Kim Schmidt of Taunton Hill Road called last week to say she had spotted a large wildcat in the woods near her house. Since it was not as spotted as a bobcat and grayish, like the bark of a tree, she thought perhaps she had spotted a Canadian lynx, which would be the first of that species I’ve heard of in these parts. Kim wondered if anyone else in the area has seen the cat.

Fran Walczak got a nice holiday present of a special van this month, and so did a group of veterans in West Haven. On Wednesday, December 16, JoAnn Bruno, Marion Thompson, Carol Mattegat, Pat Bailey, and Mary Antey, representing the Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC, Inc, attended the blessing of a specially built van to transport veterans living at the VA in West Haven. The state federation General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Connecticut donated $1,000 toward the purchase of the van designed for these wheelchair bound men so that they would be able to go on trips. Their first trip will be to see the Christmas lights at Lighthouse Point in New Haven. The project was spearheaded by The Knights of Columbus, along with the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purpose Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Fraternal Order of Eagles, The Hartford Group, Bayer, the Harvey Hubbell Foundation, and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Connecticut. When the van was first designed the cost was $72,000 — by delivery time it was up to $92,000. The majority of the funds raised was through the Knights of Columbus and the veterans themselves, with varied funds from other participants.

Members of the Newtown GFWC, Inc also delivered their annual “Secret Santa” gifts to the VA Hospital in Rocky Hill and to the VA Hospital in West Haven this past week. Through the generous donations of club members, this year’s Secret Santa was valued at more than $1,000.

Ellen Parella got a not-so-nice holiday present in the form of an arm cast when the sudden December 13 ice storm caught her off guard on some steps and down she went. The busy Friends of Music president says she is learning to cope with doing things one-handed, but already anxious to bid the cast farewell. Feel better, Ellen!

Others in the community have been getting much happier holiday gifts, though, thanks to the generosity of numerous individuals and organizations. Those who “have” in Newtown are not about to let the poor economy, job losses, and other debilitating life issues stand in the way of a happy holiday for all. From the Knights of Columbus Toy Closet and the NPD Toys for Tots to the Newtown Fund to the Newtown Youth Academy, toys and presents have been given to help those in need this year. Members of the Club Newfit went all out with literally carloads of gifts for families in Newtown, as well as for the Spooner House in Shelton. Members donated children’s gifts for that family shelter, as well as gift bags, holiday decorations, food, and toiletries to be distributed at the shelter. So, I think that every single generous person in Newtown and Sandy Hook deserves my Good Egg Award for the end of this year.

Newtown, you are all Good Eggs!

Stand-Up Showdown is a month-long competition where fans can vote for their favorite stand-up comedians both online at jokes.com and from their mobile phones. The 20 comedians who receive the most votes will have their Comedy Central Presents aired in the Top 20 Countdown on Sunday, January 31. Sandy Hook comedian Andrew Kennedy is hoping for a top ten finish this year. “Last year I got over 40,000 votes during this monthlong competition on Comedy Central and finished at number 12. They have thrown my video into the mix again and I need your help. You can vote from your computer every minute... until you start feeling like I owe you money or you want to get back to work. I have three hungry children at home so...no pressure...just saying...you + vote = kids + meals!!” Andrew tells me. Fans can vote from their mobile devices as many times per minute as they’d like. Standard text messaging fees apply. All voting ends Friday, January 29, at noon. Vote by texting STANDUP KENNEDY 44686. If you haven’t been lucky enough yet to see the hometown comic live and in person, visit andrewkennedylive.com to view his videos. Good luck, Andrew!

There was plenty of shoveling to do after the storm on Saturday night, but the Newtown area escaped the wrath of the storm, it appears. We were able to measure the snowfall in inches, unlike shoreline communities and our country’s capitol, that were measuring how many feet of snow had fallen. I found the fluffy white stuff quite fun to traipse through on Sunday, I’ll confess, and it certainly gives a true holiday feel to the town.

Celebrate the season, but remember I’ll be here next week, when you’ll want to…. Read me again.