How school shooting survivors feel connected is the focus of the documentary short, Notes From Dunblane: Lessons From a School Shooting, that won director Kim A. Snyder an award at the recent NYC Tribeca Film Festival. Monsignor Bob from St Rose and his bond with a priest from Dunblane, Scotland, whose school suffered the murder of students and staff in 1996, is documented in this 22-minute film. Showing dates beyond the film festival late last month are not yet available.Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks had a fun surprise while driving home one afternoon last week. A silver Saturn Ion was in traffic in front of her, and among the stickers adorning the vehicle's rear window was one celebrating The Newtown Bee. "I don't recall us issuing stickers, and I've been with the paper for a long time," Shannon said. "This looked like someone had taken the time to print our front masthead and tape it inside their car. Very cool." The car also had a Red Sox Nation sticker on it, she noted. "Definitely a good person behind that wheel," Shannon added.newtownbee.com for dates, times, and details.Bikewalkct.org has events scheduled throughout the state during the month of May. Bike To School Day is Wednesday, May 9; Bike to Work Week runs May 14 to 18; and if only one day works for you, Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 18. Bicyclists must practice the same rules as cars on the road - and drivers, please be generous in skirting bicyclists on the road. Sadly, my four paws are a bit useless for bicycling. But I'll be curious to see if there is an uptick in two-wheelers on the roads this merry month of May.The Newtown Bee. Send photos, all identified left to right, first and last names, to eliza@thebee.com. The photos will be considered for inclusion in the May 11 edition of the paper.

"Three down, ten to go." That's what Marilyn Alexander was saying last month, following a trip to St Augustine, Fla., for the wedding of one of her 13 grandchildren - the third to be wed so far. Grandson Preston Stater (middle son of Marilyn's daughter, Kathryn) married Jamie Rixie on March 24. "It was so much fun," Marilyn gushed. "I got to hang out with all my kids."

The Newtown based group Protect Our Pollinators (POP) will benefit from a special performance taking place this weekend in Woodbury. Singer and instructor Jackie Gaudet, with guests to include Joe Jacovino, Kristin Ryan, and Sadie Baimel, will be at New Morning Market, 129 Main Street North (Route 6), on Saturday, May 5, from 7 to 10 pm. An eclectic selection of music (starting at 7:30 pm) related to pollinators and the environment will be performed. The event will also include a silent auction and refreshments. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, and reservations are recommended. Contact POP co-founder Mary Gaudet-Wilson at 203-417-1109 for reservations or additional information. POP does advocacy work for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

The early bird may get the worm, but the early arrivals at a gardening swap event this weekend will get the good items. The Gardening Gurus of Trinity Productions and the Horticulture Club of Newtown are teaming up for a Trade & Swap event on Saturday morning. All are invited to bring annuals, perennials, vegetable seeds, seedlings, gardening books, tools, pots, planters, etc, to trade with others. All plants and seeds should be clearly labeled. Light refreshments will also be available. There is no fee to attend, but the catch is, it's only running for one hour: from 9 to 10 am, under the pavilion at Dickinson Park, 50 Elm Drive, rain or shine.

It's fiesta time in Newtown. Head over to the Tier One Field at 31 Pecks Lane for a special Cinco de Mayo celebration with food trucks, craft beers, margarita bar, Kids Zone, artisan products, and so much more music and fun, this Saturday, May 5, from 11 am to 7 pm. $10/adults, $5 ages 5-12, kids 4 and under get in for free.

The Flagpole Barn, 38 Main Street, welcomes back The Wool Hats String Band on Saturday, May 5. Doors open at 6:30 pm (use 1 Churchill Road driveway entrance),with music starting at 7 pm. This is a free event - but donations are appreciated. They go toward the band and any additional donations go to support the arts in town. Follow Flagpole Barn on Facebook.

Cathy Reiss from Newtown Comfort, Christ the King Lutheran Church's comfort dog ministry, says Maggie the Comfort Dog was recently deployed to Great Mills High School in Maryland. Maggie visited the school, with four other dogs from Lutheran Church Charities, the week following Easter, to be there for the students and staff returning to school after a recent school shooting there. Ms Reiss says the visits were very much appreciated by the Great Mills community.

Newtown CT Rocks generally paints rocks with positive messages and leaves them in public places to be discovered. This week the group made an exception to the rule. One of the group's painters, Pauline, is currently recovering in a local nursing home following a fall. Newtown CT Rocks members visited and gave her a rock with the message "Kindness is the best medicine." That's definitely a nice way to bend a rule. Residents should keep an eye out for the hand painted rocks now that the weather is (finally) nice.

The Newtown Choral Society presents its spring concert on Sunday, May 6, at 3:30 pm. Tickets at the door of the Newtown Meeting House on Main Street are $10, or $8 for seniors and students. "The British Invasion, Continued" will have you rockin' to the music of the 60s, 70s, and even the 80s.

If that only whets your appetite for music, the upcoming month is full of school concerts. What a great opportunity to hear the fresh sounds of Newtown music students. Check our online calendar at

Newtown High School's administrative team - Interim Assistant Principal Aaron Blank, Interim Principal David Roach, Assistant Principals Dana Manning and Kim Longobucco, and Assistant to the Principal Nathalie de Brantes - dressed to impress on May 1, in honor of the new month, warmer weather, and Mr Blank's birthday. Talk about team work!

Happy National Bike Month!

By the way, the photography exhibit at our Municipal Center by Rhonda and Chane Cullens, "Capturing Newtown And Our World," has been extended to the end of May. You don't want to miss it if you have not had the opportunity to view it.

Are you seeking the perfect gift for Mom on Mother's Day, May 13? Look no further than our own town borders, where businesses like Newtown Florist, Toy Tree, Castle Hill Chocolates, Gift Box, Queen Street Gifts & Treats, Newtown Salt Spa, and so many more offer one-of-a-kind gift ideas sure to please the mother figure in your life. Don't forget that a nice bottle of wine or craft beer from any of several spirit shops in town, or a gift card to one of the restaurants or yoga facilities might be appreciated by Mom. Be creative! Making time to spend with your mother on this holiday, or sending her a special note is another sure way to her heart - and at a pretty minimal cost.

Mothers may be some of the best caretakers around, but there is another group that deserves attention. May 6 to 12 is National Nurses Week. Nurses take on some of the most daunting care issues, and most do it with great compassion. Take some time this coming week to let your favorite nurse know how much she or he is appreciated.

I'm looking forward to seeing the photos our reporter takes of the senior prom - that is, the prom for senior citizens, scheduled for this Friday, at the Newtown High School. I'm equally anxious to see our younger seniors, those of Newtown High School, all dressed up for their prom, also May 4. Consider sharing your photos of the young folks with

Dressed up or dressed down, I find my way around town to report on the news for this column. Be sure next week to... Read me again.