There was a week this winter when The Newtown Bee received not a single letter to the editor for publication in the Letter Hive. It was the literary equivalent of a beekeeper's Colony Collapse Disorder that even longtime staff could not recall having experienced.The Newtown Bee, and we find ourselves stimulated by the conversations that have ensued from time to time. Well-written letters help readers see varying points of views that can lead to large and small changes in our personal lives, and in our town practices. Thankfully, the empty Hive seems to have been an anomaly, and words are abuzz again on our pages.Deadline for each week's publication in The Letter Hive is Wednesday at 3 pm; submit your opinions to editor@thebee.com, subject line "Letter to the Editor." Letters are published at www.newtownbee.com as they are reviewed.

A longstanding tradition of the paper has been to invite civil discourse through the publication of opinions. The back and forth between writers has offered readers much food for thought over the past nearly century and a half. Most of the time, the letters are strongly opinionated but respectful; only rarely do we need to suggest a gentler wording, and even more rarely is a letter rejected or withdrawn.

So to have a week with no opinions offered was confounding. There is never a week that goes by without some item of interest in our town, never a week without some effort needing support, some program being thanked - something to be challenged, including our own reporting and opinions. When politics come into play, the letters abound.

Interestingly, we do receive notes "not for publication" on occasion. The reticence to go public is frequently because the writer does not want to be embroiled in a public dressing down for what he/she fears is a less popular opinion; or because it is feared that a position or employment could be compromised by going public with a personal opinion; or sometimes, just public shyness.

It does take courage to take a stand or speak one's mind, even in a close-knit community such as our own. How much easier it is to opine on social media sites, where anonymity is possible - and it is clear from the numerous closed groups on social media that there are many willing to speak amongst themselves, but are not willing to share those ideas widely.

It is easy to disparage a person, idea, or organization within the security of a closed group - some of which even suggest that a participant can be excommunicated from the group for divulging information or thoughts shared outside the secret society.

Opposing ideas, thoughtful points made on local subject matter, words of gratitude, pleas for assistance are all subjects that people in a democratic society should feel safe espousing; for anyone to feel uncomfortable about sharing opinions in Newtown is unfortunate.

We enjoy reading the letters sent to

Be bold, be fierce, be proud to express yourself through the written word.