After three back-to-back winter storms last week, it feels as if winter has released its grip on us, at last. I think I even saw some grassy areas peeking through, after the sunny days midweek. This hint of spring probably has gardeners itching to get their hands back into the soil — or at least get the garden prepped for planting. The Governor’s Horse Guard is ready to help. The Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard (2GHG), 4 Wildlife Drive on the Fairfield Hills campus, will hold its annual compost drive on three successive Saturdays next month — April 11, 18, and 25. Volunteers from the Friends of 2GHG Inc will be available to assist in collecting compost, from 9 am to noon, on those days. Bring your own bags, pails, tubs, and containers to fill up and take home to your lawn and garden. Donations are gladly accepted to help support the Horse Guard, sponsored by the Friends of 2GHG, Inc 501(c)(3). For more information, visit www.thehorseguard.org or call 203-426-9046.

Before those snowbanks starting melting into the roads, though, 11-year-old Tyler DiMartino was finally able to “dunk” last Thursday, at his family’s home on Arthurs Court The March 5 snowfall brought him to a new height. His sister Julia DiMartino snapped the action photo at right and shared it with The Bee.

Newtown native Tracy Mulholland has gone from playing saxophone in fifth grade at Sandy Hook School and then working her way up to drum major for the NHS Marching Band to studying musical theater at Northwestern and then working in production and acquisitions for the film studio Lionsgate. Then she moved on to acting (including supporting parts in Crazy Stupid Love and A Thousand Words) and writing (HuffPost, Funny or Die). Now it’s time for the next step: a short film of her own. Tracy, whose parents are Linda Dale and Bob Mulholland of Newtown, has written and will be acting in Grace Note) offers a short video by Tracy, as well as some perks for those who offer donations. One thing, though: Don’t wait too long if you decide to help. The Indiegogo campaign will be closing at 11:59 pm March 20.http://igg.me/at/gracenotefilm, her own film about recurring dreams she had of a musician from her childhood while growing up in Newtown. She has actors and a director lined up, and is now working on the finances. Tracy is hoping some of her friends from home (and beyond) might be interested in helping her fill the $12,000 budget she has for the project. She is using Indiegogo to collect donations, and as of March 13, she had passed the 70% mark. The fundraising page (

Planning a trip to Portland, Maine, in the near future? If you’re an art lover, you might want to make that effort, to view the artwork of longtime former Newtown residents Martha and Bob LaMarche. On view at As 1 Gallery, upstairs at 24 Exchange Street in Portland’s Old Port, through March 28, are a collection of paintings by Marty, as well as a series of photographs by Bob. With the completion of her three 36-by-36-inch abstract oil paintings in her ethereal but grounded “Elements” series, you’ll see her organically evolved “Paths: Points, Lines, Tangents” style. Bob’s photos offer a look at Maine’s rocky coastline, plus a compelling set of images shot in a crumbling factory in Down East Maine. Join Marty and Bob Friday evening, March 20, from 5 to 8 pm, at As 1, to celebrate their collaborative show.  Wine, beer, and appetizers will be served. Visit www.as1gallery.com for more information and to see the artists’ works.

All-Star bus drivers, who held a food drive back in November for Newtown Social Services food pantry, are planning another collection for the same pantry. Driver Linda Nasse says the next collection will take place Saturday, March 28, from 9 am until 3 pm. At least one school bus will be set up outside Stop & Shop in Sand Hill Plaza. The Easter Bunny is also planning on visiting that day, according to Ms Nasse. Donations received during those hours will be transported to the Social Services office, helping some of our friends and neighbors put food on their tables.

“The fine staff” at Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) gets a shout out for the Good Egg Award, from an admirer. “Last spring they started a walking program at Fairfield Hills, every Tuesday, through the summer. When the program was over, a bunch of us walked without supervision... through the fall. When the weather got cold, we decided to continue our walking program, and through the winter we have walked at NYA, on the track. We walk each Tuesday and most Thursdays,” I’m told, “at 9 am, for an hour. Not only is it good exercise, but we have formed some new friendships. So, thank you, NYFS staff. You are the best!” I wholeheartedly agree. Here’s a Good Egg, NYFS, just for you.

More and more bicyclists seem to be hopping aboard their bikes this week, eager to get on the road after a brutal winter. I’m always impressed by these determined individuals whizzing along the roads, but there’s one group of cyclists I’m extra happy to see back in the saddle. Team 26 cyclists are taking to the road again, March 28, to bring their message to lawmakers in Washington, DC. Monte Frank of Sandy Hook and Bill Muzzio of Newtown will join a legion of other cyclists in this third trek to DC to ask for stronger gun laws. See the full story in this week’s A section, “Sandy Hook Cyclists Ready For Another Ride To Washington.” Follow Team 26 at www.sandyhookrideonwashington.com. (Associate Editor John Voket also spoke to Mr Frank this week, about the upcoming ride and a celebratory kick-off rally planned for March 28 in the Edmond Town Hall courtyard. Read that story here.)

As you can see for yourself (lower right), Greysbie Brinkman is a big fan of The Newtown Bee. Not only does Greysbie tell me that he finds the articles cat-friendly, but The Bee makes a great blanket in winter and shade for the summer. A truly versatile paper, overall, according to Greysbie, and I thank him for his promotion of The Bee.

No doubt you’ll be doing the same as me on St Patrick’s Day, March 17 — searching for that pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow. If having a rainbow means snow squalls or downpours, though, I’m going to give up on the pot o’ gold and head to a local pub (Maguire’s Ale House comes to mind…) for a pint of Guinness. Happy St Patty’s Day to you, and be sure next week to… Read me again.