Memorial Day weekend is the welcome mat at the threshold of summer and it allows us — at least on a psychological level — to scuff away all the cold mud of our wintry and wet path from the first of the year to here. Time to kick off the sturdy sensible shoes and to go barefoot in the grass. Take a deep breath, let down your defenses for a bit, and greet summer.

Somewhere in all the leisure this weekend affords us, we should take a little time to remember those who didn’t let their defenses down when their country called. This week, Junie Ingram, commander of the local VFW post, was again walking the Village Cemetery, placing flags at the graves of Newtown’s vets as a reminder to us all. The town’s official tribute to who served and died will be on Memorial Day, Monday, at 11 am, at the VFW post at 18 Tinkerfield Road (corner of Wasserman Way and Route 25). Its always a poignant and meaningful ceremony, so make an extra effort this year to be there.

Have you hugged an Emergency Medical Services provider this week? There’s still time. The American College of Emergency Physicians 34th Annual EMS Week started May 20 and runs through May 26. ACEP has dedicated this week to honoring those who provide lifesaving services, and to raise public awareness about health and safety. There are numerous emergency service personnel who go out on a limb (sometimes literally) to help others in Newtown every day. I’m thinking about running down to the ambulance garage before the week is out to give them all a big purr of thanks.

Even though the major windstorm, including a tornado, that hit town on the afternoon of May 16, toppled many trees and tree branches immediately, the damaging effects of the storm persisted for the next several days, with weakened trees and tree limbs falling and bringing down utility lines with them. Let it be said, volunteer firefighters were busy for quite a few days after the storm dealing with the fallen utility lines. They did an incredible job.

Fire Marshal Bill Halstead has decided to reopen the open burning season on May 29 to allow residents to burn brush that was toppled when the big storm came through. Permits are required for opening burning. For details, contact the fire marshal’s office at 270-4370.

Newtown’s Charter Revision Commission has reached a milestone in its mission to help overhaul and modernize our town constitutional document. This week, chairman Al Cramer announced the commission has completed not only addressing all 29 charges presented to the six-member panel by the Legislative Council almost a year ago, but 11 additional items that the commissioners themselves have introduced. Still, I was disappointed to see that they did nothing about establishing a paid town position for feline laureate. Even still, appreciation should be extended to Joan Plouff, LeReine Frampton, Joe Hemingway, Guy Howard, Carolyn Signorelli, and of course, Mr Cramer for all their hard work to date.

I was at the town clerk’s office at Edmond Town Hall this week where Ann Benore was sworn into office by Town Clerk Cindy Simon as a new assistant town clerk. Ms Benore has worked in that office on a part-time basis since last September. Good luck in your new post, Ann.

Melissa Landin is having a great month. First she graduated from Fairfield University, and earlier this week she got a hole-in-one on the par-three sixth hole at Gainfield Farms Golf Course in Southbury. She was playing with her father, Dr Steve Landin, and Jack Rosenthal. Melissa will start with General Electric on July 1.

Pam Ashbahian and Bill Liebold have added another critter to their menagerie of pets and farm animals. Leo, a Jack Russell terrier puppy, joined the big happy group last Sunday, arriving in town from a breeder in Virginia. Leo paid a visit to The Bee on Wednesday, and showed that he was lionhearted enough to warrant his name by barking orders at the three resident dogs at The Bee office. The staff dogs didn’t know quite what to make of the feisty little upstart, but everyone else did as Leo underwent a round robin of hugs and kisses from admiring office workers.

You don’t know how hard it is for this forgotten feline to watch such a unabashed display of affection — to a dog, of all things. I think I’ll have to take nice long nap to try to forget the whole unfortunate incident. But I’ll be back in a much better mood next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.