‘Twas the week before Christmas, and all through The Bee

halls filled with squeals over Dave’s new puppy.

His name was Tique, and there was never more joy

Than what was brought on by the tail of this little boy.

His coat was so soft, his eyes were so blue

He was quite so adorable no one knew what to do.

And this fluffy distraction brought puppy-love doom

Breaking the hearts of all in the room.

As he scampered the bell on his collar would chime

A reminder of how far all were from deadline;

But it was all worth it when you saw the sweet face

Of the cutest, newest worker at this place.

 

Following last weekend’s Newtown Choral Society Holiday Concert (which many listeners called “the best one yet”), Newtown Meeting House will again be filled with music this weekend. Friday and Saturday evenings, local singing group Eclipse will offer two performances of its annual Christmas fundraising concert, for the sixth consecutive year. The trio will perform December 17 and 18, at 7:30 pm each night. Doors will open at 7 each evening. This is the first time they are offering two shows. It’s a good idea: Previous performances have been standing room only. Tickets for the Christmas concerts are $20, and are available by calling 203-426-3939. This year the group will donate all proceeds of the concerts to The International Myeloma Foundation. Eclipse is made up of Matt Wilkie, his twin sisters, Helen Malyszka and Trish Keil, and Andy Lafreniere. The group recently released a new acoustic/Celtic Christmas CD, It’s Christmas Now!, which includes original and traditional songs with strong vocal harmonies. Call 203-426-3939 for further information and reservations. Additional information is also available at Eclipse-BandLLC.com.

Then on Sunday afternoon, pianists Catherine Larson and Susan Anthony-Klein, guitarists and vocalists Robert & Josi Schmidt, and vocalist Marianne Patterson will begin their free concert of holiday selections, at 5 pm. Donations will be forwarded to Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can. For more information, or in case of inclement weather come early Sunday afternoon, call 203-797-0795.

The first part of the school year has been a productive one for NHS seniors. Newtown High School’s director of guidance Cathy Ostar tells me the Class of 2011 has the “earliest applicant pool ever” for students applying to college for the 2011-2012 academic year. For students who are not in the 70 percent of students up have completed their applications, Ms Ostar says, don’t panic, get a counselor. Too bad we don’t have enough early bird pins to give out to all those college-hungry NHS seniors.

Newtown High Schooler Vinny Brophy tells me the NHS Nighthawk Marching Band Alto Sax section will be continuing its yearly tradition of playing Christmas carols this Friday outside Stop & Shop on South Main Street, from 7 until 8 pm. Vinny took over leading the event after NHS student Mike Tuccio graduated. Vinny tells me the group will be bundled up against the cold. This is the fourth year the group will be playing music at the Stop & Shop Salvation Army bell ringing station.

 Rosemary Trudell and her neighbors at Walnut Tree Village Phase II came through again to help prepare for this weekend’s Depot Day. Saturday, December 18, will be the day when the donations of gifts, food, clothing and other items are collected, organized, and delivered to Newtown families who can use a hand having a happy holiday season. Three years ago Rosemary took it upon herself to organize a collection within her neighborhood, and it has been a success from the start. “I was really worried this year, with the economy and all,” she said this week, “but I am so pleased. I expanded the request to include donations of new clothing as well as toys and people really responded.” Rumor has it more than 250 toys were donated by the friends and neighbors and the Trudell condo was filled with bags of goodies by midweek. Rosemary also shared that earlier this week the folks at Social Services found themselves with four families who really needed help for Christmas, which means Social Services, The Newtown Fund, and everyone involved with Depot Day had four families to find goodies for. Within 48 hours of putting the word out that these folks would needed holiday help, Newtown residents stepped up to “adopt” these families. Now that’s Christmas spirit!

Last week Beth Hamilton noticed that The Bee had two soccer photos of Newtown girls playing for Chase Collegiate School. What she also noticed was that there was in fact a third Newtown resident in the photo, playing for the opposing team, which was not mentioned, but was Wooster School in Danbury. Blair Hamilton of Cobblestone Lane, playing for Wooster, was in position behind Taylor Brady. “I imagine the photos were sent in by Chase, hence no mention of the opposing team, but quite a coincidence that all three are from Newtown,” says Beth. Good eye, Beth!

The generosity of Newtowners is apparent, once again. Last weekend, Gregory Andrews and other members of his Cub Scout troop dropped off four Hefty bags filled with toys to the Newtown Social Service office. The troop received some help from members of Newtown Choral Society, who each donated a toy when they arrived at the postconcert party Saturday evening, held at the home of Andrea and Peter Andrews, Gregory’s dad and mom.

You might expect angels flying about this time of the year, but the Bob and Marty LaMarche family have been hosting some other high fliers. A number of flying squirrels have made their ways into the walls of their home, creating a bit of chaos, and a lot of chasing about. Only Eddison, the cat, seems pleased to have the unusual activity going on. (So far, the LaMarches are winning the battle, I hear….)

I’m taking a flying leap into the countdown to Christmas, but don’t worry: I’ll scout out plenty of tales before the end of next week that will give you plenty of reasons to… Read me again.