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TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

If you've been out checking out the post-Christmas bargains on wrapping paper

and ribbons, you may have seen a couple of furtive fellows skulking around the

Christmas light displays. Tom Wilson and Bob Jones, who live across the street

from each other on Appleblossom Lane, have been engaged in a kind of

spy-vs-spy Christmas light competition for the past few weeks.

Each has electrified various trees and shrubs with garlands of lights, usually

in the dead of night when the other isn't looking, in an attempt to surprise

and outshine the other night after night. The tangle of extension cords across

their respective lawns has gotten pretty thick, and after dark their power

meters start to spin and glow almost as brightly as the lights.

When Tom was away recently on a business trip in Texas, Bob thought he could

take a night off from creeping around in the bushes with new strings of lights

and, perhaps, give his electric bill some relief. But someone tipped off Tom,

who called from Texas to point out to Bob that his lights weren't on. Score

one for Tom.

I don't know whether it was divine intervention or retribution from squirrels

who were tired of all the commotion and light in the bushes and trees, but

both Bob and Tom watched helplessly as more and more of their lights winked

out night after night as the squirrels chewed through the wires. Fortunately

for all involved, things are getting back to normal in the neighborhood now

that Christmas has passed. But both men are plotting their strategies for next

year. I'll keep you posted.

John King, who moved with his family from Newtown to Atlanta in 1985, was

doing some surfing on the Internet Monday, and he came across The Bee's

website (www.thebee.com), so he dropped us an e-mail message conveying

greetings to all their old friends in Newtown, especially Al and Gail Cashman.

John says he started a computer imaging studio in Atlanta four years ago, and

Polly is a marriage and family therapist in business for herself, also in

Atlanta. Their daughters, Katie and Julie, are married, and their son, David,

is engaged to be married on June 13 in St Louis. David is a first year medical

student at Emory Medical School.

When the new, improved Booth Library reopens next week, it will be offering

many new, improved programs, including a series of classic and foreign films,

thanks to the donation of a video projector by Sturdevants. The projector

works in conjunction with a VCR and speakers, but unfortunately, the library

has neither a VCR nor extra speakers. If anyone has an extra VCR or speakers

to donate, call the library at 426-1561 and leave word for Andrea.

Don't forget to wish Andy Sedor a happy birthday next week. He turns 84 on

January 9.

There's a new member of the Wasserman household on Walnut Tree Hill Road.

Julia reports that she and Lou recently acquired a third dog -- a

six-month-old English bulldog named Churchill.

Barbara Kasbarian was spotted in the Grand Union this week with a shopping

cart laden with Barbie dolls and other gift items. It's never too early to

begin shopping for next Christmas, Barbara confided.

It's a short week because of the New Year's holiday, and deadlines are

looming, so I'll have to save the rest for next week. Happy New Year everyone,

and don't forget to make a resolution to...

Read me again.