Let’s put on our walking shoes and get outside because we know this unusually mild October weather won’t last. There are at least two outdoor events this weekend that promise to provide that perfect trifecta combo –– exercise, scenery, and camaraderie.

The first takes place Saturday, October 8, when the Newtown Forest Association (NFA) will hold its Tercentennial Trail Walk at the 72-acre Brunot Preserve. Meet at the NFA sign on Taunton Hill Road at 11 am. The hike will take between one and two hours depending upon your pace. NFA board members say, “We have always seen a wide variety of wildlife,” and they add that “the trails are clearly marked so you can turn back at any time. Come join us and enjoy the great beauty hidden in your own town.”

Then on Sunday afternoon, October 9, everyone is invited to Orchard Hill Nature Center off Huntingtown Road for the Tercentennial Fitness and Family Fun Walk jointly sponsored by the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) and Newtown Parks and Recreation. The event is scheduled from 2 to 4 pm and features a one-mile hike through woods and meadows, a boardwalk through wetlands, and a bridge crossing a waterfall where an 18th Century mill once operated. This 25-acre property farmed by the Nichols family in 1760 combines history with natural beauty, and the trail was just groomed last weekend by the Lions Club. No good reason to miss either event. See you on the trail.

Mae Schmidle was incognito when she showed up for a Visiting Nurse Association photo at town hall this week. Her trademark blonde tresses were gone, hidden by a chestnut mane that she needed to play the role of Mary Elizabeth Hawley in the tercentennial Tableaux Vivants last weekend. Mae says she plans a trip to the beauty salon soon to get back to her former self.

A sprightly spare tire surprised Main Street motorists Wednesday noon by doing a little dance around and around the flagpole until its owner captured the truant tire and tossed it back into the pickup bed from which it had made its great escape. Luckily, traffic was at a lull and not a single car had to dodge out of its way.

Judy Volpe is looking for volunteers to join her team for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Sunday, October 16, at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport. Judy has been fielding teams for 12 years and always finishes the walk with a tailgate picnic. For more information call her at Avance Esthetiques Day Spa, 270-8911.

Phil Kotch was surprised with a party at the Inn at Newtown last Saturday night. The occasion was his 70th birthday, and Phil and Margareta’s kids, Ingrid and Eric, organized the party. There were so many doctors in attendance that it looked more like an AMA convention than a birthday party. All the MDs had high praise for their friend and colleague.

It’s a festival of holidays at Lexington Gardens this week, depending on which way you turn. Scary Halloween goblins greet you at the door, and employees stand knee-deep in autumn décor while they fasten lights and ornaments to Christmas trees of all sizes and designs. Employees heads must be spinning, trying to keep one holiday straight from another. Is that a pumpkin ornament on that tree over there?

If you’re in town on Saturday morning and have “pick up Dan Cruson’s new book” and “pick up more perennials” on your Honey-Do List, you’re in luck. Those two errands can be accomplished with one stop. Dan will be at Lexington Gardens on Saturday, October 8, from 10 am until noon, signing copies of his new book, A Mosaic of Newtown History.

The book’s cover features many of the photographs featured on local photographer Jill Baimel’s poster that features the word Newtown as found on signs, buildings, and other in-town features. The book itself is a collection of updated and reedited essays about different segments of town history published over the years by Dan in the historical society’s newsletter. A full feature about the book is planned for an upcoming issue of The Bee. In the meantime stop in to say Hi to Dan, pick up a copy of the book he put together to celebrate Newtown’s Tercentennial, and don’t forget those perennials.

Marilyn Place, director of the Senior Center, and her assistants had their hands full with another popular event on October 5. People were lined up and waiting to get in to the flu shot clinic at 8 am, she says, and the flow of seniors wisely taking advantage of this opportunity didn’t stop until nearly 1 pm.

How fast the decades go by! This Saturday night the 10th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Invitational Marching Band Competition takes place at the Blue & Gold Stadium. It seems like yesterday that Joe himself was leading the Newtown High School band from victory to victory at competitions across the region. But already it’s been a decade since NHS began honoring the musical legacy of the beloved retired music director with a competition bearing his name. It’s always a great show and a great way to spend a brisk October evening.

Well, it’s time for me to march on out of here, but I’ll be back here again next week banging my drum, so be sure to…

Read me again.