While preparing for last weekend’s , Bee front office staff member and 1981 Newtown High School graduate Bridget Seaman was gifted with a “flat” version of herself by a few of my fellow Bees. I understand Flat Bridget made her way into a good number of photos at the reunion on Saturday. The real Bridget tells me she had a fantastic time. I can only image Flat Bridget did too. Here’s a “flat-tering” photo of Bridget and friend.Great Newtown Reunion

Attendees at The Great Newtown Reunion did more than celebrate their past with former classmates, teachers, coaches, et al. Many guests also listened to the request of organizers to consider making a nonperishable donation to FAITH Food Pantry. On Sunday, July 28, volunteers visited the food pantry in Sandy Hook to deliver their collection. Pantry co-director Lee Paulsen “was kind enough to open the space especially for our delivery,” said Cheryl Hensel, who helped make the donation. “She was amazed and very thankful, and more amazed again as we carried in a surprising amount of food,” continued Cheryl, who was joined by fellow GNR volunteers Joan Brand and Dan Sheldon for the visit. Cheryl said that so much food was donated, three eight-foot tables in the church’s undercroft were burdened to the point of sagging. Lee was “incredibly appreciative to receive this very timely delivery. She explained donations have been very low since the events of last December [but she also] understands the necessity of shifting attention to address the very significant needs thrust upon our hometown,” Cheryl added, before encouraging everyone to continue to support FAITH throughout the year. Know that your contributions are very much needed and appreciated, she said.

Re: July 31 Jeopardy. If the temperature on the game show’s Facebook page and ours is anywhere near accurate, the answer is: The most reviled show on television today. The question: What is Jeopardy? We, like many others who tuned in to see Wednesday night’s airing of a Kids Week episode that featured Newtown resident Thomas Hurley, agree that the decision by the judges during Final Jeopardy was wrong. We are proud of you, Thomas, for being a great representation of what is good about our hometown and keeping your cool right to the end.

The NHS Color Guard had so much fun running a car wash last weekend, they’re at it again this weekend. The team will be at a location on Route 25, but this time instead of Amaral Motors in Newtown the girls and their parents will be washing cars at The Creative Music Center, 701 Main Street (Route 25) in Monroe. The car wash will run from 10 am until 2 pm, and suggested donation is $10. Proceeds will benefit the winter guard’s travel competition fund.

Former Sandy Hook resident GG Reid’s new art show, at Rosie, an eatery in New Canaan, 27 Elm Street, offers a collection of the 20 paintings by the painter, on view until September. The show, GG said in a recent note, includes primarily new abstract work but there are also expressively realistic paintings, and several large paintings. She paints mainly in oil, but there are some works combining acrylics and oils, and other mixed media. GG lived in Sandy Hook for 14 years before moving with her family, including two Weimaraner dogs, to Ridgefield. These days she paints in her home studio as well as with Reflectionist, an artist’s group based in New York. If you want to see her newer works, Rosie is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:30 am until 5 pm, and Sunday from 9 am until 3 pm. 

Good to see our former Bee interns keep on writing. Check out NHS grad Steve Bonanno’s blog “Adaptation Nation” at www.digboston.com, and catch his wry humor and movie vs book comparisons.

Rumor has it that our fellow Bee Frank LaPak is celebrating his tenth birthday this week — for the eighth time! Happy Birthday, Frank!

The Newtown Board of Realtors recently raised approximately $1,500 to support Sandy Hook Elementary School teachers at Education for Educators, with the local realtor board hosting continuing education classes for realtors from Danbury, Southbury, Newtown, Bethel, and Ridgefield. Net proceeds benefited the teachers. Along with money raised through costs for classes, Sandy Hook resident and Wells Fargo loan officer Chris Goodrich donated $500 on behalf of Wells Fargo. The donation, says William Pitt Sotheby’s International realtor Adele Unger, was presented to SHS PTA President Tracey Jaeger.

We all know how time flies, so you might want to take note that Howard and Jeanette Lasher will host a memorial service on Wednesday, September 11, at 8 am, on their Route 302 property, to honor the 12th anniversary of 9/11. The ceremony takes place outside, near the stand of trees painted to represent the American flag.

