700 trees in 15 days. That’s what members of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company sold — along with dozens of wreaths, cemetery/Christmas boxes, pine roping/garland, and kissing balls — for their Christmas Trees (& More) Sale this holiday season. The company received a truckload of fresh-cut trees on Friday, November 26, unloaded and set them up for sale, and began selling at noon that day. By Saturday, December 11, less than 20 trees remained at the firehouse. By that evening, all were sold. This is not the first time the company has sold its full Christmas/holidays inventory, but it is certainly the fastest. Firefighters heard from many people who said they were buying early this year to make sure they had a tree in light of the reported shortages this season. Organizers extend their thanks to the community for the support. Proceeds benefit the fire company.

You know what you can still purchase locally? The 2021 Hearts of Hope Commemorative Heart is still available, with proceeds benefitting that organization. Hearts of Hope-Newtown is offering two designs this year, both celebrating The Newtown Bee. One has a copper background and depicts the arch over our front door, while the second has a blue background and incorporates this company’s logo. Both were designed by Brianna Moran, a self-taught artist who said she came up with the designs because “what’s more ‘Newtown’ than the newspaper?” Bless her heart, we like to think so too. The palm-sized hearts are $15 each, and we have a supply available at our office (5 Church Hill Road; call 203-426-3141 if you’d like one/some set aside, or just stop in weekdays). Hearts can also be purchased through the local chapter’s Facebook page (search for Hearts of Hope of Newtown, CT) or by contacting HOH-Newtown President Pattie Ptak at 203-828-8103 or newtown@ourheartsofhope.org.

Pleasant Paws Pet Center, 94 South Main Street, announced that Santa Claus is set to make a special stop this Saturday, December 18, at the center to visit some of his furry friends. Photos with Santa will take place from 10 am to 1 pm. The cost is $20 per photo and a digital copy of the photo will be sent to an e-mail provided.

Now that they have pulled the winning ticket for their annual Mustang Raffle, the Newtown Lions are already looking ahead to next year’s Duck Race. No details yet, but mark Saturday, June 25, on your calendar … or make a note to do so when you start marking your 2022 calendar. That’s the date that was shared with us this week for The Great Pootatuck Duck Race.

Our thanks this week to Randi Allen Kiely, who has shared two family photos with us for use with The Way We Were. Randi’s parents are Dolores and the late Paul Allen, who for decades lived on Mt Pleasant Road. The first, a scanned image from a 1952 issue of Life magazine, can be seen this week on page B-6.

Don’t forget: Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard has a holiday gift wrapping fundraiser set for this Saturday and Sunday, and it is raising funds for its participation in the upcoming 2022 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. The gift wrapping event will take place at NHS, 12 Berkshire Road, in the old cafeteria, Saturday, December 18, from 9 am until 3 pm, and on Sunday, December 19, from noon to 4 pm. An announcement for the fundraiser reads, “We will beautifully wrap your holiday gifts for a donation while you run errands or relax with a cup of cocoa and a baked good in our cozy holiday lounge.” Visit docs.google.com to let them know when they can expect you and they will “schedule our best wrappers.” All proceeds will defray expenses for the upcoming trip. The suggested donation amount is $1 to $3 per item depending on size.

We heard from a resident recently who wanted to offer a shoutout to Lois Barber. A Sandy Hook resident, Lois has done fundraising and special projects over the years — the Beautiful Baby Contest, which raised funds to build homes for veterans, and the Newtown Holiday Lights Tour, which continues to offer routes to local homes with great holiday displays, are two that come to mind. This holiday season, Lois reached out to Newtown’s Department of Human Services and learned that there were many children in The Newtown Fund’s Holiday Gift Basket program who would benefit from an additional gift or two. Lois then did a drive via Facebook, and coordinated the collection of gifts for more than 50 children. Those gifts were all delivered to the senior center last Saturday morning, when they were then doled out to the families, clubs, groups, et al who were heading out to deliver to the families helped this year by The Newtown Fund. While we know many people help make The Newtown Fund program a success each year, this week we are offering a Good Egg Award to Lois for all of the extra things she does to make Newtown a better place for so many others.

With Newtown Public Schools students home for a remote learning day on December 14, everything was completed virtually, including morning announcements. I happened to catch Newtown High School Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco’s morning announcement from that day online. It was a somber day across town, as it marked the ninth year since the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Longobucco shared two very notable announcements. First, she asked those watching to join her in recognizing those lost as part of the Newtown community forever. Second, she wanted to make sure that all of her high school students know they are not alone. “I want to remind you that there are a lot of people who care about each and every one of you, whether it is a friend, teacher, counselor, support staff, coach, or administrator please know that we are here for you today and every day.” It is an important message, and I hope each student at the high school knows they can reach out for support at NHS.

There seems to be something special about the Newtown community: Once a member, you are always a member. No matter how far away we roam, the roads and the people remain in our hearts. And the community is always there for us. May we remember those we have lost and cherish our memories, no matter where our roads take us.

Speaking of hearts, there is one weekend left to see the heartwarming NewArts production of A Christmas Carol. The play continues this weekend at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, on Friday, December 17, at 7 pm; Saturday, December 18, at 2 and 7 pm; and Sunday, December 19, at 2 pm. Tickets for all performances are $20 for balcony seating, $28 for orchestra/main floor seats. Seating is general admission. Visit newarts.org for additional information and ticket purchases.

I promise you will clap for the production as much as I will clap for you, if you promise next week to ... Read me again.