Bee readers who love the Police Reports and Fire Reports were probably pretty excited last week to see a new column pop up in the pages - the Ambulance Reports. The weekly report will be found on either page 4 or 5 of each issue, and will allow readers to see the huge number of calls to which our volunteer crews respond each week. I don't know about you, but just reading last week's first column makes me want to give each and every member ofNewtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps a big "Thank You!" shout out.

Stretch Forbell has been feeling a little under the weather, but a recent get well card has lifted his spirits. Stretch stopped by the office late last week to show us the card, as big as two pages of our broadsheet paper - and created on newspaper roll remnants from

The Newtown Bee. Stretch comes by now and then to retrieve one of the free remnant rolls and gives them to an Amish family here in town. So the youngsters in that family made him the big greeting card with hand-drawn scenes of an Amish farm and full of good wishes. It certainly is sure to keep a smile on Stretch's face for a while.

I hear that longtime resident Jeane Roberts has made the move to Pomperaug Woods in Southbury. We trust that, deep in her heart, she will always be a citizen of Newtown. We wish her the very best and much happiness in her new home.

Bob Eckenrode shared a photo of "something recently found along the trails deep in the woods" at Newtown Forest Association's Cherry Grove Preserve. The photo shows a small round stone, with a quarter next to it for size comparison, and the NFA president is wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what the ball may have been used for.The stone is heavy and dense, according to Bob, who also shared the photo on the Facebook page Accountability in Newtown. He received a number of suggestions, but none feel right (one Facebook user jokingly said she thought it might be a petrified meatball). If you have an idea, send him a note at

rtedesign@gmail.com.

Steve Taylor has been seeing some interesting things behind his Scudder Road home with his new trail camera, including a bobcat carrying away a squirrel - in the middle of the afternoon. Yipes. I'll be pussyfooting about that neighborhood very carefully.

Congratulations to the Newtown U10 Hawks, which went 6-0 to

capture the Fairfield County Fast Pitch Softball League B Division title this past weekend. Congrats, also, to Newtown Thunder 10U, which finished its season with a 24-5-1 record, placing second last weekend in the A Division of the FCFSL tournament. A recap of that series will be in next week's print edition. Looks like we have some star players in our town!

Happy birthday, US Coast Guard! The Coast Guard will celebrate its 227th birthday this Saturday. That's right - the branch of the military that takes responsibility for ocean rescues, drug interventions, smuggling prevention, and distribution of humanitarian aid has served the country since 1790. Congress authorized the first ten ships on August 4, 1790, to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal reserves, according to

military.com. Today, more than 200 coastal and ocean-going vessels, more than 1,000 smaller vessels, and an air division are part of the makeup of the modern Coast Guard. (Pretty good, to be well over 200 years old and still going strong!)

The American Red Cross reminds all that summer is a time of great need for blood donations. You can find out all the details on eligibility, how to host a blood drive, and where nearby blood drives are already scheduled at

redcross.org.

In addition to final rehearsals for

this weekend's opening performance of Newsies, NewArts will be hosting a fundraising event next week. All ages are invited to participate or just sit in during an open mic cabaret at Murphy's Pub on Wednesday, August 8. The event will run from 6 to 9 pm; the pub is within Ricky's Plaza, 71 South Main Street. Tickets are $6 if reserved in advance (text your name and the number of tickets you want to reserve to 475-323-8234), or pay $10 at the door. All proceeds will benefit the nonprofit organization that has been presenting wonderful musicals - while also helping local children and young adults improve their overall well-being - since 2013.

Suddenly Last Summernewtownplayers.organd you'll find ; , the Tennessee Williams drama, continues at the Little Theatre on Orchard Hill Road, weekends through August 11. Now is the time to visit Newtown's community theater if you have never done so. You'll find dates, times, and ticket information at Newtown Bee Theater Reviewer Elizabeth Young's review here.

If music for kids is more your style, the final summer concert at Dickinson Park takes place this coming Tuesday, August 7, at 6 pm. SteveSongs will present a fun, family-friendly performance at the park bandshell - or under the pavilion off of Elm Drive if there is light rain. As always, it is free.

The streetscape of Church Hill Road has certainly changed in the past couple of weeks. At the corner of The Boulevard, the new assisted living project has erased that wooded plot, allowing residents to realize just how large this new multi-building complex will be. St Rose has grown in population, and thus, also grows the building. Construction there has added to the work scene. At exit 10, the new retail center has quickly taken shape, leaving us only to wonder what besides Starbucks will draw us there?

I do hope that my paw prints on the paper will draw you to... Read me again.