I wasn’t the only one stewing over the garbage along our streets last week. Deborra Zukowski and her daughter, Claire, devoted part of one of the lovely days this past weekend to picking up trash along Castle Hill, near King Street. In just a few tenths of a mile, says Deb, they collected four trash bags of litter. “Unfortunately,” she says, “we ran out of garbage bags and steam before we could finish the complete stretch between Newtown Congregational Church and the bench [at the top of Castle Hill].” I know that Earth Day and Lose the Litter Day will be coming, but in the meantime, would it hurt to follow Deb and Claire’s lead and get a jump-start on cleaning up our streets and roadways?

Speaking of Earth Day, this is a good time to go to meningreen.net where you can not only support the planet, but also see some of our local eighth graders in an awesome rap video. Men In Green is made up of Newtown Middle School students who worked on an eighth grade science project at the start of the year to raise awareness about the effects of deforestation on the environment and global warming. In January, they learned their project had won $10,000 — $3,000 of which will benefit an environmental program at the middle school; the balance to fund the work of the Men In Green organization — and was being moved into the final round of the Lexus Eco Challenge. The Men In Green team is one of 16 teams chosen nationwide by Lexus and to receive $10,000 for winning in their category. All winning teams from this challenge are being invited to participate in the Final Challenge for a chance to win one of two grand prizes of $30,000 in grants and scholarships, according to the Lexus Eco Challenge. The Men in Green are looking for people to pledge to plant a tree to save the planet at meningreen.net. Go green!

I’m sending out get-well wishes to Mt Pleasant Animal Hospital veterinarian Dr Brian Silverlieb. Dr Silverlieb is a friend to many pets (and their humans) in and around Newtown, and is on the receiving end of care right now. His colleague, Dr Rock Vali, tells me that if you drop off a get-well card at the hospital on Mt Pleasant Road, he’ll make sure it gets to Dr Silverlieb. Get well soon, Dr Silverlieb!

Members of the Newtown Senior Center were probably scratching their heads and wondering where assistant center director Mary Kelley was on Tuesday — but I know. Mary and three friends took the day to go to the City and see the Rachel Ray Show. “It was so much fun!” exclaimed Mary when I saw her Wednesday. Actor Tyler Perry was one of the guests, to her delight, and just for being in the audience, Mary got to bring home a four-pack of Elvis CDs. Pretty good for a rainy day. I guess those Elvis tunes put her in the mood for Wednesday’s special 1950s dance hop at the Senior Center, because she sure was cutting the rug.

Thanks to Robert Clark, Lillian Ermisch, and Newtown Ambulance Association president Bruce Herring, who recognized the men standing by the “new” ambulance in last week’s Way We Were photo, and identified them. Mr Clark, the treasurer and board of trustees member for the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Association, identified the man on the left as Joseph Ringers, who was then president of the Newtown Ambulance Association. To his right, says Mr Clark, is Dr Russell Strasburger, president of the Rotary Club those long ago years. “With the purchase of this 1942 Cadillac Supreme ambulance by the Rotary Club,” Mr Clark says, “the Newtown Ambulance Association was born. Financed entirely by public contributions, the association designated John Sedor as the chief, and assigned him the task of organizing a volunteer driver corps.” According to Mr Herring, the actual photo now hangs on the wall at the ambulance garage.

Congratulations to Marge Rogers! She has accepted the Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee’s nomination as Grand Marshal for the 2010 September 6 parade. If you have been anywhere near the Little Theatre in the past four decades, it’s likely you have come across Marge, who has worked diligently to support the Town Players, acted, and currently serves on the board of directors. “On Stage In Newtown” is the parade theme, so Marge is the perfect candidate.

I’m not overly fond of water, unless it is to dabble my paws in a fish bowl, but it seems that Newtown swimmers Andrew Golankiewicz and Dan Hufziger are wonders in the water. Andrew, who swims for Fairfield Prep, broke a state record in the backstroke event at the March 20 State Open, and Dan, an NHS swim team member, set a school mark in the 50-yard freestyle at the State Open at Yale last Saturday. Way to swim, guys!

This Saturday, Newtown students participating in the Odyssey of the Mind program will go up against challengers from around the state at Bethel High School. Odyssey of the Mind is a problem-solving program that has students work in teams to solve different challenges. Multiple age groups of students will be participating this weekend. Coach Dawn Gray’s team will be competing for the third year in a row, and Coach Ann Ziluck’s team is also made up of experienced Odyssey of the Mind participants. Good luck to all!

Just a reminder that Quota International of Candlewood Valley, Inc is sponsoring a blood drive for the American Red Cross on Saturday, March 27, at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane in Newtown. The drive will run from 8 am to 12:45 pm. Remember that to donate you need to be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in generally good health.

Because the first weekend of April will coincide with Easter this year, the first Saturday pasta dinner at Newtown United Methodist Church will be a second Saturday dinner again this month (NUMC and organizer Martha Millett decided to change the January dinner to the second Saturday dinner as well when it was discovered how many of their volunteer crew would be out of town for the New Year’s holiday). So April’s dinner will be on the 10th, and everything else will remain the same: Dinner is served from 5 to 7:30 pm with donation being $9, $8 for seniors, and $3.50 for children, and includes fruit cup, salad with choice of dressings, pasta with choice of sauces (meatless, mild, or spicy), garlic bread, and an array of homemade desserts, all followed at 7:45 by a performance of bluegrass music played by Newtown’s own Roger Sprung and friends. The entertainment donation is $4 with dinner or $5 without. This covers all coffee, soft drinks, and snacks served during the evening from 7:45 to 10:30 pm. Entry to fellowship hall is through the lower parking lot, behind the building, and plenty of parking is available. Call 203-426-9998 for additional information.

When I think of Easter, I think of eggs…. Good Eggs, that is, and I haven’t heard from anyone lately. If you know someone who pays it forward in a real behind the scenes sort of way, nominate them here for a little well-deserved recognition. Send in your Good Egg nominee to Nancy@thebee.com.

And while everyone else is hunting Easter eggs, I’m going to be hunting up some news for next week so that you’ll have good reason to…. Read me again.