VFW Post 308 Commander Ray Wisniewski stopped by our office last week to let us know the Post had some help replacing flags on the graves of veterans in all of Newtown's cemeteries. Leslie and Jeff Hanna, their sons Ethan and Eidan, and grandsons Jeffrey and Kyle spent some time placing new flags on the veterans' graves in Zoar Cemetery the week before Memorial Day. Ray was also grateful to the St Rose Knights of Columbus for their efforts to replace flags, as well as to the 2nd Governor's Horse Guard, and all VFW members who assisted in redecorating graves in the many large and small cemeteries about town. The VFW purchases and places approximately 1,100 new flags for the graves each year, honoring all who have served in the US Armed Forces.this year to focus solely on the historic home and magnificent gardens of Jean and Lincoln Sander, the May 15 tornado/macroburst has changed those plans. The property was damaged, but the Sanders are going to rebuild, replant, and move forward. Event Chair Gordon Williams stopped by The Bee office this week to report that the tour will now take place on Sunday, June 24, from 1 to 5 pm. Tickets already purchased for the original date will still be honored, he promised. Meanwhile, the new date for the fundraiser means the June 24 open house at The Matthew Curtiss House and the annual Town Historian's Walking Tour have both been canceled, according to Gordon.spaisley4472@gmail.com.https://cafexpressonewtown.com/ and select the online ordering tab.NHS Marching Band & Guard Mattress Sale scheduled for Saturday, June 2, at the high school, from 10 am to 5 pm. This partnering with Custom Fundraiser Solution is the solution to everyone's good night. (I would suggest bringing a cat along to test the mattresses, but somehow I think not everyone would think it is as good an idea as I do...)cvhfoundation.org/4th-annual-catherines-butterfly-party/ for more information.https://join.ctf.org/alexowens.Newtown High School Unified Theater production of Camp Unified has been rescheduled yet again. One performance will now be offered on Wednesday, June 13, at 6 pm, at Newtown High School. Donations are always welcome!newtown-ct.gov/health-district/pages/tick-information-test-results has lots of links and tick testing information you'll find useful. P.S. It doesn't help keep ticks away, but this is the time of year you also want to be sure to use sunscreen! Taking practical precautions will make enjoying nature as enjoyable as it ought to be.Lying In State begins its run at 8 pm, and tickets are just $22. Our theater reviewer, Elizabeth Young, says it's a must see.eliza@thebee.com. That's a yummy chance to take!alissa@thebee.com to be part of an upcoming article about the hobby.

That's not all the VFW was up to in recent days. They also hosted a solemn ceremony on Memorial Day.

One of this spring's rare hot days landed on Duck Race Day this past Saturday. I noticed a lot of people enviously watching from the river's edge as the lucky Lions Club member waded in the cool waters of the Pootatuck River, urging on the lazy rubber ducks that chose to go... nowhere after the big dump from the Church Hill Road bridge. Temperatures in the 90s must have made it too hot even for some of the duckies to traverse the river.

Here's some important news if you are one of the many who looks forward to the annual House & Garden tour in Newtown: Newtown Historical Society has rescheduled its 2018 House & Garden Tour. Initially planned for Sunday, June 10,

Newtown Choral Society President Laura Lerman has noticed that an electric keyboard and amplifier have been stored in the meeting house office for some time. She asks that if you are the owner, or know the owner, to please contact Sherry Paisley at

If you love combining tech with your food and drink orders, I see that Cafe Xpresso on South Main Street now has online ordering capabilities. Go to

There is nothing a cat likes better than a soft bed to sleep upon. If your cat is lacking a comfy mattress - okay, if you are lacking a comfy mattress - check out the

Catherine's Butterfly Party, an annual event hosted by the CVH Foundation in memory of 6-year-old Catherine Violet Hubbard, who was killed on 12/14, takes place this year on Saturday, June 9. Because Catherine loved animals large and small, this event, always around her birthday, is not only a family festival, but also a pet adoption event. In addition, you'll find demonstrations of birds of prey, a butterfly exhibit, and so much more that is animal related. The free event runs from noon to 4 pm, at the Fairfield Hills campus. Visit

Julie VanderKroef's pup Dottie is jingling and jangling with each year's license added to her collar. Dottie reminds every dog owner that June is dog licensing month in Newtown. Don't forget!

Just a reminder that if you're thinking of getting your hair cut, maybe you can hang on a couple of weeks for a good cause. Ricci's Salon in Newtown will team up with Hero for Men Barber Shop (99 South Main Street Marketplace) to open the doors for a cut-a-thon in honor of a 5-year-old Southbury resident, Alexander Owens, Monday, June 11. Alex suffers from tumors on his brain, back, and stomach due to a rare genetic disorder called neurofibromatosis (NF). Haircuts will be offered from 9 am to 5 pm, at $25 for women and $20 for men and children. The salon will be taking appointments, 203-426-1611, but walk-ins are also welcome. To further support this event, Ms Connecticut, Erin Logan, will be making an appearance offering photo opportunities and autographs. All proceeds are donated in Alex's honor to the Children's Tumor Foundation. Tax deductible donations can also be made at

In case you have not noticed, the

You probably do not need a reminder that it is tick season if you have spent any time outdoors lately. I've been checking myself from nose to tail every night, and you should, too. (Or head to toe, if you prefer.) If you need any information on tickborne diseases, our town website

Theater lovers will rejoice to know that The Little Theatre (18 Orchard Hill Road) will continue its season this weekend with performances of David C. Hyer's political farce.

This is the perfect weather for eating an ice cream cake, and if you send in your child's original head/shoulders photo, birth date, name, address, and a daytime phone number, he or she will be entered in a drawing to win a free cake from Ferris Acres Creamery - and maybe you'll get a taste, too. Send the birthday cake submission to The Newtown Bee, PO Box 5503, Newtown CT 06470, or e-mail information and a digital JPG photo to

Speaking of yummy, rumor has it that our education reporter has a new dessert she wants to try out on her colleagues. All I know is it involves chickpeas as the main ingredient. We have great faith in her, so we're counting on her to not lead us astray. (I'm keeping a pint of ice cream on hand, though, just in case...)

Are you a Newtown/Sandy Hook all-terrain vehicle (ATV) enthusiast? If so, e-mail

I am completely unmotorized myself, but I manage to cover a lot of terrain. Be sure next week to... Read me again.