I would be remiss to not start this week's column with a special thank you to all of our emergency responders who have leaped to take care of the issues created by the massive storm that swept through the town on Tuesday afternoon. Hats off to these volunteers who go far above and beyond to help the rest of the town. Kudos to townspeople and businesses who have reached out to help neighbors in need, as well. I'm not sure a Good Egg Award is quite enough, but it's a start. We have so many Good Eggs taking care of us!www.ctvisit.com/connecticut-open-house-day-june-9-2018 for details on what is happening in which town!newtownbee.com calendar in upcoming days: the storm may have thrown a few meetings and events off course, so you'll want to check for updates.

Marion Thomas checked in with us this week, hoping to tell us that The Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown would be able to host its fundraising tag sale this weekend. The event had been postponed last weekend due to rain, but May 19 wasn't looking much better, Marion felt. "There's a 70 percent chance of rain, I'm seeing, and now everyone is worried about getting power back and getting cleaned up from Tuesday's storm," she said. The president of SNAN made the executive decision to postpone the tag sale once more. She promises to let everyone know when the group decides on its next rain date.

Edmond Town Hall Theatre has installed new assistive listening and captioning devices for theater patrons with special hearing or visual needs. A matching donation from a generous local family, we are told, has made it possible for the installation of six assistive listening and four captioning devices. Those who wish to use the devices can sign them out at the ticket booth and return them after the movie. That is a great addition to a great local theater, I say.

Are you a family that has four generations or more of family members living in Newtown/Sandy Hook? If so, your family is eligible to be featured in The Newtown Bee's series about longtime Newtown residents. Contact reporter Alissa Silber at alissa@thebee.com to be featured or to recommend someone you know.

Lego lovers, rejoice! You have something new and exciting to build. The Statue of Liberty will debut as a Lego Architecture set on May 19 in select store across New York City. (That's not so far away.) Amazon Books, Barnes and Noble, Target, Mary Arnold Toys, LEGO Brand Retail Stores in the City, and Legoland Discovery Center in Yonkers will be first to introduce the legendary lady to shoppers. This Lego creation includes a "detailed shield-lined pedestal, brick detailing, and columned balconies... a flowing robe, broken shackles, 7-ray crown, iconic tablet, and an upraised arm bearing a golden torch." If NYC is out of reach for you, beginning June 1 you'll find the set at major retailers nationwide.

Don't forget to Strutt Your Mutt this Saturday, 11 am to 2 pm, at Fairfield Hills. There will be fun and games for dogs and their people. Register and find out more at newtownparkandbark.org.

Join in on the CVH Sunday At The Sanctuary with the professionals from UCONN, WCSU, National Audubon Society, and Westchester Parks to identify and track biodiversity. The free event takes place this Sunday, May 20, from noon to 3 pm, at the Sanctuary property at Old Farm Road. Open to all, but kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Register at cvhfoundation.org, events.

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night..." stayed residents of Newtown from donating to last Saturday's Postal Workers' Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. The shelves at the Salvation Army Food Pantry in the Social Services office at Town Hall South are once again filled and ready to help our neighbors in need. If you did not get the opportunity to hang out your bag of donations on Saturday (maybe the rain did stay you from doing so...), don't be shy about bringing any nonperishable food items, pet foods, toiletries, and household items to the town food pantry during weekday hours. Thank you to all who assisted, and to our letter carriers, of course.

Move over Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: I hear there are at least a couple of Newtown natives who will be celebrating nuptials on May 19, as well. Congrats to Scudder Baggett and fiancée Alexandra Snyder, and to Andrew LaMarche and fiancée Kat Han. I've no doubt their celebrations of love will rival any royal wedding.

Rising seventh-twelfth graders who want to be summer reading volunteers at C.H. Booth Library are reminded that volunteer training is Wednesday, May 30, or Thursday, May 31, at 4 pm. Volunteers will listen to younger readers tell them about books they are reading during the June 25 to August 18 summer reading program at the library. You have to attend one of the training sessions to have scheduled hours - even volunteers from previous years. Applications must be returned to the Children's Department on or before June 10. For more information, call 203-426- 3851, or stop into the Children's Department.

Want to find out what makes our state terrific? Join in on Connecticut Open House Day, Saturday, June 9. Museums, galleries, and attractions in towns across the state will offer discounted or free admission (including Newtown's EverWonder Children's Museum). Enjoy special offers, and activities for the family. Go to

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I'm never thrown off course when it comes to gathering this news. There's always something to report, so be sure next week to... Read me again.