April Fool's Day seemed to come a day late this year, with chilly weather and a substantial amount of snowfall on the second day of this month. I understand that some drivers had spring fever and removed the snow tires from their cars last week... uh oh.chboothlibrary.org, under Events and Programs. And if this gloomy weather does not go away, I'll be checking out the library's games collection to while away the rainy and snowy hours. A complete list of games to borrow can be found at the library website.Bee workers last week were busy with the annual Peeps Contest (congratulations to Lynn Remson for her "Peep-cussion" entry, which snagged first place, complete with Peeps bunnies playing pretzel stick xylophones and mini-marshmallow drums - check out last Friday's Newtown Bee Facebook Post for a "peep" at it), a very large bunny paid a visit to the office of The Newtown Bee. Sadly, no decorated eggs filled with candy were left behind.facebook.com/HeartsOfHopeOfNewtownCt.ct.gov/deep, if you don't have one, and find out about the YOUth Fishing Passport there, too. Young people under the age of 16 can apply for the free passport, which allows participation in special fishing activities, and learn how to register for a lifetime conservation ID number. Fishing rules can be found in the Online Anglers Guide at the DEEP website, too.Sgt Stubby: An American Hero is the (mostly) true story of a rescue dog that becomes a decorated war hero. The computer-animated movie, starring the voices of Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gerard Depardieu will be in area theaters, so check the listings as the date gets close.The Bee! Dan Craven is a former Newtown resident now living in Ohio - and met up with some other former Newtown High School tennis team members recently at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California. "I am a former Newtown resident now living in Ohio and recently met three other former Newtown High tennis team members at the Indian Wells tennis tournament in California. The other three guys all live in California," Dan tells me, "but all four of us still have family living in Newtown and one of the guys - Dale Jackson - is a Newtown Bee subscriber," says Dale (immediately endearing him to this cat). "While at Dale's house, I spent some time reading the current issue and he subsequently signed me up as a subscriber." Now that is what I call a true friend. Dan shares this photo of the Newtown High 1980s tennis team mini-reunion in California with us. From left are Scott Fellows, Dale Jackson, Mark Bloomberg, and Dan.anagraceproject.org). It takes place from 10 am to 3 pm, at the CREC Academy of Science and Innovation in New Britain, 600 Slater Road. Enjoy music, dance, and more activities throughout the day, as well as raffles. $30 for a family pack; $10 per person, $7 for students with ID, and children under 3 years of age are free. Pay at the door, or go to eventbrite.com, search Dance For Ana.newtownbee.com/risk-a-verse-returning-to-meeting-house-with-new-slate-of-readers/, or see page A13 of the March 30 issue of The Newtown Bee.

It's okay to have spring fever, snow or not, and Hollandia Nurseries is ready to help you feed that fever. The annual Spring Garden & Flower Expo at the 103 Old Hawleyville Road and 95 Stony Hill Road locations in Bethel (both barely over the Newtown lines) takes place Saturday, April 7, through Sunday, April 15, from 8 am to 6 pm. If you're ready to indulge in warm weather thinking, Hollandia will be offering gardening seminars, cooking demos, tips and advice, and so much more. Just being around the growing greenery is sure to improve winter laden spirits. To register for some of the popular workshops, visit eventbrite and search Hollandia Nurseries, or call 203-743-0267 for information.

It's not too soon to start looking over your shelves for those gently loved books, games, CDs, LPs, video and board games, puzzles, and DVDs you no longer need. The next Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Donation Day takes place Sunday, April 29, from noon to 5 pm, in the rear parking lot of the 25 Main Street facility. It's an easy drop-off and volunteers will help lug large donations. Rain or shine, the Book Donation Day will carry on. Support the summer book sale with your contributions, the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Friends. Questions? Call 203-270-4537.

Here's a program of interest to me: I see the C.H. Booth Library has scheduled a talk by John Root on "Songbirds of the Northeast." The program runs from 2 to 3 pm in the meeting room of the library this Saturday, April 7. Sign up at

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April is the National Month of Hope for the Hearts of Hope organization, and if you want to try a hand at painting a ceramic heart with a message of love, the next painting party is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18 (the third Wednesday each month), 6:30 to 8:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road. A $5 donation/heart is requested, and all ages are welcome to paint the palm-sized ceramic hearts with positive messages or images. Walk-ins are welcome, all supplies are provided, and no experience is necessary. You will find additional information at

Congratulations to the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, which is among those being honored by the Connecticut Science Center in celebration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) excellence. The Girl Scouts of Connecticut is recognized as an organization that shares in "the mission of lifelong learning through interactive and innovative experiences that explore our changing world through science." An April 24 awards breakfast will honor our state Girl Scouts as this year's STEM Achievement Award Organization Honoree.

We've had reports of bear sightings in the Hanover Road and Tamarack Road areas in the past week or so. These big creatures are on the move after a winter of hibernating - and they're hungry. Bird feeders are a popular snack bar for bears, so you might want to consider taking yours in for the season now, or risk seeing it bear-handled.

Opening day of fishing is coming up - Saturday, April 14. You can find out about getting a fishing license at

A special World War I hero gets his own story told in a movie coming to theaters Friday, April 13.

Still reading

This Saturday, April 7, is the 6th Annual Dance For Ana With Love FUNdraiser, in case you are seeking a great way to spend time with family this weekend. The family fun day honors the memory of Ana Grace Marquez-Greene, one of 20 children killed at Sandy Hook School, 12/14, and benefits the Ana Grace Project (

Would you risk a verse? Well, plenty of people you may or may not know about town are going to "risk" sharing their favorite poems at the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission's Third Annual Risk A Verse program, Sunday, April 8, at 2 pm. Listen and enjoy special readings by special people at The Meeting House, 31 Main Street, as National Poetry Month gets underway. A reception follows this most pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Find out details at

There is always news to report. I'll take a risk here, and bet that next week you will... Read me again.