The MacHugh family is pretty thankful to have daughter Emma back stateside. Emma has been teaching in Japan, and was there through the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. It took some doing, but she was able to get a flight home this past weekend. Welcome home, Emma.

The Rotary Club of Newtown is accepting donations to support the recovery efforts in Japan. The Rotary is one of the largest providers of humanitarian aid in the world, says Newtown Rotary President Carrie Swan. “Rotary is better at getting funds into the hands of those who need help than just about anyone,” she notes. The Rotary Japan and Pacific Islands 2011 Disaster Recovery Fund will support long-term sustainable projects that will restore infrastructure and human services, with the ultimate goal being the restoration of an acceptable standard of living. Anyone interested in making a tax deductible contribution can contact Carrie at 203-426-1230.

I want to give a big MEOW of congratulations to another organization here in town that provides companionship to the lonely and elderly, Golden Opportunities. Masonicare at Newtown awarded a plaque, Friday, March 11, to Golden Opportunities, recognizing the group’s outreach in making a difference in the lives of residents at the facility, said Golden Opportunities director Knettie Archard. “They also presented us with an official citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly, congratulating us on our ‘tireless work in assisting others,’” Knettie tells me.

Despite the merriment and green festivities here at The Newtown Bee on St Patrick’s Day, we had to wish Emily Ashbolt, who served as an intern with education reporter Eliza Hallabeck through the Newtown High School’s Career Center, the luck-o’-the-Irish as she left our offices for the last time as a pseudo-staffer. Emily’s last story, “The String Jam Fest Returns,” is in this week’s edition of The Bee. We wish her the best of luck!

Speaking of Bee interns, some past Bee interns are “making news” at the high school. As announced by the school, Anna Hodge (readers may remember her byline from stories in The Bee last summer, or current stories she has been submitting to sports editor Andy Hutchison) has been named a co-editor-in-chief of the NHS paper, The Hawkeye, with Abbey Doski for the 2011-12 academic year. Anna will be taking the helm with Abbey after Dani Villa, another former Bee intern, files her last story as a high school student. Emily Ashbolt will also be on the editorial staff of The Hawkeye next school year. What busy bees we have had the fortunate opportunity to work with… Congratulations to all.

Thanks to Jeff van’t Slot, who dragged a tripod, his camera, his family, and the dog, over hill and dale, Saturday night, March 19, to get a shot of the “Supermoon,” that he has shared with us. The moon, in its full moon phase, passed the closer to the earth that it has in 18 years, on Saturday night, and clouds held back long enough for anyone out to get a great view. “I was hoping to get the photo over the pond,” Jeff says, “and capture the reflection of it in the water, as well, but…” If you have kids, dogs, and clumsy tripods, you know how timing can go.

I love good news, and Noreen Guman shared some amazing news with me last week. Maybe you saw photos of a black cat, Odell, posted all over town last summer and fall? Odell was taken in by the Guman family when Noreen’s father died. “Odell was only at our hose two days before he went missing,” Noreen told me. Looking for the kitty became a part-time job for the family, but Odell remained at large and the family was losing hope. “Then I read in The Bee about Cowboy [a cat lost and found last summer by Exit 10]. If Cowboy could be found after six weeks, there was a chance we could still find our cat,” said Noreen, so they renewed their efforts. All along, the family received numerous leads — including one that led them to bury a hit and run victim mistaken for Odell — but still Odell did not return.

Then, exactly six months after he went missing, Noreen was driving down her road “when a black cat ran into my neighbor’s driveway. I stopped the car, shook the bag of cat treats I kept with me, and called his name. The cat stopped running and looked at me, but got scared when my neighbor opened his door.” Noreen wasn’t sure it was Odell, but just in case, she put his blanket and some food out on the deck. “Five hours later, Odell was on my deck, eating the food. When I called to him, he came over and rubbed against my legs,” Noreen said. As might be expected, Odell was exhausted, a few pounds lighter, and covered in ticks — but back!

“Our story has a happy ending,” said Noreen, “and we hope it inspires others to not give up searching for their lost pet.” The Gumans also want everyone who helped and called them with tips to know how much that was appreciated. “Even when the cat they saw was not Odell, it made us happy to know someone tried,” she said.

Among the many special services offered by area churches during this season of Lent, Newtown Congregational Church has something new going on this year. Every Wednesday evening through April 13, NCC will provide a Lenten soup and bread dinner for free, from 6 to 7 pm, in the Great Room of the church, at 14 West Street, followed by a contemporary service, from 7 to 8 pm, in the sanctuary. The service involves dramatic interpretations of individuals who encountered Jesus, and is part of the Vitality Project that NCC is involved in. NCC is one of six out of 250 Congregational churches in Connecticut to participate in programs designed to welcome in the community. Come to both, or just the service, open to anybody and everybody. For more information, call 203-426-9024.

Meanwhile, Trinity Episcopal Church is offering its own weekly series for Lent. Each Wednesday until April 13, Trinity will host a service of Taizé at 7:30 pm. This worship consists of simple chants sung repeatedly, rich silence, glowing candlelight, and prayers of intercession. The tradition of musical worship began years ago in the ecumenical French monastic community called Taizé. At Trinity, the Taizé services provide an uncomplicated framework for quiet meditation, reflection, readings, and music. All are encouraged to participate as the Spirit moves them, whether that be in song, prayer, or quiet meditation. A volunteer Taizé Choir and instrumentalists of the Taizé Ensemble are led by Music Minister Fiona Smith Sutherland. Similar to NCC’s offerings, Trinity is also hosting a preservice dinner, beginning at 6. For more information, call 203-426-9070, extension 11.

There’ll be no cha-cha-cha in diapers at Zumba For Babies, but the fundraiser, coordinated by Shari Wright, on behalf of The MOMS Club of Newtown-East Brookfield, will offer plenty of salsa for moms, dads, and all other big people. Z Place for Fitness owner Tammy DeMarche has agreed to open her 266 Main Street South studio for two hours, Friday, April 8, for some Zumba dance and fun to benefit The March of Dimes and its March for Babies event in May. Doors open at 7:15, with Zumba from 7:30 until 8:45, and then raffle prizes awarded between 8:45 and 9 pm. Cost is $10 if you register in advance, or $15 at the door. Call Z Place for Fitness at 203-304-9555, or call Shari Wright at 203-304-1079.

Next Friday is April Fool’s Day, but I won’t be joking around this week to find news to give you “paws” — if you… Read me again.