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TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN

I think I need to get a life. All I do these warm sunny days is sit in a back

window of The Bee and sun myself. Then I stretch, do some yoga - The Sun

Salutation - then go home to munch cat snacks and watch TV.

But, you know, if you sit in front of the tube long enough, you will see some

pretty interesting things. For instance, last weekend I was watching the

Learning Channel on cable and saw this amazing show explaining spontaneous

human combustion. (It's a little technical, so I won't try to give you a

synopsis, but Dickens used it in a novel, so you know it's not just a trendy

thing these days.) Anyway, the same station aired a documentary about the

murder of Helle Crafts in the notorious woodchipper case. It was all about the

remarkable forensics work done by Dr Henry Lee and his crew at the state crime

lab that led to the conviction of Mrs Crafts' husband, Richard.

Speaking of imprisonment, Donny Bauch of Newtown, a correction officer at

Garner, had the honor of singing the "Star Spangled Banner" on Flag Day, June

14, at the state Department of Correction's annual awards ceremonies for DOC

employees. I wonder what he'll do to top the National Anthem on the Fourth of

July.

Is your corn knee-high? I don't know about veggies, but

beautification-by-way-of-flowers has hit a section of Elm Drive - the Amaral

residence. A garden, which took root on top of a hill, has now made its way

down toward the road, thanks to the efforts of Carol Amaral. She is out there

a great deal of time, and deserves kudos from all of us who enjoy driving (or

trotting) by the property. Funny, I have never seen Danny out there with a hoe

or rake in hand. Guess he is sticking to wrenches, tow trucks, and long hours

at the garage these days.

Most people have already planted their gardens, but Beryl Harrison said she is

just now putting in some flower seeds. That way, she explained, she'll have

blooms in October.

Pssssssttt. I think the owners of a lot of my canine friends will soon be in

the dog house. It seems only 800 people in town have licensed their dogs, and

according to past records, the number should be about 2,000. State officials

are sending representatives door to door to see who owns a dog that is not

licensed. Honest. Just ask Assistant Dog Warden George Mattegat or Pound

Keeper Pat Anzellotti. So, if you've been lolly-gagging - get to the town

clerk's office and license your best friend.

Well, I know a kid's best friend can often be someone who works in the school

system. I just heard that St Rose School Principal Donna DeLuca will return to

her post next year, after receiving the okay from area pastors last Friday.

The Newtown resident, who originally took over the post temporarily (and at a

50 percent cut in pay!), has been popular ever since her arrival. So I wasn't

surprised to learn that cheers were offered from many parents, teachers and

others connected with the parochial school who heard the news. As one parent

noted, St Rose is lucky to have her.

I got a note the other day from my Uncle Ben Lochridge, a former Southport

resident now living in Florida. He was checking to see if I was okay after

that large tree limb fell onto the roof at The Bee office. Actually, it did

not hit in the area where I now work, but came down on top of the office of

Horses Monthly, our new paper. Uncle Ben also mentioned that falling trees in

Florida can also be serious, especially when they are accompanied by a shower

of coconuts. But that might be an easy way to make pina coladas. V erdad?

Inspired? Well, after you dig out all those fruity beverage recipes for summer

consumption, be sure to...

Read me again.