Newtown's first Food Truck festival is set for this Saturday, June 17, from 11 am to 5 pm, at Fairfield Hills. I'm told that 23 trucks will be on hand, so expect some delectable scents to be wafting over the grounds. Additional food vendors, artisans, and business organizations will be on hand, as well. Have a snack, walk around, have another snack, browse some more, have a snack... okay. I think you have the idea. The Food Truck Fest is thanks to cooperative efforts of the Newtown Chamber of Commerce, Parks & Rec, and the NYA. Have fun!www.chboothlibrary.org for weekday hours and program information.

A core group of seniors from the Newtown Senior Center meet for intergenerational fun with children from the nearby Children's Adventure Center every second Thursday of the month. This past Thursday, they worked with them to make Father's Day cards. Senior Center Director Marilyn Place tells me that every fourth Thursday, the group reads to the children, too. What a great way to bring the younger and older generations together.

Which brings me to this: Happy Birthday, Mae Schmidle! About 20 members of the Newtown VNA surprised Mae for her 90th birthday on June 13 at the VNA annual picnic, held at VNA President Mary Tietjen's home. Mae was tickled, I hear, and curious how they all knew it was her... 35th birthday. When the new slate of officers is voted on in September, Mae will once again serve as parliamentarian.

Keith Bigham stopped in with a photo of a visitor - not so welcome - to his Platts Hill backyard on June 9, only about 20 feet from his back door. The bobcat strolled right through his yard at a leisurely pace, says Keith, before disappearing into the woods. "I could not believe how big he was," Keith tells me. The big kitty seemed not at all concerned that Keith had an eye on him. If you live in the area and have small pets or children, it might be a good idea to exercise some caution when outdoors.

Congratulations to Masonicare at Newtown, which has been rated a "Five-Star Nursing Home" by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. The Five-Star rating system was developed by Medicare to help consumers find and compare nursing homes. The system gives each facility between 1 and 5 stars, based on an assessment of three areas: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures - of which there are 16 - ranging from rehab residents who improved in function to those who were successfully discharged to the community. More information is available at medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare. "We are so pleased to have earned this rating," said Elyse Dent, administrator at Masonicare at Newtown. "The entire staff has worked very hard to achieve this recognition that focuses on the patients and residents in our care."

We have a Good Egg in town - well, we know there are plenty, but someone has let us know that Dr David Nowacki deserves the Good Egg Award this week. Dr Nowacki "fixed a tooth on Saturday evening, for a very uncomfortable dental patient. He is always kind, gentle, and caring." He truly is worthy!

Ava and Ibo want to encourage their canine friends and owners to remember that June is dog licensing month in Newtown. Ava and Ibo make their home with AKC certified dog trainer Graham Ingels and Penny Odell, both of whom agree with their pups that this is not something to forget. Stop by the town clerk's office at the Municipal Center at Fairfield Hills during regular hours to get this year's license to be a dog. Proof of rabies vaccination and proof of neutering is required. Call the town clerk at 203-426-4210 for details.

Are you feeling a little tipsy? No doubt it is that tilt of the earth as it leans in toward the sun in our Northern Hemisphere. The longest day of the year is already upon us, next Wednesday, June 21, so make the most of it in whichever manner brings you the most midsummer joy.

The St Rose of Lima Carnival gets underway Tuesday, June 20, and runs through Saturday, June 24, on the Church Hill Road church property. Rides and games are in the works from 6 to 10:30 pm each evening, and plenty of carnival food is available from 6 to 10 pm. Bracelets that give access to all rides are $30 each, and live entertainment is scheduled each night.

Readers, take note: Summer hours at the C.H. Booth Library begin June 18. The library will not be open on Sundays until September 10. Go to

It's not too late to find an awesome card and just the right present for this Sunday's celebration of all things Dad at any of Newtown's gift stores. Have you checked out the Black Swan or Newtown Florist, both on South Main Street, or how about right in the center of town, where you'll find the brand-new A Gift Box and Queen Street Gifts & Treats? Don't forget chocolate from Castle Hill Chocolates or a gift certificate for special coffee drinks to go with those treats. Wine, beer, flowers, sports items, restaurant gift certificates... the options are endless and right outside your door. Shop local, be happy, and have a Happy Father's Day!

Neither flowers nor chocolate are required to keep me happy - just a promise that next week you'll... Read me again.