The Ben’s Bells Newtown studio will be open this Friday from 10 am until 4 pm. Normal studio hours are Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm and Saturdays from noon to 4 pm, but the group posted a note on its Facebook page this week that “this Friday [August 2] is a special treat to help you kick the weekend off with some kindness!” The studio is at 17 Church Hill Road, and entry is from the back parking lot. There is no charge to participate in workshops, but a $5 donation is requested to help cover the cost of materials.

You can support the local cat rescue program, Kitten Associates, this coming week. BarkAID will be in town, Tuesday, August 6, cutting hair for just $20 at Salon Michele on Queen Street. All of the money raised by the Kansas-based hairstylist and BarkAID founder Patrick Lomantini will benefit KA. Call Salon Michele at 203-426-4247 for an appointment for the purr-fect cut.

Who needs Martha Stewart when we have our own Nora Murphy here in Newtown? Nora has launched her new e-magazine, Nora Murphy Country House recently, and if you have any interest in decorating, design, or food, or just love looking at luscious photographs and reading inspirational words, you’ll want to visit www.noramurphycountryhouse.com. “Live What You Love. Love Where You Live” reads the cover of the magazine. Turn the pages and find out how!

There’s not much that says summer more than a fair. Bridgewater Fair weekend passes are now available at the Bridgewater Mobil station (at the intersection of Route 133 and Route 67) and Bridgewater Village Store in the center of town. Tickets are $16 and good for all three days. Otherwise, admission is $8 for adults each day, and $5 for senior citizens on Saturday and Sunday. Children are allowed in for free all weekend. The Bridgewater Fair runs August 16-18 this year, and will formally open with the traditional Fireman’s Parade on Friday night. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:30, and then the parade will begin at 6:45, featuring companies from across Connecticut and New York… and as close as Newtown, who usually sends members from all five volunteer companies. The fairgrounds are at 100 Main Street South (Route 133) in Bridgewater, behind the firehouse. Additional fair details are available online at BridgewaterFair.com or by calling 860-354-4730.

You’ll never call me a fair weather friend. I’ll be around, so be sure next week to … read me again.

While preparing for last weekend’s The Great Newtown Reunion, Bee front office staff member and 1981 Newtown High School graduate Bridget Seaman was gifted with a “flat” version of herself by a few of my fellow Bees. I understand Flat Bridget made her way into a good number of photos at the reunion on Saturday. The real Bridget tells me she had a fantastic time. I can only image Flat Bridget did too. Here’s a “flat-tering” photo of Bridget and friend.

Attendees at the Great Newtown Reunion did more than celebrate their past with former classmates, teachers, coaches, et al. Many guests also listened to the request of organizers to consider making a nonperishable donation to FAITH Food Pantry. On Sunday, July 28, volunteers visited the food pantry in Sandy Hook to deliver their collection. Pantry co-director Lee Paulsen “was kind enough to open the space especially for our delivery,” said Cheryl Hensel, who helped make the donation. “She was amazed and very thankful, and more amazed again as we carried in a surprising amount of food,” continued Cheryl, who was joined by fellow GNR volunteers Joan Brand and Dan Sheldon for the visit. Cheryl said that so much food was donated, three eight-foot tables in the church’s undercroft were burdened to the point of sagging. Lee was “incredibly appreciative to receive this very timely delivery. She explained donations have been very low since the events of last December [but she also] understands the necessity of shifting attention to address the very significant needs thrust upon our hometown,” Cheryl added, before encouraging everyone to continue to support FAITH throughout the year. Know that your contributions are very much needed and appreciated, she said.

Re: July 31 Jeopardy. If the temperature on the game show’s Facebook page and ours is anywhere near accurate, the answer is: The most reviled show on television today. The question: What is Jeopardy?

The NHS Color Guard had so much fun running a car wash last weekend, they’re at it again this weekend. The team will be at a location on Route 25, but this time instead of Amaral Motors in Newtown the girls and their parents will be washing cars at The Creative Music Center, 701 Main Street (Route 25) in Monroe. The car wash will run from 10 am until 2 pm, and suggested donation is $10. Proceeds will benefit the winter guard’s travel competition fund.

