While readers have heard a lot about the end of year concert and activities involving the local grassroots autism support group Families United In Newtown, or FUN, timing of the information coming from founder Linda Jones caused us to miss congratulating the Tambascio family at My Place for their narrow second place finish in the FUN Pizza Challenge. The My Place Philly Cheesesteak pie was ravenously consumed and endorsed by many attendees at the recent "Awesome '80s" concert reception, during which the Pizza Challenge occurred.www.newtown-ct.gov to find out all of the other summery activities in town.newtownbee.com/calendar/ for ideas on how to pass away the lazy, hazy days of summer, and check newtownplayers.org for the details, or call 203-270-9144.newtownbee.com and on page A2 of this week's issue.Soulful Sydney Explores Diversity is a book about the power of kindness and compassion, and along with the book launch, there will be refreshments and family activities. Mark your calendar so you don't forget.eliza@thebee.com, along with daytime contact information. Please send digital JPG photo as an attachment to the e-mail. Or mail to Mini Page, The Newtown Bee, PO Box 5503, Newtown CT 06470. There is a drawing each week for that delicious, cold cake.spcact.org/donate-you-car-truck-suv-rv-boat-or-motorcycle/ to fill out the vehicle donation form. Sounds like a made-to-order plan for those who are "driven" to protect animals.

Lost and (hopefully) Found: Town historian Dan Cruson was dismayed to find that a sign for the Eden Hill Golf Course, which dissolved in the 1930s, disappeared somehow during the recent move of his office from Edmond Town Hall to the Municipal Center at Fairfield Hills. The wooden sign, in great condition, is approximately 2-feet long, Dan says, and points the direction to the golf course. If anyone has information or has come across this sign, please contact Dan at 203-426-6021, or just drop it off at the new town historian office if you come upon it - no questions asked. It's a treasured piece of our town's history.

I hope everyone had a great midweek holiday break, and is in gear now for summer. Be sure to check out the Parks & Rec website at

The Fourth of July may be behind us, but being a middle of the week holiday this year means that many are holding off celebrating until the coming weekend. Remember to use fireworks safely and legally. And if you have pets, remember they are not keen on being part of a loud, festive atmosphere. Create a snug and safe place for dogs and cats inside the home if fireworks are still on your agenda for coming parties, please. They will greatly appreciate it.

It has been hot, hot, hot; that's summer in New England, I guess. Hopefully, during this heat wave and any subsequent ones, you know to call 211 for area cooling centers, or check out locally "cool" places such as our library and other public spaces. (We hear from vacationers to the north that the heat traveled as far as the normally temperate New Hampshire area this past week, too, an unwelcome surprise.)

Calling all actors! Town Players is scheduling auditions for its upcoming comedy production, Sunday, July 8, and Monday, July 9, from 7-9 pm, at the 18 Orchard Hill Road Little Theater. There are parts for three adult men and three adult women. Visit

Of course, watching theater is better for some than acting. Musicals at Richter's Fairy Tale Theater begins its 20th season with Charlotte's Web, this Saturday, July 7, at 11 am, at Workspace Education, 16 Trowbridge Drive, in Bethel. Not only will you be entertained, but you might recognize a friendly face: Michael Elston of Newtown is part of the company. The hour-long interactive performances are by children for children and include a related craft activity. The shows are held outdoors on the lawn (audiences are invited to bring blankets and chairs for seating, starting at 10:30 am), and move inside in the case of inclement weather. Tickets are $5 at the door.

For the civic minded, there are plenty of town meetings to keep you occupied if you want to get out of the house. Tuesday, July 10, is particularly rich in meetings, from the Edmond Town Hall Board of managers at 6:30 pm to the Conservation Commission at 7 pm, and others throughout the evening. Take your pick or pick another date; find the details in our online calendar at

The Working Women's Forum is pretty proud of a regular keynote speaker, and we offer our congratulations, as well, to Newtown author Kate Mayer. Kate received national recognition for her "Writing Out Loud" blog collection of "humor, social commentary, and general observations about life's little moments with big impact," WWF tells me. Kate received second place with the National Society for Newspaper columnists for humor writing. Pretty fancy - she shares that honor with winners from the Boston Globe, New York Times, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and newspapers in Texas, Philly, and Maine. What caught the judges' attention? Seems her writing on what breasts and guns have in common... you'll find Kate on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter if your curiosity is as great as a cat's!

The public is invited to take part in the launch of a special book by Terry Murphy and Deborah Clarke with Miriam Azeez, a young member of the Al Hedaya Islamic Center, Sunday, July 15, at 1 pm, at the Edmond Town Hall.

Just because it's summer doesn't mean that birthdays don't keep happening. The Birthday Cake in The Newtown Bee is a chance to announce your child's celebration - and maybe win an ice cream cake from Ferris Acres Creamery. Send in your child's head/shoulders photo, date of birth, age, address, and full name to

Did you know you can donate your car, truck, SUV, RV, boat, or motorcycle to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Connecticut? The donation is tax deductible, and the vehicle doesn't even have to be in working order. The organization can provide pick up for those donations. Call 203-445-9978 for more information, or go to

Personally, I'm driven to give you the news. Be sure next week to... Read me again.