Alan Will found himself looking toward spring while working in winter's ultimate weather, last week. Alan, an employee of Newtown Power Equipment, found himself unloading the first spring order of Cub Cadet lawn equipment at the Mt Pleasant Road outdoor equipment company. While pulling crates and boxes off a delivery truck, Alan was also dodging snowflakes. The Bee "security staff," Liberty Baggett, the golden retriever pup, was all set for the company's first observance of Galentine's Day on Tuesday. Inspired by Leslie Knope, from the former NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, the women in The Bee's editorial department invited all co-workers to visit their workspace on Tuesday. Guests enjoyed numerous snacks - including four different flavors of waffles. Goodie bags were offered to everyone who stopped by, and Libby Baggett was ready to scoop up any of the treats that might have hit the floor. Three years after Parks and Recreation went off the air, the unofficial holiday that celebrates female friendships is only growing in popularity, if Twitter, Instagram, and other social media is any indication.published his memoir, Running With Ghosts: A Memoir of Surviving Childhood Cancer. Matt wrote the book after writing a few essays and even his MFA thesis around the story of his battle with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, as a teenager while living in Ohio. The book is getting very good reviews (all seven as of February 9 that had been posted on Amazon were 5 of 5 stars!), and Matt will be making himself available to meet library visitors next Thursday night. He is hoping that his book will be enjoyable by current and former cancer patients, caregivers, and even folks who see the importance of keeping the memories of lost loved ones alive. It's also, learned Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks (who is also a cancer survivor, although not of ALL), a great time capsule, thanks to lots of mentions of popular songs, TV programs, clothing, and other things that were worked into the narrative. The program will begin at 7 pm, and will last at least 60 minutes. It will be in the lower meeting room of the library, 25 Main Street.newtownforestassociation.org.last week's Way We Were column. The only note we had on the back of the file photo indicated the nine women were all members of Newtown Woman's Club. No idea what they were up to (other than one was pouring coffee or tea for the other eight, who were seating around a table, and that seven additional women were in the room at the time the photo was taken), or when the photo was taken. Marie's note indicated the first three women, from the left side of the frame, are Nancy Larin, Coke Cramer, and Ducky Lowenstein. In addition, Ingrid Meier is the lady seated all the way to the right in the photo. Next to Ingrid, Marie recalls, is a woman named Elaine "She was on the Council and lived on Key Rock." Louise Baker also contacted us, identifying Nancy and Ingrid. Thank you to both!www.newtown-ct.gov for more information or registration.neaq.org for more details or to buy tickets. Call 617-973-5200 for more information.

The youngest of

A reminder this week that Matt Tullis will be at C.H. Booth Library on February 22. Matt and his family moved into Newtown last summer, right around the time he also

Ann LoBosco, the director of the Department of Social Services, was thrilled to welcome a group of young adults to Town Hall South this past Sunday. The teens, who are part of this year's Newtown Ecumenical Workcamp Servants, delivered the donations they received during a recent food drive. While that large donation was of great help to the pantry, which is open to low-income families who live in town, Ann mentioned this week that she can still use the following items: tuna, pasta sauce, soup, cereal, canned stew, rice, toothpaste, toilet paper, and paper towels. Contact Ann at 203-270-4330 to arrange a drop-off time if you can donate something. The pantry is open for those who need items on Mondays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm. Social Services is located within Town Hall South, 3 Main Street, just inside the lower level on the left side of the hall.

Newtown Forest Association is moving ahead with the acquisition of acreage at Cherry Grove Farm. All of those tax deductible donations have added up to bring them close to the goal of $600,000 to do so. If you missed out on donating, not to worry - NFA continues to accept donations toward this effort at

We heard from Marie Sturdevant a few days ago, when she sent a note with the names of four of the women in the photo featured in

Don't forget that our Newtown Parks & Rec Department offers tons of great programs throughout the year, including drawing classes led by instructors from Paint, Draw & More! starting this March. Artistic concepts like perspective, shading, and composition are all taught. There is a maximum of 12 students per age group (ages 5 to 8 and 9 to 13), so be sure to call P&R as soon as possible at 203-270-4340 or visit

Shark lovers: The Science of Sharks is at the New England Aquarium in Boston, with two new exhibits that allow visitors to immerse themselves into the world of sharks and larval fish. The exhibit gives visitors a window into the science and wonder of small sharks through videos and photos of underwater research by aquarium scientists. Viewing tanks allow people to get up close to see live sharks. Visit

The WCSU Planetarium and Observatory on the university's Westside campus, 43 Lake Avenue Extension in Danbury, has a number of planetarium programs scheduled this spring, but I can't resist plugging the Saturday, March 24 event. That free planetarium show will start at 7 pm, with sky observation following from 8 to 10 pm. But among the visible objects in the sky that evening is the Beehive star cluster. You see my point... For more information and for updates to confirm plans for a scheduled public night, call 203-837-8672 on the day of the event.

I'll be doing my own observing all about town. Be sure next week to... Read me again.