I read at www.screenfree.org that May 4-10 was (is still) “Screen Free Week,” and the fur on my back stood up. And that led me to realize how connected we are to screens of all kinds. Turning off the computer screen at work turned out not to be an option, for this all paws journalist. Then I started thinking about other links: Kindle, iPhone, iPads, television… what’s a newscat to do? I scratched around and found some unread paperbacks to browse; read the headlines on The New York Times and The Washington Post while waiting in line for my cup of cream at the coffee shop; put my phone a few steps away from the desk, table, bed, etc and pledged to not check Instagram and Facebook on it (no funny cat videos…); and set the television to record anything I’ll miss (like Animal Planet). The lovely spring weather is making it easy to spend those wasted minutes outside, I’ve found, and I’ve found a new use for the phone: calling people and setting up dates to meet and talk. The evenings can be spent cleaning out those closets, reading, digging in the garden, and playing games like S(cat)tagories. If you want to commit to a screen free weekend ahead, visit the website for more ideas. Good luck!

Daffodils are in bloom, pansies are nodding their heads from window boxes, and rhododendrons and azealas are adding color to the world of Spring. I have a feeling, too, that pushing up through the ground are lots of other plants in Newtown gardens, some of which have a story to tell. If your garden has a special place in it, a special plant in it, or has been planted for a special reason, consider sharing its story with readers of The Newtown Bee this summer. The “Glimpse of the Garden” summer series is getting ready to return. Contact nancy@thebee.com to schedule an interview.

Congratulations to Kelley Anne Carney, daughter of Chris and Jeanne Carney of Sandy Hook, and a 2009 NHS graduate. Kelley Anne represented the State of Connecticut in this year’s Cherry Blossom festival and parade in Washington DC, on April 11. That’s Kelley Anne, in fact, in the photo at right. The Society Cherry Blossom Princess Program promotes peaceful relations with Japan. A graduate of the Catholic University of America, with a degree in Politics, Kelley Anne has worked on Capital Hill in the Office of Senator Chris Murphy for the past three years. She recently accepted a position with Congresswomen Elizabeth Esty. Although Kelley Anne’s will work primarily in Washington, frequent travel will find her back in her home state.

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, this year, and here’s a great way to honor our current troops. Look for a donation box in the lobby of The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, May 15 through May 29. In conjunction with VFW Post 308 Newtown, we’ll be collecting items to be sent to service men and women. The lobby  is open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, for you to drop off your donations. Donations will be delivered to Post 308, where they will be shipped to our troops. Here are some of the items that are most needed: beef jerky, power, snack, and non-chocolate candy bars, fruit bars and Twizzlers, sport drink mixes, Gator Aide, Crystal Light drinks in single serve packets, snack packs of Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers, Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks ground coffee, creamers and sugar packets, sunflower seeds, Chapstick, iTune cards, DVDs, recent magazines, stationary, greeting cards, Wet Wipes, packs of tissue, travel size toothpaste, deodorant, and body wash. Please help us help the men and women in service to our country.

By the way, members of VFW Post 308 are fundraising to replace the planks of the walkway of their building, as well as install ADA-compliant rails. The public is invited to help with this project, and donations are sought to help offset costs. Each $25 donation will earn a donor a “dog tag,” which can be inscribed with up to five lines of type, 15 characters per line, to commemorate someone or something important to them. Visit the post between 11 am and 9 pm to learn more, or visit www.vfwpost308.com for details and a downloadable form.

Looking for more ways to help? Newtown High School’s boys and girls lacrosse teams (JV and varsity) are planning food drives for FAITH Food Pantry this weekend. Students will have a tent set up at the entrance to Blue & Gold Stadium at the high school, Saturday, May 9. The public is invited to drop off non-perishable items between noon and 3:30 pm, and/or (depending on your schedule and how much lacrosse you are up for in one day) 5 to 8 pm. Suggested items include cereals, peanut butter, instant oatmeal, canned goods including fruit, vegetables, fish, and corned beef hash; instant pancake mix, syrup, soups, health and beauty products, paper goods, and pet food. Please check expiration dates before dropping items off on Saturday. The food pantry will not put expired items on their shelves… and why should they?

Just when we had a handy place for vacuum repair in town, an unexpected medical emergency caused the new All Vacs store at 71 South Main Street to temporarily close, Wednesday morning. Owner Michelle Zack hopes to be back on her feet ASAP, but in the meantime, hopes people will check www.allvacuumsusa.com for a reopening date. Best wishes to Michelle for a speedy recovery… and look at the bright side. If your vacuum is broken, this gives you a few more days excuse to put off that boring chore.

In the middle of this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated by the National PTA between May 4 to 8, Newtown Kindness posted on its Facebook page a “shout out” for one of its board members, Hawley Elementary kindergarten teacher Donna Albano. Needless to say, Mrs Albano is Newtown Kindness’s favorite “Kindness Teacher,” as the post said, she, “is beloved by all of the children in our community… launched the [Newtown Kindness] Kindness Bucket lesson plan… [and] brought two wonderful youth kindness ambassadors to the team... her daughters, Madison and Morgan!” In case you missed Teacher Appreciation Week, I’m sure all of our teachers wouldn’t mind some appreciation throughout the year.

I, of course, would appreciate it greatly if you would… Read me again.