Sandy Hook Elementary School recently began its Tournament of Books competition to promote student reading. Cynthia McArthur, the school’s Language Arts consultant, said that they have started with a batch of books they are calling the “Sweet 16” and will narrow the choices down to an “Elite 8” before moving to the “Final Four.” From there, two books will go head-to-head to claim the coveted title of the 2019 Book of The Year. The winner will be announced on April 4.

In addition to the tournament, Sandy Hook Elementary School is also encouraging its students to have fun reading by displaying fourth graders’ book posters in the hallways. The posters showcase students’ favorite books and include Judy Moody Was in A Mood, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and We Are In A Book from the Elephant & Piggie series.

You’ll find some words of praise in the Letter Hive this week regarding the NHS production of Mary Poppins, and I’ll add my two cents to that, as well. Congratulations to all of those involved in producing this spectacular show. The voices, the costumes, the acting, the sets, the dancing (who knew so many kids know how to tap dance?!), the music — it was all fabulous. I hope you were among those filling the school auditorium at one of the shows. If not, make sure next year you don’t miss the talented kids from this school in whatever production they decide to take on. Look out, Broadway! Newtown is giving you some competition!

News that has come our way includes this from RIT. “More than 100 Rochester Institute of Technology students, faculty, alumni, and staff, including student Brandon Rodriguez of Newtown, traveled to San Francisco this past week to attend Game Developers Conference 2019, the world’s largest professional gaming industry event of the year... Brandon worked on “Ball of Doom” — A score chaser destruction game coming to Steam in 2019, where the goal is to destroy as much as possible. Players control a giant wrecking ball and have to avoid randomized traps and enemies while trying to set a new high score. Hidden throughout the expansive map are skins that let players change their character’s appearance.”

Julie vanderKroef is tops on my list right now. The Newtown drone pilot came down to earth and dropped off some delicious cookies this past Tuesday at The Bee for all to enjoy. Now there’s someone who deserves a Good Egg Award. Julie, you are as sweet as your cookies.

I see some of our police officers are ready to take the plunge. Members of the Newtown Police Department will be heading to Jennings Beach in Fairfield on April 6 for the annual Penguin Plunge to benefit Special Olympics. Each team raises money for the honor of jumping into the icy cold water, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to Special Olympics of Connecticut. Donate at [naviga:u]https://www.classy.org/team/211750[/naviga:u], or donations can be sent right to the Newtown Police Department, 3 Town Hall South, Newtown CT 06470, in care of Community Services division. Any checks can be made out to Special Olympics of Connecticut.

If you like “up and down ponies,” maybe a trip to our capital city should be on your calendar. The historic Bushnell Park carousel will open to the public for rides on Saturday, April 6, from 11 am to 5 pm. Go around and around on the 105-year-old carousel for just $1 per ride for children and adults; and the carousel can be booked for private events, including receptions, weddings, meetings, and birthday parties. The Bushnell Park Carousel is one of less than 200 antique wooden carousels that remain in the US, according to a recent e-mail we received. Bushnell Park in Hartford is bordered by Trinity, Jewell, Elm, and Wells Streets.

Hop to it! A pop-up hike at CVH Animal Sanctuary property (end of Old Farm Road) for Frogwatch USA is scheduled for April 5, 7 to 8 pm. Bridget Cervero from Maritime Aquarium and CVHF Educator Henryk “Mr T” Teraszkiewicz will help participants identify the frogs of the CVH Animal Sanctuary by their songs; learn how to help scientists protect them through Frogwatch USA. Meet in the parking area outside the sanctuary at 7 pm for a short discussion and then hike to the observation point. Dress appropriately, have boots for muddy spring weather, and bring a flashlight. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Register at cvhfoundation.org.

It’s always good to have a reminder of where you can call for help. This information from United Way of Connecticut can put you in touch with many agencies ready to point you in the right direction: “211 Connecticut is a free health and human service information and referral service, with a continuously updated database of more than 4,000 agencies and 40,000 programs and services. Free, confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year online at [naviga:u]https://www.211ct.org/[/naviga:u] and over the phone by dialing 211. 211 Connecticut has organizational accreditations from the Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS), and the contact center is certified by the American Association of Suicidology for crisis intervention.”

Just a reminder that the Dark Night Cabaret scheduled for this Friday evening, in the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, with Nekita Waller and Lisa Schwartz, has been postponed. We’ll update our calendars and let you know when the program is rescheduled.

I’m anxious to know more about the CVH Foundation’s Senior Paw Project — I’ll be keeping an eye on next week’s issue of The Newtown Bee to learn more, and I hope you will, too.

My paws will keep busy in the meantime, so be sure to... Read me again.