Last week, Terry and Charlie Ferris had a little excitement - other than the final day on Sunday for the Creamery this season. On Thursday, two of the farm kittens scuttled up a tree, where they remained stuck until Al Potter of Newtown Arbor Services came to the rescue. Al and crew gave the kitties a purr-fect lift to the ground - for the price of a handshake.New York Times, you may have noticed a familiar face in the Business section this past weekend - an interview with NHS graduate and Datto, Inc CEO Austin McChord.info@sticksandstonesfarm.com.

Speaking of the Creamery, their Facebook page notes not only appreciation for their loyal customers this past season, but because customers bought the fall sprinkles for ice cream, the Creamery is able to donate a check in the amount of $1,784.78, and $100 worth of groceries to FAITH Food Pantry. Thanks to the Creamery for promoting this tasty way to donate, and thanks to all who spent the extra few cents to decorate their ice cream and support FAITH.

After Hawley Elementary School students were moved to NYA Sports & Fitness Center at Fairfield Hills on Monday, October 31, due to a water main break in the area, Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, announced on his Twitter account, @erardij, "Thank you NYA for your extraordinary support for our Hawley students and staff this afternoon." (Dare I say, considering the day, that they were "spooktacular"? )

In other Halloween fun this past Monday, Head O' Meadow Principal Barbara Gasparine shared this adorable photo both on Twitter and with The Bee. The school's kindergarten staff dressed as kindness buckets. "Help fill someone's bucket today and every day," Ms Gasparine wrote with the photo. From left to right are Colette Remillard, Lisa Dievert, Miryam Kuligowski, Deb Keith, Karen Bambino, and Lori Hillman. I have it on good authority, too, that Middle Gate Elementary School's educators and staff had an abundance of smiles and winks on Halloween. Yellow shirts were donned and all participants showed up for school dressed as emojis. Be sure to check elsewhere in the paper this week for more photos and stories of this year's Halloween in Newtown.

I have to hand out a Good Egg Award to all of the residents of Main Street who so graciously opened their hearts and homes to the thousands of trick-or-treaters on Monday. The enthusiastic participation makes this a very special holiday in Newtown.

If you read the Sunday

The Annual Holiday Bazaar at the Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road, is this Saturday, November 5, from 9 am to 3 pm. You'll find lots of items for the upcoming holidays created by Senior Center members including children/infants hats, mittens, and scarves; adult knitted and crocheted items; jewelry; wall hangings; wine and gift bags; table runners, quilts, and afghans; as well as baked goods. Be sure to stop by and support the seniors.

You'll want to stop by the Newtown Middle School on Saturday or Sunday to cast your vote for the best Scarecrow. Participants will be putting up their displays beginning Friday afternoon for the annual contest.

I'm not sure what other faiths are offering this year, but the Newtown Congregational Church is offering solace to those stressed out by this year's elections. On Tuesday, November 8, the church at 14 West Street will be open to all for silent meditation, from 9 am to 6 pm, and is offering a brief service of prayer for our nation and its leaders at 6 pm.

If you are at peace with your vote, here's a little (think cookie-sized) incentive to go to the polls November 8. Girl Scouts of Connecticut announced this week that Girl Scouts will be hosting cookie booths from Saturday, November 5, until Sunday, November 13. Election Day, November 8, will also have Girl Scouts near polling locations. Girl Scouts from Newtown will be out, according to the group, if you want to reward yourself for your good effort.

For gardeners who just can't get enough of a good thing, Sticks and Stones Farm on Huntingtown Road is looking for some assistance in putting their organic vegetable garden to bed. Help add spent plants to the compost pit, collect seeds, and mulching the garden beds with leaves. Gardeners can choose to come any time between 10 am and 4 pm, Saturday or Sunday, November 5 and 6; or Wednesday, November 9, to seed save and pull spent plants. On Sunday and Monday, November 27 and 28, volunteers will help with mulching. BYOGT - Bring Your Own Gloves and Tools. If free tea and cookies isn't enough to tempt you, helpers will each earn a $10 voucher for every hour volunteered to use on fresh vegetables in 2017. RSVP to

Numerous local, regional, and national charities can benefit on November 29, #GivingTuesday - 2016. #GivingTuesday is a nationwide initiative that encourages giving back to your favorite charity or nonprofit. This year will mark the fifth year of #GivingTuesday, and each year the message and need for giving grows stronger. Check it out, and consider giving to your favorite charities.

A new year is closer than you'd like to think. Keep track of those upcoming 2017 events with a free Newtown Bee calendar, now available in the lobby of the office at 5 Church Hill Road.

Don't forget that we return to standard time this Sunday, November 6. Be sure to turn your clocks back one hour before you retire on Saturday night.

And don't forget to vote on Tuesday, November 8.

My vote, of course, is for you to... Read me again.