to do it. A multi-millionaire

philanthropist has issued a challenge to communities that have soup kitchens

and food pantries. He says he will match all donations of $25 or more, up to a

total of $1 million, made between February 4-14. All donations must be made by

check (not cash). Nancy Taylor, treasurer of the Faith Food Pantry, has to

submit the results of the campaign in a letter postmarked February 18, so act

soon. Donations payable to the Faith Food Pantry should be sent c/o Nancy

Taylor at 31 Zoar Road, Sandy Hook, 06482.

If Herb Rosenthal and Joe Bojnowski ever find themselves out of work and

needing a job, they would make great sommeliers. Some people who should know

were ably served by the two Democratic selectmen at a gourmet dinner last

weekend. The Democrats were fulfilling a pledge made at a party fundraiser

last October when they raffled off the gourmet meal.

Newtown Police Lt Dave Lydem has reached his 30-year anniversary with the

local police force.

The boss wants me to tell everyone that there's a big supply of newsprint on

roll-ends on the loading dock at The Bee's Commerce Road printing plant that

is free for the taking. There was a big run on the paper during the holidays,

when people were using it for packing material. It's also great for kids' art

projects.

If you find yourself with an urge to go shopping Saturday night once you have

finished having dinner at this month's United Methodist Church spaghetti

dinner, an art auction might be just the thing you need. NHS Band Parents are

hosting an art auction at the Sandy Hook Firehouse -- just a few hundred yards

away from the church, on Riverside Road -- that same night. Admission is $5

per person. The money raised by this auction will benefit a trip the high

school's choral students are planning to Italy.

Preview begins at 7 pm; the sale at 8. The sale itself is being run by Ross

Galleries, from Holbrook, N.Y. There is a wide selection of work, and we hear

bidding will open at prices up to 50 percent less than what you will see at a

traditional gallery. All of the works are already custom framed and matted.

And if by some chance you don't have enough at the spaghetti dinner, or

wherever you have dinner that night, there will be refreshments available at

the auction.

Did you hear about the new law they have in West Virginia that allows people

to eat roadkill? I thought it was a joke, but I guess they're serious about it

down there. It'll be a long time before I ever go near a road in West Virginia

again, especially at lunch time on those long stretches of I-79 with no rest

stops in sight.

I am scheduled to be on the menu here at The Bee once again next week, so...

Read me again.