Belated birthday wishes to Bill Halstead. The longtime chief of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company and the town’s former fire marshal celebrated a milestone birthday on Friday, January 18. The following night, Bill was the guest of honor at a surprise party coordinated by his wife, Deb, who was very proud that she was able to pull one over on her husband. Friends and family celebrated with the septuagenarian well into the evening, with everyone arriving home safely before the winter storm rolled into the area.

Speaking of that storm, I know it caused a lot of damage and inconvenience for many, but we really were treated to a veritable fairyland the next couple of days. Single digit temperatures kept the ice coating on the branches (and everything else) through Tuesday evening, and sunshine made our world sparkle. There’s that silver lining, if you were looking for one.

One of the casualties of last weekend’s ice storm was the January 20 performance by Waterbury Symphony Orchestra scheduled at Trinity Church. “Heroic Music for Brass & Organ,” which was to be the debut of WSO in that beautiful space, was canceled, but those who were looking forward to hearing that program still have an opportunity to do so. WSO will be at St John’s Episcopal Church, 16 Church Street in Waterbury, on Sunday, January 27, with the same program, which will showcase the New England premiere of Douglas Hedwig’s A Certain Slant of Light. Maestro Leif Bjaland will lead members of the WSO in ensemble and solo works for brass and organ with guest organist Matthew Daley. The concert is part of the Music in Great Spaces series, featuring works by Clarke, Gigout, Handel, Purcell, and others. Tickets are $25 in advance or $35 at the door for adults, $10 for college students, and $5 for children. Ticket holders will be invited to a post-performance reception. Reservations and additional information are available by calling 203-574-4238 or visiting [naviga:u]waterburysymphony.org[/naviga:u].

Meanwhile, one program that was also affected by Sunday’s weather — [naviga:u]a program at C.H. Booth Library with author Mike Reiss[/naviga:u] — has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 26. Mike has worked on The Simpsons continuously since episode one in 1999 — and will be at 25 Main Street for a 4 pm program. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the animated series, the show’s longest-serving writer and producer offers a humorous look at the writing and making of the legendary Fox series that has become one of the most revered artistic achievements in television history in his release, Springfield Confidential: Jokes, Secrets, and Outright Lies from a Lifetime Writing for The Simpsons. If you don’t already have one, copies of the book will be available for purchase (and autographs) Saturday afternoon. Register at [naviga:u]chboothlibrary.org[/naviga:u].

We hear from FAITH Food Pantry that there are a few items that are running low on the shelves. If you can donate, please consider bringing these items to the pantry, located behind St Rose of Lima Catholic Church at 46 Church Hill Road: ketchup, coffee, shampoo, liquid dishwashing soap, laundry detergent, cookies, canned and dry cat food, canned dog food, and corned beef hash. Donations can be dropped off Tuesdays between 9:30 and 11:30 am or Thursdays between 6 and 7:30 pm. There is a donation box for FAITH located right inside the front door of The Newtown Bee office at 5 Church Hill Road, as well. Visit us anytime during regular office hours, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.

Anyone who knows of servicemen and -women serving overseas who would like to receive some special valentines, please contact American Legion Post 202 ASAP. Post 202 is organizing Valentines for Troops once again, and those cards and letters are scheduled to be sent out the end of this month. Contact americanlegionnewtown@gmail.com for information.

Here is another opportunity to help. Newtown Savings Bank has notified us that the bank “has partnered with the Danbury Hospital Foundation to raise funds to purchase Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) for all Newtown Police patrol cars.” Newtown Savings Bank will match all gifts received up to $5,000. You can send your checks, payable to the DH & NMH Foundation, to Newtown Savings Bank, 39 Main Street, Newtown CT 06470, Attn: Tanya Truax.

If children of the 1980s and 1990s are wondering Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego? the answer, apparently, is “on Netflix.” The new animated series for young adults, Carmen Sandiego, features actress Gina Rodriquez as Carmen’s voice. I wonder how many 20- and 30-somethings will be curled up binging this?

DiLillo Real Estate, 162 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel, is hosting Wrap-A-Rescue to provide animal rescue/shelter organizations with items to keep critters comfy while in care. Drop off clean towels, blankets, flat sheets, or pillowcases (laundered please!) and DiLillo’s will see that they get to groups that can use them in Fairfield, Litchfield, Westchester, and Putnam Counties. Items can be dropped off at the office Friday, January 25, 4 to 8 pm; Saturday, January 26, 10 am to 4 pm; Sunday, January 27, 10 am to 4 pm. No donations left outside the office, please. E-mail [naviga:u]coopcanines@sbcglobal.net[/naviga:u] or call 203-512-5886 with questions.

I’m not sure if having four feet disqualifies him, but Little Bear — not a bear at all, but a horse — is getting in shape for the 2019 Soccer World Cup, it seems. The little quarter horse spent a bit of last Friday working on his dribbling at Long Meadow Horse Stable, according to owner Tracy Van Buskirk. The big question is, how will Little Bear do with a regulation size ball?

Staying up ‘til midnight on Sunday night was worthwhile for anyone hoping to see the lunar eclipse. The blood wolf supermoon gave a pretty performance for late-nighters willing to brave the bitter temperatures, blushing a rust-colored red as the earth’s shadow passed across it. Even those whose eyes were too tired to stay open for the eclipse were treated earlier to the full moon’s light sparkling on the ice-coated branches that had resulted from the day’s ice storm.

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation offers this wildlife tip that seems timely, considering the fluctuations in temperatures lately. “Winter can be hard on wildlife, so leaving high fat foods such as nuts, suet, and seeds can greatly help our furry and feathered friends. Please never leave bread or crackers, which offer zero nutritional value and deplete energy levels. Also, a little bowl of fresh water goes a long way when natural water sources are frozen.”

Among the zero-waste stores highlighted at [naviga:u]marthastewart.com[/naviga:u] is a familiar name: BD Provisions. The 123 South Main Street shop (behind Butcher’s Best) was recently highlighted in the article “Are Zero-Waste Grocery Stores the New Way to Shop?” I have to mention, as well, Sandy Hook’s own Maple Craft Foods, which strives to be socially responsible by supporting fundraising efforts of volunteer and nonprofit groups. Way to go, Newtown business owners!

Get ready for “Snow Much Fun!” That Parks & Rec program takes place from 6 to 8:30 pm, this Friday evening, January 25, at the ice rink up at Fairfield Hills. Lucy the Motorized Polar Bear is expected to attend, and there will be a food truck, games, music, a bonfire — and hopefully, skating. Be quick if you have not done so already — register at [naviga:u]https://www.newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation[/naviga:u].

Think you’re smart? Well, at least well-educated? If you’re from Connecticut, that may be true. According to a recent study by [naviga:u]https://wallethub.com/[/naviga:u], our state ranks fourth of the 50 states in percentage of residents who are Bachelor’s Degree holders, and third in the percentage of residents who are graduate- or professional-degree holders. I guess that’s worthy of bragging rights.

You can be a real smarty pants if you promise next week to... Read me again.