Denise Kaiser recognized a few of the people pictured on page A-17 in last week’s “The Way We Were” column as “the organizing committee for one of the ‘A Day to Make A Difference’ fundraisers for the Pediatrics Department at Danbury Hospital. In the back row (left to right) are Laurie Kilchevsky (wife of DH neonatologist Dr Eitan Kilchevsky); a woman whom I don’t recognize; Dr Jack Fong (chairman of the Pediatrics Department); his wife, Margaret Fong; and Cecilia Louis (departmental administrator? Executive assistant to the chairman? I don’t know what her title would have been when the photo was taken).” Dr John Borruso concurred as to the event, and further clarifies that seated on the left, he believes, is Jennifer Roy, and Iris Batson next to her. The hats? He has no recollection of why the hats. It may take some sleuthing on the part of our staff to get the rest of the names and solve that burning question of “Why the hats?” Anyone else care to weigh in?

A reader shared a photo of shopping carts abandoned helter-skelter along the walkway bordering the Big Y parking area, and wonders why people cannot be a little more considerate. This reader actually cleared away these carts so a mom with a stroller could make her way along the path. Returning the carts to the outside of the store is one option, or settling them adjacent to parking spots so that they don’t roll away would also ensure that walkways remain clear for pedestrians, while still leaving room for the next vehicle.

In case you’ve missed this in the library notes published the past couple of weeks, C.H. Booth Library has some summer fun drummed up and would love you to participate! The Summer Fun Challenge has a new theme each week, a new set of challenges, and a separate raffle for prizes. Earn a raffle ticket for each challenge completed during the week, and win prizes like $25 gift cards for My Place, The Toy Tree, and Turning the Page bookstore. Children’s Librarian Lana Bennison reminds me that there are lots of fun challenges to choose from: invent a recipe, plan a backyard camping trip, start a collection, take a virtual trip to a museum, make your own joke book, design a board game, learn how to code, and — of course — reading! Learn more about this week’s challenge at https://youtube.com/watch?v=y1Eaeahlvbk. Enter the raffle at summerfunraffle@chboothlibrary.org with your name, phone number, and a picture or description of your completed challenges. You can also earn a ticket for each day you read out loud for 15 minutes. Visit chboothlibrary.org for details.

I’ve been keeping my nose out of the flowers lately, as they are abuzz with bees — all kinds of wild bees, bumble bees, and honey bees! Then I started wondering where all these bees go at night, and do they sleep? I’d be exhausted if I was as busy as a bee! I scouted about and found that it is thought that wild bees make hives in rocky cracks, hollows of trees and stumps, and similar structures in the woods. And yes, bees do take a snooze every day — sometimes even cozying up overnight in a closed flower. (Just in case you are curious as a cat, too.)

Keep this in mind: The August 11 primary polling centers will all be at the high school this year, to accommodate concerns regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus. Voters from District 1 and 1-5 who usually vote at the Middle School will vote in the rear cafeteria. Those from District 2 and 3-2 who usually vote at the Reed School will vote in the front cafeteria. And those who reside in District 3-1 and 3-5 and usually vote at the Head O’ Meadow School will vote in the Newtown High School main lobby. Details can be found on the local registrars’ Facebook page and at newtown-ct.gov. Look for reminders all around town regarding this change, and on voting day, you’ll find signs at the high school directing you to your section of the school to park and vote — and don’t forget to wear your mask! Students who can help out on voting day can contact the registrars’ office to volunteer at 203-270-4250. (The Secretary of State has mailed out applications for absentee ballots so that those who may feel uncomfortable or compromised if voting in person, can safely cast a vote.)

With pandemic protocols still keeping many locations closed, we would like to remind readers that the office of Bee Publishing Company is still available as a donations point for FAITH Food Pantry. All visiting the office at 5 Church Hill Road are asked to wear a mask, but the donations box is still located just inside our front door. Nonperishable foods, toiletry items, pet supplies, and cleaning supplies are all welcome. We will work with anyone who would like to do a contactless donation, as well. If you would like to do that, call our front office when you arrive (203-426-3141) and just leave your donations outside the front door. We will send someone out to pick them up after you have moved away from the door. Caraluzzi’s Newtown Market continues to host collection boxes, as well. FAITH is available to help any Newtown resident in need of food assistance. Call 203-837-0816 to make an appointment for a confidential visit. For additional information about the pantry visit newtownfoodpantry.org.

Is your 7-year-old pup the equivalent of 49 human years — or 64 human years? NBC reporter Linda Carroll recently reported on research that shows dogs age “very quickly during their first five years and much more slowly later on.” Instead of the traditional multiplication of your dog’s years by seven, new doggie math suggests that “a 1-year-old dog is like a 31-year-old human; a 3-year-old dog is like a 49-year-old human; a 7-year-old dog is like a 62-year-old human.” Whew. The good news is that the slowing of molecular aging means that Fido at age 12 (at least for Labradors) is only about the same as a 70-year-old person. (Purina suggests that the first two years of kittyhood is like 25 human years, then add four “cat years” for each year after that. How old am I? I’ll never let the cat out of the bag.)

Instagram is just full of things... for instance, I’m not naming names, but someone in town (former librarian, cough, cough...) has a truly superb sprinkler. It’s a gigantic, blow-up unicorn that spouts water from her horn! Supposedly, it is for the entertainment of grandchildren, but I’m waiting to see a picture of said person “testing” it out in a frolicksome manner!

And if you follow Ferris Acres Creamery on Instagram, you most likely saw that they had an unusual customer this week. A black cat, perched on his/her owner’s shoulder, came along to pick up some ice cream. I’m familiar with the Creamery’s Pup Cup, but now I’m wondering if I’ve missed out on a Kitty Kup? (Cat Suggestion: A little Sweet Cream, a sprig of cat mint….)

News is the one thing you really don’t want to miss out on, so be sure next week to... Read me again.