Four-time Emmy-winner Mike Reiss — who has worked on The Simpsons continuously since episode one in 1989 — will be at C.H. Booth Library this weekend. The show’s longest-serving writer and producer continues to celebrate the release in June of Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons. Mr Reiss’s program will begin at 2 pm on Sunday in the lower meeting room of the library, 25 Main Street, Bring your already worn copy of Springfield Confidential with you, and the author will sign it. If you need to purchase one, copies of the book will be available for purchase. Registration is requested and can be done online at chboothlibrary.org or by calling 203-426-4533.

What could be more deliciously fun than National Popcorn Day? It’s celebrated this year on Saturday, January 19, according to [naviga:u]https://www.popcorn.org/[/naviga:u]. The website has a bunch of facts about popcorn and activities that might be just the ticket for a snowy day at home. Popcorn air hockey, anyone? (I’m intrigued by the Popcorn Haiku: “Oil, kernel, heat, time/Many loud explosions heard/Pop, crunch, snack time. Yum!” Pretty sure someone can beat that verse...)

We may be a few weeks into 2019 — when the vast majority of resolutions have not only been dropped to the curb, but also run over a few times — but Connecticut Choral Society (CCS) President Jenny Dickson is still helping local vocalists combine their love of making music with hopes for good health. As Jenny pointed out a few weeks ago, singing has been scientifically shown to help both mental and physical health. Weekly singing opportunities are available for those who still want to audition for CCS’s spring season. Auditions continue on the next two Mondays — January 21 and 28 — between 6 and 7 pm; appointments can be scheduled by calling 888-927-2933 or sending an e-mail to info@ctchoralsociety.org. Rehearsals are conducted each Monday from 7:30 to 9:30 pm, at the church at 36 Main Street. Those who are selected to sing, still under the baton of the celebrated conductor Eric Dale Knapp, will be invited to be part of the roster for spring concerts celebrating the genius of Leonard Bernstein. CCS singers will also have an opportunity to participate in summer performances in Europe.

No auditions necessary, just a love of singing and learning, when you join Newtown Choral Society. Rehearsals for the May 18 spring concert begin Wednesday, January 23, 7 to 9 pm, in the choral room of Newtown Middle School on Queen Street. Contact Laura at lel@se-ltd.com for more information.

The Resiliency Center of Newtown, 153 South Main Street, has some public events in the works. RCN will host a coffee hour on Monday, January 28, at 9 am, as well as Laura Kara from Kara Acupuncture & Wellness on the benefits of acupuncture. Register by e-mailing beth@resiliencycenterofnewtown.org by January 25. Also, mark your calendar for the RCN Kentucky Derby Party on Derby day, May 4, details to come.

Susan Horn informs us that her son Ryan S. Horn of Sandy Hook is the recent awardee of the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC) Outstanding Member of the Year 2018 and the NVAC Top Responder of the Year 2018. He responded to more than 600 calls in Newtown. Ryan is currently studying nursing at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Thank you for helping so many of your neighbors, Ryan!

The memory of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr, will be honored on Monday, January 21. Rev King, a Baptist minister and social activist of the 1950s and ‘60s and recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize, is known for promoting equality and rights for African Americans — as well as for others in need of an advocate — through peaceful protest. He took part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the 1963 March on Washington that moved forward the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. It was at that March on Washington that Rev King delivered his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. He was assassinated in Memphis, Tenn., on April 4, 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr, Day has been a US Federal Holiday since 1986. There’s no arguing with this cat that Rev King was a pretty great example for all. Let’s remember on Monday why schools and government businesses are closed and reflect on how we might make this world a better place.

American Legion Post 202 wants to make sure any local residents currently on active duty in the military hear from their hometown around Valentine’s Day next month. Anyone with a family member, friend, or neighbor who is currently serving is invited to share the name and mailing address of those folks with the local Post. Send that information to americanlegion@gmail.com. Cards and letters will be mailed by the end of January.

Winter is the perfect time for visiting a book store, and one of the few independent book stores in the area is just a few miles away, in Bethel. Check out byrdsbooks.com to find out about upcoming author events, book groups, and more that take place at the Greenwood Avenue Byrd’s Books shop. There’s always something of interest for book lovers.

We see on Facebook that US Army Corps of Engineers Far East District’s former relocation officer and former Newtown Legislative Council member, Captain Christopher J. LaRocque, was presented the Steel Order of the de Fleury medal by Colonel Robert J. Clark, Commander, Wilmington District, on behalf of Col Teresa A. Schlosser, Far East District Commander. The award was presented in recognition of his efforts during the Far East District’s successful relocation of its headquarters to Camp Humphreys. The de Fleury Medal, an award of the US Army Engineer Association, was named in honor of François-Louis Teissèdre de Fleury, a French Engineer in the Continental Army. Capt LaRocque returned to North Carolina last fall after serving one year with the Far East District.

Sponsors are currently sought for the Second Annual Run 4 Hunger that will take place Saturday, May 11, at Fairfield Hills campus. The 5K is presented by the Knights of Columbus Council No. 185-At Our Gate and will raise awareness and support FAITH Food Pantry, which provides food assistance to local residents. Visit [naviga:u]https://www.run4hunger-newtown.com/[/naviga:u] for details on sponsorship.

Going on a trip? Don’t forget to take The Newtown Bee! What? That’s right; pack the paper and take a picture of yourself, families, or friends with it in front of a recognizable landmark or sign. Then submit it to editor@thebee.com. We’ll publish photos as space permits, but better yet, in January 2020, we’ll reward the travelers who took The Bee the furthest with $100 — and visitors to the furthest points north and south will each get $50.

You don’t have to travel far at all, though, to... Read me again.