I kept trying to squeeze in the door at Newtown Quilts! on Glen Road this past Saturday, but was nearly trampled by the crowd of over 200 curious quilters going in and out all day long. Owner Julia Price’s quilting fabric and accessory shop is the local stop for quilters from all over the region taking part in the Connecticut Quilt Shop Hop, that continues through Sunday, September 20. With registration (available at Newtown Quilts!), participants get a CT Shop Hop Passport, a CT Shop Hop Pin, a custom designed tote, and the chance to win lots of great prizes — not to mention visit fabulous quilting stores all around the state. There’s still time to join in the fun, Julia tells me.

Tea At Five opened last weekend at The Town Players and for two more weeks will offer people the chance to see Noel Desiato doing her impersonation of Katherine Hepburn in Matthew Lombardo’s one woman play. The play is, according to our review by Julie Stern, “by turns enthralling and moving, and Desiato is terrific.” (See this week’s Enjoy section for the full review.) If you’d like to turn an evening at the theater into a full celebration, Newtown Congregational Church is sponsoring a preshow reception next Friday night, September 25, at The Little Theatre. Tickets are $25 and will include the show at 8 and light refreshments for the 30 minutes prior to curtain. Tickets are available at Drug Center Pharmacy, Booth Library, the church office at 14 West Street, or by calling Linda Manganaro (426-3496) or Marie Sturdevant (740-2733).

NHS senior athletes might want to remember that the Newtown High School’s Guidance and Athletic departments are offering an informational session on athletic recruiting, Thursday, October 1, at 7 pm, in the NHS Lecture Hall. Coach Wayne Mazzoni, a speaker and author of Get Recruited, will hold a seminar for student-athletes and parents to inform them of what they need to know about the college athletic recruiting process. The event is free, but seating is limited. Registration forms (available in the school’s guidance, main and athletic offices) must be returned to NHS athletic director Greg Simon or school counselor Gerry Waterbury by Monday, September 28. Due to space constraints, only one parent may accompany a student.

I’m feeling pretty groovy after hearing that RIS teachers Gina Swanson, Karen King, and Paula Tischio are preparing themselves and 150 students to send out 150 letters, with 150 peace signs, to 150 local Newtown businesses. The letters will be asking the businesses to display the peace signs they receive to help celebrate World Peace Day, September 21. The peace signs will say “Celebrate World Peace Day, September 21.” If you want your business name added to the list of the 150 local businesses who will receive the peace signs, e-mail Gina Swanson at swansong@newtown.k12.ct.us. I’ll be on the prowl around town to spot those peace signs.

Hey, where are the Good Egg nominations? Don’t forget to let me know at nancy@thebee.com if you know someone who deserves a little recognition for the good deeds he or she does behind the scenes. Too many good eggs are overlooked, whose actions are much appreciated by those whose lives they touch.

If I was Puss in Boots, I’d be quaking in my boots over the fearsome event coming up. Students at Newtown Middle School filled art teacher Claudia Mitchell’s room after school, September 10, to receive their marching orders for this year’s Scarecrow Sculpture Contest. (Although I’d have to say that Dr Joshua Baum has gotten a jump on them this year with the Abominable Strawperson towering in the front yard!) I’m still quivering over last year’s Death By Chocolate and the Darth Vader scarecrows. Thankfully, Newtowners had the Scooby Doo and PacMan sculptures for protection last year. What will those eighth grade students think of this year? Make sure to watch for their creations, scheduled to be set up on the front lawn of the school’s Queen Street property, Saturday, October 24. Voting for your favorite scarecrow will once again cost $1, and winners of the contest will choose a local charity of their choice to receive the donations.

Bruce Degen of Newtown, illustrator of the Magic School Bus series, is one of more than 50 children’s book authors and illustrators appearing at Celebrate Children’s Book Day at Sunnyside, the Tarrytown, N.Y., historic homestead of Washington Irving (author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow), on Sunday, September 27, from 11 am to 6 pm, if you’re up for a little ride. The day includes demonstrations, magic, music, and book signings, as well as the chance to mingle with the creators of many of your favorite children’s books. Admission to Sunnyside is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors; $6 for children 5-17; and free for children under 5 and Historic Hudson Valley members. Tours of Irving’s house are included in the price of admission. Tickets can be purchased on-line at husdonvalley.org. Washington Irving’s Sunnyside is at 89 West Sunnyside Lane in Tarrytown, one mile south of the Tappan Zee Bridge, off of Route 9.

Thirty-five register lanes available but only two lanes open…You approach the customer service desk to voice a complaint and the rude woman behind the counter tells you that the customer service department is now closed. A typical response in a world where customer service has slipped away. Author Peter A. LaPorta will be at The Blue Colony Diner on Thursday, September 24, to sign copies of his newest book, called Who Hired These People?, which shares hilarious but true stories of customer service disasters, as well as the successful service world of giants like Walt Disney Co., Walgreens, Darden Restaurants, and others. Peter will be at the 66 Church Hill Road eatery — which is reportedly, along with other Newtown and Monroe locations, featured in the book — from 6 to 8 pm. Sounds like just the place to hear some “catty” remarks. I must go!

I’m off to turn my sunny side up to the remaining rays of the early fall sunshine. Don’t forget next week to…Read me again.