Congratulations to incumbents Rep Mitch Bolinsky, Rep Raghib Allie- Brennan, Rep JP Sredzinski, and Senator Tony Hwang for earning the confidence of Newtown voters once more in last week’s election.

But it seems some local political supporters missed an unofficial observation that comes after each Election Day. That would be Take Down Political Signs Day, which this year should have taken place Wednesday, November 4. While it was great to see many of the signs disappear within 24 hours of November 3 — even before it was clear who won the Presidential election — it would be even better to see rest of the stragglers out there picked up and properly disposed of. By now they have really become eye pollution.

While we were puzzling over who might have purchased the photo on eBay from Darna Michie, which she shared with us and we published in the October 30 “Way We Were” column, little did we know the Newtown buyer was right under our noses! Greg Smith, editor of our sister publication Antiques And The Arts Weekly, poked his head into our office this past Friday to share that he is the owner of the photo of what appears to be two ladies from the early 1900s seated on the steps of The Newtown Bee. We had a good laugh, and now the photo joins many other historic photographs placed about our museum... um, I mean office.

The unincorporated community of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky (population under 500) has a new mayor. What’s so interesting about that? Well, the little hamlet’s new mayor is Wilbur, a French bulldog, keeping with the history of electing canine mayors that began in 1998. (Wilbur beat out Jack Rabbit, a beagle, and Poppy, a golden retriever, who will serve as Rabbit Hash ambassadors, should Wilbur not be able to fulfill an obligation.) The doggonedest mayors are elected every four years, and the election sometimes serves as a fundraiser, such as in 2016, when the Historical Society of Rabbit Hash used the proceeds from voting to restore the local historic general store. I don’t want to seem catty, but when will a feline be given that honor?

Louise Zierzow spotted our November 6 “Nourishments” article (“Candy Corn: Love It Or Leave It”) about candy corn, and shared with me a picture of yet another decorative use for those tasty tidbits of candy. Last year, says Louise, the kids of the Zierzow clan (ages 7-16) decorated cupcakes with some chocolate and vanilla frostings, candy eyes, and of course — candy corn!

Readers should recognize the names Liz Alpert Fay and Kimberly Day Proctor. Both award-winning artists have repeatedly been written about in these pages, and both continue to live in and near Newtown. Now the two will again share exhibition space at Minor Memorial Library in Roxbury. “Going To Seed,” featuring mixed media sculpture by Liz and photographs and paintings by Kim, will open on Saturday, November 14, and then remain on view until Monday, January 2. There isn’t an opening reception planned, thanks to COVID-19, but the exhibition can be viewed any time the library is open, provided the community room (where the art will be on view) isn’t otherwise in use. Call the library, 860-350-2181, or check minormemoriallibrary.org for hours, including special holiday closings.

Talk about shopping local... Every year, members of the Newtown Senior Center work hard at making handcrafted items, perfect for holiday giving. The Senior Center Pop Up Store will be open this year at the Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street, on four Saturdays, November 14 and 21, and December 5 and 12, from 8 am to 2 pm. Check out what the seniors will have for sale at their craft boutique. Be sure to wear a mask and social distance when you shop!

The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport announces its virtual Endangered Species Gala on Saturday, November 14. For the third year in a row, the zoo will celebrate its conservation mission — this time via Zoom. Buy a party box for two at https://e.givesmart.com/events/grt, then enjoy entertainment from the comfort of your home. There will be live music and a behind-the-scenes VIP tour with a peek at the animal commissary, the health care center, and more. Programming begins at 6 pm, and is accessed via the zoo’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

We are all, young people especially, struggling these days to be resilient in body and mind. The United Way of Connecticut has shared news that in collaboration with the Connecticut Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Children and Families, and State Department of Education, they have released “Gizmo’s Pawesome Pledge for Mental Health.” According to information received, “Youth and Trusted Adults can join this effort to promote mental health and emotional wellness by taking the online pledge and making a mental health plan here: https://www.gizmo4mentalhealth.org/mental-health-pledge. Taking this pledge means that youth will commit to taking care of their mental health every day; talking to their Trusted Adults; completing their mental health plan, and using it when feeling sad, mad or worried.”

A reminder this week that Newtown’s firefighters will be participating next weekend in their annual pre-Thanksgiving food drive for FAITH Food Pantry. Sandy Hook, Hawleyville and Hook & Ladder firefighters will be in front of Big Y World Class Market on Queen Street from 9 am until 2 pm, Saturday, November 21. During those same hours, Botsford Fire Rescue members will be outside their station at 315 South Main Street, and Dodgingtown Volunteer Fire Company will have its members in front of their station at 55 Dodgingtown Road. Food, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, pet supplies, and even cash donations and gift cards will all be accepted. Firefighters will be wearing face masks, and all items will be delivered to the Church Hill Road pantry that afternoon.

Another reminder that the virtual 60th Annual Rotary Club Pancake Breakfast is underway, having partnered with Sandy Hook’s Maple Craft Foods to offer an at-home experience to benefit the Rotary. Order pancake breakfast meal kits online at https://maplecraftfoods.com/rotarypancake, and our Rotary Club will reap 40 percent of sales. There are delivery options available; and on Saturday, December 5, curbside pickup will be offered at the Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, staffed by Rotarians and their families, from 9 am to noon.

NPR tells us that the “US Department of Veterans Affairs announced US military veterans and Gold Star families will be granted a lifetime of free access to national parks, wildlife refuges and other federal lands.” That access for veterans began on Veterans Day, November 11, and continues forward.

Veterans Day is past, but we thank those who serve our country each and every day.

And each and every week, I hope you will... Read me again.