It is never too early to plan. I’m pretty sure that’s the motto of The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, who are already busy preparing for the 35th Annual Book Sale to be held July 10 to 14, 2010. To that end, the Friends are in need of volunteers to assist with membership, sorting, pricing, and Internet research. They can also use folks with good organizational and management skills. If you have some time and love to be around books, please consider volunteering with the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library. For inquiries and specifics, contact Mary at 426-3889.

There’s another early bird in our midst. For anyone who is keeping careful count — anyone other than Monsignor Bob, that is — there were about 125 shopping days until Christmas last weekend. Monsignor Bob was headed into New York City earlier this week, spending two days at a summer gift show. He said he was going in for some last minute items needed for the Christmas Boutique he and fellow St Rose parishioners present each December. As of last Sunday, there were 109 shopping days until the boutique opens.

Sandy Hook resident and travel writer Georgia Monaghan will be leading a new writers’ group sponsored by Booth Library this fall. It aims to give aspiring writers a peer group to encourage and provide motivation in meeting writing goals, and to provide a supportive environment in which to share writing and receive feedback. Plans are for the group to meet monthly, at the library, on the fourth Monday, at 7 pm. Contact the library at 426-4533 for more information.

It’s back to school for lots of kids in the upcoming weeks, but not for Oreo, the tuxedo cat from Georgia. She is purr-fectly happy to have a degree of higher education pinned over her bowl. While browsing the news from msnbc.com, I came across this little article that may (or may not) surprise you. Oreo has earned her high school diploma from Jefferson High School Online. It turns out that not only is she a little bit smarty-pants cat, but a little bit spy cat, too. Her owner, the president and CEO of Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia, enlisted Oreo’s help as part of an ongoing BBB investigation of online diploma mills. I guess the point is that if a cat can get a diploma (with a little typing assistance — but who doesn’t have that?) that it might not be quite the equivalent of a genuine high school diploma, and a complete waste of money. We’ll see, when Oreo lands that journalism job. Now let’s see…. Where did I put my degree?

Congratulations to Bonnie Miller. She is being awarded my Good Egg Award. According to the admirer who nominated Bonnie, she is “a super volunteer who shares her time and talent wherever it is needed.” Bonnie is a valued member of the library’s book menders group, a group that saves the library thousands of dollars a year in replacement book costs. She also serves on the Newtown Historical Society board, and manages its publications. As genealogy club secretary, Bonnie produced comprehensive minutes and had them out to the members in a very timely manner. You will see Bonnie hard at work every day during the Friends of the Library’s annual book sale. “She is happy to work wherever she is needed,” says the nominator, “and any job she takes on she does extremely well.” You’re a Good Egg, Bonnie!

Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks is showing her true colors. Now that she is a full-fledged member of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, she’ll not only be zipping about town in her flashy bright yellow Jeep Wrangler, but flashing a blue light as well, whenever she is on her way to answer a call. Congratulations, Shannon. The town is a safer place now. I think.

Doggonnit, it’s always good to get some good news, and I have to admit I am happy to hear that Simone and Sammy, the puppies that went missing from a Currituck Road home last week, were returned. Sadly, though, 2-year-old Black Jack, a Jack Russell terrier, who was also dog-napped, is still missing. If you think you spot the dapper black and white little terrier, give Police Officer Bart Lorancaitis a call. He can be reached at the police station at 426-5841. The police tip line is 270-8888.

Local artist Karen Pinto will be demonstrating at the 10th Annual Connecticut Clay Artists’ Show, Sunday, August 23, from 10 am to 2 pm. The show opens with a festive wine and cheese reception for the participating 14 artists Friday, August 21, from 5 to 7 pm, and is open to the public as well on Saturday, August 22, 10 am to 4 pm, and again from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday, August 23. The show takes place at the Jewish Community Center, 9 Route 39 South, in Sherman, so it’s a bit of a drive, but well worth it. You’ll see some great examples of wheel-thrown and handbuilt pottery, and functional and decorative stoneware, earthenware, raiku, and porcelain. The pieces will be for sale, but the artists welcome you, even if you are there just to admire their handiwork.

I’ll be admiring the backsides of my eyelids during this lazy, hazy summer weather that has finally arrived. But don’t worry. I’ll keep my ears perked up for all the goings-ons around town and give you plenty of reason next week to …. Read me again.