The staff at Starbucks found a line out the door, bright and early, on Election Day. Either people were fueling up in anticipation of a wait to vote, or treating themselves for having gotten the task of voting out of the way, ASAP.The Bee's sister publication Antiques and the Arts Weekly, has attended at least two dozen Broadway shows over the years, but was "on stage" for the first time this past Saturday when she saw Josh Groban's debut in The Great Comet of 1812 at the Imperial Theater. Sitting in special on-stage seating was a fun experience as most of the actors interacted with the audience during the performance. buccim@newtown.k12.ct.us by noon on Friday. Pregame activities begin at 6:15 pm. T-shirts on sale at this game will raise funds for the Fisher House Foundation, which provides free and low-cost housing for vets and their families when they are receiving medical care at military treatment centers. Go Nighthawks!www.newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org, select upcoming events. Or, if you would like a free ticket, consider being a docent to help with the house tours. There are morning and afternoon shifts available, so you'll have time to take in the celebration when your volunteer service for the day is over. Docents guide guests through the homes on the tour, first floor only. Call 203-448-0758 or e-mail bridcraddock@gmail.com if you are interested in being a docent on December 3.fundraiser - just a funraiser. What the winners will get, Lois envisions, is a wooden star placed on the lawn to prove the homeowner is a star decorator. What she needs help with, though, is getting the stars made or purchased. If you can help, contact Lois at 203-270-8017 or e-mail babycontest2010@gmail.com. For details on the contest, you can reach Lois at that phone number or e-mail, as well.www.nationalgeographic.com also notes another sky event that I have to mention: "Buzzing The Beehive." According to this site, "Look east late at night for the waning gibbous moon to make a close pass of the famous Beehive open star cluster, also known as Messier 44. Using binoculars, you can scan the sky to the upper right of the moon for the thousand-star strong cluster, located 610 light-years from Earth. The next night, the moon will slip underneath the Beehive." As November comes to a close, just before the sun comes up, check out the southeast sky for the crescent moon slung beneath the planet Jupiter. So much to see, but choose a spot that is as devoid of artificial "sky glow" as possible.The Life And Times of the Great Danbury State Fair. The book was published last month by Emerald Lake Books. If you are a "Danbury Fairophile" and enjoyed Newtown author Andrea Zimmerman's book, The Great Danbury State Fair, published last year, Mr Stetson's book might be a good way to add to your trove of fair trivia.eliza@thebee.com, for our Birthday Cake column. Deadline is noon each Tuesday, and a drawing on Friday determines who gets to take home that special treat. Sorry, adults don't get to go in the Birthday Cake column, but if your child wins, maybe he or she will share...

Andrea Valluzzo, on the staff of

The public is invited to attend the annual Veterans Day ceremony, Friday, November 11, at 11 am, at the VFW Post 308 property on Freedom Defenders Way, off of Wasserman Way. If you haven't noticed it already, take a moment to admire the new red, white, and blue VFW sign recently erected there.

Veterans should take note that they will be honored guests at the NHS football game this Friday, November 11. Admission is free to attending veterans, and any vet wishing to stand alongside the football team on the field during the national anthem is invited to contact

Staff at FAITH Food Pantry is grateful to Caraluzzi's for 68 cases of pasta, mac & cheese, and soups. Another amazing donation arrived from Head O Meadow School in beautifully decorated Thanksgiving boxes - filled with a huge assortment of non-perishable food collected by the caring students. FAITH volunteers jumped right into processing all of it so it could go on the shelves for clients.

The holidays kick off, as they always do in Newtown, with lots of events that first weekend in December. The Holiday Festival to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services is Sunday, December 4, and organizers are excited to bring back the annual favorites - Victorian Tea, the Festival of Trees, kiddie train rides on Main Street, and the popular house tours. I hear The Grinch will make a visit to the library this year, along with his dog, Max, as well. I know you have already run to mark your calendar. If you want to be an early bird and get a ticket ($12 each), they are available online now at

Lois Barber is seeking Newtown and Sandy Hook residents who go over the top with their outdoor holiday decorating, and are proud of it. Lois, who organizes the annual Beautiful Baby Contest, and who is inspired by memories of her childhood hometown's holiday house decorating contest, hopes to organize a similar contest here in Newtown. There is no entry fee and it's not a

I'm handing out a Good Egg Award to Dr Richard Auerbach, who has already stepped up to help Lois fund the cost of the stars. It's great to have help on board so quickly.

November is the month of meteor showers and a supersized moon. On Friday, November 11, the Taurid meteor shower will be scattered across the sky to the south, with lots of shooting stars overnight and near dawn. Then look for the rising of the Supermoon on Monday, November 14, when the full moon will hover closer to the Earth than it has in nearly seven decades. Late at night on November 16, into the morning of the 17th, the Leonid meteor showers will put on a show.  I see that

You've probably seen the Leahy's Fuel trucks in town, but have you ever connected the name to the Danbury State Fair that once graced the property of the mall in our nearby town? John W. Leahy was the owner and general manager of the fair. His wife, Gladys Stetson Leahy, began to write the tale of the extraordinary fair, but set it aside. Her manuscript was discovered by her grandson, John H. Stetson, after her death in 1981, and he has now completed

Newtown seniors have some fitness training fun to look forward to in coming weeks. The Friends of Newtown Seniors and NYA will present four one-hour workouts, beginning November 22, with a general fitness training intro class. On November 29, learn about "Bringing Together Mind and Body;" December 6, strength training; and December 13, aerobics. There is a fee of $40, but anyone who attends all four sessions as scheduled receives a full refund. For more information call 203-430-0633 and register by November 20.

There's a free cake from DOrazio Sisters Bakery for a lucky kid in Newtown each week - submit children's photos, birthdates, and ages, along with contact information to

I don't have cake, but I'm always happy to share my thoughts; be sure to... Read me again.