Here it is the end of February and our thoughts are already drifting ahead to the town’s big end-of-summer party, otherwise known as the Labor Day Parade. Last week, Judge Bill Lavery was on the front page of The Bee for being tapped grand marshal of the 2007 version of the parade. Bill is president of the Booth Library Board of Directors, and this year’s parade is honoring the library on its 75th anniversary.

This week we learn that parade organizers are sending out an early plea for funds, because every year the parade gets more expensive, and every year local support lags until the very last minute. Committee member Beth Caldwell thinks it would be nice this year if parade organizers didn’t have to do so much midsummer nail biting over how to meet all the parade expenses. Last year, the parade committee spent nearly $14,000 just on bands and exhibitors.

So anyone who wants to help the parade get on track early this year may mail checks to Newtown Labor Day Parade, PO Box 746, Newtown CT 06470 or to Newtown Labor Day Parade, c/o Newtown Savings Bank, PO Box 497, Newtown CT 06470.

A heavy brass plaque bearing the words “Town Clerk” is affixed to the doorway of Town Clerk Cynthia Simon’s office at Edmond Town Hall. An unknown person recently sought to New Englandize that sign somewhat by posting above the plaque a paper sign bearing the words “Ye Olde Town Clerk Office.”

Seeing what had happened, some of the town clerk’s co-workers took it upon themselves to add yet another sign below the brass plaque. That paper appendix bears the legend “Ye Young Assistant Town Clerks’ Office Also.”

Two Newtown artists currently have their works in two very different locations. Stephanie Adam is showing some of her works in “Microspace” at Cheryl McGinnis Gallery in New York City. Six female artists are being featured in this show, which celebrates Women’s History Month, and will continue until March 24. Dick McEvoy, meanwhile, is being featured in “Dick McEvoy: Seasons of the Year,” a collection of his acrylics on view at The Discovery Museum in Bridgeport until April 15.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the 2007 Confirmation class of Newtown United Methodist Church participated in a national campaign called “Souper Sunday.” Through the generosity of the NUMC congregation, the class collected and donated 1,129 food items and $95 to FAITH Food Pantry. NUMC Confirmation classes have participated in Souper Sunday for the past five years.

The next Saturday Pasta Dinner and Coffee House at Newtown United Methodist Church will take place March 3 in the church’s fellowship hall, 92 Church Hill Road in Sandy Hook. Believe it or not, this monthly gathering of food and fellowship is now in its 17th year. In honor of this being the 17th anniversary of NUMC Pasta Dinners, a free ticket for admission to the NUMC Coffee House will be given to every 17th person who buys a dinner. Dinner is served from 5 to 7:30 pm with donation being $8 per adult, $7 for seniors, and $3.50 for children. The coffee house follows at 7:45. The entertainment donation is $3 with dinner or $4 without.

The library is still seeking quilters to help with the creation of special children’s author/illustrator embellished quilts that will be raffled off this year. Money raised from the raffles will go to the Children’s Department of the C.H. Booth Library. If you can do a running stitch and have a few Saturdays in March that you can commit to being at the library, you are more than qualified to sign up. And not to fear, expert quilters will be on hand to guide you through the process. Call the library at 426-4533 to sign up.

The denizens of The Bee editorial department got a break from their steady diet of popcorn from the office popcorn machine on Tuesday this week, when they feasted on lasagna, salad, and desserts from Sal E Pepe’s Restaurant, which was their prize for a winning a fundraising competition among the various departments at the newspaper. The reporters and editors contributed more money than their counterparts in the production, advertising, and business departments for an American Cancer Society fundraiser. All told, The Bee staffers came up with $602 for the ACS.

Unfortunately, the lasagna disappeared quickly, which means we’re back on our popcorn diet, which means I’ve got to go floss. But I’ll be back next week, so be sure to…

Read me again.