Due to an expected winter storm, the Friday evening performance of City of Angels, at Newtown High School, has been canceled. Pre-purchased tickets can be used at any of the other performances this weekend.

A number of Newtown High School’s Unified Sports members and parents and staff members plunged into the chilly water at Compo Beach in Westport this past Saturday, March 14, for the Penguin Plunge, raising money for the Special Olympics of Connecticut. Half of the money raised by the NHS team went to fund the team, and half went to the Special Olympics of Connecticut. I’m shaking in my fur just thinking about how cold that must have been.

Old Man Winter may be hanging on this week, but Sandy Hook School is ready for spring — which begins this Friday, March 20. I can tell, because some of the front windows in the front of Monroe’s Chalk Hill Middle School, where Sandy Hook School is housed, have been decorated with the words “Think Spring” and paper flowers. I hear you Sandy Hook School. I’m thinking spring thoughts…

You know I love writers, ahem, purr… So of course I have to share that City of Angels is showing at Newtown High School this week. The students have been busy putting together this musical, about a novelist trying to turn a book into a screenplay. City of Angels is showing at NHS March 19, 20, and 21 at 7 pm, and March 22 at 2 pm. Tickets are $14 for students and senior citizens and $18 for adults. Tickets will be available at the door and are available in advance online at www.nhsc.booktix.com. Half of the show is portrayed in black and white too. What more could a black and white cat columnist ask for in a musical?

There are still tickets available for the Saturday, April 18, “Modeling for Makers” gala event at Rock Ridge, to benefit the C.H. Booth Library CHBMakers program. If a chance to see some of Newtown’s notables showing off their flair for fashion, delicious food and drink, a silent auction, and a live auction are not enough to tempt you, maybe seeing a picture of the grand prize to be drawn that evening will do so. This jeweled pendant was designed using a 3D printer and created by jeweler Dennis Janofsky of Quality Gem in Bethel, and is valued at $3,000. Surely you want to be in on the fun and get a chance to wear this dazzling necklace home? Contact Mary Thomas at 203-426-9696 for ticket information.

The Children’s Department seems to be in full recovery from the February 17 flooding. I peeked in the door earlier this week and the place was swarmed with the library’s youngest patrons and their caretakers. It may be a while before the 10,000 books ruined by the deluge of water are replaced, but young readers this week looked more than satisfied with the many, many book selections that survived.

Best wishes this week to West Street resident Betty Christensen, who is fighting pneumonia, as she heads toward the Centenarian Club. The well-known Newtown painter turns 100, the early part of April.

Will the library trash removal become like a state park — carry out what you carry in, I want to know? Ralph Scogno, CHB custodian for the past 15 years, is retiring this month, and heading to a warmer climate. (Who can blame him, after this winter?) He will be greatly missed by staff and patrons, and I join them in wishing the very best to Ralph.

Congratulations to Newtown’s Chef Carol Koty of Lockwood Lodge, one of three Masonicare chefs who received top honors at the Connecticut Assisted Living Association’s annual Chef’s Challenge, March 5. Chefs competed “Iron Chef” style, to show off their skills. With just 15 minutes to prepare, and 45 minutes to cook and plate, Carol was able to wow the five judges with her Classic Thai Pho Chicken Soup. Think of the lucky diners at Lockwood Lodge who get to experience her talent every day!

After accepting a $2,500 scholarship presented to him by Connectologie partners Lisa Agresta and Geetha Selva during the 3rd Annual Kidologie Gets Ready for Summer event, at Reed Intermediate School, March 15, Newtown High School senior Jason Ferrari used his moment on stage to surprise his girlfriend and fellow NHS senior Jessica Nguyen. Jason asked Jessica to attend their senior prom with him, and, as you may surmise from this photo, she said yes. Luckily Jason even had flowers hidden away to present to Jessica. (Jason’s mom, Elena, helped hide the flowers until the right moment.) There were more than a few eyes that were not so dry, after the cute surprise.

Speaking of the prom, it can be quite the expensive proposition, once questions are popped and tickets are purchased. For the young women, a lovely prom dress can break the bank. Local shopkeeper Christine Ruzek, the owner of Labels + Tags at 10 Glen Road in Sandy Hook, is collecting gowns in “excellent used condition,” she said, and will give them to young ladies who are unable to spring for the spring dance formalwear. If you have any gently used prom dresses tucked away in a closet, please consider donating them. Drop-off dates are Tuesday and Wednesday, March 24 and March 25, from 11 am to 5 pm each day. Christine will be hearing from food pantries and local parishes, she said, to find out where dresses are needed. Contact the store through its Facebook page, or Ms Ruzek at cmruzek@gmail.com.

In need of a break this Sunday afternoon? Join Newtown author Rachel Basch at the C.H. Booth Library, March 22, at 3 pm. Rachel will give a book reading and signing of her latest novel, The Listener. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, for a cover price of $24.95. Rachel has generously offered all of the profits from the sales to go to support the library, one of her favorite places in town. Registration is not required, but you can give the library a call at 203-426-4533 if you have any questions.

The only question I have, is what exciting news will I discover this coming week? We’ll both have the answer, if you agree to… Read me again.