There is a big hungry cat right around here that is not afraid of an afternoon raid on small animals in bright daylight, I’m told by Ann Ziluck. Ann lives in the Aunt Park Lane area of town, near the bridle trails, and a large bobcat had a smackdown with a squirrel, right off of her deck, this past Saturday evening. “I was sitting on the deck with one of my cats and this huge cat came in and slammed a squirrel right in front of me, below on the ground about five feet down, making my cat fly up about three feet in the air when he heard the assault,” says Ann, who is quite a bit more brave than I would be. “I leapt up and grabbed a small rake and was down the steps in five seconds or less and it dropped the squirrel, but hadn’t moved away. I was by now screaming at it, yet it trotted away about 30 feet and assessed me and the rake, then continued to walk away as I ran after it. It finally went into the brush on the bridle trail back of the yard, when I was again 10 feet from it,” she says. Ann is astounded at how unafraid this bobcat was, even as she and her neighbors raged against it. She estimated this cat was stockier and stronger than the springer spaniel she once owned. So far as the poor squirrel goes, she did not make it, and there are some poor baby squirrels out there “that we can never find,” laments Ann. I do not recommend confronting any wildlife, I must say. Any small pets — and maybe the larger ones, as well — in the area should definitely be kept close by.

I’m pickled tink to hear this news — pickleball lovers have kept the new court busy (and Parks and Recreation Department phones) at Treadwell Park. The game, which is a mix of ping-pong and tennis, is played with paddles on a smaller court with a low net. Other than complaints that the town needs more than one court, feedback has been good. So good, that Assistant Director of Recreation Rose Ann Reggiano is planning a pickleball clinic at Treadwell, September 1. And responding to those requests for more pickleball courts, new courts have been created by painting them on top of existing tennis courts, making two new pickleball locations.

Longtime Newtown resident Loree Ogan, owner of Loree’s Catering in Bethel, would like to dispel any rumors flying about that she is retiring from the business. She and her crew are happily baking and cooking and stirring up good things at the Elizabeth Street shop, and she plans to be there for some time to come. Stop by, she says. She’ll be there to greet you!

Jeremy Perillo, a Life Scout with Boy Scout Troop 42 in New Fairfield, completed his third annual crutch drive this summer. His past two crutch drives in New Fairfield have given mobility to more than 200 children around the world, through the nonprofit Crutches 4 Kids. This past year, Jeremy enlisted the help of other scout troops in the area, including Troops 70 and 370 in Newtown. In just three weeks, 85 pairs of crutches, 21 walkers, and four canes were collected, and Jeremy would like to thank the participating packs, troops, and their leaders who made this possible.  The donations were delivered to the AmeriCares warehouse in Stamford, where they will be shipped to areas in need. Thank you to Jeremy, and all who contributed to this effort.

The Newtown Labor Day Parade Committee announces that the 2015 Legends and Pioneers Award will go to the Sons of Portugal Band. “They’re celebrating their 75th anniversary this year,” says parade president Beth Caldwell, “and they’ve always been there for us. The year we had to reschedule, due to the hurricane, they were our only band, with the exception of the Newtown High School Marching Band.” Congratulations to these parade legends.

Congratulations, as well, to the web manager of Antiques & The Arts Weekly, here at The Bee. Luise Gleason, a Newtown resident who moved to the United States from Germany five years ago, passed her citizenship interview last week, and will take her oath on Friday, August 28, in Stamford.

I’m practicing my scales. I know that the Newtown Choral Society is open to all who love to sing, and I have my hopes up. Rehearsals for the December 13 winter concert begin Wednesday, September 9, at 7 pm, and all voices are welcomed, with no auditions. Director Mary Andreotta will be happy to place you where your voice will shine. The Choral Society meets in the chorus room of Newtown Middle School, every Wednesday evening. For more information, call 203-426-3769 or e-mail lel-choirs3@se-ltd.com.

Let’s not forget — this week celebrates the 95th anniversary of women winning the right to vote. (What, only 95 years ago?) The 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote, was signed into law by Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby, August 26, 1920. Now if only women (and men) would exercise that right, locally and nationally.

Assistance is still needed in putting on the Newtown Forest Association’s 2nd Annual Sunset Wine Tasting, scheduled for September 12, at the NFA Holcombe Hill site, 65 Great Hill Road. The Newtown Forest Association, Inc is a local nonprofit and is dependent upon volunteers and is grateful to all of the volunteer help from the community last year. If you are interested in volunteering, the NFA is hosting a volunteer meeting, Tuesday, September 1. For information or to make a contribution or donate items to the silent auction, contact Dr Aaron Coopersmith at aaroncoop@gmail.com or Bart Smith at 203-313-5712.

I’m happy and sad, all at once. Marsha Moskowitz, a former bus owner/operator in town, who in recent years has shuttled numerous travelers to and from airports, is closing Moskie Transportation at the end of September. That’s the sad part, for anyone who enjoyed her prompt and fun rides. The happy piece is that Marsha was offered and has accepted a full time position at Ingersoll Auto. That’s good for her, and good for Ingersoll’s. Marsha also says that she may still be available off and on after September to do airport runs, using your car. Good luck, Marsha!

If there’s news to be nosed out this coming week, I’ll be shuttling myself about town to find it. Make sure next week to… Read me again.