What's with all the googly eyes and baby talk around The Newtown Bee office this past week? It must be the newest "employee" - an assistant to Piper Baggett, the office dog: introducing 8-week-old Liberty "Libby" Baggett. Libby will be entertaining staff and visitors alike, no doubt, while working her way into Piper's good graces. Even I must grudgingly admit that she is adorable; but, as always, I ask, where is the office kitten? participate@newtownctlabordayparade.org. This year's grand marshal is Lee Paulsen, longtime resident and president of FAITH Food Pantry. The theme for September 4 is "Labor of Love." Organizers are hoping for plenty of creativity from those building floats, and plenty of nonperishable donations from those along the parade route. Volunteers will be walking the route that morning, collecting items for the food pantry. For additional information about the parade and participation details, visit www.newtownctlabordayparade.org .Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie takes place this Saturday, from 10 to 11:45 am, at Edmond Town Hall Theatre. Kids who attend are welcome to move about, and the film will be presented with soft volume in a well-lit environment. Best of all, this showing is free, thanks to Ingersoll Auto of Danbury.facebook.com/newtownsummerjam for more info.mtpleasanthospitalforanimals@gmail.com.hayley.strichman@civic-us.com.

Here kitty, kitty... Riverside Road residents Carlos Defigueiredo spotted one very big cat Tuesday evening, in the woods behind his house. He initially thought he was seeing a lean, long cougar, from about 15 yards away. A second sighting the next day, though, revealed a short tail, leading Carlos to believe it may have been a bobcat. If you live in the Timbermill/Riverside Road area, keep your eyes peeled, and small animals close by, is my advice.

It's a shady announcement of the best kind, for beachgoers: P&R Director Amy Mangold and Ed Marks, chairman of the Parks & Rec Commission, notify us this week that the department is "suspending enforcement of the current rule forbidding umbrellas at Eichler's Cove Beach, but would ask that you exercise good judgment in your use of such umbrellas, particularly with regard to securing them. Umbrellas and baby tents must be anchored to prevent uncontrolled movement in good weather and closing them when breezy conditions are anticipated... Finally, please note that we will continue to forbid the use of the canopy-type shade structures (most commonly 10 feet by 10 feet or larger) at least for the remainder of this season."

I hear from GSA that this week "Girl Scouts of Connecticut and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) released new badges in STEM and the outdoors... The programming offers girls even more opportunities to take the lead... In short, the Girl Scout program provides the differentiating factors that help girls excel. Girl Scouts show what a girl can do when she's learning, leading, and having an amazing time at Girl Scouts." Talk about Girl Power!

The deadline for those hoping to participate in this year's Labor Day Parade is fast approaching. Parade participant and lineup coordinators Melissa Kopcik and Meredith Roland would like to hear from those who want to be in the 56th annual parade by August 10. Melissa can be reached at 203-994-6435, Meredith can be reached at 203-733-2369, and both can be reached at

Current resident Chuck DelRossi and former resident Dennis MacDonald will be among the musicians celebrating the recent renovations of the Bridgewater pavilion with a celebratory concert this weekend. Not Too Late - which also includes Joseph Charles, Larry Schneider, and Jimmy Stack - will be performing a show scheduled to begin at 7 pm Saturday, July 29, at the pavilion, located on Hut Hill Road in the neighboring town of Bridgewater. Tickets are $15 each, or $25 for two, and can be reserved by calling the Bridgewater Congregational Church office (the church will benefit from the evening's proceeds) at 860-354-8283 or just purchased Saturday night at the pavilion. BYO seating and BYOB; snacks and light munchies will be available for purchase.

Ongoing work on the portion of Hundred Acres Road, between Hattertown Road and Phyllis Lane will continue through August 11, according to town officials, in case you live or play in that area. The detour will be Aunt Park Lane and Mt Nebo Road.

A special sensory-friendly screening of

Early bird readers can still make use of this note that Marybeth Sippin and the Goldrush Band will be entertaining picnickers and music lovers Thursday evening at Dickinson Park bandshell, starting at 6:30 pm. Then coming up next Tuesday, August 1, check out the Summer Jam Concert featuring kids' musicians Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights. The concert gets underway at the Dickinson Park bandshell at 6 pm. Visit

Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals is inviting the public to celebrate its 40th anniversary with staff and doctors, Saturday, July 29, from 5 to 7 pm, at its 119 Mt Pleasant Road location. The hospital was founded by Dr Brian Silverlieb in 1977, and is now under the direction of Dr Rakesh Vali. Join in for cocktails and hors d'oevres. RSVP to 203-426-8585 or

Guiding Eyes for the Blind has teamed up with the National Championship Winners of the Porsche Club of America to host "Puppies & Porsches" in Danbury, this Saturday. Explore a collection of racecars at Speedsport Tuning, 52 Miry Brook Road, and socialize with aspiring guide dog pups, 9 am to 1 pm. Contact

They say that cows lying down in the pasture indicates rain on the way, but according to The Farmers Almanac, salt that clumps up is a good indicator of the same. An article in the 2017 edition, by Tiffany Means, explains that salt likes to absorb moisture from the air, leading to that inability to shake the salt out of the shaker. She even quotes some lore: "When windows won't open and salt clogs the shaker, The weather will favor the umbrella maker!" These days, salt makers like the Morton company add the anticaking agent calcium silicate to its product. That's why their famous motto "When it rains, it pours!" is quite accurate.

Newtown Comprehensive Foot Care, 153 South Main Street, has scheduled a Back To School Foot Clinic & Soles4Souls Children's Shoe Collection for Saturday, August 5, from 9 am to 2 pm. The event will feature a foot exam, children's craft, a raffle, and a giveaway, with snacks provided by Big Y. Parents can ask the doctors questions regarding children. Please consider bringing gently used shoes to donate. Call 203-270-1077, ext 122, for more info.

Why did the geese cross the road? To guard the entrance to the Village Cemetery, at least on Tuesday of this week. The geese that call Ram Pasture home have been taking frequent field trips across the road the past couple of weeks. That has led to some honking - by the geese, as well as the line of cars held up as the geese decide "whither [they] shall wander."

Whither shall I wander? Wherever I find the news. Be sure next week to... Read me again.