The sounds of marching bands just finished rolling along our parade route, and the new school year’s clothing is hardly broken in, but some folks are already looking toward winter. It’s true! If you don’t mind thinking like that and you’d like to get into or return to singing, Newtown Choral Society may be the group for you. Rehearsals begin next week, on Wednesday, September 13, 7-9 pm, at Newtown Middle School. The non-audition community chorus is heading into its 37th year, and has openings in all voices. Stop by the middle school next week. If you’d like to learn more ahead of that, send a note to NCS President Laura Lerman at lel@se-ltd.com.

Newtown’s long-standing square dance group, The Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club relocated last year just over the river into Southbury. Anyone interested in learning the basics (or beyond) is invited to join the club for either or both of two dance parties the Roosters are hosting. Dancers of all abilities (or no dance moves whatsoever, like me) are invited to the church hall of United Church of Christ, 283 Main Street North (Route 6) in Southbury, on Tuesdays, September 12 and 19, 7:30-9 pm each week, to learn about the club, try some dancing, and enjoy refreshments. Club member Jean McClean likes to remind people: Square dancing is just walking to music. Reservations are not necessary but additional information is available by contacting Jean at 203-926-0873 or jmclean558@gmail.com, or finding the group’s Facebook page.

Apologies for the short notice, but readers may be interested to learn that former Newtown resident Faith Vicinanza and her poetry skills are now just over the Rochambeau Bridge, in Southbury. Long known as “The Connecticut Poet,” Faith is heading into the second of a three-year term as Southbury’s first Town Poet Laureate, and she is among those scheduled to participate in Southbury Celebration on Saturday, September 9 (rain date September 10). From 4:30 until about 8:45 pm, all forms of entertainment will be offered on the Great Lawn of Southbury Training School, Route 172. Faith is scheduled to recite a special poem commemorating Southbury’s 350th Anniversary around 6:25. Admission into the event is free; visit southbury-ct.org/sbycelebration for full details.

Speaking of talented women, the first time Lucinda Rowe took the stage of Edmond Town Hall she was 3 years old and a student of Lathrop School of Dance. Many years and a few additional dance recitals later, she and Michael Connolly were married and celebrated their reception in the historic building’s Alexandria Room. She and Mick also performed a benefit at the town hall, about ten years ago, for the families of 12/14. This month Lucinda is returning to her hometown, and this time she has the opening spot for the first concert in the Live at Edmond Town Hall 2023 Music Series. She will be opening for Jeffrey Gaines next weekend. The Friday, September 15 concert begins at 8, tickets are $20, and they’re available through edmondtownhall.org.

In this week’s Did You Know? ... Did you know that in addition to reading our stories in print and online you can also hear about them on the radio? For nearly 2½ years Newtown resident John Iannuzzi of Park City Productions and WPKN 89.5 FM have been offering weekly podcasts featuring interviews between John and our Editor. The series began in early 2021 with John speaking each week with then-Editor Nancy K. Crevier, or occasionally another staff member. Following Nancy’s retirement that July, John Voket stepped very easily into the weekly conversations with John Iannuzzi. I often get to listen in when John and John talk via Zoom, and it’s so nice to hear both sides of that conversation. John I is so interested in his hometown and its long-standing newspaper. We can’t thank him enough for including us in his newsgathering, which he does with us along with The Hartford Courant, CT Mirror, The Shelton Herald, and other news sources. We feel honored to be among those news organizations. John V, meanwhile, is always tooting the horn of his Editorial staff, and of everyone else who works at 5 Church Hill Road, who continue to collect and share the news and advertising of Newtown. The interviews are turned into segments for WPKN’s Local News Report, which airs at 6:55 pm Monday through Friday, 11 pm Monday through Thursday, and 10 pm each Friday.

Like the rest of us, John Iannuzzi — who wasn’t already busy enough, of course — has made time for another passion project. John is now working on another podcast through his Park City Productions, this one featuring a local school. John has partnered with David Newman, head of school at Fraser Woods Montessori School, to produce a monthly podcast based on the South Main Street school, upcoming events, logistical details about Montessori school life, and deep divers into Montessori and the world of education. The first podcast was released August 24 and was called, quite appropriately, “Back to School.” If you’d like to listen in, the series (Fraser Woods Montessori Podcast) can be found on YouTube, iHeart Radio, and iTunes.

September means back to school for many. It also means the return of spaghetti suppers at the Methodist Church. Elaine Landau called last week to share that good news. She’ll have additional details soon, but she was able to confirm that members of Newtown United Methodist Church are planning a dinner for Saturday, September 30. For those who remember when the monthly events were followed by live music/coffee house presentations, you may also be tickled to hear that there will be a special dedication that night to the late Roger Sprung. The celebrated five-string banjo player, music educator, American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame inductee and, for many, a neighbor and friend to generations of fellow Newtown residents, died in late July. For years he had been a staple at the NUMC Coffee Houses, joined by fellow friends and musicians to entertain for a few hours after dinner.

You know what else is back this month? St Rose Friday Night Bingo! The format for the new season of Bingo remains the same for 2023-24: doors at St Rose of Lima School will open at 5:45, game sales begin at 6, games run 6:30-9:30 pm, and admission is $20, which includes all regular games. There will be some special games for $1 each. Mark your calendar for not only September 15, but much of the rest of the season: October 13, November 17, January 19, February 9, March 8, and May 3. There won’t be a Bingo night in December, and an April date is still being determined.

Looking further ahead in my calendar, I see Nunnawauk Meadows Residents Association members are busy making crafts for a new event coming to the Community Building at 3 Nunnawauk Road: the 1st Nunnawauk Meadows Christmas Craft Fair. Save the date for Saturday, December 9. From 9 am to 3 pm, organizers plan to have plenty of holiday items such as table runners, tree skirts, ornaments and stockings, along with pet items and children’s ponchos. According to a note from Peggy McCloskey, who is helping to coordinate the event, “Many delicious holiday baked goods and treats will be tempting you to postpone your pre-holiday dieting.” Ha! I’m in, especially if any of those ornaments and/or baked goods have a little catnip snuck in!

Get your thinking caps on. Less than a month from now, the 4th Annual Parks & Rec Scarecrow Contest will return to Fairfield Hills. Last year’s contest featured 24 unique creations by local groups, individual residents, and families, with three again taking home honors and prizes. This fun and sometimes spooky event is among my favorites of the year, so I can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with. I’ll keep you posted as additional information is released.

I hope you’ll remember to come back next week, when you can ... read me again.