Are you curious as a cat about how law enforcement in town works? Sign up for the 25th Citizen Policy Academy, then. Newtown Police will host the free academy for people age 18 and up, beginning March 22. The 10-week program will enlighten you and help you get to know some of our local officers. Tour the police station, learn about patrol operations, crime prevention, traffic, firearms, and laws to enforce DUI, motor vehicles, and more. Classes are held each Sunday from 3 to 6 pm. Registration ends March 15, so be quick to give Sgt Matt Wood a call at 203-426-5841 or e-mail him at matthew.wood@newtown-ct.gov.

Lia Levitt thinks a barista at Starbucks is so deserving of recognition that she not only shared her thoughts on a Facebook site, but let us know she thinks Mike C. should get a Good Egg Award — and so do I! Here’s some of what Lia had to say about Mike: “I nominate Mike C. from Starbucks Newtown . . . Michael, ‘Mike’ C. (young guy with That 70s Showesque hair), works at Starbucks, where I see clients nearly daily. He’s ALWAYS in a joyous mood, greeting everyone by name and asking people if they need anything. He took a genuine interest in my work and regularly asks how my students are doing on SAT prep or in their college search, always smiling at each one . . . He radiates happiness when I can’t imagine that working retail is an easy job.” Mike, you are certainly a Good Egg!

We were sorry to read this week that Hartford’s annual Independence Day fireworks show has been canceled. Officials cited the cost, crowd size, and development along the Connecticut River as the reasons for the cancellation of the popular event. Perhaps we can help: Instead of a fireworks display, would Hartford welcome one big moment of pyrotechnics? Readers should recall that just last week Associate Editor John Voket spoke with Jim Widmann, a Newtown resident who was part of a team that recently set a new world record when they successfully launched and exploded a single shell that weighed nearly a ton and a half. That one shell created a burst that stretched more than half a mile across. The team is reportedly looking for their next project . . . Just sayin’. . .

FONS (Friends Of Newtown Seniors) is looking for seniors to take part in a collaborative writing/art series of classes in March and early April at the Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street. Call the Newtown Community Center at 203-270-4349 or the Senior Center at 203-270-4310 for more information about the free “Looking Forward To The Future With 2020 Hindsight” program, or to register.

My feline friends Resphigi and Mimi were wide-eyed this past weekend when their usual bird feeder watching presented them with some unexpected visitors. A flock of a dozen of what seemed — to them — unusually large wild turkeys gathered beneath the feeder before marching off into the woods. The tom turkey, Mimi swears, was at least the 24 pounds that numerous educational sites claim is a top weight for the eastern wild turkey, and easily stood three feet tall. The two bird watchers declare they were quite happy to be watching from behind the window!

There were a lot of hikers out and about this past weekend, reveling in the lovely weather. Who could blame them? Not me, for sure. Makes me wonder, though, as we march toward March, will the next month come in like a lion? Or does the lamb-like weather continue to follow us all the way through?

There was also a lot of activity in Sandy Hook Center this past Saturday. I was happy to see so many taking part in the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation “StoryWalk.” If you missed it, you can still read the book around which it was centered, Good Dogs, Great Listeners, by Renata Bowers with JoAnn and Joel Bacon. You can find it at Amazon. The picture book is great for all ages who want to read about love and kindness.

Looking for a good meal this Friday? Take in the St Rose “Friday Knight Fish Fry,” from 5 to 8 pm, at the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Road. The Knights of Columbus are cooking up a full fish dinner to kick off the Lenten season. All are invited to take part — and take-out is available. It’s just $10 adults, $6 for children. If you love it or can’t make it this Friday, fear not. They’ll be frying up fish on March 6, 20, and 27, and April 10 as well.

Maybe pasta is more your style? The Varsity Winter Guard’s Family Dinner Fundraiser is this Friday, February 28, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, at Fraser Woods Montessori School, 173 South Main Street. One hundred percent of the proceeds will help offset travel costs for the guard’s trip to Dayton, Ohio, this spring for the WGI World Championships. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults, $8 for children ages 5 to 10, under 5 years old are free, and it is $15 for “to-go” meals. You’ll enjoy baked ziti, meatball, salad, bread, dessert, and beverages — and be supporting this fabulous local group of high school performers.

It’s that time of year, and if you don’t mind traveling a bit for a sweet experience, the Stamford Museum & Nature Center presents the annual First County Bank Maple Sugar Festival Weekend on Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8, from 11 am to 3 pm both days, rain or shine. The festival features activities including traditional favorites like maple syrup tastings, tree tapping demonstrations, live music, and animal interactions. The Stamford Museum &Nature Center is located ¾ mile north of Merritt Parkway Exit 35. For more information call 203-977-6521 or visit stamfordmuseum.org.

We are sad to hear that Town Poet Laureate Lisa Schwartz is moving this spring, and thus retiring from her post (see this week’s article in the Enjoy section of the paper.) The search for a new Town Poet Laureate is underway, with applications due by April 6. Visit newtownartscommission.org. The town’s second-ever Poet Laureate will serve from September 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021.

Looking for a feline or two for your family? The Newtown Animal Control Center has new kitties up for adoption who are in need of their purr-fect home. You’ll want to read about them in this week’s Pet and Horse News section of Sports.

And I know I’ve reminded you before, but February 29 comes just once every four years: so celebrate at the C.H. Booth Library, from 1 to 4:30 pm. Multiple learning experiences will take place throughout the library for all ages. Check out the details at chboothlibrary.org. (Happy birthday to all who celebrate just every four years, on February 29!)

Next Friday will be the 11th Annual National Day of Unplugging. The observation begins at sundown March 6, and will continue through sundown March 7. The focus of the day is to switch off electronics for 24 hours. If you need help, nationaldayofunplugging.com has toolkits, conversation starters, and activity guides. Our thought? The March 7, 2020 print edition of The Newtown Bee will be published Thursday afternoon. Sounds like the perfect opportunity to give that a good read.

Here’s my suggestion: Leap into next week’s paper and... Read me again.