Situated between New York and Boston as we are, Newtown has long had some hotly contested Yankees vs Red Sox rivalries. Mets fans have been happy to let those MLB fans argue over whose team is better (Boston, of course), but now it looks like this town may have a new team to cheer for. Congratulations to 2012 NHS grad and Bryant University junior Kyle Wilcox, who was drafted on June 9 by the Seattle Mariners. It would not be surprising to see residents start sporting Mariners jerseys now, showing support of the young pitcher.

You know us Bees, we love our queens. How could I not share this photo, taken by Newtown High School Assistant to the Principal Nathalie de Brantes, of retiring Sandy Hook Elementary School secretary Joanne Didonato from a celebration last Tuesday, June 2, during which she was crowned “Retirement Queen,” complete with a sash, crown, and adhesive crowns for her glasses?  As @ndebrantes said with her photo on Twitter, “And the queen is retiring.” Enjoy retirement Joanne, once the last school bell rings, that is!

The Town and Country Garden Club will present “Joy! 50 Years of Celebrations,” a standard flower show in celebration of the club’s golden anniversary, which occurred in 2014. The show will be presented at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Free and open to the public, the show will be on view Friday, from 1 to 5 pm, and Saturday, from 10 am until 4 pm. The special event will offer a Design Class, Horticulture Division, and a Special Educational Exhibit. Why not stop and smell the roses?

We received some sad news last week that the Podyma family of New Milford, who operated the animal rescue Because 4 Paws out of their home, suffered a fire that destroyed their home. Their personal pets succumbed to the fire. Several of the rescue cats and dogs were also injured, and three of the dogs were transported to Newtown Veterinary Specialists on Church Hill Road. Because 4 Paws updates this news, this week: Bella, a golden retriever has been released from the hospital and is recovering with the family, Tyson, a Rottweiler, is still at the vet fighting for his life, and despite great efforts, a German Shepherd named Beowulf did not make it. Specialty burn care is expensive, and costs have run into the thousands of dollars for these rescue animals. If you would like to help offset the cost of their care, please call Newtown Veterinary Specialists at 203- 270-8387. They will let you know how you can donate through PayPal.

I let you know a couple of weeks ago about Newtown resident Andrea Zimmermann’s contributions to the upcoming cellphone photo gallery exhibit. Now I’ve discovered that Sandy Hook resident Sheryl Fatse has also contributed to the Gallery at Still River Editions special art show. Andrea and Sheryl are among the 70 cellphone photographers who responded to a call from the Gallery for cellphone photographs taken within Connecticut, on any subject. Their photos will be included in “Mobile Pics CT 2015,” which will open at the Danbury gallery this Saturday, June 13. The 127 photographs on view depict a wide range of subjects in an array of styles. An opening reception will be celebrated from noon to 5 pm on Saturday. In addition to refreshments, there will be demonstrations in alternative photo printing methods (Van Dyke Brown, Cyanotype, and hand sanitizer digital transfer), from 1 to 4 pm. The exhibition will be on view until September 25. Regular gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm (except holidays). The Gallery at Still River Editions is at 128 East Liberty Street in Danbury.

I’m betting most Americans know that June 14 is Flag Day, but probably just as many don’t know why. Flag Day commemorates the day the flag of the US was adopted by the resolution of the Second Continental Congress, way back on June 14, 1777. It was not until 1949 that an Act of Congress established a National Flag Day, on June 14. You most likely will have to go to work, though, when Flag Day does not fall on the weekend; it is not a national holiday. This year, everyone gets lucky — Flag Day falls on this coming Sunday. I’ll be waving my tail high, and I hope your flags will fly high, too.

It feels like summer is here, and that means lots of water fun, including boating on the many Connecticut lakes and rivers. It’s not too late to sign up for some of the watercraft safety programs sponsored by the Department Energy and Environmental Protection. Boating, personal watercraft, canoe, and kayak safety courses are offered at various locations around the state. Go to www.ct.gov/deep to find out about safe practices on and in the water.

You don’t want to miss out on a chance to support a great organization and get a wonderful breakfast, to boot. If you aren’t already planning to join friends or colleagues at a table at the annual Newtown Chapter Hospice Breakfast Fundraiser, this coming Wednesday morning, June 17, don’t worry. Walk-ins are welcome to the event, and you are sure to find plenty of friendly faces there. The fundraiser benefits Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western Connecticut, and serves as a means of thanking the many Hospice volunteers, as well. Along with a raffle of items donated by local merchants, businesses, and individuals, this year I’m sure you will appreciate the words of keynote speaker, Newtown resident Barbara Patrick. The breakfast is just one hour out of your day — 8 to 9 am. Hope to see you there. For information, call 203-426-3651.

Dental Associates, located at 11 Church Hill Road, is joining with Rita’s Custard of Bethel to celebrate the last day of school, Wednesday, June 17, between noon and 2 pm. Dental Associates staff will dish up four flavors of Rita’s ices, in front of the office. Lee Ives, DA dental hygienist, says that kids visiting the office have been voting on flavors, and the four most popular flavors will be on the menu for this last day of school celebration. Everyone is welcome to stop by during the event; so I sure hope that cream flavor is a winner. I know one cat that would look forward to it…

I’m hoping you look forward to this column every week. Make plans now to… Read me again.