C.H. Booth Library shares with me that our own First Selectman Dan Rosenthal is the Summer Reading Ambassador for 2020! Dan has recorded a message about the importance of reading on the library’s YouTube channel, as well. View it at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0x1rqyfegm. I am quite impressed that our first selectman, during unbelievably busy times, has made time to do this! Director Douglas Lord and staff are very appreciative of every single reader who took part in Summer Reading this year. No need to stop now — fall is a great time to curl up with a book!

Valerie Fallon of Hall Lane shares this bear photo with me. This visitor enjoyed a breakfast of birdseed last Wednesday morning (Wed. 9/2) at the Fallon residence. “We took this photo, which was about 10 feet from our back deck,” Valerie says, adding that she assumes it is the same bear that was spotted on Sunset Hill, behind the Fallons’ and Academy Lane the week before (and behind the office of The Newtown Bee, might I add!) They were advised to remove the feeders “after his departure, of course,” says Valerie, “for about 2 weeks or so. He is a beautiful creature, but we are not eager for a return visit!”

Wednesday seems to be bear visit day, with Mark Ashbolt sharing this photo of a bear visiting the blueberry bushes in their Overlook Drive backyard, also on Wednesday evening. Seems she or he was making the rounds!

It’s making me wonder if we should not start a Bear of the Week column. Hopefully, Yogi, BooBoo, and their friends will soon be settling down for the winter.

Two other bears found a curbside seat Monday morning, September 7, when Valerie Giarratano set up some spectators for the nonexistent Labor Day Parade; but to the delight of Winnie the Pooh and friend, a “reverse parade” of tractors puttered by to entertain them (and anyone else along the largely deserted parade route)!

It’s not just the bears, but apparently the fox in Newtown that are happy to make themselves to home. Pat Oliver shares this photo of a surprise greeting neighbors on Taunton Lake Road had in recent weeks. Not too shy, they took their time taking leave, apparently. They’ve also been spotted sunning themselves on people’s decks in the neighborhood! Just a reminder, though, that no matter how cute, fox are still wild animals and should be respected as such.

Jenny Hubbard shares news from the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary: This week, the sanctuary’s beekeeper taught me all about the “time of dearth.” Dearth comes as the summer season closes and the natural nectar that bees depend on becomes depleted. That’s when we step in to feed our buzzing pollinator friends the syrup they’ll need to survive the winter. Certainly, the correlation to our own world during this time was not lost on me. While world tragedies and social divide swarm the headlines, it can feel like the “time of dearth” has reached us all. Yet, the golden elixir is there to sustain us if we look to the compassion, kindness and inspiration that is all around. At the sanctuary, we have focused on feeding those moments of goodness and bringing programs that sustain animals, sharing 17,000 lbs of pet food with those struggling to feed their pets. We have figured out how to safely gather and learn, hosting our 1st in person program since February. And we have turned our attention to mother earth, planting and harvesting to help sustain humans and animals alike. Even in these uncertain times, the sanctuary has been steadfast in inspiring compassion and making a lasting impact for so many.

Speaking of dearth, I felt a little dearthy myself, meandering down Main Street this past Monday and having to accept the fact that there just was not any Labor Day Parade to be found. Then I heard the putt-putt-putt of tractors and realized that, of course, resilient Newtowners would find a way to put some fun back in the day. Thanks to the organizers of the “reverse parade” that sent all kinds of tractors along the parade route. Kind of nice for those tractors to have a place of honor, instead of bringing up the rear!

I certainly don’t want to bring up the rear next week, so be sure to... Read me again.