While I’m not sure who had the chance to meet Matt Schumer, our Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) grad and summer contributor, it appears his Newtown Bee clippings got his foot right in the door with a group of publications in the Baltimore area where he landed to pursue his master’s degree. His first outing report for Streetcar Suburbs Publishing Inc is available online at streetcarsuburbs.news/neighborhood-association-discusses-possible-housing-developments. Congratulations Matt! We’ll be keeping our eye on your future work.

Louise and Dick Baker recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary by going out to dinner at Tambascio’s Restaurant. I am told the food was excellent, the three waitresses who waited on the couple were “the nicest” they had ever dealt with, and the owner was very helpful, according to Louise. When it came time for Louise and Dick to leave, the restaurant staff appeared tableside with containers for leftovers and the owner came over with a shopping bag with handles. He knew Dick was using a walker and didn’t want Louise dropping everything trying to get him out the door. We agree with Louise: John Tambascio deserves a Good Egg Award. Congratulations John, you are a good egg! And to Louise and Dick, we wish you more wonderful anniversaries in the years ahead.

I couldn’t help but notice this online post by Newtown resident Joe Proc: “I do wildlife rescue & rehab for Newtown and surrounding towns. I work with vets, animal control, wildlife centers, and people. I rescue and release about 100 animals per season.” He feeds animals throughout the year. “So if anybody has leftover or expired anything food that they would like to donate as opposed to wasting it away, please reach out.” Joe says he helps animals to “help save the planet” and he does not get paid to help. He can be reached through his website offthehookrock.com.

Congratulations to Rebecca Kowalski for completing the IronMan 70.3 in Arizona. I hear she finished at the 8:29:03 mark, and color this cat impressed. Kowalski shared a note this week that she is grateful to Jim O’Rourke, Erin Kowalski, and everyone who supported the effort. This was a seven-years-in-the-making moment for the CMAK Foundation president. More information about the CMAK Foundation is available online at CMAKFoundation.org. Way to go Rebecca!

Farewell and best wishes to Betty Presnell, along with husband Richard and son Michael, who will be moving out of the area within the next few weeks. Betty has lived in town for more than 60 years, and volunteered for multiple efforts during that time. Her latest has been the two-plus-year bottle and can redemption drive that has raised thousands of dollars, one nickel at a time, for FAITH Food Pantry, fire companies, the ambulance corps, and other service organizations. She made her final donation this week, to Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company. Ahead of the impending move, Betty is asking anyone who would like to make final donations of those bottles and cans to do so by the end of this weekend. Donations can be left at 1-D Nunnawauk Meadows, at 3 Nunnawauk Road (use the entrance that goes behind the community building, then turn right at the gazebo). Readers who are unable to drop off cans and bottles this week are not out of luck. Betty told me she is working with a neighbor who is interested in taking over and continuing the goodwill project. I’ll share those details as soon as those plans are confirmed.

Speaking of fundraisers and supporting local organizations, Rachel H. Babcock will be directing this weekend when Town Players of Newtown hosts a staged reading of When Tomorrow Comes by Beatriz Allen. The fundraiser for the local theater company is scheduled for 3:30 Sunday, October 23, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road. The play is the story of two families, and the sacrifices and extreme lengths they will go to to give their disabled children a chance at a fulfilling life … at least that’s how Town Players of New Canaan described the play when they did a similar reading of the work in August. The suggested donation for the Newtown event is $10, with all proceeds to benefit Town Players. Visit town-players-of-newtown.square.site for reservations.

There are a few opportunities this weekend and next week for children to get some early Trick or Treating and costume practice rounds in. Rain or shine, SHOP will host its Sandy Hook Halloween Walk on Saturday from 11 am until 2 pm. Visit the businesses within Sandy Hook Center, where owners and employees will be waiting to share treats with costumed children. At 3 o’clock Saturday, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue members will invite any children and adults in costume to participate in a costume parade, with first and second place prizes for each group. That costume contest will be part of the fire company’s 2022 Fall Festival, running from 11 am until 5 pm at its main station, 18-20 Riverside Road. And then Newtown Rehab/The Commons of Newtown, is also planning a Trick or Treat opportunity, on Thursday, October 27. Parents are invited to park and walk or drive through the parking lot with their costumed children between 3 and 5 pm, rain or shine. See our calendar, in print on page A-2 and online, for details.

Additionally, Newtown Parks & Recreation’s Spooktacular Family Fun Event is scheduled for Wednesday night, 5:30-7 pm, at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street. Cost is $5 per person for the seasonal family event with games. DJ dance party, hayrides (last departure 6:45), costume contest (Family Look-Alike, Scariest, Cutest, Most Creative, Funniest, and Best Overall) and more. Participants also are being asked to bring a bag of candy for Main Street residents who will be seeing hundreds if not a few thousand children at their doors on Halloween. Again, check our calendar in print and online for details.

I’ve been filled with excitement (not straw) for the Newtown Middle School scarecrows and painted pumpkins display this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 22 and 23, from 9 am to 5 pm, at 11 Queen Street. Attendees are encouraged to bring donations for FAITH Food Pantry, and all will be asked to vote for their favorite entries.

And in more amazing Newtown student news: A pool record was set in the 100 yard breaststroke event, the football team maintained its hold on the Boot trophy with another win over New Milford, and Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraising continued within the Newtown High athletics department. Get all of the details in the Sports section.

Congratulations to the Mentz family, who recently won a custom playhouse through a competition hosted by Around Town Real Estate. The competition kicked off during the Labor Day Parade, with the public invited to make $10 donations directly to FAITH Food Pantry. A winner was then chosen at random, according to Jessica Tendler Sachs, one of the event organizers. Fellow Realtor Chris Haggerty built the custom playhouse, with materials donated by East Haven Builders Supply, and the handsome addition to the Mentz family property has been delivered and installed. In addition to the Mentz children having a new place to play in their backyard, FAITH Food Pantry is also a winner thanks to the $900 raised through the Playhouse Giveaway.

I promise to keep playing the game of cat and gossip if you promise next week to ... Read me again.