Ken Weinstein, president and CEO of Newtown Savings Bank, has shared some exciting news that “Newsweek magazine has recognized Newtown Savings Bank as the Best Small Bank in Connecticut! Their criteria were as follows:

“From a universe of more than 2,500 FDIC-insured institutions, we assessed US banks and the savings and checking accounts they offer based on 55 separate factors to come up with a best-in-class option in 19 categories — including the best big and small bank in every state, because banking in many ways remains a local endeavor.

“You can read more about it here: https://www.newsweek.com/americas-best-banks-2021/best-small-banks-state.

“This recognition is a nice tribute to all of our employees, past and present.”

Congratulations to our hometown bank!

Welcome back to Newtown, Joan Crick! Daughter Maureen Crick Owen tells us that the lifetime (except for a couple of recent years) member of our community is coming home to roost. Joan Crick, is moving back to the Borough from Southbury. Her move into her new home at Church Hill Village took place this past Tuesday. “She is happy to be back in the center of Newtown where she has lived almost all of her life,” Maureen shares with us. “She told me as a child she used to ride her bike from her home located at the head of Glover Avenue to her friend’s house on The Boulevard. When she told me that story I said that was a sign this is where she needed to be. My mother said she is going back ‘home.’”

Is this your family photo? When a Bee employee was picking up her photos at CVS on Queen Street this past week, she found this stray photo tucked into a crack nearby. If you are missing one of your pictures, contact The Newtown Bee at 203-426-3141 to claim it, or stop by our office at 5 Church Hill Road, Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.

There is still time to be part of the Great Pumpkin Challenge, hosted by the youth of Trinity Church. Carve a pumpkin, and bring it to the church at 36 Main Street on October 31, between noon and 3 pm. All of the pumpkins will be displayed out front of the church, and the $5 donation requested per pumpkin will benefit The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp.

Datto Holding Corp, founded by NHS graduate Austin McChord, rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on October 21, in celebration of the company’s initial public offering. CEO Tim Weller, according to nyse.com, did the honors.

If you were one of the folks who donated $1, $3, or $5 for the Help Cure Childhood Cancer campaign in September at the Stop & Shop checkout, you’ll be pleased to hear that Stop & Shop will be donating $1.75M to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in support of pediatric cancer care and research. Thank you to all who were able to contribute!

Jim Wright photographed this hawk perched on top of the bluebird house in his Tamarack Road yard... hopefully the bluebirds steered clear, and as Jim worried, did not join the hawk “for lunch.”

The Newtown Middle School PTA is holding a shoe drive to raise funds for the organization on Tuesday, November 3, from noon to 2 pm. “Just drive up and we will take your gently worn or new shoes from your car,” an announcement for the collection reads. All types of shoes will be accepted, including kids shoes, adult shoes, boots, dress shoes, and sneakers. Questions about the drive can be e-mailed to newtownmspta@gmail.com.

The Town of Newtown has partnered with American Foundation Suicide Prevention and is presenting “Talk Saves Lives” virtually on November 5 and 19 at 6:30 pm. This is an educational program that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. Registration is required and limited to 50 people per presentation. To register go to newtown-ct.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3546/f/uploads/talk_saves_lives_flyer.pdf.

BD Provisions’ co-founder John Boccuzzi, Jr, is ready to celebrate two years in business on Saturday, November 7. John and staff will host two special events that day. At 11 am, the public is invited to a ribbon cutting there with members of the Chamber of Commerce of Newtown. Also at 11 am, watch artist Anthony Cappetto, of Art For After Hours, as he begins work on a 3D chalk mural in the parking lot of 123 South Main Street. Mr Cappetto will be working all afternoon; plus, John says there will be free BD Provisions coffee all weekend, “and a few extra promotions to celebrate.” (I do hope it includes a cup of cream...)

She did pretty well for a one-year-old! Little Avery Grigg took the time to color one of our recent coloring pages in the paper, and return it to us. Thanks! We sure would love to see any other pictures that are colored. You’ll find an original drawing to color in the Education section of our paper every week. Color and send to The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470 or e-mail a photo of your artwork to eliza@thebee.com.

Here’s a note of interest: This past weekend’s Newtown Bridle Lands Association’s Frost on the Pumpkin Hunter Pace drew a record 167 participants. Given this is the year of social distancing, that’s a pretty impressive turnout. Riders were sent on their way upon arrival, to limit how many people were around at once. Good thinking for a good time!

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation pivoted to virtual programs during the height of the pandemic but reminds me that this fall, they have been able to offer in-person events again — in a socially distant and responsible way. But for those who cannot join in person for any reason, CVH Foundation remains committed to sharing programs virtually. You’ll find their calendar of events and links to their videos at cvhfoundation.org.

I’m sure no one has forgotten that Halloween is this Saturday, and I hope you have found a purr-fectly good way to safely celebrate. Brandy Hughes, a dance instructor at Dance Etc, contacted us this week to let us know the studio will host a Trunk-or-Treat event this weekend. Costumed children are invited to stop by the studio, at 117 Mt Pleasant Road, to enjoy safe trick-or-treating. Social distancing guidelines will be maintained, said Brandy, and anyone can show up to enjoy the free event. Registration is not required, but the studio can be reached at 203-426-8717.

It’s that time of year already: This weekend we change over from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time. That means turn back your clocks one hour on Saturday night, October 31. This is also a great time to take care of another task: replacing batteries in smoke alarms and CO detectors. There’s nothing like a long winter’s nap knowing that you have taken safety precautions to let you snooze with ease, something of which I am quite the master.

I won’t snooze so much that I don’t have time for this column, though, so be sure to... Read me again.