Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, Saturday, July 20, from 11 am to 3 pm. ctsciencecenter.org tells us “Join the Connecticut Science Center as we host a celebration to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and the fantastic human achievement of landing on the moon.” There will be technology on display by the New Britain Industrial Museum, music from Woodstock tribute band CJ West and the Downtown Train, a balloon magic show, and more. In the theater, you can watch Apollo 11: First Steps Edition for just $1.50 — what a movie ticket cost in 1969. A Connecticut flag that went into space, donated by Astronaut Dan Burbank, will also be on display. The Science Center is located at 250 Columbus Boulevard.

The historic moonwalk is celebrated elsewhere in this issue of The Newtown Bee, as well, and we also hear from residents who recall where they were when man first set foot on that shining orb in our Bee Lines column.

We have heard from readers how much they have enjoyed the articles on longtime residents of town, as well as the ones about ancestry searches. These are ongoing series, and we hope to hear from more people interested in sharing their histories with readers. If your family has called Newtown/Sandy Hook home for four or more generations or if you have had an interesting experience using ancestry searches (or even if DNA testing your dog has come up with a few fun facts), contact alissa@thebee.com to set up an interview. Thanks in advance!

Judy Rowley shared a great experience she recently had as well as a couple of photos. “My dad’s first and favorite car was a Model A Ford. He used to tell me how he’d drive over Avon Mountain to visit his girlfriend (he lived in Farmington) and how the manifold would get ‘red hot.’ Before my dad passed, I had wanted to get him a ride in a Model A. Unfortunately, he passed before I found someone to do this for him (he passed in 2010). Every once in a while, I would contact a Model A club as I would still love to take that ride in a Model A “with” dad. I never received a response until about a week or so ago. The president of the Model A club in Torrington, Paul, e-mailed me that he’d be reading my request to the club. A few days later, Rick Fattibene of Sandy Hook contacted me that he would be honored to give me a ride in his Model A. On Monday, July 8, he did! Rick and I spent about two hours together driving all over Newtown, Southbury, Woodbury, and Oxford. I learned about his family. I learned about Rick’s music (he loves Elvis and Roy Orbison). Rick learned about my dad, who was a radio man stationed at Wheeler Field and Hickham AFB during WW2. Rick even packed some sodas for us to have when we stopped for a break at Southwick Falls, and it was there Rick showed me what the manifold was and where it was! (It was NOT ‘red hot’).”

David Pritchard’s dog treed a mama bear and her cub earlier this week, on their property near Cherry Grove Farm, Palestine Road. Keep your eyes open!

Author Lisa Yu will be reading her children’s book, My Daddy Is A Firefighter,” this Saturday, July 20, at 11 am, at the C.H. Booth Library. It will be followed by a Newtown Hook & Ladder Volunteer Fire Company touch-a-truck opportunity in the library parking lot. The event is for children 3-8, with an adult. Copies of Lisa’s book will be available for purchase, as well. Register at chboothlibrary.org.

Get out your fans: some very hot weather is in the works for the coming weekend, if we can believe the weather reports. A dip in the pool might be in the books, and the new Community Center pool should be ready for swimmers just in time. A ribbon cutting scheduled for Friday, July 19, is meant to be the opening “bell” for the facility up at Fairfield Hills. Of course, Eichler’s Cove and Treadwell Park offer outdoor swimming opportunities, too. Time to join up, if you haven’t already! If indoors is your plan for the weekend, be sure your air conditioner and/or fans are in good working order. Public spaces, such as our library, are also good spots to cool down if your home is too hot for comfort — and don’t forget to driink plenty of water.

We know how dangerous it is to leave pets in a car on a steamy day, and there is no question how dangerous it is for small children. Statistics from kars4kids.org notes that the temperature inside a car can climb to 109 degrees within 15 minutes on a summer day — that’s five degrees above the temp at which a child’s internal organs begin to shut down. So kars4kids.org is promoting an app available through Google Play. Paired with Bluetooth, it alerts you when you turn off the engine that you have precious cargo aboard! Find out details at kars4kids.org/safety-app. With hectic lifestyles and chronic tiredness, this is one app that might save a little life. Check it out.

FAITH Food Pantry needs help stocking its shelves this summer. If you can donate, they are especially in need of canned beef stew, chili, sloppy Joe, baked beans, fruit, and tomatoes. Pasta and sauce are needed, as are packaged rice/pasta dishes, peanut butter and jelly, cookies, crackers, cereal, bottled juice, and dessert mixes. Pet food is always welcome, as furry friends also suffer when a family encounters rough times. Donations of toothpaste, shampoo/conditioner, toilet paper, laundry and hand soaps, and liquid dish soap are also needed. Do what you can. Every donation is appreciated by the pantry, located on the grounds of St Rose of Lima, 46 Church Hill Road — and open to all in need, Tuesdays, 9:30 to 11:30 am; and Thursdays, 6 to 7:30 pm.

The library offers a lot more than books these days. Library staff is curious about which direction the library should move, going forward. Another of the Listening Session series takes place this coming Monday, July 22, at 6:30 pm. Put in your two cents’ worth. The group will gather in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library. Call 203-426-4533 for more information.

Looking way ahead, the annual Newtown Labor Day Parade is scheduled to step off from the top of Main Street on Monday, September 2. Did you know it costs nearly $30,000 to put on this end of summer parade? Donate to support the state’s largest (and possibly only) Labor Day Parade at [naviga:u]newtownctlabordayparade.org[/naviga:u].

I’m always looking ahead. Be sure next week to... Read me again.