This past Tuesday, Republican voters chose the team of Will Rodgers and Jeff Capeci for first selectman and selectman on the November election ticket. They'll be up against Democratic candidates Dan Rosenthal for first selectman, and Maureen Crick Owen for selectman, and unaffiliated candidate Andy Clure for first selectman. Best of luck to all as the election season really gears up now.The Newtown Bee will host a debate forum for the first selectman candidates on Tuesday evening, October 24, at the Edmond Town Hall. Do you have questions for the candidates regarding this elected office? Please send them to editor@thebee.com by October 17. Questions will be vetted and selected for presentation to the politicians. Join us for a meet and greet at 6:30 pm, and the debate from 7 to 8:30 pm. It's a great opportunity to hear unrehearsed responses to the issues that concern residents. We look forward to seeing you there.secure.give2gether.com/projects/teamwork-in-texas. Your donation of any amount will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.ctchoralsociety.com.The Newtown Bee.The Bee...)mteicholz61@gmail.com, or visit www.walkofhonor.us for additional information.eventbrite.com/e/the-science-of-wine-2017-tickets-36551675044 are $100, or $150 for a VIP 6 pm private wine tasting. For more information visit everwondermuseum.org.

Our local comfort dogs made a trip to Texas recently, and The Connecticut Humane Society has sent one team from CT Humane to Texas to rescue and give comfort and medical attention to pets that have been lost or harmed in the wake of Hurricane Harvey. They have been asked to send a second team and are in need of funds for the program to help the many animals, who like the people of mid-Gulf Texas, remain in need of assistance. No doubt this care will now extend to Florida and the Caribbean islands, as well. If you care to "Lend a helping paw," visit

Hurricane Irma has managed to spread devastation from the top to bottom of Florida. But Ernest Hemingway's six-toed cats, descendants of the writer's original kitties, took refuge within the his Key West home while Irma raged about, and came out just fine. The general manager of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, according to The New York Times, stayed behind, encouraging the 54 cats that live on the property to move indoors - which the cats did, practically on their own.

We've got some IDs on last week's "Way We Were" photo, thanks to Sandy Hook resident Lorraine Morlath. "I can identify some of the children pictured last week in the photo taken at the Little Red Schoolhouse at Middle Gate in 1995," she tells us. "My daughter, Jeanmarie (Morlath) King is on the right. [Jeanmarie] also identified Jenna Benton and Tony Kulikowski. She's not sure about the other two boys." It was fun, says Lorraine, to come upon this picture "taken 22 years ago!"

NewArts needs some help after learning that their scene shop in Danbury is no longer available to them. Build space is not actually needed until next summer, but right now, they still need to store materials and tools. Can you help them find a space before October 1? A 1,500 to 2,000-square-foot space that could be donated/loaned or is "super-cheap" would be ideal. Or, for now, just storage space of about 600 square feet. E-mail Michael Unger at munger@newarts.org if you can help this performance group in any way.

Connecticut Choral Society, one of the state's premiere vocal ensembles, continues to hold auditions for new members at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, which is now serving as CCS's new base of operations. The date and is Monday, September 18, 5 to 7 pm. CCS's express mission is to encourage singing and performing choral music of the highest artistic quality, and to offer music that makes a difference in people's lives. The group has performed at Carnegie Hall many times over its history and has toured extensively throughout Europe, China, and Australia. Appointments for auditions can be scheduled in advance by contacting Judy Novachek at 203-748-0518. For further information about CCS, visit

We hear that Newtown native Joan Crick is turning 85 this Friday, September 15. "She celebrated a little early," daughter Maureen Crick Owen tells us. "We went to dinner in Stamford [this past Saturday] night." The birthday girl was joined by son Mike Crick and his wife, Lisa; grandson Ben Crick and his girlfriend, Raenah Farina; and Maureen and husband, Cramer. "The celebration continued on Sunday morning by enjoying coffee and bagels at Ben's home, as we all stayed in Stamford," says Maureen. Happy birthday, Joan, from all of us at

A belated happy birthday, as well, to Dr Bob Grossman, who celebrated "X" number of years this past Monday, and to Rev Leo McIlrath, who also turned a certain decade old this past Sunday. And not forgetting, we send happy birthday wishes to our own front office secretary, Sandy Tannone, who also celebrated her birthday this week. (Singing and birthday goodies ensued at

I found an adorable terrarium on C.H. Booth Library Young Adult Librarian Kim Weber's desk. She is prepping for a "Play in the Dirt, Make a Terrarium" event for 'tweens and teens, from 10 am to 11 am, on Thursday, September 21. The event will take place in the Young Adult department and there will be a $5 fee. From what I understand, the attendees will make terrariums using some succulent plants that have been taking root near Ms Weber's desk. Playing in the dirt is something at which cats excel... I wonder if I'd be discouraged from signing up?

Nominations for the 6th annual Warrior Award are still being accepted. The award will be given to a local veteran at the tenth annual 2017 Walk of Honor in Danbury, Sunday, October 15, at the Danbury War Memorial, at noon. Area residents can nominate a veteran who has served in a combat zone and who also exemplifies the values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. The nominations should be approximately 500 words and should include the nominee's name, military rank, medals awarded, and as many details as possible about his/her service. Include the name and contact information of the person submitting the nomination. People who previously sent in nominations are more than welcome to resubmit or send an e-mail to check if there is still a record of the nomination. The deadline for all nominations is September 20. Nominations can be e-mailed to

The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, begins at sunset, Wednesday, September 20. This time of hope in looking to the future year and an examination of self will run through sundown, September 30, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Schools will be closed for Rosh Hashanah on September 21.

EverWonder Children's Museum has slated its annual fundraiser, "The Science of Wine," for Thursday, November 16, at Nouveau Monde Wine Bar on Washington Avenue. The event runs from 7 to 10 pm, and will allow you to support the museum while tasting wines paired with appetizers. The Mike Cusato Band will provide music, and look for an auction during the evening. Tickets at

It will be the Science of Whine for me, if you don't pledge next week to... Read me again.