This Thursday, April 6, marked the 100th anniversary of the entry of the US into World War I, in 1917. American supplies supported the war on Germany, and in the summer of 1918, American soldiers joined the battle at the Western Front, fighting until victory was achieved on November 11 of that year. More than 110,000 Americans died in the course of the war, including 43,000 who succumbed to the flu. So take a moment now, if you have not already, to reflect on the sacrifices made to advance the cause of freedom.newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation. Younger kids will want to check out the P&R Spring Egg Hunt on Saturday morning, at 10 am. BYO basket.newtownplayers.org. jgardner819@gmail.com or 203-426-0587, or Garden Club President Sandra Motyka at smotykagc@gmail.comaquarionwater.com and facebook.com/aquarionwater.Grease is the word, and Edmond Town Hall's Alexandria Room is the place. Newtown Woman's Club will present its Second Annual Newtown Woman's Club Spring Fling Sing-Along on Saturday, April 22. The club will host dinner and then a screening of the 1978 musical starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta (who, rumor has it, may join forces again next year when the movie celebrates its - gasp! - 40th anniversary). Dinner will be served at 6 pm, and will include salad, shepherd's pie, vegetarian lasagna, Hungarian chicken, dessert, coffee and tea. Guests are welcome to BYOB. The screening will follow at 7 pm. Tickets are $25 per person, and they can be purchased in advance at the main desk at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. For additional information call 203-740-2733 or 203-426-9101.gofundme.com/saint-michael-police-k9-newtown-pd.

Not everyone has my sharp nocturnal vision, so bring your flashlight if you plan to attend the Flashlight Egg Hunt at Dickinson Memorial Park, this Friday night, from 8 to 9 pm. Hosted by Parks & Rec, the egg hunt is for ages 9 to 17. Meet under the Dickinson Pavilion off of Elm Drive. Too rainy to hunt eggs on Friday? A snow/rain date is scheduled for Saturday evening, April 8. For details, see

There is a special reading scheduled for Sunday, April 9, at The Little Theatre on Orchard Hill Road. Telling the story of a decade the American Civil Rights evolution, Civil Rights: From The War To The Movement is written by Garner Correctional Institution inmates. The reading is at 2 pm. Tickets are $10, by calling 203-270-9144 or at

All movie screenings at Edmond Town Hall Theatre will be free this weekend. Ingersoll Auto of Danbury is continuing its ongoing series of free screenings April 7-9, which will cover five screenings of Sing (Friday at 7 pm, and Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 7 pm) and the same number of screenings of Monster Trucks (Friday at 9, and Saturday and Sunday at 4 and 9 pm). In addition the two family friendly films will continue running at 45 Main Street through Thursday, April 13, and because next week will be April break for schools, the ETH Manager's Office has scheduled daily matinees in addition to evening shows. Beginning Monday, April 10, Sing will continue at 1 and 7 pm, and Monster Trucks will continue at 4 and 9, through Thursday. Both movies are rated PG, and tickets for the weekday shows will be the regular $3 charge each.

Snow is barely off the ground, but inside their warm houses Town and Country Garden Club members are planting seeds for this year's Plant & Shrub Sale. This year's event will return to the front lawn of Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, on Saturday, May 20, 9 am to 3 pm, rain or shine. Members are planning to sell organic herbs and peppers, and seedlings of traditional herbs including basil, chives and cilantro, which are reportedly already several inches high as of this week. Additional information is available from Jan Gardner, membership chairman, at

The Ladies Auxiliary of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company will be offering its annual Easter Flower Sale next weekend. Members of the auxiliary will be at the company's main station, 18-20 Riverside Road, on Friday and Saturday, April 14-15, selling hanging baskets and potted flowers from 10 am until 6 pm each day (or while supplies last on Saturday). Daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, and hydrangea will be among the featured offerings, just in time for Easter weekend. An Easter basket raffle will also be conducted. Shoppers can purchase a ticket to enter the raffle, and each person who brings with them a monetary or food donation for FAITH Food Pantry will be given one free ticket for the raffle. Proceeds benefit the auxiliary, which in turn supports the fire company as well as local groups and organizations throughout the year.

If you've been wondering who the kids were in a photo that first appeared in the Way We Were column, 27 years ago, Susan (Marsh) Clark has finally come to the rescue. "I have held onto this clipping/photo since it was put into The Bee in 1990," Susan confessed in a recent e-mail to the office. "My apologies for not writing back sooner but I misplaced the clipping for years with a number of moves my family made." The play was performed at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 1962, on the stage in the cafeteria as a Christmas Play. Fourth grade teacher Miss Harris was the director, says Susan. Looking at the photo, back row, is a small boy she does not know, then Sandy Tani, another unknown, Susan, Charlie Jacobi, another unknown, and Christine Hoover. In front, Susan identifies Bob Berkins, and kneeling down at baby Jesus, Steve Rothe. Thank you, Susan - better late, than never!

The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission and Newtown Public Schools have collaborated to highlight student artwork from various grade levels. The works are on display at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, until April 23. I'm not the only one who has turned their head to the artwork. Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, shared through his Twitter account, @erardij, that the art is "definitely worth the visit!"

The May 1 deadline for the Aquarion Water seventh annual Environmental Champion Awards is approaching. Nominations are still sought for "outstanding voluntary achievements to protect and restore Connecticut's natural environment." Five categories will receive the Aquarion Environmental Champion Awards: adult, students grades 9-12, small business, large business, and nonprofits. Awards go to projects that demonstrate a high level of achievement and create sustainable or reproducible results. Awards include a $1,000 award for the student winner and $2,500 contributions to environmental nonprofit organizations selected by the other category winners. Aquarion will honor winners on June 3, at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport. Find out more at

On a more somber note, we hear that Newtown Police K9 Officer St Michael has been diagnosed with a rare cancer. The police have set up a gofundme page to help defray cost of treatment. To donate, visit

Keep an eye on The Newtown Bee print and online calendars and the town website for upcoming town meetings. There will still be opportunities for you to educate yourself and make your voice heard, before the budget referendum on April 25, so that you can cast your best vote.

I'll be making my voice heard, you can count on that. Be sure to... Read me again.