A thank you goes out this week to Sharon Doherty and four members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. Sharon, a member of Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity (SHOP), coordinates the annual display of American flags on utility poles in Sandy Hook Center. Monday night of this week, members of that district’s fire company — Steve Stohl, Craig Kampmier, Kyle Shelton, and Carly Osborne — went out with one of the company’s trucks to put the flags back up ahead of summer. The flags generally stay in place all season. Seeing them on Tuesday during the early morning sun was a welcome sight.

If you haven’t yet gotten your tickets for the Newtown High School virtual production of Godspell, it’s not too late. The show streams at 7 pm on Friday evening, May 14. Support the NHS freshmen and sophomores who have worked hard to safely bring you a spring show to enjoy. Tickets for $25 are at https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/47760. Then on June 6, NHS juniors and seniors will present The Mystery of Edwin Drood, also virtually, with tickets available at https://nhsc.booktix.com/.

This Saturday is Peace Officers Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, AND the conclusion of Police Week. President Biden issued a proclamation last week noting the honorary week, saying in part that police officers and troopers demonstrate courage and dedication in “continuing to support out communities.” The president also noted that the pandemic has strained budgets, and that many communities have “a deep sense of distrust towards law enforcement,” which has been exacerbated by the deaths of “several Black and Brown people at the hands of law enforcement.” Nevertheless, the president said, it is important for Americans to honor those who pin on a badge and go to work, “not knowing what the day will bring, and hoping to come home safely.” In honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day, all flags should be lowered on Saturday from sunrise to sunset.

The time was bound to roll around, sooner or later... The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is reminding taxpayers that the deadline to file Connecticut personal income tax returns and make payments for the 2020 tax year is Monday, May 17, 2021. For those yet to file their Connecticut returns and make payments due May 17, here are some tips: File 2020 income tax returns electronically. It’s the fastest way to receive your refund, and is safe and secure. DRS is offering extended business hours for phone coverage until 6 pm on Monday, May 17, and taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties in paying the amount due are encouraged to contact DRS for assistance in understanding tax liabilities and in making payment arrangements. Taxpayers who need additional time to file beyond the May 17 deadline can request an extension of time to file until October 15, 2021, by filing Form CT-1040EXT, Application for Extension of Time to File Connecticut Income Tax Return for Individuals, by May 17. Visit portal.ct.gov/drs to electronically file Form CT-1040EXT. To speak directly with a DRS representative, call 860-297-5962 (from anywhere); 800-382-9463 (within CT, outside Greater Hartford area only); or 860-297-4911 (Hearing Impaired, TDD/TT users only). Visit the DRS website at portal.ct.gov/drs for additional information.

Here’s something for history buffs/news junkies: The Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project will celebrate the launch of three of Connecticut’s Italian language newspapers, now available online in the Library of Congress’ Chronicling America database of historic newspapers, on May 20, at noon. During the Zoom presentation, you’ll find highlights from the pages of these newspapers, including coverage of Italian festivals and celebrations, life during the World Wars for Italian Americans, and Italian perspectives on Prohibition, the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, and the rise of Mussolini. There will also be a demonstration on how to find and use the newspapers in Chronicling America. If you are interested in watching this presentation please go to us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tzyuce2vrjkihtabqzcp-15cgumvs8cxuhhc to register, or view this program at facebook.com/ctstatelibrary or youtube.com/user/ctstatelibrary. The Connecticut Digital Newspaper Project is a newspaper digitization project that works as part of the Library of Congress National Digital Newspaper Project to digitize historical newspapers for preservation and research use — including The Newtown Bee!

Junior Prom is set for May 21, and The Newtown Bee would love your photos of the prom-goers all dressed up. Please e-mail photos to eliza@thebee.com by Monday, May 24, at 8 am, with the names of those pictured, from left to right. Ditto for photos from the NHS Senior Prom on June 4. E-mail those photos to eliza@thebee.com by Monday, June 7, at 8 am, with the names of those pictured, from left to right. We can’t wait to see them!

As groups begin to re-emerge from their COVID caves, cautiously taking steps to return to pre-March 2020 living, we were excited to hear this week that the Rotary Club of Newtown is among those planning to resume in-person meetings. The local chapter plans to return to live meetings on Tuesday, May 25, with a dinner gathering at Marygold’s on Main. While that will be the special location for that evening, the club determines that night where they will begin meeting regularly, and conduct other business. The Rotary decided recently to return to biweekly meetings. There are a few projects and special events already being worked on. Interested in joining the effort? Visit the local club’s website, newtownctrotary.org, and click on Contact Us to send an e-mail.

Can you donate to the Newtown Lions Club Food Drive? The collection for nonperishable food (check those “Best By” dates), cleaning products, and personal hygiene items ends this Saturday, May 15. Donations can be brought to the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, that day, between 7 am and 5:30 pm, to benefit FAITH Food Pantry and other food pantries.

I hear that Hearts of Hope founder Judith Pedersen had a birthday this week. Judy is known to her friends and acquaintances as an inspiration, so we wish her the very, very best in the coming year and all the years going forward. The Hearts of Hope program has been quite successful in Newtown, with thousands of the hand-painted ceramic hearts distributed over the years to bring joy to those in need of a lift.

It could have been double trouble if they’d let me on the field, but Newtown High School softball team member Ashley Hubner got it under control... In the Nighthawks’ recent game with Weston, Ashley had three hits including a double, walked, drove in three runs, scored twice, stole a base ... oh, and fielded a mouse. Curious? Read more about the antics of the mouse and Hubner’s reaction in the Sports section of this week’s Newtown Bee.

I’ll be looking out for more antics all around town in the upcoming week, so be sure to... Read me again.