You haven't missed all of it yet: The US Department of Agriculture and the US Department of the Interior designated June 19-25, 2017, as "National Pollinator Week" to address the issue of declining pollinator populations. In honor of the celebration, Dickinson Brands Inc, distributor of Witch Hazel-based beauty and personal care products, will donate $1 toward planting pollinator gardens for every new follower of its @dickinsonswitchhazel Instagram page. The Instagram-based campaign began running June 19, the start of National Pollinator Week, and will continue through National Planting Day on September 9, when all are encouraged to plant native species. The USDA also says, "Did you know that in the winter, when all of the flowers have withered away, bees and other pollinators rely on winter-blooming plants like witch hazel to gather and store pollen? That pollen is then used during the winter and early spring to feed baby bees." Of course, every week should be pollinator week. Go bees!newtownhistory.org. Tickets will be available Sunday only at the Matthew Curtis House, 44 Main Street, from 10 am to 2 pm, for $30 each.healy@hotmail.com.neil.baldino@gmail.com if you can volunteer. Volunteers can meet at the Fairfield Hills Municipal Center building parking lot by 8 am.redcrossblood.org.

We've got some pollinator planting going on right here in town. There's the Pollinator Meadow Project at Blackman Preserve of the Newtown Forest Association, and on Thursday, June 15, wildflower and native grass seeds were planted on six acres of High Meadow at Fairfield Hills. This is part of the Conservation Commission's High Meadow management plan. The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection provided a Truax seeder, tractor, and operators at no cost to the town. Carl Samuelson, assistant director of Parks & Rec, and staff were instrumental in preparing the site for seeding, commission organizers say. Parks & Rec also aided in transporting supplies and equipment to the site. Rob Sibley, deputy director of planning, installed signage to provide visitors with information on the project. It takes a village for all kinds of things.

They were all aflutter at the C.H. Booth Library this past Tuesday morning, too, as member of Protect Our Pollinators and First Selectman Pat Llodra honored the children who took part in the second annual POP poster contest. Bugs, bees, and butterflies are all beautifully depicted in various art mediums by Newtown's young artists. Keep an eye on The Newtown Bee for the full story and photos - and be sure to stop by the library to see the art work.

On Father's Day this year, Lauren Morehouse, of Julie Allen Bridal, made her husband a father. Congratulations to Lauren and Daniel Morehouse of Newtown, who welcomed their first child, a daughter, on Sunday, June 18. After helping so many brides find the perfect gown, it looks like Lauren has her own little girl to look forward to dressing up one day. The birth of Madison Morehouse also means Jay and Melanie Mattegat and Mary and Bob Morehouse, all of Newtown, are grandparents.

If you could not make it to the Wednesday evening Community Center Advisory Committee outreach event, the second program will take place on Saturday, June 24, at the C.H. Booth Library, at 10 am. The public is invited to hear about the current community center schematic design and the latest information concerning the proposed community center.

Have you waited all winter for the delicious, local Connecticut strawberries? Now is the time to get picking. Despite the rollercoaster cold, wet, hot, steamy weather this spring, I hear that this week and next are peak strawberry picking time at Jones Family Farm in Shelton, if you don't have your own patch. Visitors to the farm can enjoy a wagon ride and tour out to the fields, and find plenty of free recipes at the stand. Call 203-929-8425 for hours and picking information.

Is Newtown starved for a food truck event? Apparently so. Swarms of hungry people descended on the town this past Saturday for the first Food Truck Fest up at Fairfield Hills, and despite crazed traffic for miles around the campus and an afternoon downpour, the lines for every truck were filled with cheerful diners-to-be right up to the last minute of the festival. I'm sure the organizers were thrilled by the turnout, and I hear plans for an even better event next year are already underway.

If you're starved for beauty, look no further than the gorgeous homes and gardens that will be on display this coming Sunday, June 25. The Newtown Historical Society will present its annual Homes & Gardens Tour, with local homeowners and gardeners opening up their spaces to the public. The self-guided tours run from 11 am to 5 pm, and tickets are available through Saturday at the C.H. Booth Library; the UPS Store on South Main Street at Waterfall Plaza; and at Toy Tree on Church Hill Road, for $25 each; or online at

Maybe a map will help you find your way about? Gerard Healy, who lived for 30 years on Main Street in Newtown, and now lives in California, is downsizing out west. He's hoping that someone in his old hometown will want a large, framed map of early Newtown that no longer fits in his new space. "It's not in good shape, so it can't be restored," Gerard admits, but it is in a museum-quality frame and glass. If anyone is interested, and willing to pay for shipping, the map is good to go. Contact him at

Resident Sam Scott stopped by The Bee this week to add to information about last week's "Way We Were" column photo. Waldman's Ice Cream store in Botsford, he says, was open through 1962, when the owner passed away. Thank you, Mr Scott.

The Pootatuck Watershed Association will be trying again to install/mark local storm drains in the Newtown and Sandy Hook area this Saturday, June 24, from 8 am to 1 pm. The effort was washed out by rain last weekend. Contact Neil Baldino at

It's music to my ears... and yours, too, perhaps. Masonicare at Newtown will sponsor free Summer Sounds concerts on its beautiful grounds at 139 Toddy Hill Road, beginning next Wednesday, June 28. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy The Big Beat Band (music of the 50s and 60s), at 7 pm. Rain date is Thursday, June 29. What a nice way to spend a summer evening.

Roll up your sleeves - and let the Red Cross get to work. The America Red Cross will hold a blood drive at the Congregational Church, 14 West Street, on Monday, July 3, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Summer is a time when the Red Cross finds a greater need for blood donations. You can make an appointment at 800-RED-CROSS, or feel free to just drop in. You must be no younger than 18 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds. For more information visit

Summer is here, and there's lots to do in town. I'll be here, there, and everywhere, so be sure next week to... Read me again.