It cannot go without saying how distressing the news of the October 1 shooting on the Las Vegas strip has been. Lives lost, lives damaged, trauma induced by another incident of gun violence in our country. May you offer peace and support, may we find peace, in whatever form it takes.editor@thebee.com, subject line Bee Forum Questions. Additionally, the first of several candidates forums sponsored by the League of Senior Voters took place this Tuesday, at the Senior Center on Riverside Road, with first selectman candidate Will Rodgers. Next Tuesday, this group will present first selectman candidate Andy Clure; on October 17, hear from first selectman candidate Dan Rosenthal and selectman candidate Maureen Crick Owen; Board of Ed candidates will be there on Wednesday, October 25; Republican Legislative Council candidates will be on hand on Friday, October 27, and the Democrats on Monday, October 30. All forums begin at 4:30 pm. There are certainly opportunities to learn what you'd like from those running for public offices.www.newtown-ct.gov.beardsleyzoo.com or call Lisa Clair at 203-256-0802 for more information.

Press the pause button if you were planning to attend the Yoga Mat Art Show this Friday, October 6, at the Newtown Yoga Center on South Main Street. The show has been postponed to Saturday, December 9, from 6 to 10 pm. Ticket and raffle sales go to support the Resiliency Center of Newtown. Go to the Newtown Yoga Center Facebook page for ticket information.

I'm sure you have already marked your calendar for The Newtown Bee Forum, Tuesday, October 24, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm, when we will present the three candidates for first selectman in the Edmond Town Hall Theatre. The meet and greet is at 6:30 pm, with refreshments, followed by the forum beginning at 7 pm. There is still time to submit questions to be considered for presentation to the first selectmen candidates. Send your questions to

According to a social media site, TrustedHousesitters, I've learned that the most talked-about pet in Connecticut is the chihuahua, and is also the most popular dog here and in California. Maine and Massachusetts residents favor the Labrador, and in Alaska and Ohio, you'll find lots of husky dogs. But the most popular pet overall in the US is the bulldog. This social media analysis did not forget cats - they are the "second most talked about pet in nearly every state." Those fluffy Persian kitties take top honors, though in our state, it's the Maine coon cat that is Top Cat. Now Nevada has a whole new take on pets. The most popular there? The lizard. I guess if I lived in a desert state I'd understand it more fully...

You never know who - or what - will show up to swim team practice. The NHS Girls Swim Team practiced last Friday with a special guest. Who knows where the magical unicorn came from... or why?

Get thee to the movies. October is National Popcorn Month. The two go hand-in-hand, right?

As we are all aware, October is also a great month for apple picking. Last week, several members of the Parks & Recreation Victory Garden group, with fearless leader Harvey Pessin, visited a private orchard in Washington (Conn.) for an apple picking expedition.

Dot Dwyer tells me that they collected "over a thousand pounds of the Cortland and Granny Smith varieties." They delivered the bounty of apples to the FAITH Food Pantry, Social Services food locker, and the Nunnawauk Meadows kitchen. Sounds like there'll be pie all about town in the upcoming weeks. What a delicious thought!

You'll want to stop by the Municipal Center at Fairfield Hills sometime this month. Newtown photographer Phil Keane's exhibit "Shadows of Newtown's Past" is on view through October 31, weekdays, from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Likewise, art lovers will want to stop by the Newtown Senior Center for a peek at Shirley Kopnicky's works, if you haven't already. Shirley's show runs only through October 13. The center is open 8:30 to 4:30 pm, weekdays.

I'm intrigued, I must admit, by the presentation coming up on "Photographing Birds." Flagpole Photographers Club will host Rhonda Cullens, sharing her bird picture taking tips, at the Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, at 7:30 pm, October 12. I didn't see anything mentioning "No Cats Allowed." Dare I?

It's that spooky month, and the EverWonder Children's Museum, 31 Pecks Lane, has a "spooktacular" day lined up for Saturday, October 28. Games, arts and crafts, spooky science demons, a mysterious touch lab, and trick or treating throughout the museum are scheduled there from 10 am to 5 pm that day. The cost to take part is $7, or $5 for kids in costumes. Call 203-364-4009 for more information.

Costumes are encouraged, as well, for the annual "Howl-O-Ween" event sponsored by Parks & Recreation, also on October 28. This year's doggie party will take place from 11 am to 1 pm, at the 21 Old Farm Road Park & Bark dog park. The cost is $5 per dog. Will it be a dachshund as Franken-furter? Maybe you'll find a coonhound dressed as a raccoon. Let your dog's imagination run wild. Find out details at the Parks & Rec link at

Promoting the state's butterfly population, Bridgeport's Beardsley Zoo has opened a certified Butterfly Garden and Bug Hotel, with tempting host plants for caterpillars and nectar plants for the butterflies. According to a recent e-mail, "Plants that butterflies love also draw other pollinators, including honey bees, bumblebees, moths, and beetles" - and we know how important pollinators are to our planet. Pollinators are invited to check into the "bug hotel," designed for refuge and overnight protection, and located at the end of a meandering path full of flowers. The zoo is at 1875 Noble Avenue. Visit

Whoo- whoo- who wants to go with me? Weir Preserve of the Weir Farm Art Center and Weir Farm National Historic Site will host the annual Halloween Owl Prowl on Friday evening, October 13, from 7:30 to 9 pm. The presentation by Frank Gallo will be followed by a hike into the neighboring Weir Preserve where Frank will attempt to call in screech owls, barred owls, and great horned owls. Participants should dress for the nighttime air, and bring a flashlight. The event is free and there is no rain date. For more information contact Bruce Beebe at 203-834-5066. Weir Farm National Historic Site is at 735 Nod Hill Road in Wilton (on the Ridgefield border).

Whoo-whoo-who will spot me poking about town for news? Be sure next week to... Read me again.