Congratulations to Newtown resident Tracy Van Buskirk, who completed the 30-mile Trailblaze Challenge this past Saturday. Along with 50 other participants, Tracy hiked the Mahican-Mohawk Trail in western Massachusetts - in the rain - raising $3,700 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Starting at 4 am, Tracy walked and walked all day, crossing the finish line (adding one more mile for a wrong turn) 15 hours after she started. All of the hikers together raised more than $100,000, Tracy tells me. "The 15 hours gave me plenty of time to think about Make-A-Wish and what they do," she adds. "Many people think their mission is to grant a wish for the terminally ill child, but it is actually for any child with a life-threatening illness. It's a big difference because many 'wish kids' survive and have great lives. There a number of wish kids here in Newtown who have had their wishes come true."www.newtownbee.com for more details - and don't forget to bring a nonperishable donation for the FAITH Food Pantry collection hosted by the SH Volunteer Fire & Rescue.www.charlotteslitter.org]/" Complete information can be found at www.CharlottesLitter.org/grants/.Choosing Hope, How I Moved Forward From Life's Darkest Hour was published this week by PenguinRandomHouse. Kaitlin, who was a first grade teacher at Sandy Hook School on December 14, 2012, is now the founder and executive director of Classes 4 Classes, Inc, and a published author. I see, too, that Beth Kellar has recently published her newest book, Seatbelt Required: The Good, Bad, and Ugly Truth About Middle-Aged Dating. Beth shares her own experiences and offers practical advice for those in this boat. Beth previously published a book for young adults, Sara, The Desk Traveler, in 2013. Then there's children's book illustrator Paul Meisel, who has not only done the artwork, but has written the story for his recently published children's book, Good Night, Bat! Good Morning, Squirrel! How lucky are we, to have all this talent around us? www.ourheartsofhope.org/store.html  to place your order, and support this organization. eliza@thebee.com. Word on the street is that the cake is very delicious... don't miss out on your chance to win!

Are you looking for a passport to fun? Look no further than the center of Sandy Hook this Saturday, when SHOP presents the 6th Annual Passport to Sandy Hook event. Discover (or rediscover) the varied businesses in Sandy Hook Center, enjoy food, music, and even a book signing by Newtown author Harmony Verna at Billy Ceglia Designs. Check our calendar listing at

Charlotte's Litter is excited to announce the first round of financial grants to therapy dogs organizations The Charlotte's Litter Therapy Dog Program advocates for therapy dog programs in educational settings. According to its website, the purpose of the grants is to "increase the availability of qualified dog handlers, therapy dogs, and effective programs that utilize therapy dogs in educational settings. Organizations chosen to receive funding will be spotlighted and recognized on the Charlotte's Litter website [

I thought I had a lot on my paws putting out this column each week, but it looks like others with local connections have been even busier. The paperback version of Kaitlin Roig-Debellis's

The Hearts Of Hope Newtown 2016 Christmas ornament is available. The lovely heart-shaped ceramic piece is painted with a scene of the flagpole and the Meeting House, embellished with the word "Hope." According to information on their website, "Hearts of Hope is a pay-it-forward program in which people paint clay hearts and send or deliver them to people and places in need of hope and healing." The ornaments can be shipped anywhere in the US. Go to

Meals On Wheels is hoping a few more residents are interested in becoming drivers for the all-volunteer program. Dorothy Dwyer called in last week, and said people can do a minimum of one outing each month, and it takes just a few hours. MOW delivers hot meals that have been prepared at Masonicare to men and women who are housebound, including elderly people who live alone and younger people who are temporarily incapacitated. Pickup of meals is around 11:15 am on a weekday (the program does not operate on the weekends), and drivers use their own vehicles. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, call Colleen Honan at 203-426-0714.

Even if you missed World Teacher's Day, this Wednesday, October 5, it's not too late to give your best wishes to any teachers you know, present or past - wherever in the world they are.

It's not "lions and tigers," but it does seem to be "bears, oh my!" this year in Newtown. Rowledge Pond residents reported a bear meandering that neighborhood on Wednesday, one of several sightings since this past spring in various parts of town. This bear was spotted first at 8:30 am, and then again at 1 pm. (Maybe it's not time yet to put out the bird feeders in that area.)

We're all seeking better health, and The Newtown Bee has just the medicine for you coming up in the October 14 issue. The expanded health section that week, "Better Health," is going to be chock-full of health news, stories, and ads that can point you in the right direction to feel your best. It's a section you'll want to hang on to, I'm pretty sure.

The Bee, in collaboration with DOrazio Sisters Bakery, continues to give away a birthday cake each week to a lucky winner. Be sure to send your youngster's name, address, phone number, age, and birthday, along with an original photo, to: Mini Page, The Newtown Bee, PO Box 5503, Newtown CT 06470, or e-mail information and a digital JPG photo to 

I don't get to win a cake, but I'll be putting the icing on the cake when it comes to news, next week, so be sure to... Read me again.