Congratulations to State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, District 2 representative challenger Raghib Allie-Brennan, and District 28 State Senator Tony Hwang, as well as the unopposed State Representative JP Sredzinski for their wins in the November 6 elections. All have earned their places after months of hard campaigning. Newtown voters deserve a big hand, too, with 80 percent of eligible voters taking part. Way to go, Newtown!

Diana Johnson called in last week with a perfect recommendation for a Good Egg Award. It seems members of Town & Country Garden Club were working recently on Island No. 2 — the traffic island on Glover Avenue at Main Street — and they were thanked for their work by a driver. But wait, there’s more. Before driving away, Greg Clark gave the ladies $20 so that they could treat themselves to coffee after their work session before he drove off. While Jan Gardner, Arlene Kreinik, Chris Lincoln, Barbara McCann, Sandy Motyka, Maureen Rohmer, and Arline Shanley were digesting that gesture of kindness, Greg returned! The Shelton resident told the women that his mother had been a gardener, and he and she would often admire the work the garden club members did within the three islands they care for in the center of town. That’s when Greg pulled out another $50 and made a donation to the club. For those kind words and gestures, Greg receives a Good Egg Award.

A wallet was found at Newtown Middle School following the Eighth Grade Scarecrow Contest on October 20 and 21. Call the school’s main office at 203-426-7638 if it could be your wallet.

Newtown Forest Association members will formally dedicate Cherry Grove Preserve this weekend. The public is invited for a dedication ceremony and hike within the 30-acre preserve located at the intersection of Palestine, Beaver Dam, and Platts Hill roads; parking will be in the Palestine Road area, with signs posted. The special event will begin at 1 pm, Saturday, November 10, marking the one-year anniversary of NFA’s preservation efforts. The space has been open to the public since May, and people have been enjoying the new location since then, NFA Vice President Bart Smith recently told The Newtown Bee. Light refreshments will be served on Saturday, and all are welcome.

EverWonder Children’s Museum, at 31 Pecks Lane, is collecting nonperishable foods for FAITH Food Pantry. With each donation, museum visitors will receive $2 off museum admission. In addition, the museum will honor all local veterans on Sunday. There will be free admission for veterans and their families on Veterans Day at the museum. See the recent press release for additional programs and special events planned at the museum this month.

Don’t forget that Scout Baxter Page will be posted out front of the C.H. Booth Library this Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 4 pm, seeking donations for his Eagle Scout project. Baxter hopes residents will donate towels, pillow cases, and white socks that can be sent on to St Vincent De Paul Mission in Waterbury.

Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater turns out to be a squirrel! Lynn Remson caught a hungry little squirrel carving out her pumpkins — and not just for Halloween.

I understand that Ben Model will provide some lively accompaniment for the screenings of four 1920s-era silent films this Sunday, November 11, at Edmond Town Hall. The fundraiser for ETH and Merryhill Child Care Center runs from 4 to 5:30 pm; $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 and under. Got questions? Call 203-426-9847.

Newtown High School seniors worked hard to share one chair during a round of musical chairs at the Student Government organized pep rally on November 5. Homecoming courts competed in the game of musical chairs in grade level groups. After each early round, the seniors all fell laughing to the floor, so no one was pulled out from losing a chair. By the final round, all of the students worked together to try to share the final chair. Now that’s teamwork!

Women Involved in Newtown (WIN) will be sorting and organizing donations next week for this year’s Holiday Basket Program. WIN coordinates with Newtown Social Services each year, where a few dozen families in town receive food including fixings for a Thanksgiving dinner, cleaning supplies, and other necessities. Co-Chair Mandy Monaco mentioned this week that the club still needs additional cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, paper goods, and/ Thanksgiving crafts. WIN members and friends will assemble the donations on Friday, November 16, between 9 am and 5 pm, in the hall at Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road. Donations are welcome during those hours. For details or to arrange to make a donation, contact Mandy at 203-426-5600.

The Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys For Tots program is ready to collect new unwrapped toys for children and teens for the holiday season. To be a Toys For Tots drop-off location for donations, e-mail Area Coordinator Dave Silber at dave4handyman@gmail.com or call the Ridgefield Marine Corps League at 203-438-4333.

I’d like to give a special thank you back at Gloria Markey, who called The Newtown Bee office to thank us for placing sample ballots in the October 26 edition of the paper. We are so glad to know that they were of help.

I’m always hopeful that this column is of help, as well. Be sure next week to... Read me again.