People outside of Newtown sometimes have misconceptions about this lovely place. Each staff member here has heard at least once, when discussing with a non-Newtown resident about working for a newspaper here in town, “Nothing happens in Newtown.” Those people clearly know little about it. There Is Always Something Happening in Newtown. Trust us.

Aside from the fact that staff here at The Newtown Bee manages to cram 20 or more pages full of Newtown-based content every week, and The Bee’s online calendar at newtownbee.com/calendar is an almost definitive listing of every event happening around town from library programs and town meetings to fundraising and other special events. This Saturday, February 22, has 11 events alone, with similar amounts of events almost every day.

Among highlights of upcoming events on The Bee’s calendar are a 10 am Saturday, February 22, event at Newtown Community Center — Coffee and Conversation with Representatives Mitch Bolinsky, Marty Foncello, and Senator Tony Hwang. Announced this week, the lawmakers say they are hosting the Coffee and Conversation to discuss the state budget, what it means for us, and what the next steps and initiatives are to offer transparency on Connecticut’s fiscal health and budget discourse to taxpayers.

Showing even more evidence that there is Always Something Happening In Newtown is the C.H. Booth Library’s monthly e-mail newsletter. Found at chboothlibrary.org/contact/sign-up-for-emails/, it is an excellent way to keep up on everything happening at the library. Also see The Bee’s coverage — including our weekly column in addition to press releases and staff-written features — for deep dives on some upcoming programming.

Among highlights in the most recent newsletter is an ongoing appeal for donations as part of the library’s Winter Appeal 2025, an income tax program available on Thursdays from February 6 through April 10, the availability of the library’s subscription to Mango Languages to learn a variety of languages including American Sign Language, and information on The Palace Project app.

The Palace Project is an app that brings together C.H. Booth Library’s Libby offerings (a program that lets libraries give patrons access to ebooks and audiobooks) and those offered by the Connecticut State Library. Simply download the free Palace app from your device’s App Store — available on both Android and Apple devices. Palace supports the mission of libraries by providing equitable access to digital knowledge, bolstering the relationship between libraries and patrons, respecting patron privacy, and enabling libraries to serve all their econtent in a single app. Funded by a $5 million investment from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, there is no cost to library cardholders to access or use the app.

Newtown Historical Society has a print newsletter that is available by visiting their website and signing up by email, at newtownhistory.org/.

One upcoming event includes an Antiques Appraisal Day in conjunction with The Matthew Curtis House Open House, on Saturday, April 12, from 12 to 4 pm.

According to the Historical Society’s site, “After many years, the much-anticipated Antiques Appraisal Day is making a return. Sponsored by the Newtown Historical Society, enthusiasts and collectors are invited to uncover the hidden stories and value behind their cherished treasures. No appointment is necessary. Simply stop by the Newtown Meeting House, by the flagpole. Brian Corcoran of The Auction Barn in New Milford, Tucker Frey of Tucker Frey Antiques in Woodbury, and John Renjilian of Pages of Yesteryear in Newtown will be on hand to provide professional evaluations. $10 per item and photographs of large items will be accepted.

“The Matthew Curtis House, across the street at 44 Main Street, will also host an Open House at the same time. Visitors will have an opportunity to explore this fine example of an 18th Century Saltbox and learn about colonial life in Newtown. This is a free event; however, donations are welcomed and appreciated in order to continue offering events such as this.”

Another place to find how There’s Always Something Happening in Newtown is the Newtown Woman’s Club newsletter, available on its site, nwc-gfwc.org/.

One upcoming event for Newtown Woman’s Club is an Author Book Signing Luncheon with Valerie Taylor, at noon, February 22, at Barbarie’s Black Angus Grill in Danbury. Check our online calendar for details.

A Housing Town Hall is planned for Sunday, March 23.

A housing moratorium is a temporary suspension or ban on new housing construction or development within Town. It’s essentially a pause button on building new homes or apartments. Some in town have called on our Planning and Zoning Commission to enact one. First Selectman Jeff Capeci asked our 106th District State Representative, Mitch Bolinsky, if he could find an expert on the subject who works for the state to speak at a Town Hall Meeting to be held at Newtown Community Center on March 23. All Newtown residents are invited to participate. Those who cannot attend and would like their questions answered, may send them to First Selectman Jeff Capeci at First.Selectman@Newtown-ct.gov.

These are just some of the resources and events coming up, and there are so many more. If you’ve seen a notable omission, drop a line at editor@thebee.com. The Bee always loves to plug the local organizations.