Trinity Episcopal Church had a pair of fundraisers last week. Members presented a Mardi Gras Drive-Thru dinner on February 13 and then a Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Drive-Thru on February 16. Trinity Communications and Membership Manager Kim Merrill checked for the final numbers this week and said the final tally for the two events topped $2,000 “in straight donation.” The $2,200 mentioned in coverage of last week’s Shrove Tuesday event was pre-expenses paid out, Kim noted. That money will now be divided between the heating oil fund of The Newtown Fund and FAITH Food Pantry, both based in town and both meant to help residents who need a hand during difficult times.

Even as this town grieves the loss of Town Historian Dan Cruson this week, we are reminded by the flag on Main Street once again flying at half-staff of the 500,000 lives lost to the novel coronavirus pandemic this past year — including 60 of those lives in our town. Please take a moment to reflect on those lost to COVID and the people left behind when you pass this lowered flag. The flag will remain at half-staff until Friday evening at sunset.

Paromita Dutt-Kunzweiler shares that her daughter, Kirtana Kunzweiler, a sophomore at Newtown High School, and husband, Stephen Kunzweiler, created a snow sculpture recently on their Taunton Hill Road property. Named “Snowpy,” the sculpture looks very much like the familiar Charles Schulz “Snoopy” character. “With social distancing, said Paromita, “[Kirtana] finds ways to amuse herself and others.” Hopefully, the strange mix of snow and rain has not completely washed away their good efforts.

Welcome back to the movies! We are pleased to see that the movie theater at Edmond Town Hall has found sponsors recently to show some family movies. Although the number of tickets is limited, it does offer a teensy little return to normal times. Wearing masks in the theater, though, I think is a challenge if indulging in snacks... maybe it is possible to last two hours without eating? Just a thought.

Last year, the St Rose Knights of Columbus Lenten Fish Fry was toast, thanks to the onset of the pandemic. So if you missed it, your wait is rewarded with the return of the Friday night event now through April 2, at the 40 Church Hill Road site. Dinners of fish with fries or eggplant rollatini with fries are on the menu for the curbside or online orders only. (No indoor dining.) Visit kofc185.org/fish-fry to place an order ahead. It’s quite a bargain at $10 for adult meals and $6 for children’s meals.

Where are all of our crafty readers? We are still hoping to hear from ten people who create something using a print edition of The Newtown Bee, who will also share their instructions and photos with eliza@thebee.com. The first ten to submit a unique craft will have their item featured in this newspaper, and will also receive a special handmade mask. Associate Editor Shannon Hicks is modeling her mask. She was gifted one through our 2020 DIY Secret Santa gift exchange. No worries: Shannon is keeping her mask. Our winners will receive their own brand-new masks.

The Bent of the River Audubon Center is just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Newtown, at 185 East Flat Hill Road in Southbury. If you’ve ever wished for a private tour of the 700-acre preserve, it’s magic time! According to their website, you can have a personal outdoor adventure guided by a Bent of the River naturalist. “Our guided nature experiences offer fun themes to choose from. You may have up to 9 people attend your program session. Please make sure each member of your party brings and wears a mask. Each program is up to two hours and is a daytime event unless otherwise noted.

After booking your program — or gifting one to a friend — one of their naturalists will reach out to you (or your giftee) to discuss the date, time, and personalized program you are interested in doing. Register at audubonct.doubleknot.com/event/choose-your-audubon-adventure/2763139.

Prices vary for bird walks, owl prowl, nature hike, river exploration, peeper prowl, vernal pool studies, and woodcocks & whiskey (for age 21 and up!). For questions, contact Kate Pratt at kathleen.pratt@audubon.org or 203-405-9113.

Ticket purchases are final and non-refundable, but you can share your ticket with another if you cannot make it; rescheduling will be addressed if weather is inclement.

Bird walks, owl prowls... what self-respecting cat would not want to support this beautiful center by registering for one of those?

Kudos to all who in recent months donated to the Newtown Animal Control Shelter. It seems they have been overwhelmed by Newtown’s generous spirit, with so many donations of treats, food, toys, blankets, and more that they are actually running out of space to store it all. That’s a good problem to have, because it means the many creatures in their care will have all that they need as they wait for their forever homes. The staff at the shelter is very appreciative of this outpouring of support. Keep an eye on my column; I’ll let you know when the shelter lets me know that they are once more in need.

We often do not think about space exploration, as once was the focus of every boy and girl. But last Thursday’s touchdown on Mars by the rover Perseverance sent a thrill through anyone who has since seen photos or video from the small car-sized rover sent those millions of miles through space. Not only will this machinery be collecting specimens and reporting back to planet Earth, but it landed with an attached helicopter that will soon be circling through the thin Mars atmosphere for images and information farther out. Congratulations to all who engineered this amazing feat. Who knows what exciting things we will find out about Mars, and what it will tell us about the past and our future?

I’m told that Walgreens and Susan G. Komen have partnered together in the fight to end breast cancer. The funds raised by this partnership support breast cancer research and those diagnosed with breast cancer. Walgreens offers two ways for customers to donate to the “Raise Hope, End Cancer” fundraiser. Through the end of February and all of March, shoppers may donate their Walgreens Cash rewards to the “Raise Hope, End Cancer” fundraiser directly from their myWalgreens account online or through the mobile app. Additionally, shoppers may visit stores from February 28 to March 13 and make a pin-pad donation during checkout. All donations support those who need it today, and contribute to the search for tomorrow’s cures.

Wreaths Across America (WAA) announces its 2021 Race Program, which will include a 737-mile virtual Escort To Arlington Challenge, two virtual Running For Wreaths options (5K and 10K available) in May and September, and one in-person Stem To Stone Remembrance Run this July, with a virtual option. This year’s race program is the result of an expanded partnership with event-management and timing company CompetitorME. The options for supporters provide an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding of WAA’s yearlong mission to “Remember, Honor, Teach.” Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The complete list of the race options and open registrations can be found at competitorme.com/wreaths-across-america.

One nice thing about the snowfall this winter is that it has allowed for sledding fun! I’ve spotted kids (and some certainly out of the kid category) at Treadwell Park, and this past Sunday, families were taking advantage of the slopes at Holcombe Hill Preserve off of Great Hill Road. Wheeee! The downhill jaunts were eliciting plenty of whoops and hollers — of delight, I hope. With March around the corner, and spring officially just a little over three weeks away, sledding is an outdoor opportunity that “slips” by too soon. Have fun while you can!

I’ll be slipping about town in search of news, as always. Be sure next week to... Read me again.