Now that I've rolled myself off of the cushion I collapsed upon after Thanksgiving dinner last week, I'm ready to take on the weekend. Be sure to check our calendar in the paper and online at www.newtownbee.comThat Darn Cat?)Bee intern McKenna Trohalis to our editorial department. McKenna, a senior at Bethel High School, has already been out and about in town with reporter Alissa Silber, seeking input for Bee Lines. McKenna has previously written for her school's newspaper, The Wildcat Word. (Now there's a paper whose name I can relate to.) If you should bump into McKenna in the upcoming weeks, please extend a paw... er, hand... of welcome, and smile pretty for the camera.aroosterw@yahoo.com, if you are interested.

, because there's a lot going on in town. Three tree lightings, a couple of big breakfast opportunities, dancing, music, book sales, greens sales, a tree festival, a train, a trolley, and some beautifully decorated homes open to the public are just a few of the offerings here in town between Friday night and Sunday night. The Holiday Festival, on Sunday, with house tours, events at Edmond Town Hall, and a gingerbread house contest at the library, is hosted by Newtown Savings Bank and benefits Newtown Youth & Family Services, an organization most worthy of your support. I'm sure I'll bump into you somewhere as I weave my way from festivity to festivity. What a great way to welcome the holiday season.

We stuffed ourselves last Thursday. Now is your chance to Stuff-A-Bus. Drivers and staff from All-Star Transportation will be at the Sand Hill Plaza Stop & Shop on Saturday, seeking donations of nonperishable food and household items to support FAITH Food Pantry. The bus will be there from 8 am to 2 pm, so make a point of stopping by and helping to fill every seat in that bus with goods.

It's still a bargain, but take note that as of this Friday, December 2, ticket prices for the movies at Edmond Town Hall Theatre increase from $2 to $3 per person. There have been so many recent improvements to the space that make viewing a movie here enjoyable, so I don't think anyone begrudges this small jump in price. I know I'll still be curling up on one of the comfy seats when my favorite movies come to town. (Isn't it time for a revival of

FAITH Food Pantry Director Lee Paulsen didn't know what to think when an occasional, anonymous benefactor asked her if any hungry Newtown residents still needed a turkey during a pre-Thanksgiving visit November 17. She replied that there were still a number of outstanding requests to fill, and the mystery visitor departed. A short time later, Steve Ford, from Butcher's Best Country Market, called the pantry and said the benefactor showed up and ordered 36 fresh turkeys to be delivered immediately. While Ms Paulsen does not know the donor, she believes he has made several significant donations in the past. With so many fresh turkeys available to distribute to local families, the pantry was able to conserve additional stocks of already frozen turkeys, which will now be passed out ahead of the Christmas holiday. Mystery man, you are a Good Egg!

Sundays At The Sanctuary, sponsored by the CVH Foundation, are taking off in popularity. CVH volunteer Harmony Verna shared this picture from Sunday, November 27, and tells me, "Over 300 people attended Sunday's event at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary as they tucked in the property for winter. Those in attendance took hayrides, made bird feeders and bunny bungalows, chucked pumpkins into the fields for winter food for the animals, built fairy houses and gnome homes, learned about waterfowl, created animal art, sipped hot chocolate and spent time outdoors with family and friends."

We would like to officially welcome new

Are you feeling the need to ring in the season? The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help out the next couple of weekends at various locations in Newtown. Kids and pets can join their grown-ups, or high schoolers seeking to add to community service hours are welcome. Call Anna at 203-426-1035 (H) or 203-417-3004 (C) or e-mail her at

Ralph Branca, a 12-year Major League baseball pitcher known for giving up the "shot heard 'round the world," passed away on November 23, at the age of 90. But I hear there is a lot more to the man who served up New York Giant Bobby Thomson's blast to win the 1951 pennant over Branca's Brooklyn Dodgers. Branca became a successful financial executive after his baseball career and ran the Baseball Assistance Team organization for 17 years, helping those who faced financial difficulties following their baseball careers. Branca's financial career took him right here where I work (and catch mice - I could have been a catcher had I played baseball like Branca). Back to the point, he was part of a financial company that did work with The Bee. He was here many years back and former Bee Sports Editor Bill Brassard had a chance to meet and interview Branca while the former ball player signed some balls for lucky fans.

I'll get the ball rolling for next week, if you promise to... Read me again.