Tree Huggers Unite! That’s the theme behind a just-announced event being planned by Newtown Forest Association. With Arbor Day this Friday, NFA had planned for the love for trees to continue. NFA will host an Arbor Day Party & Tree Hugging Competition on Saturday, May 13. NOTE this is an update that we were alerted to after this week's print edition went to press, so we apologize for any confusion over the original date (April 29) anyone may have encountered. Registration is not required and there will be divisions for Kids (ages 12 and under) and Adults (13 and up). NFA is hoping to see creative outfits — dress for the weather — and readers ready to compete in Biggest Hug, Speed Hugging, Most Dedicated, and Freestyle. Contestants must participate in all four events to be eligible for eco-friendly awards. Registration opens at 10:30; the competitions begin at 11, and awards will be presented at 1 pm. A guided tree walk with state certified arborist and NFA board member Dan Dalton will then begin at 1:15. Visit the association’s Facebook page for full details.

Did you know Arbor Day is celebrated at different times of the year across the country? In fact, while National Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April in many states — including here in the Nutmeg State, of course — many states observe the holiday on different dates based on the best tree planting times for their area. According to The Arbor Day Foundation, Arkansas celebrates on the third Monday in March; Georgia celebrates on the third Friday in February; Mississippi, second Friday in February; and Wyoming honors all things trees on the last Monday in April. Some places celebrate trees for more than a day. In Maine, they observe Arbor “Day” for the third full week in May, and Oregon goes big, celebrating all month! Around the world it’s the same story: different countries celebrate the natural resource all times of the year, from January 15 (Jordan) or June 21 (Cuba) to late September (Barbados and Brazil), the end of November (British Virgin Islands) and even the second Monday of December (Malawi).

It’s time for spring cleaning, and there are folks who would like to help those unable to take care of this chore on their own. Housatonic Habitat for Humanity’s “Brush with Kindness” program is offering free yard clean-up to seniors and veterans in our region living on fixed incomes. Dates are available through the end of May. A short form is required as is a copy of your current homeowner’s insurance declaration page. Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) Chore Services Coordinator Bev Bennett Schaedler can help Newtown residents with this program. If you need a paper form or assistance in completing the form, call her at 203-430-0633. Readers can also contact Housatonic Habitat for Humanity directly at info@housatonichabitat.org or 203-744-1340 to file an application or pick up additional information.

Bev can also provide information on the FONS Chore Services program, which offers similar assistance year-round. Volunteers can assist with living space chores that are difficult to do, offer an assessment of financial assistance for safety needs, and even share leads from a list of vetted and highly recommended professionals for more complex jobs. FONS also welcomes volunteers of all ages to assist with chore projects. Give Bev a call for additional information.

Speaking of spring, and trees, which we’ve been doing for a few minutes here, the local Homegrown National Park initiative will be formally launched this weekend. The national project is a grassroots approach to conservation that starts in private backyards. Our coverage in recent weeks has included programs hosted by Booth Library, Pootatuck Watershed Association and Protect Our Pollinators (POP), with program creator Doug Tallamy; and more recently a presentation at Newtown Senior Center by POP Co-Founders Holly Kocet and Mary Wilson. Now everyone is invited to the kick-off event on Saturday, April 29, at 1 pm, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Lisa Turoczi, owner of Earth Tones native plant nursery, and DEEP Biologist Peter Picone will each speak, and there will be information designed to educate and inspire. To underscore the importance of native plantings, 50 native trees will be given away to the first 50 guests to arrive. Registration is requested, but no one will be turned away if you forget to send a note to HomegrownParkNewtown@gmail.com. Just tell ‘em I sent you and it’ll be good.

File under Best Laid Plans: Abigail McManus is working very hard to make her Newtown High School Capstone Project a success, but a big change was announced last week after we went to press. Abby is coordinating the return of a drive-in movie at Edmond Town Hall on May 5. In our print edition last week we had a press release announcing Grease as the featured film for that night. Due to a few issues, however, the film has been changed, and the fundraiser will now feature Footloose — the original, wonderfully awesome, Kevin Bacon-star-making 1984 release — which we were able to update online. Additional details are in this week’s story by Shannon Hicks. We hope you’ll make time to head to the movie next weekend. In addition to helping Abby earn a good grade, proceeds from ticket and concession sales will be donated to Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Servants. I have to wonder if there will be any bacon-themed refreshments offered. I'd go just for that!

Readers who would like to see what the next generation of Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) Visual Arts graduates have been working on should make time to visit the Danbury university’s Westside Campus before Sunday, May 7. The 2023 Senior Portfolio Exhibition is on view in The Gallery at The Visual and Performing Arts Center, 43 Lake Avenue Extension, and among those with works on view is Newtown High School graduate Paige Galanis. Paige is one of seven students with work in the Graphic Design division. The exhibit also includes Illustration, Photography, and Studio sections. The annual exhibition is a capstone experience for students working toward a BA in Art. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday, noon to 4 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 pm.

During World War I, 138 soldiers and sailors from Newtown served overseas. Those men, and many others from the 102nd Regiment of the Yankee Division, will be commemorated next month during a special event being planned by the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Newtown Historical Society and The Museum of Connecticut Library of Hartford. Remembering Seicheprey: World War I Commemoration & Encampment is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, 9 am-4 pm, at 4 Wildlife Drive. All ages are invited to visit with members of 26th Yankee Division WWI Living History Group, who will have a working field kitchen, hospital tents and Signal Corps, also homing pigeon and Cavalry demonstrations, a WWI tank and other armaments on display, family friendly activities, hands-on exhibits, and more.

It’s generally my intent to share good news in this column, but this week I’m helping Newtown Police Department with a word of caution. Local law enforcement officers have been responding to multiple calls in recent weeks and months from residents who are having mail stolen out of their mailboxes. Unfortunately, I've heard from one Newtown friend whose identify was stolen after their mail was taken. The PD is asking residents to stop doing two things: one, don’t put any personal checks in your outgoing mail; and two, do not put the flag up on your mailbox when outgoing mail is in there. While the latter suggestion means mail carriers may not check your mailbox, those flags alert thieves to the presence of mail. It’s a real conundrum, and a very sad statement on today’s world. If you can get to the post office to drop off mail — especially anything with personal checks or anything with personal information inside those envelopes — that’s one safe option. Investing in a post office box is costly, but it’s another secure option. Paying bills online is yet another option. This cat’s just pleased he doesn’t have to worry about bills. I know where to go for milk and tuna, and that’s all I need stay concerned with. Stay safe, my friends.

Speaking of friends, belated birthday wishes to Gene Rosen. We understand the longtime Sandy Hook resident had a milestone birthday last week. Hope you’re still enjoying your birthday season, Gene.

We hope everyone is having a great week, whether or not you get to celebrate a birthday, and that you will remember to ... read me again.