Former Newtown resident Graham Lord contacted The Bee this week with some updated information concerning the articles on road names around town. Graham and his family lived at the intersection of Stony Brook Road and Brennan Road from 1948 to the mid-1960s. “When my parents, Fred and Charlotte Lord, purchased the property in 1948, these unpaved roads were unnamed. Our property was named ‘Stony Brook’ due to the brook running through it. At that time the only two homes on what is now Stony Brook Road were owned by my parents and by Robert and Ingeborg Muller. The only home at that time on what is now Brennan Road was owned by Katherine Brennan. She was related to a locomotive engineer on the railroad that operated on the rail line between our properties. As our family always referred to her as ‘Miss Brennan’ I assume she was his sister. When the League of Women Voters asked local residents to suggest names for these roads, my family suggested ‘Stony Brook Road’ and the Mullers suggested ‘Sheepy Hollow Road’ since they owned a number of sheep. After some discussion, the Mullers graciously agreed to ‘Stony Brook Road,’ partly, I suppose, because the brook flowed through their property as well as ours. To my knowledge, Brennan Road was named in honor of Katherine Brennan, at that time the only resident of that road. Her home was located on the right side of the road, just beyond the railroad bridge over Brennan Road,” writes Graham. It is good to know that we can always count on residents and former residents to help us keep our long and lively history of Newtown accurate. Thank you, Graham.

Thanks go to the organizations and individuals supporting the Labor Day Parade, as well. While Labor Day Parade prez Kym Stendahl says that yet more funding is needed to pay for the huge end-of-summer event, the committee is steadily creeping toward the goal. This week she got a surprise phone call from Father Bob at St Rose. Apparently, the congregation feels that the parade is a needy charity and took up some extra offerings. (Could it be because St Rose always has an awesome presence in the parade?) Plus, committee member Brian Amey accepted a check for $500 from Lions Club members Walter Schweikert and Jim Wallace recently. Kym and the committee members want to remind residents that the parade is for the people of the town and every donation, big or little, helps immensely. Go to newtownctlabordayparade.org to find out how to donate. One more thing: the parade committee is seeking individuals to act as street directors the day of the parade. At least 12 strong adults are needed to help the parade stay on track. For more information and to volunteer, call Kym at 241-3448.

Good news, bad news: The good news is that Sales Tax-Free Week is Sunday, August 17, through Sunday, August 23. This gives back-to-school and other savvy shoppers a chance to purchase clothing and footwear valued below $300 without forking over the additional 6 percent sales tax usually applied to purchases costing $50 and more. The bad news is that this is the last year that the state is going to forfeit the more than $3 million dollars in tax revenue lost each Sales Tax-Free Week. Future Sales Tax-Free Weeks have been repealed by the most recent state budget. Next year I’ll have to make sure my new belled collar is marked less than $49, I guess.

The Newtown Sandy Hook Vintage Base Ball team is home on Sunday, so this cat will be strolling down to McLaughlin Vineyard on Alberts Hill Road for the 4 pm doubleheader and party. Most importantly, though, aside from hoping that the home team scores lots of runs for the Hits for Harmon fundraiser, is that the drawing for the coveted Red Sox-Yankees game tickets will take place in the afternoon. I’ve got my paws crossed for good luck.

Do you know a volunteer who you think brings the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission to life? Nominate them for the annual Sandra C. Labaree New England Volunteer Values Awards, a way that the Cancer Society honors the many volunteers who promote the organization’s mission. The nomination form can be found at cancer.org/nevolunteervalues. Don’t dilly-dally, though; the deadline for nominations is Friday, August 29. With one of the most successful Relays for Life right here in Newtown, I’m sure there is certainly a wealth of possible contenders.

And while you’re filling out those nomination forms, remember next week to …. Read me again.