The Newtown Lions Club is hoping that its new event — The Great Pumpkin Race — created just for fun, will become another successful tradition by the group that has already brought us The Great Pootatuck Duck Race and an annual Ford Mustang raffle. Residents of all ages are invited to bring their carved and/or decorated pumpkins to the parking lot behind Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, by 1 pm, on Saturday, October 30, for judging in one of four age categories. There will also be races between pumpkins that have been mounted on wheels — with an axle that goes through the pumpkin, mind you — judging of pumpkin pies and a costume parade. The full event will run from 1 to 4 pm, with a rain date of Sunday, October 31. Give Gordon Williams a call at 203-426-6443, or ask any member of the local Lions Club for details, especially if you need help getting your pumpkin ready to race. The Lions have a whole crew of guys ready to share some of their engineering expertise. (Oh, and did I forget to mention the trebuchet that will be launching some pumpkins into the woods?)

Kevin Parker sent me a note this week, claiming credit for the spooky decorations on his car I mentioned last week. “To the person [A slip. I’m sure Kevin meant “cat”] who saw the arm and foot hanging out of my car window: I do this every year for people to see and enjoy at Halloween. I don’t have a very large yard to decorate, so I decorate my car up for the month.”

If you’re the kind of person (or cat) who likes watching the night sky, you have probably been aware of the Orionid showers that have been going on. The bright moon and ambient lighting make the shooting stars a little hard to see, but through this weekend you should still be able to catch a few of them, which are the remains of Halley’s Comet, oh so far away. It’s a good excuse to go out late at night, at any rate.

Bingo! Here’s a winner! Family Bingo, sponsored by the St Rose Women’s Club, will be played on Saturday, October 23, in the St Rose Gathering Hall. This weekend’s special event is the new date for a Family Bingo Night originally scheduled for mid-February. Admission is $5 for 12 regular bingo cards, or $10 for 12 games, four specials, and one bonus game. Doors will open at 6, with Bingo scheduled to begin promptly at 7. Optional special and bonus games mean fun for everyone in the family, with cash prizes awarded to top winners. Hot dogs, pizza, and other food and soft drinks will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Call the church office, 203-426-1014, or Cathy Hickey-Williams at 203-426-4502 for additional information.

The good news from the traveling Brown family — Carole, Jim, Canaan, and Colby — is that “Our eyes, hearts, and bellies are full.” Carole dropped The Bee a note, reminding friends that they can follow the worldwide adventures of the Browns at brownsaroundtheworldmtk.com. That’s where you can also take a peek at the journals the family members are keeping as they explore countries far and wide. “When we can,” writes Carole, “we write a little something. We’re so far behind, because events are happening so fast that we hardly have time to sit down and write our journals, but we are making efforts to do so.” You can find a link to a photo gallery on their website, as well, in case you want to travel vicariously.

You don’t have to be Picasso to join the Authentic Voice art group at a special workshop this Friday evening, October 22, from 7 to 9 pm, in the meeting room of the C.H. Booth Library. Everyone’s artistic voice is authentic, say group members, and art can be a method of healing spiritual, mental, or physical pain. To take part in this healing art workshop, register at piercemcplw@aol.com or by calling 203-232-0994.

Town historian Dan Cruson nearly ran out of breath last Friday afternoon, reading the proclamation sent over to the C.H. Booth Library reception by First Selectman Pat Llodra in honor of longtime resident Caroline Stokes, who is leaving the area for warmer climes. After endless “whereases” and “therefores” that spelled out the long, long list of community and area activities to which Mrs Stokes has contributed during her six decades in town, Dan finally was able to gasp out the declaration that October 15 had been declared a “day of celebration and honor of Caroline Stokes.” I think he was able to regain his strength, though, thanks to the tables laden with delicious goodies prepared by library staff members and friends of Mrs Stokes.

 Looking to get in the Halloween spirit? The teen drama group from the library, The Mask & Wig Players, is presenting “Ghosts Among Us,” this Sunday, October 24, at 3 pm. The young thespians will act out spooky stories from around Connecticut in tales ideal for ages 10 and up. Library director Janet Woycik tells me that she’s the one who got the group into the mood with a tour of the library attic: home to the ghost of Mary Elizabeth Hawley…. I’ve got chills down my spine already.

It won’t be “Boo!” but rather “Boo Hoo!” that you’ll hear from me if next week you fail to…. Read me again.