Doris Travis must have been shocked to see this bear swiping for fish in her koi fish pond at her home on Currituck Road, on June 29. I am betting the bear is happier in this photo than was Doris, at the time! Lucky for us, Doris snapped this photo. Look out Newtown fish, now both a black bear and a black cat (moi) are lurking. (I do hope the fish are mostly unscathed from this visitor.)Property Brothers show. She has also roped in Newtown contractor Steve Gilbertie, and he has been project managing two of the four episodes Bobbie Sue is doing. So far, she says, she has had two "reveals" featuring her design work, and there are two more to go. I'll be keeping my eyes on the credits to spot Bobbie Sue's work.The Bee Christmas editions) and Newtown resident Barbara Cottingham. I find the back of the shirts to be particularly inspiring. It includes a quote from author Stephen King, "Books are uniquely portable magic."

Here's some weekend fun, in case you're bored, with the Fourth of July holiday behind you: The Doug Wahlberg Band will be performing at CityCenter Danbury this weekend. The band, fronted by its Sandy Hook namesake, will bring its 60s & 70s psychedelic rock with British influences to the Ives Street outdoor performance venue on Saturday, July 9. The free concert will begin at 7 pm, with an opening set by Shot of Karma; the headliners go on at 8 pm. Visit citycenterdanbury.com for updates in the event of rain.

Of course, if you are just into horsing around this weekend, the Second Company Governor's Horse Guard is hosting the "Horses, Hogs, and Hot Rods Car Show" this Saturday, July 9, from 4 to 8 pm, at the Fairfield Hills property off of Trades Lane.

We received a phone call from Penny Shaffer of Bastrop, Texas, this week. Penny called to say that in hearing over and over again the tragedies that remind them of 12/14, she and the other residents of the small town want to let Newtown and Sandy Hook know that "we don't care how much time goes by. We will never forget Sandy Hook."

Texas has been on my radar, I guess, as I'm keeping my paws crossed that a cat named Browser gets to keep his job. Browser, a rescue cat, has been a fixture at the White Settlement Public Library outside of Fort Worth for the past six years, according to online news feeds. But Browser, whom children read to and who has appeared on the library's fundraising calendar, not to mention his contributions to reducing the rodent population, may have to find a new home. The city council voted last month to make Browser leave, as animals are no longer allowed in public buildings. So, despite his many contributions to the library, Browser's home and job are on the line. Luckily, I hear that a petition is being circulated to keep Browser browsing the books at the library. I'm sending good wishes from afar, as I know how difficult it is for a cat to land a job.

The Celebration of Family Champions has become an opportunity for The Connecticut Council of Family Services Agencies to recognize two individuals from each member agency who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to strengthen and support families in Connecticut. This year, CCFSA honored NYFS staff therapist Meredith Macmillan. "Meredith has developed connections with challenging youth and has built relationships with adolescents and their families in which they feel heard and validated" said NYFS Executive Director Candice Bohr. CCFSA also honored board member Sheilah Krasnickas. "We are tremendously grateful for Sheilah's desire to assist Newtown in healing, cheering on our agency, and having the community's needs at the forefront of her mind always," said Candice. Congratulations to both of them, and thank you.

An inspiring and colorful art show sponsored by the Society of the Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) is on exhibit at the Cyrenius H. Booth Library in the Meeting Room for the month of July. Lucky you - if you fall in love with one of the pieces of art work, most paintings are for sale.

Sandy Hook interior designer Bobbie Sue Smart tells me she is hard at work again on the HGTV

It is never too soon to prepare for the Friends' Annual Book Sale. A line of boxes outside of Reed Intermediate School was in place by early this week, serving as place holders in this time-honored tradition. Long before the entry tickets go on sale this Saturday at 7 am, and before the 9 am rush as the doors open, the boxes will be joined by the owners who hope to fill them with the best of the many treasures to be found at the sale.

By the way, the design for this year's Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Sale T-shirts for volunteers and major donors was created by Kim Proctor (who has been responsible for some of the front page artwork for

Newspaper columns can also be "portable magic," I hope. You'll be transported to the nooks and crannies of Newtown once again, next week, if you… Read me again.