If you are reading this right after this print edition comes off the presses on Thursday, December 15, you have hours left to nominate local cancer survivors and caregivers for the Hope on Main Street Jingle Bell Jam fundraiser, which will honor survivors and caregivers Sunday, December 18. For three hours, Team Hope’s holiday-decorated float will be driven to homes around town on December 18 from 4 to 7 pm. At each stop, participants will carol outside the home of the honoree. A minimum $10 donation is sought and all funds will go directly to American Cancer Society. Team Hope raises funds so that survivors and their families can benefit from all the services offered by ACS. If you are reading this after December 15, maybe you will still see the float around town on December 18. To nominate someone or for more information see hopeonmainstreet.com.

A late afternoon gathering with live music, light appetizers, and drinks is planned for Sunday, December 18, at Newtown Congregational Church. All ages are invited to join together from 4 to 6 pm, when local musicians Jim Allen, Kevin Brown, Chris Caulfield, Howard Carlough, Richard Neal, and Niles Spaulding will perform in the church’s Great Room. Admission at the door is $15 for adults, $5 for ages 8-18, and free for age 7 and under. The church is at 14 West Street, with plenty of available parking. Reservations are not needed, and proceeds will benefit Newtown Interfaith Council’s Celebrating Light Initiative and Newtown Congregational Church ministries.

Edmond Town Hall announced a new offering last week, and it’s perfect for those who love movies and those who are searching for gifts for movie lovers: ETH is selling off the movie posters that have graced the lobby of the historic building at 45 Main Street for the past few decades. Dozens of posters, dating from the mid-1980s to this year, ranging from acceptable/beat up to very good condition, are available. Some titles have multiple copies available. Suggested prices range from $3 to $45, with the majority at $5-$20; some prices are negotiable. To receive a copy of the updated list of available posters, send an e-mail to events@edmondtownhall.org. Appointments are also being made for those who would like to search through the posters in person. Send an e-mail to the same address to schedule one or for additional information.

Grace Family Church is offering something new this Christmas season: “The True Story Of Christmas,” by way of a drive-thru experience. All are invited to join members of the church, at 13 Covered Bridge Road in Hawleyville, on Friday and Saturday, December 16-17, for the offering. Guests will enjoy cookies and cocoa as they remain in their vehicle and travel through seven stations telling the Christmas Story. Live Bible characters and real animals will help bring the story to life. The special event will run from 6 to 8 pm both nights and the narration for the story will be streamed on YouTube, so each car will need a Smartphone. There are no reservations, and the event is free of charge. For additional information visit GraceCT.org.

Speaking of Christmas, it was sure looking like the holiday at Public Works one afternoon last week. Santa took over driving one of the Town trucks for a little while. Maybe he’s rusty on the sleigh? … or could this be his way of telling us we’ll have a white Christmas, and he’ll still be able to get to everyone’s home?

As we begin counting down toward the end of the year, readers are reminded that your hometown newspaper is continuing an annual Newtown tradition that dates to 1959. The prize package continues to grow for The 2023 First Baby of Newtown, and we can’t wait to meet the little one and their parents after they arrive. Parents-to-be — and family, friends and neighbors of those who are expecting — keep us in mind as the calendar reaches the end of December. The first deadline for First Baby will be noon Tuesday, January 3. Managing Editor Shannon Hicks will be ready to meet the winning family as soon as they contact her (shannon@thebee.com), and then we’ll give the newborn their first 15 minutes of fame with a story and photo in that week’s paper.

Want to contribute to the prize package for The 2023 First Baby of Newtown effort? Local businesses and organizations who would like to donate a prize should call Sandy T in our front office no later than Monday, December 19, to take an ad to announce your prize. Each ad is $62, and you get to tell the world what you’ll be sharing with the first baby and their family. All prizes are also included in the feature about the First Baby.

Holidays are of course a time for spreading joy, and sometimes that means through song and smiles. The Love Mom XOXO Foundation is inviting readers to join them for “Sing For Seniors,” a caroling event planned for Wednesday, December 21, at Maplewood at Newtown Senior Living, 166 Mt Pleasant Road. Singers of all ages are invited to join the 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in memory of Lynn Lewis, who was known for her big smiles and love of spreading joy. Put on your favorite holiday sweater, lights, etc, and meet the group near the front lobby for 4:30. Registration is requested and can be done through lovemomxoxo.org/events. Copies of the songs will be provided, and donuts will be served. For additional information send a note to HudakLori@gmail.com.

If you haven’t already seen our coverage in today’s edition of the Second Annual Jingle Bell Ride and Food Drive last Sunday before a snow squall closed the event a bit early, we want to send a very special shout out to two extremely talented local photographers — Bill Glass and Marlene Cafarelli who contributed shots while helping out Newtown Bee Editor John Voket, who managed to also snap a couple of pictures while handling entertainment and hosting duties. Thanks to the members of the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard and Newtown Bridle Lands Association and their horses for braving the wacky weather, all who supported FAITH Food Pantry and Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) with donations, and to Sandy Hook Scout Troop 370 members for all their help setting up, shuttling the food donations, and breaking down in the thick of the initial wave of snow.

Did you know Audubon Connecticut’s bird of the month is the Purple Finch, and it says an “irruption” of the “raspberry juice dipped” birds could mean we see more of them this season? Residents can help keep their eyes on bird movements by taking part in the community science event Christmas Bird Count (CBC), which is conducted across North America. If you are interested in keeping your eye on local birds, learn more information at ct.audubon.org.

Newtown’s D12 cheer squad traveled to Florida and won the National Championship! What’s more, the D14 team also competed in the event and finished in the top five. See team photos and more details in our Sports section this week. Want to know what is in store for the Newtown High sports teams this winter? This week’s print edition also includes the second installment of winter season outlooks, highlighting hockey, boys’ basketball, and boys’ swimming.

Why is the Mulvaney Mechanical, Inc, van in this picture being gift wrapped? I'll give you one hint: There is a festive and musical reason. One could say this van knows how to support a tune. Find the answer in this week’s Education section.

I hope to keep you guessing next week. So I hope you promise to ... Read me again.