Are you looking for something fun to do during winter break? Newtown High School hockey coaches and players invite youth hockey players from town to join them for a free skate at Danbury Ice Arena, 1 Independence Way in Danbury, on Sunday, December 28, from 9 to 10 am. This is an opportunity for up-and-coming skaters to meet members of the Nighthawks, and for the high school coaches to interact with some of their future players. Register online at newtownhockey.com.

Pan, one of our Bee reporter’s cats, decided to celebrate the holidays this year. When a certain reporter’s back was turned, Pan took advantage of the moment to sample from her cup. I’m not saying the eggnog was spiked, but when I gave Pan a call, she was slurring her purrs…

Cat cafés are popping up all over the country, and they are not little restaurants to which you can take your favorite feline. A cat café is usually a coffee house with an adjacent area (into which you can take your cup of java) filled with cats seeking forever homes. It is thought that an environment in which cats play more naturally makes them more appealing and more adoptable, than when they are seen caged and unhappy. Even people who aren’t looking to adopt seem to enjoy interacting with the kitties. I’m waiting for one to pop up in Newtown, but in the meantime, if you are looking for a fuzzy new friend, why not visit the Newtown Animal Center? The Animal Center (theanimalcenter.org) fosters many kittens and cats, right here in Newtown. They are always happy to help you make the perfect match, and you won’t find these cats in cages, either.

I’m happy to report that local philanthropist Howard Lasher is back at Jolly Farm, recovering from recent surgery, and sends his best wishes for the holidays to all. You recognize Jolly Farm on Route 302 by the six maple trees painted as an American flag. I’ve no doubt that Howard will feel better each day, back in his own lovely environment.

There is still time to visit the Holiday Arts Show at Avance Esthetiques, in Sand Hill Plaza, if you have not yet had the chance. Handmade jewelry by Justine Aspinwell, watercolors by DeAnn L. Prosia, and mosaic art glass by Heidrun Morgan are on display (and available for purchase, if looking is not enough for you) through the end of the year.

Make yourself feel good and share that feeling with your favorite charity. Donate to support local organizations that give us so much throughout the year — our fire companies, our police, the ambulance corps, for example — and give yourself a tax deduction, at the same time. It is difficult, with so many worthy charities, to choose, but I hope you will find it in your heart to extend your generosity just a little further before the end of the year.

Someone thinks that LeReine Frampton should get the Good Egg Award, and I am in complete agreement. LeReine, of LeReine’s Cuisine on Pecks Lane, served breakfast, free of charge, to all of the All-Star bus drivers, Tuesday morning. It’s her gift to them, they have been told. “She’s such a nice lady. She’s always doing things for others,” says the anonymous friend. LeReine, you are a Good Egg! Do you know someone who quietly goes about spreading good cheer and helping others —with no thought for recognition? I would be happy to bestow the Good Egg Award on such a person. Send your nominations to Nancy@thebee.com. I’ll try to keep up with the mountain of mail, as this town overflows with good people.

Go, Bees! The Newtown Bee accepted the Food Bucket Challenge last week from Ben’s Bells Newtown. Within 48 hours, employees filled and overfilled a box with items for the FAITH Food Pantry in Sandy Hook. I must say, this is certainly a less chilling experience than the ice bucket challenge that circulated last fall! I’ll be looking to see how our friends at C.H. Booth Library, SHOP, and Parks & Rec fare in the challenge we have passed on.

There will be plenty of snapping photos this week of families getting together, decorations, and maybe Newtown, for sure… So why not share your photos with the rest of us? For those who use Instagram put #viewfromnewtown in the image’s description, and they will appear on The Bee’s website between five minutes and half-an-hour after uploading. (Maybe skip those awkward family photos…)

Indoor Christmas trees can consume over a gallon of water a day. Make sure your tree has been thoroughly watered. And when the holidays are over, the decorations put away, and the lights unstrung from its branches, our friends at the Old Farmers’ Almanac have a few suggestions for putting that tree to good use. “Prop up your old tree near your bird feeder as a staging area for small birds like chickadees and finches… Create a bird feeder and haven. String your tree with orange slices, bread, cranberry, and other bird-friendly goodies, and put it in a sheltered location… Use boughs from your tree to shade broad-leaved evergreen shrubs and to ward off animals…  or sink old trees in their pond where they make cozy areas for fish and tadpoles to live, sleep, and lay eggs” are a few thoughts on post-Christmas tree uses. I’m all for creating bird havens. That would make for a great “Birdie Show” as I peer through the window.

Don’t mind me if you catch me peering through tree branches or silently sipping an eggnog. I’ll just be seeking the best news to pass on to you. Have a happy holiday season, and be sure next week to… Read me again.