Congratulations to the “Sandy Hook Fredericks Clan.” Sawyer Fredericks, nephew of Bonnie Fredericks, owner of Sandy Hook Hair Co, was named the new champion on NBC’s The Voice Tuesday night. Bonnie hosted a number of The Voice viewing parties this past season, in support of him, at the VFW. Sawyer spent his early years here in Newtown, in case you want to puff up with a little pride. I’m sure all of his local relatives and friends are already doing so!

I’m always cautioning drivers to look out for deer, fox and raccoons on the roads, especially in the spring and early summer. But Theresa Ritchie is kind enough to point out that some of the smaller creatures in our town need to be watched for, as well. Turtles, notoriously slow, are losers when faced with oncoming cars. “Every year my heart breaks as I see smashed turtles on the byways and back roads,” says Theresa, asking for townspeople “to keep an eye out for these creatures.”

My canine pal Lilith and I were out for an early morning stroll on Wednesday when we had quite a surprise, and it was no turtle. One of my relatives — a bobcat — dashed across Cobblestone Lane in front of us. Now, we have spotted fox and plenty of squirrels in the neighborhood in the past, and certainly our share of deer. But this is the first time we have encountered a bobcat. The beautiful kitty looked to be about three times the size of a house cat. It might be a good idea, if you live in the area, to keep a close eye on small pets outside; always a good idea, as coyotes are another critter we encounter (and hear) regularly in that part of Newtown.

A good church always attracts a flock, and there certainly has been a flock at the newest birdhouse addition to The Pleasance. Modeled after a church in Colonial Williamsburg, The Bee has received several notes of thanks from the songbirds that hang out at The Pleasance. I have passed those nice words along to the builder, Frank LaPak, who works both at The Bee office, and puts in time at The Pleasance. The birdhouse of worship is place on the tree stump, near the gazebo, if you haven’t had a chance to see it yet. (No doubt, you’ll see a good number of birds gathering there on Sundays.)

Michele McLeod and daughter Lara are looking for Facebook friends… for their cat. “I am requesting that you consider friending my cat, Ray Charles, on Facebook, if you have an account. Ray was 9 months old when he stumbled onto a deck in Newtown, seven years ago,” says Michele. “Stumbled, because an eye infection had caused him to go blind. He was lucky; the Animal Center, a local animal rescue group was called, and they gave him a chance.” Veterinarian Dr Steinmetz, who discounts services for local animal rescue groups, was called in consult and Ray’s eyes had to be removed, due to rupturing and causing him pain. Ray went to a family that specialized in invalid cats, but was promptly returned to the rescue group, “Because he was so feisty that he was annoying the invalids; he was unaware that blindness is supposed to be a handicap,” Michele says. “Since 2006, Ray has been an amazing presence in our lives. He has defied all the rules for ‘blindness’: running, playing, climbing, and in general demonstrating that attitude is everything in life.” Sadly, Ray has been diagnosed with lymphoma. As long as he remains active and not in pain, the McLeods will keep him comfortable and happy. To find out more about Ray’s story and friend him, visit www.facebook.com/raycharlesamostamazingcat. Good luck, Ray!

You know me, I normally leave tweeting to the birds (and my human coworkers), but Assistant Superintendent of Schools Linda Gejda and Newtown High School Assistant to the Principal Nathalie de Brantes aren’t afraid to tweet away. They had a friendly tweeting competition on Tuesday night. After the Board of Education recognized the academic top five percent of the graduating Class of 2015, Dr Gejda and Ms de Brantes were quick to snap photos then post them online. But who has the quickest “tweeting” fingers? Ms de Brantes, or @ndebrantes, lucked out with a slightly faster upload, but Dr Gejda, or @Lgejda, was right behind her. A photo of the top five percent of students being recognized at NHS is available in this week’s edition of The Bee, or in our online photo gallery here.

Here’s some good news, in case you were unable to attend the May 7 Newtown High School Night of Jazz. The CTV-192 mobile production team was on site, and captured the whole concert. You can still watch it on CTV Charter Channel 192, or Frontier Channel 99 (search Community Vision-Newtown based), this Sunday, May 24, at noon or 5 pm. Michelle Hiscavich, director of music, introduced the performance for Newtown Public Schools.

Originally known as Decoration Day, due to the practice of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers after the Civil War, the day to remember those soldiers who have died in service to the country became a national holiday in 1971. Memorial Day, as we know it today, is celebrated in different ways in different parts of the country. Here in Newtown, there is a low-key approach to Memorial Day. We hold off on the parade until Labor Day, choosing instead to commemorate those lost to wars at simple ceremonies and private recognitions. This year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 308 invites the public to a special service at the post on Freedom Defenders Way (Tinkerfield Road), at 11 am, this coming Monday, May 25. Please consider taking less than an hour to remember our veterans who have passed, before you start your day’s festivities. It is, after all, the reason it is a day off.

Before you attend the VFW Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, you can get in the mood by scooting over to Ansonia on Sunday, for the city’s new “Star Spangled” Memorial Day Parade. The parade takes place Sunday, May 24, at 2 pm, on Main Street, in Ansonia. Milford will also host a parade on Sunday, also at 2 pm, at the Milford Town Green, so you will have to make an executive decision on where to go. Or, head up to Wethersfield early Saturday morning, May 23, instead. The Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade kicks off from State Street at 9 am, ending at Village Cemetery behind First Church for a service.

Here is just one more thing to remember that would please me no end. Be sure next week to… Read me again.