We had a taste of winter weather the early part of this week, when a coating of sleety snow and some gusty winds created a bit of chaos for those traveling area roads. Fortunately, the Newtown area was mostly spared the gloom and doom earlier forecast of a Nor'easter uprooting trees and bringing down wires. For that, we can be grateful.CTaudubon.org offers a few tips to attract and assist birds to feeders. A variety of seeds, fresh water, and safe cover provided by plantings are a draw for birds. Some birds, like the juncoes and sparrows, are ground feeders, cardinals prefer to snack from within shrubbery, and others will be happy to feast at a hanging feeder. So a combination of tablelike feeders, tube feeders, and suet hangers will bring joy to a wide variety of wild birds in your yard. What kind of seeds to put out, though? Black-oil sunflower seeds attract many birds. Thistle seeds and peanuts, in other feeders, will please finches and woodpeckers (which also enjoy dried fruits and other nuts), and cracked corn is a delight to those ground feeders. Stay away from mixes filled out with oats or wheat, which most of our area wild birds disdain. Me - I'll be eagerly watching the birdy show from the window.The Bee.newtownplayers.org for more information.bronxzoo.com/roach for this unusual gift. I just hope no one has a hissy fit about it...newtownearthday.org.

Don't put away your shovels and emergency kits yet, though. February has a history of dumping massive amounts of snow on our region, including just two years ago when some of the biggest snowfalls and coldest temperatures were recorded. I'm keeping my fur coat on, that's for sure.

There's something so personal about script. Even if you missed National Handwriting Day, this past Monday, January 23, you can still set pen to paper any day. A handwritten note of thanks or just to say "hello!" is a wonderful thing. Who doesn't still love to find real mail in the mailbox? What's also cool, is that everyone's handwriting is so unique. Once you've seen someone's script a few times, it's easy to discern who is leaving you mysterious notes. Alas, I lack a thumb to hold a writing tool. But if you can do so, why not grab onto one and do some thoughtful scribbling?

No doubt you heard the belly laughs emitting from Edmond Town Hall last Saturday night, when the Newtown Education Foundation hosted three stand-up comedians. Joining pro comedians Tony Liberati and R.C. Clark was Newtown's Hawley School principal, Chris Moretti. Who knew? Judging from the guffaws in the audience, I'd say the NEF can count this as a successful fundraiser.

Kathleen Gadoci had a visit from a pileated woodpecker in her yard, last Wednesday afternoon. The extra-large bird was a colorful and fun addition to the many woodland creatures that Kathleen has the pleasure of seeing on her property throughout the year.

This is the time of year when wild birds hope for well stocked bird feeders to give them a boost during colder months.

The very first "First Fridays in Newtown" takes place February 3, when Community Connections hosts the monthly event at Nouveau Wine Bar, 6 Washington Avenue, in Sandy Hook, from 3 to 5 pm. "First Fridays is an opportunity for community organizations to come together on the first Friday of each month. This series of gatherings will feature an element of personal/professional development, conclude with informal networking time, and ways to connect in an authentic way," according to information received here at

A little bird told me... okay. It was a Tweet. Town Players tweeted this week that staged reading auditions take place Sunday, February 19, from 5 to 7 pm, at the Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road, in Newtown. Visit

Oh, what says "I love you" more than having something named in your honor... like a cockroach? The Bronx Zoo is offering Name-a-Roach, "a light-hearted way to make sure your loved one knows your feelings will last a lifetime." There's a new crop of giant Madagascar hissing cockroaches in need of names (do they come when called?) and just in time for Valentine's Day. "Each gift comes with a colorful certificate e-mailed to your loved one announcing that a cockroach has been named in his or her honor. For a $10 donation, your loved one, or unloved one, will receive the certificate to cherish for years to come, featuring the name chosen for your Valentine's roach. New this year, for a $35 donation, the certificate will come with the first plush Madagascar hissing cockroach or a box of gourmet chocolates from artisan chocolatier Nunu Chocolate Company in Brooklyn. A $50 donation will send the whole Valentine's Day package that includes the certificate, plush, and chocolates." Visit

Boy Scout Troop 270 is on its way to funding a trip to the July National Jamboree in West Virginia, it looks like, as well as funding summer camp. This is due to the public participation in the recent Christmas tree pickup the boys steered. They collected and disposed of 185 trees this year, with residents donating $10 each for the Scouts to collect any trees.

It's not too early to mark your calendar for Saturday, April 22, when Newtown will celebrate its 10th Annual Earth Day Festival. This year's Earth Day Festival will be taking place on Worldwide Earth Day. Additional details are yet to be announced, but the celebrations of everything that is good for the environment will take place from 10 am to 4 pm, on the front lawn of Newtown Middle School. The Earth Day Festival Committee is well underway with its planning. Those who are interested in volunteering for or even signing up for a vendor space are encouraged to visit the festival's website,

Ground Hog's Day is next Thursday, February 2, when residents of Punxsutawney, Penn. will have all eyes on the prognosticating ground hog, Punxsutawney Phil - and a whole bunch of Ground Hog Day celebrations lined up. I'm a little skeptical, I admit, of Phil's ability to determine how many more weeks until spring, but if it makes for a happy day in February, why not?

I'm hoping you're not skeptical of the news to come. Be sure next week to... Read me again.