International Women's Day was celebrated this Wednesday, March 8, recognizing contributions of women worldwide. At amazon.com, you'll find a book of poetry perfect to continue honoring women, Forgotten Women: A Tribute in Poetry. Writers from across the nation, including several from Connecticut, contributed to the book. According to a press release, "The subjects of the poems in this book are artists and scientists, sharp-shooters and lighthouse keepers, factory workers, athletes, homemakers, and musicians." It's never to late to honor the many women who contribute to the betterment of our world, I say. gsofct.org or log onto girlscoutcookies.org, put in your zip code, and find a cookie booth near you," GSUSA tells me.Newtown Bee theater reviewer Elizabeth Young was in Brookfield last weekend for one of the first shows of the new production. Her review can be found in this week's Enjoy section.ctnofa.org. Saturday admission is $60 for nonmembers and $50 for members; Sunday admission is $30 for nonmembers and $20 for members; combined Saturday and Sunday admission is $90 for nonmembers and $70 for members.

Was Lady Liberty getting ready to honor A Day Without A Woman, also on March 8, when the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor went mostly dark Tuesday evening? Seems coincidental, but the National Park Service, numerous news sites report, says it was merely an unplanned outage.

A bulletin board at Sandy Hook School reminds us of the beauty of kindness. I had to snap a picture to share.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, shared more than just his news with the Board of Education at its meeting on Tuesday, March 7, during his superintendent's report. Dr Erardi said the Connecticut Association of Board of Education marks March as the Connecticut Board of Education Appreciation Month. No celebration for the superintendent is complete without chocolate, he said, so the board members found themselves gifted with something extra to get them through their meeting.

Flagpole Radio Cafe Orchestra - Richard Neal, Rick Brodsky, Francine Wheeler, Howie Bujese, and Jim Allyn - will return Saturday, March 11, at the Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, for a 7:30 pm performance. The group plans to perform a mix of bluegrass, swing, and folk. Tickets are $15, at My Place Restaurant, 8 Queen Street; or Suzuki Talent Education, 111 Church Hill Road. Remaining tickets will be available at the door.

Welcome to the Reverend Dr Jennifer Glaze Montgomery, the new priest and pastor at Trinity Episcopal Church. She'll preach her first sermon on March 19, at 9:30 am.

Here's the news from GSUSA: Girl Scout Cookies have arrived! Over the past weekend, I'm told, almost two million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies were delivered across the state. "The majority of the cookies will be delivered by Girl Scouts to customers who placed their orders in January and the remainder will be sold at cookie booths statewide until April 2. To find a booth in your area, visit

Two Newtown artists and one Oxford artist are being featured in the inaugural exhibition at The Gallery, a new addition to The Brookfield Theatre for the Arts (TBTA), as it celebrates its 60th anniversary season. Oil paintings by Anne Marie Foran and Roberta Shea of Newtown and Dorothy Calio of Oxford have been collected for the first exhibition, which opened March 3, coinciding with opening night of TBTA's production of Cat on A Hot Tin Roof. An artists' reception is scheduled for this weekend. The public is invited to meet the three artists on Saturday, March 11, from 2 to 4 pm. TBTA is at 184 Whisconier Road (Route 25) in Brookfield Center. Meanwhile,

A collection of photos by the Newtown-based photographer Tara Tomaselli that has been on view since last month at Hancock Hall in Danbury will have its formal reception next week. The public is invited to join Ms Tomaselli for a viewing of her collection of 15 digital images that examine the relationship between past and present, by depicting antique vehicles after their transformation over time. Hancock Hall, at 31 Staples Street, is hosting the exhibition as part of the ongoing Accessible Arts exhibitions presented by Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut. The reception is planned for Thursday, March 16, from 4 to 6 pm. Ms Tomaselli's work will remain on view through April 14. If you miss the reception, the public is welcome to visit the skilled nursing a rehabilitation center weekdays between 9:30 am and 5 pm.

If you scoot over to the Connecticut Northeast Organic Farmers' Association event in Danbury this weekend, you may spot some familiar faces. Newtown's Protect Our Pollinators (POP) group will be represented again this year by Holly Kocet, Sarah Middleer, Marcia Chaloux, Jackie Gaudet, Joyce Pogers, and Mary Gaudet-Wilson  at the conference on Saturday, March 11. POP will have a display table with information and various hand-outs related to pollinator health. Mary will also present a PowerPoint presentation on bees and pesticides at 9 am. Find out more or to register visit

You may have your mind on upcoming St Patrick's Day celebrations, but April is just around the corner. Not only is April the month for fools and fooling, it is also National Poetry Month, and our Newtown Cultural Art Commission is bringing back last year's successful "Risk-A-Verse" event. If you have a favorite, published poem that you would like to read at the April 23 program (subject matter appropriate for all ages), visit the Risk-A-Verse-Newtown Facebook page to find out how you can participate. Readers of all ages are welcome to apply.

Don't forget to "Spring forward!" this weekend. Daylight Saving Time takes hold of us at 2 am, this Sunday, March 12. If you're like me, you'll make a point of setting any clocks ahead one hour before you curl up for the night on Saturday.

I'll be springing forward, backward, and any direction that it takes to get the news you want, so be sure to... Read me again.