Sherri Smith Baggett was caught by complete surprise one day last week when a man walked in the front door of 5 Church Hill Road and announced, “My great-grandfather used to own this place.” Sherri’s first response was, “Oh really? My grandfather used to own this place!” It turns out both were correct. A distant cousin, Judd Schollin, was in town to inter his mother, Susan (Susie) Schollin, at Newtown Village Cemetery, and took time to visit 5 Church Hill Road along with his wife and daughter. Judd is a great-grandson of Arthur Judd Smith, who was a co-publisher and owner of this newspaper company from 1892 until 1934. Arthur and his brother and co-publisher/co-owner Allison led the company together until Allison died. Arthur then remained publisher and owner of Bee Publishing Company for another ten years, until his death in 1944. Allison’s son Paul S. Smith was Sherri’s grandfather, and our immediate past Publisher, R. Scudder Smith, was Sherri’s father.

Sherri gave the visitors an impromptu tour of our office, which included a stop in the meeting room where Judd and his family saw the magnificent collection of portraits there of Allison, Arthur, Paul and Scudder. They seemed so pleased to see those paintings, and the entire building where your hometown newspaper continues to be created. Like many others before them, they couldn’t help but mention how unique the office is, with its nooks and crannies and folk art among the work stations. We’re glad we were able to give them a bright spot during their sad visit to town.

Thank you to everyone who took a minute to look through our Facebook photo album last week and vote for their favorite 2024 Newtown Bee Peeps Diorama Contest entry. We received dozens of Peep-le’s Choice votes this year — including three walk-ins and even one emailed in from someone in California who could see the public display of photos but doesn’t have a Facebook account. He therefore couldn’t cast a vote through Facebook, but wanted to nevertheless participate in our tradition.

At the end of this year’s 24-hour voting period, and the highest number of online votes we’ve seen to date, Lynn Remson’s Peep-Go-Round edged out Linda Baur’s Miss Peeps Book Nook by one vote, giving Lynn the Peep-le’s Choice honors for the second year in a row. Peep-Go-Round also picked up our in-house voting, which means The Golden Bunny — our in-house trophy — has been updated and already returned to Lynn’s desk for the third consecutive year. Last week’s win also represents the fifth overall in-house win for Lynn. Shannon Hicks and Owen Tanzer also contributed entries to this year’s competition.

If you’ve somehow missed the news until now, one of the most impressive total solar eclipses in memory will take place on Monday. A total solar eclipse means the Moon will completely block the Sun while it moves perfectly between the Earth and the Sun. When that happens, a shadow is cast onto Earth and the sky turns nearly as dark as night. If you want the full experience, and can be a few hours north of Newtown by mid-afternoon April 8, I say go for it. This eclipse will cross from Mexico into the United States at Texas between 1:30 and 1:35 Monday afternoon. Those in the direct path will enjoy up to 4 minutes, 28 seconds of darkness, as it continues eastward. The Montpelier-Plattsburgh-Burlington region of Vermont is right in the 100-mile-wide path of totality, as is a small section of northern New Hampshire, near Pittsburg. Very northern Maine (think the Presque Isle area) and very northern New York state will also enjoy the full eclipse if you’re up for additional drive time. Witnessing such an event, say many people who have had the opportunity to do so, can be absolutely awe-inspiring.

While many places enjoyed a total solar eclipse in 2017, the continental US had just 2 minutes 40 seconds at best, and it was viewed by 12 million people. Nearly 32 million people live in the path of totality for Monday’s eclipse. The next opportunity to experience a total eclipse will not happen for another 21 years, in August 2045. While we in Newtown will not experience a 100% viewing opportunity on Monday, according to NASA projections, we will enjoy a 90% eclipse at 3:25.

Newtown PD Officer MaryHelen McCarthy has discovered a need in our senior community: Some of our older neighbors love to read, but are finding it challenging to enjoy books due to vision loss. The Newtown Police Department has issued a call on behalf of Officer McCarthy: If you have unwanted books on cassette and cassette recorders, which tend to be more familiar and comfortable to some of our seniors than the newer digital apps and audiobook platforms, she would be happy to take them off your hands and rehome them! Contact Officer McCarthy with questions 203-426-5841. Books on cassette can also be dropped off at the police department, 191 South Main Street.

Calling all Newtown High School alumni baseball players. Get ready to dust off your gloves and relive the glory days on the diamond. Organizers are thrilled to announce the upcoming Newtown High School Alumni Baseball Game, where past players will join together for a thrilling afternoon of friendly competition and reminiscing. The game has been scheduled for Saturday, June 8, at 1 pm, at the NHS baseball field. Registration to play is $50, with all proceeds to benefit the NHS Baseball Program. That registration fee will also be used in part to cover the cost of a T-shirt and baseball cap for each player. Registration includes the opportunity to indicate which position you’ll be playing, share favorite NHS baseball memories or experiences, upload a photo, and even offer suggestions and comments. Players are asked to register ASAP; call 203-394-1850 or send an email to NewtownAlumniBaseball@gmail.com.

Newtown High School Varsity Baseball Coaches Joe Crimi, Ian Thoesen and Matt Memoli are hosting the event, which will also be counting on spectators to make the event more fun for all involved. Food trucks, games and prizes will also be part of the afternoon, which will continue with a post-game gathering at NewSylum.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue will be busy that same weekend. Organizers have confirmed that Sandy Hook LobsterFest 2024 will be Friday and Saturday, June 7-8. Tickets are not yet available, but I understand their presentation will be essentially the same as previous years: full lobster, steak, surf and turf, hot dog or hamburger dinners with sides and one drink will be included in the ticket price. Live music will be played both nights, and proceeds from the family friendly event will again benefit the fire company. I’ll keep you posted as additional details are shared.

Tom Benedetto has promised to keep me posted as this “little rhody,” as he calls it (see second photo), that grows from an old tree stump in his yard. Tom reached out recently to tell me about this tough little plant. The tree was cut down about 55 years ago, he said, and he has been letting it break down on its own. While raking recently, he spotted a little bit of green among the browns and tans of the trunk, and was tickled to see the new life in there. He doesn’t know if the seeds came off a plant from a neighboring yard or were delivered via bird droppings, but he’s getting a real kick out of the rhododendron.

Newtown United Methodist Church member Lynette Daria shared some good news last week. She and the NUMC Mission and Outreach group have done a few special collections recently. Shannon Hicks will be taking a photo for next week’s paper to highlight the handoff of one collection; the other has already been delivered. Lynette said a monetary donation was given to The Period Project, which will be used to create packets of menstrual supplies and then will be delivered to Danbury High School. There is a great need, she said, for those packets. “For some, it’s the difference between attending school or not on those days,” she said.

I say that’s all the time and space I have available this week. I hope you’ll enjoy your time during the next seven days and remember to check in again next week, when you can … read me again.