Hearts of Hope-Newtown hosted its final 2021 Paint with A Purpose event last week, when regular supporters and newcomers painted hearts with positive messages for the Connecticut chapter of The Alzheimer’s Association. The local chapter’s special commemorative hearts are still available, however. These are the palm-size hearts with two designs by Brianna Moran, one featuring the bumblebee that is part of this newspaper’s logo and the other depicting the archway over our front door. The hearts can be purchased through the Facebook page for Hearts of Hope of Newtown, CT; from HOH-Newtown chapter President Pattie Ptak, 203-828-8103 or newtown@ourheartsofhope.org; and also at our office at 5 Church Hill Road. The hearts are $15 each. Pattie will work with those who contact her to arrange delivery within 10 miles of Sandy Hook.

I’m keeping my eye on this ball of news: Troop 270 Boy Scout Tyler Harrison is pursuing his Eagle Scout ranking by building a Gaga Ball Pit at Cullen’s Youth Memorial. As of November 23 Tyler has raised $540 of his $1,000 goal. He has a GoFundMe page, gf.me/v/c/qjgn/eagle-scout-project-gaga-ball-pit-construction, where he is collecting donations online. On the page Tyler wrote his “Gaga Ball Pit will be constructed between the Pavilion and the Lean-To’s providing a place for youth to gather and play. It will add to the list of fun activities that youth can participate in when at the Cullen’s Youth Memorial.

“I will be supervising the work being done, and this includes clearing and leveling the site, digging the holes for the posts, cutting the timbers, construction of the octagon, and preparing the base,” his post also promises.

Did you notice resident Kate Farrington in the 2021 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? She participated with the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band with its color guard section. According to an announcement from the school this marked the first appearance in the parade by the band. The Million Dollar Band joined the parade to the call of “Let’s Have a Parade,” the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924.

I made an error last week, and, like most cats, it is hard for me to admit that. I overlooked that the Newtown Middle School polling location was included in the state’s randomly selected polling locations to audit. In all, 5% of polling precincts are subject to the audit, as prescribed by Connecticut General Statutes 9-320f. Those audited ballots will be matched against the vote totals from the optical scan machines. In my defense for the error, cats cannot vote.

Registration has opened for the local Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, and I have to say: our hometown chapter makes it as easy as possible for people to participate in this annual event. This year’s campaign is planned for Fridays and Saturdays, December 10-11 and 17-18. Kettles will be set up at seven locations, and it’s very easy to help. Individuals, couples, groups, clubs, et al are all invited to volunteer one hour of time (or more, if you’d like) to ring a bell and thank people as they drop donations into one of those signature red kettles. There is also an online portal all set for those who want to donate. Visit bit.ly/2021bells to find out exactly which locations and times are available. Not a fan of technology? That’s OK. Contact Newtown Salvation Army Unit President Glenn Nanavaty at 203-788-2762 or gnanavaty@ndswcpa.com and he’ll work with you to find an opening that works for your schedule. Glenn also mentioned recently that the local chapter is looking to add to its board. Anyone interested in learning about that volunteer work can also contact him through the phone number and email I just shared.

Congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Newtown High School’s fall drama production of Puffs, Or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years At A Certain School Of Magic And Magic, which was staged at the school last weekend. Director Janice Gabriel shared after the weekend that “The show was fantastic. We had great support from the community including some Board of Education members. The students worked so well as a team to pull off a very difficult show. While it looks so easy, putting on a parody of such a well known story is extremely difficult. People know the story line and the characters. This show was extremely tech heavy with a tremendous amount of lighting and sound cues as well as over 90 props.” This cat was certainly impressed. Great job all around!

We’ve received new information about the December 12 holiday event mentioned in last week’s column, so keep your calendars marked for the The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard and Newtown Bridle Lands Association event which will benefit FONS Chore Services, and we will let you know more information next week about what promises to be an activity featuring horses and singing. More next week, like we said. Until then, save the date.

State Representative Mitch Bolinsky wants residents to know that there is an update for the long-awaited traffic signal upgrade for Berkshire Road/Route 34, Bennetts Bridge Road, and Gray’s Plain: As of November 18, 2021, DOT’s Project Engineer estimates we are still estimated to be four to six weeks from complete operation. The existing blinking signal will remain until a new power-feed is installed by Eversource and new traffic detection equipment arrives and is installed. At that time, the new signal can become fully functional. Until then, all the new traffic signal heads are bagged (bagged signal heads are typical for most traffic signal jobs while waiting completion).

We’re reminded this week that there is much to be thankful for — loved ones, our community, quirky coworkers (I’m thinking of The Newtown Bee’s office dogs right now), the ability to learn and grow, animals, volunteers, opportunities, to name a few. As journalists we work for our readers, to provide the most up-to-date information so you can be fully informed of all the things you may be thankful for. It is an honor each week to put this paper to press, for you.

And I am thankful each week when you promise to... Read me again.