In case you haven't heard, the NewArts production of The Wizard of Oz has experienced some technical difficulties (Maybe a bubble that won't float? Maybe flying monkeys that won't fly?) that have required the producers to change the show dates. There are no Thursday or Friday performances this weekend. Instead, two shows on Saturday and Sunday, August 13 and 14, will be presented. See the related story in this week's Enjoy section of The Bee, for details.www.trailblazechallengect.kintera.org and select "Support A Hiker." I just hope someone is waiting at the end of the trail with blister ointment and a gift certificate for a massage for each and every hiker.Gypsy outdoors in Wolfe Park. Not only that, but a number of Newtown residents starred in the production, including Aubrey Hankin, playing Baby June; Aubrey's older sister Talia, a rising junior at Newtown High, playing one of the older teens in the theatrical troop; Newtown High English and theater teacher Janice Gabriel as stripper Miss Mazzeppa, along with Jennifer Sokira, who is a therapist at the Resiliency Center of Newtown in the role of yet another stripper, Tessie Tura; and younger actors that included Jennifer's third-grade son, Ryan, as well as Becka Oberstadt and Pip Gamble, both of Newtown. Belated congratulations to all of our Newtown thespians.The Bee for details of when and where rehearsals will be held.The BFG for children with sensory sensitivity, on Saturday. Lighting and sound will be adjusted, along with acceptance of varying needs for movie-watching, allowing families who often find it difficult to do so within the parameters of the usual theater crowd to enjoy a movie. Todd, you are a Good Egg! www.newtownctlabordayparade.org to find out how you can sponsor, advertise, participate - or donate. If you live in Newtown, you know there truly is no other place like our home. Let's celebrate it on September 5.

A new emergency preparedness mobile application for Connecticut residents that provides information and alerts in emergency situation was launched this week. Among the many features of this app is the "I'm Safe" message that can be sent to contacts via e-mail, text, and social networks. The app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes Apple Store for Apple devices and Google Play for Android devices by searching the keyword "CT Prepares." My fuzzy paws are already busy typing it in to my smartphone, because I think it's a really smart app to have.

Here's some more news that BEARS reporting - and bear reports have become nearly a weekly thing this summer. This week, it is John Wisnieff who reports that a bear visited this Shepard Hill Road residence, Friday night, at 10, "and tore down both the birdfeeder and the suet holder and feasted for 30 minutes." "[The bear] was twice as large as I thought bears around here are," says John. It BEARS repeating: summer may not be the best time to fill your birdfeeders. They are, apparently, irresistible to these large mammals.

There's a banker who has been a Girl Scout leader and led a high-adventure scouting troop, paints, is a polymer clay artist, and a print maker (two-time winner of the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission cover art contest for the Newtown Arts Festival), among so many other outside of work activities. So is it surprising to learn that Newtown resident Tracy Van Buskirk has taken on the Trailblaze Challenge of a 30-mile, one-day hike to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation? Tracy and other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts will take on a portion of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail in the Savoy Mountain State Forest in Massachusetts, Saturday, October 1. Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, and in Connecticut, this event will help make wishes come true for approximately 240 children this year. Tracy has set a personal goal of raising $2,500 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If you want to be a part of her effort, go to

The 65th Annual Bridgewater Country Fair is underway next weekend, August 19 through 21, at the Bridgewater Fair Grounds, 100 Main Street. It's a classic country fair, with rides, music, races, art, and baking competitions, and plenty of livestock filling the barns. Did I mention that you will find delicious fair food and games at this event? The weekend kicks off with the Annual Bridgewater Fireman's Parade at 6:30 pm, Friday evening, August 19. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased ahead at the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department or various other Bridgewater businesses, or at the fair ground gates. The proceeds of this fun weekend benefit the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department.

How did this performance slip by? We hear this week from Two Planks Theater Company in Monroe, that its 2016 summer Broadway series ended this past weekend with four nights of the classic American musical

Happy birthday to Newtown Choral Society Director Mary Andreotta, who celebrated a birthday earlier this week. Mary never ceases in her enthusiasm for leading this local vocal group. You can be part of the fun, too, if you like to sing and want to learn more about singing with a group. Rehearsals for the winter NCS concert start in September - no auditions necessary. Keep an eye on

I hate sticky whiskers, so eating gooey S'mores can be tricky. But I learned on August 10, National S'mores Day, I will soon have another option for how to snack on this tasty treat (when I can't get to Ferris Acres Creamery for some Campfire ice cream that is). The Girl Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of Connecticut announced new S'mores cookies will be added to the 2017 lineup. The crunchy graham sandwich cookie will have a "creamy chocolate and marshmallow filling."

I am handing out a Good Egg Award this week to Newtown resident Todd Ingersoll of Ingersoll Auto of Danbury. Not only has Todd made free movie nights at Edmond Town Hall Theatre possible in recent years, but this coming weekend, Ingersoll Auto is sponsoring an additional 10 am free showing of

Don't forget that I am always happy to bestow the Good Egg Award on residents who may not get the limelight they deserve. If you know someone who contributes to the community and/or pitches in to help when needed - and never asks for recognition - feel free to let me know. Send your nomination for the Good Egg to nancy@thebee.com, and I'll make sure this person gets a little shout-out in this column.

It's only a month until the annual Labor Day Parade. Committee members have been busy since last winter planning and organizing this community extravaganza. "There's No Place Like Home" is this year's parade theme, and I look forward to seeing how all the float entries interpret this theme. Guess who will be at the head of this year's parade? None other than Grand Marshal Dr Bob Grossman. As always, parade organizers are concerned about the cost of putting on this parade, and are always grateful for any donations to help offset costs incurred. Go to

Well, there's no place like this column - for the news you want. Be sure next week to … Read me again.