Top of The Mountain, for the week ending March 16, 2018
Gordon Williams and his wife, Lina, moved out of town a few years ago, but you wouldn't know it from all the time they still spend in town. Between friends and volunteer commitments, the Williamses are still very active in town. Gordon was in last week to pick up his 2018 Guide To Newtown. An active member of Newtown Lions Club, Gordon said he uses his guide to keep in touch with people who have participated in previous Great Pootatuck Duck Races - the Lions Club Memorial Day weekend event that will celebrate its 18th offering this year. We believe the Guide offers the most comprehensive collection of information about Newtown's government, emergency services, clubs and organizations, places of worship, sports and recreation, support groups, and more. Newtown residents should have received their copy of the 2018 Guide in the mail by now. If you need one, or have an office that would benefit from a copy of the free publication, visit our office at 5 Church Hill Road weekdays, between 8 am and 5 pm.[naviga:img class="aligncenter wp-image-309942" src="https://newtownbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/March-7-snow-8-foot-snowman-on-Valley-Field-Road-South1.jpg" alt="March 7 snow -- 8 foot snowman on Valley Field Road South" width="600" height="400" /][naviga:img class="aligncenter wp-image-309945" src="https://newtownbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/KB_-mountain-Swansigers-Tabors-snowhenge-WATERMARKED.jpg" alt="KB_ mountain -- Swansigers & Tabors snowhenge WATERMARKED" width="600" height="450" /]This week's latest snowstorm was an additional reminder that March likes to roar at us. I've got my ears perked up in hopes that the first day of spring, next Wednesday, brings some "baaing," and heralds this month actually going out like a lamb.childmind.org/campaign/2018-change-maker-awards. The public is allowed to vote once each day, and winners will be announced in early April. The finalists were selected by the Child Mind Institute Selection Committee based on scoring of their impact.Newtown, followed by a panel discussion on gun reform that will include Sandy Hook survivors, as well as representatives from Connecticut Against Gun Violence, Sandy Hook Promise, Everytown for Gun Safety, and more. This event takes place at 6:30 pm, Wednesday, April 11, in Housatonic CC's Events Center, located on the second floor of Beacon Hall, 900 Lafayette Boulevard in Bridgeport. Free parking will be available in HCC's garage. Newtown tells a story of the aftermath of December 14, 2012. E-mail questions to president@now-ct.org. Snacks and beverages will be provided.[naviga:img class="aligncenter wp-image-309948" src="https://newtownbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/For-Mountain-Stella-high-fiving-Bee-from-Pawtown-Walkers.jpg" alt="Mountain -- Stella high fiving Bee from Pawtown Walkers" width="600" height="802" /]The Bee got a special "high five" on Monday afternoon, when Stella, with a Pawtown dog walker, "clocked in" near our front walkway. Thanks to Pawtown for sharing Stella's greeting with us on our Facebook page.[naviga:img class="aligncenter wp-image-309950" src="https://newtownbee.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Good-Egg-with-Bee-logo.jpg" alt="Good Egg with Bee logo" width="200" height="157" /]house fire a couple of months ago, referred to as "Paul the Can Man"), he asked Ann to stop at Big Y: he wanted "to give back to the community" for helping him during his ordeal. Paul purchased $50 worth of food to donate to the Salvation Army Food Pantry in the Social Services office (using his own food stamps to make the purchase). Paul, Wendy, and Joan, you are Good Eggs!Connecticut Authors Reading Series this Sunday at C.H. Booth Library. Host Sophfronia Scott will read from her new memoir collection, and authors Steven Parlato and Ciaran Berry will read from their recent works. Enjoy the 2 to 4 pm event. Or sneak over to the Fraser Woods School on South Main Street from 1 to 3 pm, when Sunday at the Sanctuary will offer a program on "Stone Walls For Wildlife." Find out more about this free program and register at cvhfoundation.org.
We need no reminders that March is coming in like a lion. If we need more proof that last week's snowstorm was over the top, Anthony, an 11-year-old in Sandy Hook, crafted an 8-foot snowman on the evening of March 7. Wowza! Unmanageable as a storm, but fun by the bucket, last week's snow was also turned into a creative sculpture on another Sandy Hook lawn. Making the most of a damaging storm that saw utility crews repairing damaged power lines for days last week, these young ladies spent Thursday, March 8, creating "Snowhenge." A Bee reporter found Lily and Abby Swansiger, left, and Aimee Tabor with her daughter, Nichole, hard at work and play. Along for the snowday-fun is the Tabors' dog, Wiley.
The Child Mind Institute announced on March 8 that Sandy Hook Promise Co-Founder Nicole Hockley was among People's Choice, Outstanding Organization, and Community Builder Awards honorees. Ms Hockley was named as a finalist for the People's Choice award. The three crowdsourced honors will be presented at the 2018 Change Maker Awards on May 7. The honors recognize individuals and organizations making positive change in children's mental health and raising awareness of the need for early intervention to help kids lead healthy lives, according to the announcement. Voting is open to the public through March 23 online at
The Connecticut chapter of the National Organization for Women and Housatonic Community College Journalism Department have joined forces to present a free screening of the documentary
There are more than a couple of Good Eggs around town, I can tell you that, but Paul Sarnik, Joan Salbu, and Wendy Leon-Gambetta will have to fight over this week's award. The two women came to the aid of a friend in need recently, putting aside their time to help out. Then, when Ann LoBosco took Paul Sarnik to the eye doctor (he is the gentlemen who rides a bicycle who lost his home in a
If you had donations for FAITH Food Pantry on Tuesday, but were shut out by the snow, the 31 Pecks Lane pantry plans to be open this Thursday evening, as usual, from 6 to 7:30 pm. Bring your donations by!
Kids who are feeling a little bit Irish on St Patrick's Day, this Saturday, can kick up their heels at Ashurst Academy of Irish Dance, 3 Simm Lane. Ages 4 and up are invited to the Academy at 9 am for a lesson in Irish dancing. Call 203-928-0689 for more info.
Hunkering down with a good read is always wonderful, and having someone read to you is doubly soothing. Check out the
I'll be sneaking about in search of the wild life in our town, so be sure next week to... Read me again.