I hope you've had a chance to stop by the Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care & Control Center (aka the dog pound) to examine the new collection of scrapbooks about Canine Advocates. (See story in the August 4 edition of The Newtown Bee.) The Animal Control Center is always grateful for donations that help them help the animals in their care. Right now, they have some specific needs. If you are planning to donate, classic lamb and rice dry dog food, freeze-dried liver treats, doggie toothpaste (poultry flavored), soft toothbrushes, and pig's ears, choke chain collars and sturdy slide leads, large rubber Kong toys, air Kongs, large rope toys, Frisbees, and squeak toys, bleach, ammonia, paper towels, laundry detergent, drier sheets, towels, large black garbage bags, and gift certificates to Petco, Choice Pet Supplies, or Your Healthy Pet are most appreciated. The Animal Control Center is at 21 Old Farm Road.Girl Who Drank the Moon, by Kelly Barnhill, Thursday, August 17, at 1 pm. The book is this year's Newbery Award-winning book, and is suggested for ages 9-12 years old. Pizza and beverages will be served at this free public event. Registration is requested at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eeecvrfvb5c0fccf&oseq=&c=&ch=. Byrd's Books is at 126 Greenwood Avenue.cathisull@hotmail.com, visit bridgewaterfair.com, or call 860-354-1509.redcrossblood.org, or calling 800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767). To help reduce wait times, donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.newtownctlabordayparade.org. Let's look forward to summer ending on a high note, not the sour note it would be without the full glory of our parade.The Newtown Bee's Back to School supplement is set to be printed with the August 18 edition of the paper, next week. I don't want to give away too much, but I understand it will have a lot to offer this year for anyone with kids in school. All-Star Transportation and the Newtown Public Schools district provided the bus routes and more information for the supplement, and my coworkers have been busy working this summer to add to the supplement. Readers can expect coloring pages created by local art teachers, stories on maximizing sleep with the new school start times, a look back on the lessons learned from spending a year in a new school building, and study tips. You'll find a fun matching game, too, so don't forget to check out the supplement next week.

Our departing summer intern, Julia Preszler, treated the editorial staff to a bee-utiful treat last week. Julia topped each delicious mini cupcake with honey-sweetened frosting and a special bee pick. We hope you've enjoyed Julia's coverage these past several weeks as she learned about life in a news office, and of course, we wish her the very best for the rest of the summer and her continuing education at Northeast University.

Congratulations to Master Robert Z. Olmedo, who tells us that for the fifth time, he has been inducted into the US Martial Arts Hall of Fame in San Antonio, Texas. Master Olmedo is an instructor of martial arts at NYA Sports & Fitness in Newtown. He accepted the International Ambassador award, this year, training and competing in eight different styles of martial arts; Aikido, Hapkido, Tactical Fighting, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Wing Chun, Krav Maga, Sambo, and Self-Defense Weapons.

Calling all young readers: Byrd's Books in Bethel invites all to a family-friendly book group discussion of

In the Sandy Hook area, some young concerned residents have been keeping neighborhood watch on local teenagers riding dirt bikes on the road. Their message to the dirt bikers, written in chalk at the end of their driveway reads "Dear dirt bikers, How are you? I'm fine. Oh wait I know I'm mad. Do you know why? Because you guys ride around the neighborhood like it's a dirt bike place. Love The Dirt Bike Cops. P.S. Do not hit me or my dog that looks like a Twinkie." (Creative liberties were used in the original version's spelling and have been corrected for print.) I say, good for these young messengers. I hope the words are taken to heart by anyone for whom the shoe fits.

That time of year is rapidly approaching again. The classic Bridgewater Country Fair returns August 18 to 20, on the fairgrounds at 100 Main Street South (Route 133), in Bridgewater. Plenty of music, shopping, food, animals, contests, prizes, and rides will make for a fun weekend. Gates open Friday, 4 pm until 11 pm; Saturday, 8 am to 11 pm; and Sunday, from 8 am to 6 pm. Admission is $8, adults; $6, seniors; free ages 12 and under; three-day pass, $16. And don't miss the Fireman's Parade and opening ceremonies at 6:30 pm, Friday, August 18. For more details, contact

The American Red Cross urges blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help overcome a chronic summer blood shortage. Locally, a blood drive is scheduled in Sandy Hook, Friday, August 25, from 1 to 6 pm, at Masonicare at Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Road. Appointments can be scheduled by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting

It is only because I so love settling myself into a shady spot along Main Street for the Labor Day Parade that I cannot resist reminding you again that this annual event comes with a price tag. Nearly $30,000 is needed to keep marchers marching through our center of town on September 4. Please consider a donation at

With summer on the downside, Fire Marshal Rich Frampton and his staff send us a note reminding that this is the time of year to have your home's heating sources checked and cleaned. The office notes that cleaning and servicing your furnace/boilers will help the units run more efficiently and burn cleaner, which will help keep you warm all winter; and this attention will reduce the chances of CO poisoning, and furnace malfunctions that produce soot inside your home and the air you breathe. "Maintaining your heating unit ultimately will enable more efficient and cost-effective heat and safety in running your heat," our fire marshal tells us. Also, "If you need to replace your heating unit, oil tank, adding a wood stove, pellet stove, etc, these all require building permits to ensure they are installed according to manufactures instructions or minimum specifications." Additionally, cooler weather may mean using the fireplace; always wait until ashes are cool to remove them from the fireplace, is good advice offered. "Put them in a fireproof metal bucket and store them a safe distance from the home. Hot ashes can ignite combustibles even a week or more after discarding."

Nor do I want to give away too much... so be sure next week to... Read me again.