Former Sandy Hook resident GG Reid’s new art show, at Rosie, an eatery in New Canaan, 27 Elm Street, offers a collection of the 20 paintings by the painter, on view until September. The show, GG said in a recent note, includes primarily new abstract work but there are also expressively realistic paintings, and several large paintings. She paints mainly in oil, but there are some works combining acrylics and oils, and other mixed media. GG lived in Sandy Hook for 14 years before moving with her family, including two Weimaraner dogs, to Ridgefield. These days she paints in her home studio as well as with Reflectionist, an artist’s group based in New York. If you want to see her newer works, Rosie is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:30 am until 5 pm, and Sunday from 9 am until 3 pm. 

Good to see our former Bee interns keep on writing. Check out NHS grad Steve Bonanno’s blog “Adaptation Nation” at www.digboston.com, and catch his wry humor and movie vs book comparisons.

Rumor has it that our fellow Bee Frank LaPak is celebrating his tenth birthday this week — for the eighth time! Happy Birthday, Frank!

The Newtown Board of Realtors recently raised approximately $1,500 to support Sandy Hook Elementary School teachers at the “Education for Educators,” with the local realtor board hosting continuing education classes for realtors from Danbury, Southbury, Newtown, Bethel, and Ridgefield. Net proceeds benefited the teachers. Along with money raised through costs for classes, Sandy Hook resident and Wells Fargo loan officer Chris Goodrich donated $500 on behalf of Wells Fargo. The donation, says William Pitt Sotheby’s International realtor Adele Unger, was presented to SHS PTA President Tracey Jaeger.

We all know how time flies, so you might want to take note that Howard and Jeanette Lasher will host a memorial service on Wednesday, September 11, at 8 am, on their Route 302 property, to honor the 12th anniversary of 9/11. The ceremony takes place outside, near the stand of trees painted to represent the American flag.

The Ben’s Bells Newtown studio will be open this Friday from 10 am until 4 pm. Normal studio hours are Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm and Saturdays from noon to 4 pm, but the group posted a note on its Facebook page this week that “this Friday [August 2] is a special treat to help you kick the weekend off with some kindness!” The studio is at 17 Church Hill Road, and entry is from the back parking lot. There is no charge to participate in workshops, but a $5 donation is requested to help cover the cost of materials.

You can support the local cat rescue program, Kitten Associates, this coming week. BarkAID will be in town, Tuesday, August 6, cutting hair for just $20 at Salon Michele on Queen Street. All of the money raised by the Kansas-based hairstylist and BarkAID founder Patrick Lomantini will benefit KA. Call Salon Michele at 203-426-4247 for an appointment for the purr-fect cut.

Who needs Martha Stewart when we have our own Nora Murphy here in Newtown? Nora has launched her new e-magazine, Nora Murphy Country House recently, and if you have any interest in decorating, design, or food, or just love looking at luscious photographs and reading inspirational words, you’ll want to visit www.noramurphycountryhouse.com. “Live What You Love. Love Where You Live” reads the cover of the magazine. Turn the pages and find out how!

There’s not much that says “summer” more than a fair. Bridgewater Fair weekend passes are now available at the Bridgewater Mobil station (at the intersection of Route 133 and Route 67) and Bridgewater Village Store in the center of town. Tickets are $16 and good for all three days. Otherwise, admission is $8 for adults each day, and $5 for senior citizens on Saturday and Sunday. Children are allowed in for free all weekend. The Bridgewater Fair runs August 16–18 this year, and will formally open with the traditional Fireman’s Parade on Friday night. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:30, and then the parade will begin at 6:45, featuring companies from across Connecticut and New York… and as close as Newtown, who usually sends members from all five volunteer companies. The fairgrounds are at 100 Main Street South (Route 133) in Bridgewater, behind the firehouse. Additional fair details are available online at BridgewaterFair.com or by calling 860-354-4730.

You’ll never call me a fair weather friend. I’ll be around, so be sure next week to… Read me again.