September is underway, and these cooler days are just right for settling in with a good book. You know who has an amazing collection of books in town? Our own C.H. Booth Library. Just your luck, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, so if you have never had a library card, or if (horror of horrors) yours has lapsed, stop by the 25 Main Street library and sign up for a card that is a ticket to adventure.The Newtown Bee has an error. There is no tag sale affiliated with the REACH Car Show, this coming Sunday, September 11. There will be plenty of other fun activities there, from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Fairfield Hills campus, though. Lantern making will be one activity, as it will be the previous day, September 10, at the Ben's Lighthouse Annual Ice Cream Social in the courtyard of Reed Intermediate School, from 1 to 3 pm. Make a lantern at either location and hang onto it for the September 24 Lantern Parade at Fairfield Hills, at 6:30 pm. Keep your eye on The Bee for information on all of the Newtown Arts events this month - and especially mark your calendars for the big Arts Festival weekend, September 16 through 18.www.feedingamerica.org notes that 48 million Americans, including 15 million children, don't have enough food every day to function properly. It takes food to fuel the body in order to work, play, think, and grow. You can find ways to help by visiting Feed America's website, or you can start right here at home. FAITH Food Pantry, in its new 31 Pecks Lane home, accepts donations of goods and money, to assist those in our own town who are experiencing difficulties that make it hard to have enough food in the home. FAITH is open for donations and service, Tuesdays, from 10 am to noon, and from 6 to 7:30 pm on Thursdays.www.newtownartscommission.orgIf you are quick, you may still be able to score a ticket to the Newtown Arts Festival Rooster Bash & BBQ. There'll be lots of fun at this Friday, September 16, kick-off dinner and dance for the Arts Festival's big weekend. Visitinfo@cvhfoundation.org or call 860-620-8640.www.seaport.org or call 203-838-9444.lereine.frampton@newtown-ct.gov.

September is also arts month in this town, and the Newtown Cultural Arts Commission is coordinating many arts-related activities throughout the month. But whoops! The Newtown Arts Festival flyer provided for the September 2 edition of

It's Hunger Action Month, as well, in September, and

Seventeen teams raced through physical and mental challenges at locations throughout town during the first Newtown Amazing Challenge, Saturday, August 27. Thirty-four racers took on the physical endurance and creative thinking challenges, hoping to win bragging rights and the $250 grand prize. Newtown Parks & Recreation, Jantris Marketing Services (sponsor and host, respectively), Black Swan Fireside Hearth and Home, Franco's Pizza, Club 24, Bellenot & Boufford, Burrito Shack, Brand Cigars, Masonicare at Newtown, Center for Neurofeedback, Berkshire Motors, EverWonder Children's Museum, Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, Eggs & Company, C.H. Booth Library, Lathrop School of Dance, Edward Jones, and Toy Tree all welcomed the teams of two. This year's winning team was The Talls, but all participants happily walked away from the afternoon's fun with goodie bags from participating businesses.

Main Street resident Harvey Pessin spotted Newtown Forest Association Director Dan Dalton and Senator Richard Blumenthal at the NFA Land Trust's tabletop booth at Monday's Labor Day Parade. Dan and the senator discussed the NFA's plan to hand out more than 2,000 tree seedlings during the parade. (Perhaps you were a lucky recipient and have already prepared a spot in your yard for your tree?) "What better thing could a land trust do than engage Newtown residents to get involved with trees and protecting over 1,100 acres of open space for future generations?" asks Harvey. I would not disagree.

I could have sworn this photo (taken by Michelle Garrity at the Labor Day Parade) was of Cub Scout Pack 270 members Ty Jorgensen and Aidan Garrity, but they look a lot like St Rose of Lima's Monsignor Robert Weiss. Now that I think about it, I saw a number of Monsignor Weisses at this year's parade... Maybe this is how he is able to take on all the tasks that he does!

Just another reminder that this Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Howard Lasher will once again host a memorial ceremony on his 68 Dodgingtown Road property, at 8 am.

On a happier note, congratulations to Sue and Jimmy Shpunt of Sandy Hook, who are celebrating 45 years of wedded bliss this coming Sunday, September 11.

for details and to purchase tickets.

On Sunday, September 18, the Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation will host the first of its "Sundays at the Sanctuary." Once a month, free workshops for the entire family will be offered at the property, located on Old Farm Road, beyond the dog park. All are invited to the property for picnicking or hiking, or just gathering with friends, if workshops are not of interest. To register for September 18 events (Family Yoga, 9-10:15 am; Butterflies Abound, 11 am to 12:30 pm; Seasons Change, 1-3 pm) contact

He was just a little guy when he lived in Sandy Hook, but we're still proud to call Sawyer Fredericks our own (as is his Aunt Bonnie, of Sandy Hook Hair Salon). His name is familiar these days, far and wide of Sandy Hook and Newtown, as the 2015 winner of NBC's The Voice competition. The Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival is happy to present Sawyer on Saturday, September 10, at 4 pm, on stage at Veteran's Park in Norwalk. Sawyer's contemporary folk sound will be enjoyed by many festivalgoers. Why not be one of them - and have fun at all of the other Oyster Festival goings-on. For more information visit

Is politics your thing? The Registrars of Voter are seeking volunteers to work the upcoming elections. An information and screening session takes place Tuesday, September 13, at 9 am, in the Council Chambers at the Newtown Municipal Center on Primrose Street at Fairfield Hills. You must be 16 years or older. For more info, contact

If it's not politics, I'm hoping that this column is your thing. Be sure next week to... Read me again.