Visitors to our office often make the joke “what’s the buzz?” or “what’s going on in the hive?” or something along those lines. Monday morning it really sounded like we were inside a huge beehive though. Ahead of a new paint job, the building at 5 Church Hill Road had been power-washed over the weekend. On Monday a painter and sander arrived first thing, and began working on the exterior of the building. Having a sander running outside the windows was an interesting way to begin the work week, but it will be worth it when a new coat of paint makes our familiar red building pretty again.

Speaking of our red building, it may feel like it’s always been red but it hasn’t. Seventy-five years ago this month our building went from its previous color of “accustomed gray to a dark red with white trim,” according to The Newtown Bee of June 4, 1948. Those notes were used in The Way We Were just three weeks ago. Also according to that week’s column, Alfred W. Nelson of Botsford did the work.

A 45th reunion barbecue for the Newtown High School Class of 1978 is being planned for Saturday, August 5, 1 to 5 pm, centered around the pavilion at Dickinson Park. Ribs, burgers, sausage and peppers, salads, vegetable kabobs, wine and beer will be provided. The event is $40 per person, payable to Jodee Parkinson at 79 Melville Street, Stratford CT 06615. Additional information about the event is available from Jodee, at jdp3690@yahoo.com.

Congratulations Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, which celebrated its 85th anniversary last weekend. Members and guests gathered for an event at the main station, with a catered dinner, awards, dancing, and general celebratory air. Among those honored were members who have been top responders during the past five years and those who reached milestone anniversaries with the company. Company Vice President Matt Dobson was completely surprised to be presented with the 2023 Outstanding Member Award, Karin Halstead and Archie Paloian were formally recognized as the company’s two newest Life Members, and Ryan Clark was surprised with the newly created Bill Halstead Award.

We often welcome parents to the front office when their children win the weekly Birthday Wishes drawing we’ve been doing for decades. Occasionally they’ll stop in with the birthday boy or girl, depending on the time of day and whether they’re surprising their child. Last week we had a first: a Thank You note after one of our young winners received her birthday cake! Sherri Baggett was in the front office two weeks ago when Miss Madelyn Brokaw stopped in with her father to collect the coupon that would give her an ice cream cake from Ferris Acres. Madelyn and her dad visited with Sherri for a few minutes too, which was a great way for Sherri to start her day. But imagine Sherri’s joy when the mail arrived one morning last week and included was a darling note from Madelyn. We’re so happy we made another birthday a very happy one for one of our youngest readers.

Parents are reminded that we do this offer year-round. Send an original photo of your child (or grandchild), in print or via email, along with their name, birthday, and how old they will be turning, within a month of their birthday, to noelle@thebee.com or Noelle Veillette c/o The Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470. Deadline is noon each Tuesday for that week’s paper. If you send the information via snail mail, please include an email or phone number so that Noelle can contact you if your child’s name is picked that week. One name is drawn randomly each week, and that child is then given a coupon for a Ferris Acres Creamery ice cream cake! The coupon is good for four weeks after the name is drawn.

Meanwhile, in this week’s installation of Did You Know?, an email arrived last week with results from a study conducted by Total Shape, who researched the most popular fruits and vegetables in each state. Using the top twenty most popular fruits and the twenty most popular vegetables in the US, they then used Google search data to examine the search volumes of fruits and vegetables in each state. Did you know apples are by far the most popular in Connecticut, with an average 55,458 monthly searches? That’s head and shoulders (or peel and core…) ahead of the second and third place for mangoes and oranges, with 8,150 and 4,100 monthly searches, respectively. Connecticut isn’t alone in its love for apples (or apple searches, at least). The fruit was #1 across the country, with mangoes the second most popular across the United States as well. Who knew?!? Well now you do!

Congratulations to St Rose of Lima Church, who presented five straight nights of its Parish Carnival last week. Even with mist on Friday night, the grounds were able to open and rides were safely operating. This is the final carnival under the guidance of Monsignor Robert Weiss, who will be stepping down as pastor of the Church Hill Road parish in January. Father Bob has been pastor at St Rose since 1999, and was granted a special extension by Bishop Caggiano that is allowing him to continue his leadership and duties through the 50th anniversary of his ordination.

Among the special accolades on his still growing resume is a title that very few residents have had the honor of also holding: Newtown Labor Day Parade Grand Marshal. Father Bob was recently named this year’s grand marshal (see our recent feature about that, in print and online), which means it’s time for everyone to begin thinking about that Monday morning event. This year’s theme is “Deeply Rooted in our Community.”

Until then, Margot and Bob Hall still hold the honorary title. The Halls were celebrated last year, when they led the 2022 parade and its theme of “Celebrating Newtown’s Hidden Gems.”

If you’d like to participate and/or support the hidden gem, registration is open and sponsorships are available for the parade. To learn about participation fees and/or register to march, visit newtownCTlabordayparade.org/participate or contact Melissa Kopcik at participate@newtownCTlabordayparade.org or 475-444-3126. To learn about sponsorships, visit newtownCTlabordayparade.org/sponsor, send email to sponsor@newtownCTlabordayparade.org, or call Melissa at the phone number above.

Want to kick off Independence Day with a reminder of what the day is all about? Head to Stamford Tuesday morning, when Rick Petersen will read The Declaration of Independence from the steps of the city’s oldest dwelling. Rick will be joined by “Frederick Douglas” and “Elizabeth Cady-Stanton,” who will also give their history-making speeches. Everything will take place at the city’s oldest dwelling, The Hoyt-Barnum House at 1508 High Ridge Road. The event will begin at 10 am and there is no charge. If you need or want additional information visit stamfordhistory.org.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra is preparing for its annual Picnic & Pops event, scheduled this year for July 9 at Hollow Park in Woodbury. The symphony is also getting ready to formally announce its 2023-24 season, and I was very excited to hear that WSO has plans to return to Newtown later this year for another in its Music in Great Spaces performances. Rumor has it members of the symphony will be returning to Edmond Town Hall on November 5 for “Eight Seasons.” Additional details are TBA, but how very exciting.

Jesse Lewis would have turned 17 this Friday. To honor him and The Choose Love Movement, launched by his mom Scarlett shortly after 12/14 to provide and promote social-emotional learning and character development in classrooms, The Blue Heron Store in Milford will again host an extra special fundraiser. The Silver Sands beachfront shop carries nautical-themed home decorations including many by local artists, collectibles, and vintage, antique and new furniture and decorations. From 10 am until 5 pm Friday and Saturday, June 30-July 1, the store has promised to donate 100 percent of all sales to Choose Love. The store is at 852 E Broadway in Milford; call 203-409-3098 for additional information.

Me, I’m going to sleep through as many fireworks as possible during the upcoming stretch. The neighborhood dogs might wake me up, but I hope not. I also hope you won’t forget to come back and … read me again.