The January 13 Poynter Report included a link to a report by Sarah Ferris and Heather Caygle. If one of those names seems familiar, maybe it is because Sarah is a NHS Class of 2010 grad and was an intern here at The Newtown Bee — or maybe she scooped some ice cream for you at Ferris Acres! Sarah, who was in the Capitol during the January 6 attack, contributes to this article: politico.com/news/2021/01/12/nancy-pelosi-trump-impeachment-personal-riots-457779.

Welcome back to school, Newtown Middle School and High School students! The older learners returned to the school buildings full time, in person, this past Tuesday. Younger students have been safely attending schools since January 4. While pandemic protocols are in place for all students, the return to some semblance of normalcy is a welcome relief for those kids and families who have been emotionally and scholastically challenged by remote learning. We remain hopeful that this is a mode of learning that can now continue through the end of the school year.

If only international travel were possible for a cat these days. I learned through an ABC News video that a network of artists, calling themselves Anonymouse, in recent years have been creating little buildings, as if for mice, across Europe. If a mini-Bee building sprouted here, I’d spy on the mice all day. The video is still available to watch on Facebook, facebook.com/ABCNews/posts/10160602364923812. Call me a hungry cat — for gossip — but I would love to see such a thing in Newtown.

NPR reported last week on one of the dogs that is taking up residence in the White House with Pres Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The Bidens have two German shepherds, Champ and Major. Major has a “wags to riches” tale, according to NPR. Adopted from the Delaware Humane Association — that shelter held a virtual “indoguration” for Major this past Sunday — Major was one of six very sick German shepherd puppies received by the shelter two years ago, but with care, they recovered. And then-Senator Biden fostered and then adopted Major. Sunday’s “indoguration,” was co-hosted by Pumpkin Pet Insurance, and featured Jill Martin of NBC’s Today show. Proceeds were to support the Delaware Humane Association. (Major also happens to be the Biden dog with whom the president was playing when the president fractured his foot last month.) Even if you didn’t make it to the indoguration, you can still support Major’s early caretaker shelter at delawarehumaneassociation.salsalabs.org/indoguration/index.html. Or consider supporting our local shelter in honor of the First Dogs!

Of course, by the time you read this, the inauguration of the 46th President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden, Jr, will have taken place (equally as intriguing as the indoguration). A historic event on many counts, we wish the best to the leader of this country. President Biden has quite a ship to sail, and challenges to overcome to keep us on an even keel.

Newtown Youth & Family Services is inviting everyone to join them in showing appreciation to hometown heroes this Valentine’s Day. Readers are invited to say Thank You to soldiers serving overseas by making a card and dropping it off at NYFS. Cards should be no larger than most birthday cards — approximately 5 by 7 inches, say organizers — and they need to be dropped off at 15 Berkshire Road by Monday, February 1. Call 203-270-4335 for additional information or if you have any questions.

The American Legion Post 202 also is hoping residents will take part in its Valentines for Troops program, sending cards and/or treats for troops in all of the service branches. To participate, reach out to Senior Vice Commander Donna A. Monteleone at americanlegionnewtown@gmail.com or call 203-577-9568.

A recent note from longtime Newtown resident Carol Benson, whom many know from her years of activity at Newtown Congregational Church and her lovely addition to the alto section of the Newtown Choral Society, lets us know that she has made a big move — to Maine. Carol’s new home will be in Blue Hill, Maine, where she and her daughter and son-in-law have purchased 20 acres of land and will be building on it. Currently living in Surry, Maine, as they await construction start, we are jealous to hear she can view Cadillac Mountain from the beach nearby. If you’d like to send Carol a note, she would be happy to hear from all the folks in Newtown she misses: PO Box 1672, Blue Hill ME 04614. Best wishes to Carol and her family!

It’s a little more than a rumor, but with fingers crossed, Friends of the C.H. Booth Library has set a date for the Annual Book Sale. Those who lamented the loss of the sale last summer, when the pandemic put the kibosh on that event, can mark their calendars for July 10-14, 2021. The categorized rows of more than 130,000 books, media, and other treasures will hopefully once again fill the rooms of Reed Intermediate School for those five days, and bibliophiles can once again revel in the glory of the various means of communication. Now that’s a four-paws-up salute for positive thinking! For up-to-date information on the sale, and how to donate gently used books and media, visit boothbooksale.org.

Speaking of our town’s beloved library, there is still time to help the institution this month through the Big Y Cares program. Shoppers at the Queen Street supermarket this month who purchase one of the $2.50 reusable Community Bags will be adding to donation that will be made to the library. For each bag purchased, the library will receive $1 from Big Y.

There is still dire need for blood donations. Upcoming drives at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, are Thursday, January 28, from 9 am to 6 pm, and Friday, January 29, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. Donate by January 31, 2021 to be eligible to win a trip to Superbowl 2022! Pandemic protocols apply and all donations will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

As we celebrated the late civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, on Monday, I gathered together some of my favorite quotes from his speeches. They remain as relevant today as they were more than five decades ago.

“Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals.” (August 1959)

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” (1963)

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” (April 1963)

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.” (1967)

“The time is always right to do what is right.” (1965)

I doubt my words from this column will ever be considered as historical as those of Dr King’s, but I hope that you will take time next week, anyway, to... Read me again.