Congratulations to the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission for another wonderful Newtown Arts Festival this past weekend. So much art in just two full days! Music, fine arts, crafts, dance, theatrics — all creatively presented. Plus plenty of food trucks for every taste kept fair attendees happy. I have to say, demanding that Mother Nature provide two perfect days was brilliant.

More than one person has been missing Vito Kala’s magic touch at the Villa Restaurant in Sandy Hook Center lately. A fractured ankle has kept him out of the kitchen, but Vito tells me he hopes to be back in action in just a couple more weeks. Meanwhile, Villa staff is keeping up with the business of turning out pizza pies and the rest of the delicious menu.

Who wants to be healthy? Everyone! The whole family is invited to the free annual Newtown Health Fair, this Saturday, September 28, in a new location: the Newtown Community Center, at 8 Simpson Street. You’ll find exhibitors, screening opportunities, information booths, and more to help you be your healthiest. It all happens from 9 am to noon.

That still leaves time for another fundraiser happening on Saturday — the Hook & Ladder Firehouse Ride and BBQ at 12 Church Hill Road. Details and ticket information are at firehouseride.com. (I hear some residents have tickets to fancy up some of their casual wear and hit the dance floor later that evening at the Newtown Scholarship Association’s Blue Jean Ball.)

If you’re looking for a more blissful experience on Saturday, the Newtown Forest Association and yoga instructor Terri Garneau present a Mindful Outdoor Experience at the Cherry Grove Preserve off of Palestine Road. Meditate and appreciate nature from 10 to 11:30 am; then, if you like, help remove invasive plants from the property until about 2 pm. Be sure to bring your yoga mat and water. Contact garneautg@gmail.com for more information.

As if that’s not enough, you don’t want to miss the Parks & Rec Fall Carnival, this Friday through Sunday up at Fairfield Hills. A ride wristband for $25 will get you on any of the rides all afternoon and evening (Friday, 6 to 10 pm; Saturday, 2 to 10 pm; Sunday, 1 to 5 pm), or purchase individual tickets.

Inspired by youth climate strikes around the world on September 20 and Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, Newtown High School’s Environmental Club led a strike after school let out last Friday. The students held signs like the one pictured, which reads, “12 years to save us.” Club advisors Karolyn Baumgartner and Stephanie Paulsson oversaw the strike. After gathering in the school’s lobby, club members walked to the front entrance of the school with their handmade signs. Other signs shared messages like, “Keep the oil in the soil and coal in the hole” and “I’m sure the dinosaurs thought they had time too.” As they walked to the front, entrance the roughly 20 strikers chanted, “Climate action now!”

Congratulations to Newtown artist Lisa Berger, who was among the artists honored last weekend during an awards reception at Kent Art Association. Lisa received honorable mention for her mixed media work “Ethereal Narrative,” one of just 12 honors announced. The reception was for KAA’s Fall Juried Show, on view through Columbus Day at the association’s gallery, 21 South Main Street (Route 7) in Kent. The exhibit features works from artists in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York, and offers various media and styles, from very modern, contemporary abstract and cubist to more traditional representational art. Hours are Thursday through Sunday and Monday, October 14, 1 to 5 pm; call 860-927-3989 or visit kentart.org for additional information.

Members of the Connecticut Clay Artists will be setting up some special mugs on Sunday, September 29, at BD Provisions, 125 South Main Street. “Fill ‘er up!” is their shout — and for $30, you can get a handcrafted mug and fill ‘er up with some fresh coffee, brewed right there. Too pricey? Nope, not really — it’s a fundraiser for FAITH Food Pantry, and 100 percent of the mug cost supports that local food pantry. So buy a mug anytime during October and then bring it back to enjoy a free cup of coffee each visit to the food purveyor during October and November.

Our State Representative Mitch Bolinsky is looking forward to discussing issues regarding the state at a “Coffee & Conversation,” Friday, October 4, at Village Perk Café, 3 Glen Road. Join Rep Bolinsky from 8 to 9:30 am. He would love to hear suggestions on how he can work for you to make life better.

What’s better than sinking your teeth into a crisp apple? Picking that lovely fruit yourself. It’s apple picking time at Bethel’s Blue Jay Orchard on Plumtrees Road. Macs, Delicious, Fugi, Macouns, and lots of your other favorites are waiting for you — and don’t forget to visit the pumpkin patch! It’s a great family outing — and think of what’s in store: apple crisp, apple pie, apple clafoutis, applesauce, candied apples... not to mention straight up, out-of-hand snacking. Call 203-748-0119 for picking times and varieties available.

It’s Fun-tober Fest time on October 5, when Merryhill Child Care Center and the Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps present a day of fun at Fairfield Hills campus, from 10 am to 4 pm. Sensitive children will appreciate the “horn free” time of 10 to 11 am for this event that features Touch A Truck of a variety of community vehicles. Other fun activities, food, and more for just $5/person, $20/family up to six, free for under age 2. Local nonprofits will benefit from your support of this event.

You may be familiar with the semi-regular NEAT environmental awareness column that appears in the paper. If you want to get involved with this action group, check out their meeting in the C.H. Booth Library Antiques Room on Tuesday, October 1, at 6:30 pm. You can call 203-858-4882 for more information.

One of the things First Selectman Dan Rosenthal pointed out at his first session in the series about Fairfield Hills, September 23, was that the campus has developed a wonderful system of walking trails. This is the perfect season to enjoy the beauty of the main campus and get some exercise, to boot. (And keep an ear to the ground for the date for the next Fairfield Hills info session. This series will help you make your decision when it’s time to cast a vote on the future of the campus next April at the referendum.)

The Newtown Bee Meet & Greet is your chance to meet some of the many residents hoping to be elected to various boards and commissions this coming November. Join us when we host a casual evening with candidates on Monday, October 7, from 6 to 8 pm, at Reverie Brewing Company, 57 B Church Hill Road. There’s no agenda, no prepared questions: you can purchase one of Reverie’s craft brews (and enjoy a free slice of pizza, courtesy of The Newtown Bee) and take some time to get to know those hoping for your vote on a personal level. No need to RSVP — we look forward to seeing you there.

No doubt about it, the Meet & Greet will be the cat’s meow; but this cat will have plenty to meow about when you... Read me again.