We offer our thanks this week to neighbor Sherry Bermingham, who stopped in the Bee office last week with a beautiful bouquet of purple and white violets. Sherry told us when she stopped in Friday morning that they were “in memory of Bridget, and I thought you guys could all use a little pick-me-up.” She left the flowers, in a pretty little vase, on Bridget’s desk. Readers may recall seeing Bridget’s obituary, after our longtime former front office staff member died unexpectedly in April. We miss our friend, very much. We appreciate the lovely gesture of kindness from Sherry. (PS: We moved Sam the Bugler down, front and center, on B’s desk last Friday because it was the day before the Kentucky Derby. While Sarasota Springs Sam, shown here, is, of course, not the bugler for the Kentucky Derby, we were nevertheless thinking of Bridget, who loved the Triple Crown races, ahead of the big day.)

This “bears” repeating: We have these big mammals in Newtown, so be on the lookout. As a matter of fact, Felix Chen captured this photo of a mother bear and two bear cubs up a tree on Ashford Lane late one morning last week. It naturally brought out the whole neighborhood to gawk. The bear family eventually clambered down and away, undisturbed, but probably a bit more wary of barking dogs and people! Another report is of a mother bear and cub ambling along Westwood Terrace, also late last week. Maybe it’s time to reread the recent article in the April 23 issue of this paper regarding bear encounters, also found at newtownbee.com/04282021/coexisting-in-harmony-with-wildlife-bears.

Congratulations to former NHS football player Ben Mason, who was selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the 184th pick, this past weekend. Ben played for Michigan after his high school career and recently trained back in his hometown with Kevin Cleary — looks like that paid off!

I know I mentioned this last week, but Household Hazardous Waste Day is such a great opportunity to rid your home and yard of potentially dangerous, leftover substances and chemicals you don’t want hanging around. Household Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday, May 8, from 9 am to 2 pm, at Newtown Public Works, 4 Turkey Hill Road. Visit hrra.org for a full list of what is and is not accepted.

Mother’s Day is this coming Sunday, just in case that’s news to you. You’ll find some great last-minute gift ideas in this week’s issue on page **; or look back at last week’s issue featuring many local businesses that want to help you find the perfect way to celebrate your mom.

May 14 is the deadline for this year’s Newtown High School Graduation ads. For $25, parents, friends, et al can place a four-line ad in the print edition of June 4 congratulating their favorite Class of 2021 Nighthawk. Contact our office at 203-426-3141 to speak with someone about placing an ad, for payment arrangements, or for additional information.

Nip the knotweed! That’s the cry from Protect Our Pollinators. The group is looking for volunteers to address a patch of invasive knotweed at Fairfield Hills near the Fruit Trail (adjacent to the road), Saturday, May 15, at 9 am, to start the removal. POP and Parks & Rec are happy to have any help, “even if just for an hour or two. The job is cutting soft new growth, which is still short. No prickles. All that is needed is gloves and clippers/pruners, and buckets or tarps. We will be piling the short stalks for Parks and Rec to take away for incineration,” I’m told. If you can help, contact hollyk325@yahoo.com — or just show up!

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation shares some simple ways that you can ensure animal friends stay safe: “If you wear disposable masks, be sure to cut the loops to prevent animals from becoming fatally tangled. Better yet, reusable masks are a much more sustainable alternative, and they help slow the buildup of disposable masks in our landfills and waterways... Whenever possible, try to avoid lawn fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides, de-icing salts, antifreeze, ammonia and other house cleaning chemicals, and mothballs... discarded fishing lines and hooks can seriously harm or kill wildlife. While visiting lakes or beaches, help nature’s creatures by picking up litter, fishing line, balloons and other garbage. Just that simple act alone could save a life.” Oh, and by the way, CVH Foundation also notes that lots of tick/flea applications for dogs contain permethrins, which can make cats very sick — even just through contact with a dog to whom the product has been applied! Be sure to keep Fluffy and Fido apart after the use of any permethrin product on your dog.

If you have enjoyed the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library’s Pop-Up sales, you’ll be pleased to know that the Pop-Up sale will now continue through July. The “A Great Escape” sale is found on the second floor of the library, and the Friends “frequently refresh the selection, have added a large number of classics and continue to stock popular mystery/thrillers, adult fiction, children’s books, cook books, gardening books and much more,” Friends tells me. Contactless payment is available.

Some people are just motivated at an early age, and I see the Associated Press reports that 11-year-old Charlie von Maur-Newcombe of Kelly, Wyoming, has started his own newspaper! Kelly Out Loud is “lightly edited” by Charlie’s parents, but the news-driven young man gathers his own local news and does photography for the weekly paper — along with doing the usual “kid” stuff. Charlie may not be certain of his future career yet, but the news world better look out!

Are you eligible and healthy enough to donate blood? There’s another Red Cross blood drive scheduled at Newtown Congregational Church,14 West Street, on Thursday, May 20, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. COVID-19 protocols apply — please wear a mask. If you are vaccinated, know the type of vaccine you received. There is a great need for blood, so if you can, schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

Looking a bit further ahead, Connecticut Open House Day is scheduled for Saturday, June 12. This state event encourages Connecticut residents to experience the art, restaurants, museums, and more that make this state special. This year, experiences will be offered in person by some places, and virtually by others. It’s a great way to learn more about Connecticut and support local tourism. Find out more about how businesses will have the opportunity to take part and what to expect at portal.ct.gov/decd/content/tourism/02_business_support/participate-in-statewide-promos/connecticut-open-house-day.

I understand there is a cat in the wings, waiting to become part of the presidential family at the White House. He/She better be one tough cookie, as standing up to Major, the Biden’s rescue German shepherd, will be challenging. Major recently underwent remedial training for a couple of biting incidents, and though training included interaction with cats... well, let’s see who ends up with a scratched nose and who decides to live under the sofa.

There’s no living under the sofa for me. Be sure next week to... Read me again.