I was feeling a little off kilter Tuesday, when I realized we had entered the autumnal equinox. It must be that the switch from summer to fall is more startling than I realized.

Here’s something to get everyone back on an even keel, though: St John’s Episcopal Church will celebrate the return of fall by holding a Donut Stop at the church, 5 Washington Avenue, on Saturday, October 3, from 9 am until noon. Church members will be offering freshly made, cake-style donuts “with a seasonal twist,” event co-organizer Cheryl Moulthrop promises. Apple cider donuts will be offered, along with coffee, hot chocolate, and orange juice. Café tables will be available for those who want to sit and enjoy their selections, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Autumn means it’s time for the Newtown Woman’s Club to kick off its season, and Marilyn Alexander tells me that the club had its first meeting September 17. More than 80 women had the chance to catch up on each other’s summer adventures and discuss the book A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, which many had read over the summer. The women are looking forward to lots of new events this coming year, including a talk about kilowatt usage (now there’s a bright idea), the American Mural Project, the Newtown Trail System, and lots of “just for fun” mixers. In between the fun, you know the club is going to be busy fundraising to support the many local organizations to which it donates every year.

Friday night, September 18, marked the beginning of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, celebrating the creation of the world. It is followed by ten days of reflection, which will culminate with Yom Kippur on September 28. I wish a good and sweet year to all who are observing this holiday.

If a couple of typos got past us last week, we can blame it on our copy editor extraordinaire, Janis Gibson, being absent. “Ciao!” she yelled to us Thursday before last, and set off on her Tuscan adventure. Enamored with biking after having taken part in the Five Boro Bike Tour of New York City this past May, a couple weeks later Janis participated in the Bloomin’ Metric out of Norwalk, sponsored by Sound Cyclists Bicycle Club. At the event, she won the raffle: a five-day bike tour in Italy, courtesy of Ciclismo Classico. Janis doesn’t forget her roots, though. Here she is in front of the Mona Lisa Bridge near Arezzo in Tuscany with a copy of The Bee.  She’s back in the office this week, but I suspect there are still visions of the Tuscan countryside dancing in her head. At any rate, welcome back, Janis.

Here’s an interesting tidbit of bee info I came across. For years, scientists have believed that bees have a special dance they perform for each other to share information on nectar sources. But according to new research by scientists in England and Argentina, reports New Scientist magazine, it turns out that 93 percent of bees ignore the waggling of returning bees; some can’t follow the instructions; and some watch the dance but never find the food. Sounds like bees are becoming a little bit more human every day…

There was some high adventure in Shady Rest this past Monday. A little gray kitty found her way into a treetop over the weekend and apparently missed the lesson on how to back down again. Shady Rest resident Tina Houston was so distressed by the pitiful meowing that went on all day Sunday and Sunday night, that she started calling around for help. At noontime on Monday, arborist Al Potter came to the rescue with his cherry picker and plucked the forlorn feline out of the branches and lowered her to the waiting arms of Newtown Animal Control Officer Carolee Mason. Carey Schierloh snapped this picture of the rescue moment and shared it with me. If you look closely, you can spot the much-relieved cat nestled in Al’s arms. After a night at Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals recuperating, the golden-eyed cat — Carolee tells me she has “thumbs” on her front paws, too — is resting comfortably at the Newtown Dog Pound. Now she is waiting for her owners to claim her.  Call the pound at 426-6900 if you are missing a young gray cat that is climbing challenged.

So many people in the previous scenario deserve my Good Egg Award that I don’t know where to begin. One to Tina, one to Al, one to Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals, one to Carolee and the town of Newtown for taking the kitty in, one to Carey for the rescue photo…. Well, it shouldn’t surprise me how many good eggs there are in town.

Am I up to a dozen yet? There is a group of ladies who think that Laurie, the daytime cook at My Place Restaurant, is a good egg who cooks good eggs. “Laurie always has our table ready for the eight of us gals who go to My Place for breakfast every Wednesday morning. She also has a large group of men to take care of, as well. She is always friendly, remembers what we order from week to week, and makes the start of our day great,” says her admiring customer. Congratulations, Laurie. You are a Good Egg!

Our First Selectman Joe Borst was among 50 elected officials invited by Army director of athletics Kevin Anderson to visit West Point, N.Y., last weekend to view the Army-Ball State football game. Mr Borst attended the game Saturday, September 19, with his son, James, and his grandson, Dylan, who is an Army veteran. I understand that the first selectman is honored by the gracious invitation, and appreciative of the fine time experienced by all.

Speaking of ball games… The Newtown High School boys’ soccer program will host World Cup Tailgate Night this Saturday evening, September 26, at 5:30 pm, prior to the 7 pm game versus Pomperaug, at Blue and Gold Stadium. Tailgate admission is free, and there will be food, fun, and prizes, plus music provided by Shomari. You can bring your own picnic or sample South African specialties from the Snack Shack. Just remember: no grills or alcohol allowed at this tailgate event!

I’m going to hightail it over the Newtown Middle School this Saturday before I do any tailgating. From 10 am to 2 pm, the Annual Newtown Health & Safety Fair takes place there, and with more than 40 exhibitors, talks, and health screenings going on, I’m bound to pick up some new tips to keep me in the pink. Don’t forget, this year the fair is sponsoring a food drive for the Newtown/Salvation Army Food Pantry, so be sure to bring along a donation of a nonperishable food item or toiletries.

After a busy weekend, I’ll be on the prowl for more news in hopes that next week you will …. Read me again.