Like a few of my fellow Bees, you may have noticed a familiar face while watching television on the evening of September 16. Captain Drew Taylor, son of Kaki and Fred Taylor of Newtown, was featured during a piece on NBC Nightly News that aired on September 16. Capt Taylor and his wife Captain Katie Taylor are currently serving in the Air Force at Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. Capt Taylor, who flies an F16 fighter jet, discussed during the interview his training and the possibility of being among the first to respond to an attack. Capt Taylor is a 2007 graduate of Newtown High School and graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2011.signupgenius.com/go/70a044aadac2fa13-newtownundiesforeveryone.orgThe Newtown Bee that she is extending her health fair offer to any Bee reader: anyone who visits the pharmacy, mentions The Bee, and transfers at least one prescription to them will receive a complimentary $25 gift certificate. That offer will remain in effect until October 15.flagpole-band.ticketleap.com/lucy-kaplansky/The Newtown Bee was notified that a black bear was spotted on Berkshire Road, (Route 34) roaming near Lenahan Landclearing & Grinding Inc. When police arrived shortly thereafter, they flashed their lights on the bear, which encouraged it to head back to the woods. An officer remained on site to monitor the area to assure the bear had safely departed the scene.

Newtown Hook & Ladder is working on its 8th Annual Firehouse Ride, barbecue, and pig roast. The 2017 motorcycle trek will set out from the volunteer fire company's 12 Church Hill Road property at 3 pm, on Saturday, September 30. Registration opens at 1 pm. Cost is $30 for riders and $20 for their passengers. Don't have a motorcycle? Not a problem. The public is welcome to join the group for its return to the firehouse for the BBQ and live music. Tickets for that segment of the event are $20 for most, $12 for ages 11 and under. The event is presented by and a fundraiser for the town's oldest fire company.

The 2017 Family Fun Night offered by Newtown Parent Connection and Newtown Prevention Council, scheduled for Friday night at Reed Intermediate School, has been canceled due to low registration numbers. Organizers promise to try again next year, and those who made reservations will receive refunds.

I have noted a number of upcoming tag sales. First on my radar is the Nunnawauk Meadows's Annual Giant Tag Sale, set for Saturday and Sunday, September 23 and 24, from 9 am to 3 pm each day in its Community Room, 3 Nunnawauk Meadows. The event will include a bake sale, a selection of jewelry and household items, games, linens, and more. The event is sponsored by the Nunnawauk Meadows Residents Association.

Next up on September 30, the Horticulture Club of Newtown is going to have a tag sale at the barn behind the home of Shane and George Miller, at 50 Main Street, from 9 am to 3 pm. Live entertainment will be provided by Roger Sprung and Friends. I understand great garden and lawn items, plants, household items, and collectibles will be sold. Money from the event will go to a scholarship fund for a Newtown High School senior who is interested in pursuing a career in horticulture, farming, earth sciences, or environmental studies. For more information about the event or donating to the scholarship can contact Joan Cominski, 203-364-1139.

And next month the NHS Marching Band & Color Guard will hold its 9th Annual 100-Family Tag Sale on Saturday, October 21, from 9 am to 2 pm, at the school. Another highlight of the upcoming Marching Band & Guard season is the 21st Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival on Saturday, September 30, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Newtown is scheduled to perform at 9 pm. There are 10 performing ensembles including Newtown. Gates will open at 5 and the show will start at 6.

. As a thank you, all volunteers are eligible for one discounted wristband for either themselves or someone they designate. The discounted band will cost $15 instead of $25. For those who wish to attend the event, it will be admission free, however tickets/wristbands/food will need to be purchased. No pets will be allowed at the carnival.I can practically hear next month's Newtown Parks & Recreation Fall Carnival already, and it sounds thrilling. The event will be held October 20-22 at Fairfield Hills. It will run from 6 to 10 pm on Friday, October 20; 1 to 10 pm on Saturday; and 1 pm to 5 pm on Sunday. This is the first time the Parks & Recreation Department will host the event, and many volunteers will be needed to make it a smooth and successful one. Volunteers can sign up online at

With costumes, candy, and decorations filling the shelves of many stores already, I can't help but think about what I will be doing this year for Halloween. And who loves Halloween more than black cats? I'm hoping to come up with my costume well before the weekend of October 28, because I want to be ready for this year's Sandy Hook Halloween Walk that day. Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity will host the annual event, where costumed children (of most ages...) are invited to visit the stores, businesses and restaurants within the area of Church Hill Road, Washington Avenue, Riverside Road, and Glen Road, to pick up a Halloween treat. The Ladies Auxiliary of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue will have a booth set up again, and they're hoping that people will remember to bring a small donation with them for FAITH Food Pantry. The Halloween Walk will run from 11 am until 2 pm, rain or shine.

for more information about the nonprofit.fisio Physical Therapy has been collecting brand-new (in original packaging) underwear for men, women, and children and shipping them to the nonprofit Undies for Everyone. Through a team of volunteers, the Houston nonprofit is distributing the underwear to those effected by Hurricane Harvey who are staying in shelters in the Houston area. Author Brene Brown is helping promote the work of Undies for Everyone to spread the word. Current and past patients have been dropping off items for the collection its 141 Mt Pleasant Road location. Two shipments have been sent so far, and the plan is to continue to collect items. Anyone from the community can drop items off to include in the next shipment. Undies For Everyone had collected more than 500,000 pairs of underwear as of September 15. Visit

Mary Broder, the representative from Main Street RX, Newtown's newest delivery and storefront pharmacy in Plaza South (next to Subway), was among the dozens of exhibitors at last weekend's 24th Annual Health and Public Safety Fair. She e-mailed me this week to say that so many people she met heard about the business from their article and photo in

.November already looks like a promising month thanks to a planned concert with Lucy Kaplansky and the Flagpole Radio Cafe Orchestra for Saturday, November 4, 7 pm, at Newtown Meeting House. Ms Kaplansky is a Billboard-charting singer and one of the top-selling artists on Red House Records. Audiences have filled Edmond Town Hall Theater for years to see The Flagpole Radio Cafe Orchestra perform as the house band for Newtown's popular and critically acclaimed Flagpole Radio Cafe. I am looking forward to hearing Jim Allyn, Francine Wheeler, Richard Neal, Rick Brodsky, Howie Bujese, and Ms Kaplansky, as the special guest headliner, perform. Tickets are $20 and are available online at

Tuesday morning of this week

It's almost the season for scarecrows at Newtown Middle School. Can't wait for the weekend of October 21-22? The Stamford Museum and Nature Center is set to host three scarecrow-making sessions on Sunday, October 8. Families can register to participate by calling 203-977-6521.

I promise not to be scared off by stuffed creations or flashing lights if you promise next week to... Read me again.