Ice cream lovers rejoice! Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop, located at 51 Church Hill Road, officially opened for the season earlier this month. On April 10, the shop posted to Facebook, “It’s been a long winter, we can’t wait to get back to scooping for you!”

Dolce Italian Ice & Gelato, located at 117 Church Hill Road, also opened and wrote to Facebook on April 9, “Successful opening day! So excited for the season! Thank you everyone for the support! What an amazing community to be a part of!”

Meanwhile Ferris Acres Creamery, located at 144 Sugar Street, will have its seasonal opening on Tuesday, April 25, at 3 pm. Be sure to save room for dessert that day!

Two faces that are just as sweet as ice cream are bonded kitties Tweed and Furgesson. They are with Kitten Associates in Sandy Hook and are looking for their fur-ever home together. Kitten Associates President/Founder Robin Olson told The Newtown Bee, “If you want to be loved, adopt Miss Tweed Thimblekins and Mr Furgesson Thistleberry III. These fully vetted, under a year-old-cuties, were rescued from the same overcrowded home where 40 other cats were struggling to survive. They both suffered from malnutrition, but once in our care they blossomed and became a bonded twosome, sleeping, playing, and eating together. These forever-friends are playful, friendly, chatty, and affectionate and get along with everyone they meet. That said, Tweed is “the boss”-just sayin’.” Their adoption fee together will be reduced for both kittens. If you or someone you know would be interested in adopting these a-meow-zing cats, be sure to fill out an adoption application at kittenassociates.org or e-mail info@kittenassociates.org for more info.

Cats aren’t the only ones with nine lives! Bring your gently used books, games, puzzles, and media to Spring Donation Day on April 23, from noon to 5 pm, and the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library will find them a new home. Volunteers stationed at the rear parking lot of the library, at 25 Main Street, will help unload your vehicle. Your donations support library programs, materials, and services that enrich our community. More info can be found at boothbooksale.org.

Newtown Historical Society this week launched a clothing drive fundraiser. Through April 28, readers are being asked to consider donating clothing at the Helpsy/Big Sisters storefront at 127 South Main Street. The collection center is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. The historical society will receive a donation through Helpsy for every pound of clothing collected.

If you miss that window, another one will open — albeit for just a few hours — on Saturday, April 29. BSA Troop 270 is planning a FUNdrive that day, from 9 am to 3 pm, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Readers are asked to donate clothing (for all ages and genders, including coats, shoes, scarves, handbags, wallets, accessories, ties, belts, and backpacks), household textiles, and small household goods (pots and pans, dishes, silverware, glasses, etc), home decor, knick-knacks, toys, and games, all clean and in sellable condition. The Scouts will be paid based on weight of donations of their eco-friendly fund drive, with funds to assist their summer adventure camp at Seabase in Florida. For additional information ahead of that collection, call 971-222-4912 or send a note to romaine.amelia@gmail.com.

FAITH Food Pantry in Newtown is in need of help supplying residents with in-demand items. They put out a small wish list request on April 12 asking for grape jelly, mayo, cookies, crackers, canned fruit, dry cat food, cat litter, conditioner, body wash, and cleaning supplies. You can also shop through their Amazon Wish List at amazon.com.

Congratulations to two Newtown Lions Club members celebrating their anniversaries with the organization in the month of April! Doug Body, who joined in 2001, has been a member of the Lions for 22 years; and Dr Ratna Vedullapalli, who joined in 2019, has been a member of the Lions for three years. “Thank you for all the hard work you have done in our club and community!” said the Lions via Facebook on April 4.

Also a congratulations to the newest member of Newtown Rotary Club Mitzi Muller, who is a third generation Rotarian! At the group’s meeting last week they did the induction and also had Newtown Police Department Chief David Kullgren visit as a gust speaker. Newtown Rotary Club wrote on their Facebook page, “Congratulations Mitzi, we’re glad to have you on board!! Chief Kullgren, thank you for your dedication to Newtown!!”

What better way to spend Earth Day on Saturday, April 22, than by attending Newtown’s annual Earth Day celebration that day? The family-friendly event will take place at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, from 10 am to 4 pm, and feature local environmental organizations, service groups, vendors, food/refreshments, and live entertainment. To learn more, visit newtownearthday.org.

People can also enjoy an interactive Earth Day program at C.H. Booth Library that same day. Jessie Paulson is leading a Recycled Art program where children, ages 6 to 10, can turn trash into treasure. The program takes place from 1 to 2:30 pm, in the library’s Meeting Room. Registration is required, so give a call to 203-426-4533 or visit chboothlibrary.org.

Have you purchased your tickets for Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice’s spring performance of Coppelia & The Toy Shop? It’s coming to Edmond Town Hall on Sunday May 21, with shows at noon and 3 pm. The ballet company says that it is great for families and has “lots of fun moments and LOTS of dancing!” Be sure to save the date in your calendar.

Longtime friend Cheryl Hensel shared this adorable photo recently and I have to say, I may not be the biggest fan of dogs (what cat is?!?), but these two caused a gentle purr. Cheryl has been dogsitting these two for a friend, who was very sad when they said their temporary farewell. Lavina, on the left, and Vatta, the Hungarian greyhound with her, were very good sports when they were turned into canine garden bees. “This photo cheered her up while she was far away,” Cheryl shared proudly.

We’ve been writing, and sharing notes on social media, about brush fires for weeks. This year’s seems to be a particularly challenging season for our local firefighters. As of 8 am last Friday morning there had been at least 13 reported brush fires since March 1. I was bemused to read this week’s Way We Were, and decided the following note from 1923 deserved to be filed under Some Things Never Change: “A Word From the District Fire Warden: Do not throw cigars and cigarette stubs from your car. To do so may destroy a beautiful hillside. Do not leave a campfire burning. One of Connecticut’s most scenic State parks was nearly ruined by an automobile party last spring. Be especially careful about fires in the spring.” Local firefighters have done a great job taking care of every fire they’ve had to go out to in recent weeks. It would be nice if those who are starting the fires — accidentally or through ignorance — would heed long- standing advice to be very careful during the spring months.

Is there a favorite Dad Joke you love to hate? Does your father tell the same joke over and over (and over), even though he’s usually the only one laughing at the punchline? We love our dads ... BUT, sometimes we can’t stand their jokes. Nonetheless, The Newtown Bee would love to hear from you and hope you’ll share your favorite Dad Joke. Send your favorite(s) to Managing Editor Shannon Hicks, at shannon@thebee.com — and we’ll sort them out and share some in the days leading up to Father’s Day, because nothing says “I love you, Dad” like sharing the jokes that make him laugh even when the rest of us may be rolling our eyes … again.

The Exceptional Sidekick Service Dogs announced in its April newsletter that the group will be welcoming five adorable puppies to the Exceptional Sidekick family in May. “These furry friends will soon begin their service dog training journey, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things they will accomplish,” the post stated. With that in mind, Exceptional Sidekick is now accepting applications for summer, May through August, puppy raisers. To learn more and sign up, visit exceptionalsidekick.org/help/puppy-raise.

As always, promise to ... read me again.