Among the well wishes we received last week as the calendar changed from 2019 to 2020 was a note from Newtown Earth Day organizers. The group is well into planning for the 13th annual event, which will return to Newtown Middle School’s front lawn on Saturday, April 25, tying into the 50th anniversary of International Earth Day. Organizers are already looking for volunteers, saying that while the event will run from 10 am until 4 pm, “there is plenty to do before, after, and during” the festival. If you are interested, visit newtownearthday.org and click on the About link or send a note to info@newtownearthday.org. Vendors are also welcome to reach out; those notes should go to vendors@newtownearthday.org.

It was elbow-to-elbow at Reverie Brewing Company this past Friday evening, when Newtown Congregational Church hosted a fundraiser for the Resiliency Center of Newtown. Donations at the door supported this organization that promotes community wellness and therapies at its 153 South Main Street location. The Whiskey Brothers and Jim Allyn and friends provided terrific music — and an impromptu singing of “Happy Birthday” to NCC member Jerry Cole by the whole crowd was pretty special. (Not to mention, Jerry was about to embark on a trip to Biloxi, Miss., where he and others from NCC provide support to those in need through repairs and rebuilding.)

A presentation this weekend of "Echoes of Sinatra and Dino," a family-friendly concert featuring a nine-piece orchestra performing a stylish tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, will double as a fundraiser for Sandy Hook Promise. Ridgefield resident Steve Kazlauskas, renowned for his vocal stylings of Sinatra’s songs, and equally talented Dean Martin tribute artist Jack Lynn headline the show. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, January 11, at 7:30 pm, at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge in Ridgefield. Tickets are $50-$75 each, with optional Meet & Greet upgrades available for an additional $25. Visit ridgefieldplayhouse.org or call the playhouse box office at 203-438-5795 for reservations or additional information.

We hear from Steve Danyew that the composer and former Sandy Hook resident will have the honor of hearing his new work, “Entrata,” performed on Saturday, January 11, by the Florida All-State Band, under the direction of David Ragsdale. The 8-minute piece, according to Steve, is dedicated to Conductor Gary Green, who Steve performed under while at the University of Miami. Next month, Steve’s “Lamentation for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble” will receive several performances, culminating with a performance at TMEA on February 13. The 9-minute piece was commissioned by World-Wide Concurrent Premieres Commissioning Fund Inc and was written in memory of Isaiah Ray, who was a euphoniumist and music education graduate of Sam Houston State University before his death in 2006.

Boy Scouts from Troop 270, remain available to pick up Christmas trees from Newtown and Sandy Hook residences this weekend and next. Sign up for tree pick-up on the Facebook page for troop270newtownchristmastreepickup (tinyurl.com/vakjhlx), or access the online request form directly at tinyurl.com/yx2yrv9f. There is a $10 donation for the service. E-mail troop270trees@gmail.com for more information.

The first Friday Bingo Night of the new year, January 17, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, is in the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall of St Rose School, 40 Church Hill Road. Doors open at 5:45 pm. Admission is $17 per person, for all regular games. Special games are an additional small fee.

American Legion Post 202 Senior Vice Commander Donna Monteleone has her work cut out for her, as she has shared with me: “As you know, my ‘homework assignment’ from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day is getting active duty contacts for Valentines for Troops... So far, we have contacts with units from Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force to Army. Two of our Army units are from Connecticut. You may have seen one unit in the news leaving for deployment recently. We also have some young people who are stationed state-side but who are guarding our shores.

Adults can write letters in Word and print out more than one copy if they want to send out more than one letter. Adults, of course, can add their address or e-mail address, if they chose. Student correspondence should always be through their teacher and schools. If you have a contact that is currently on active duty, and they would like to join our outreach, please send me their name and e-mail address ASAP to ndrandle@charter.net.” If there are churches or other organizations who would like to join in this year’s outreach, contact Donna soon.

Players 55 years of age and up can join in on pickleball at Edmond Town Hall gym, which began Monday, January 13, and continues weekly, 10 am to noon, until April 6. Hosted by Newtown Parks & Rec, Pickleball Ambassador Jan Brown will lead the game. Register through Parks & Rec at newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation, Activity 226003

You’ve heard of gathering wool, that art of fanciful daydreaming; well, Simon Pategas has not been daydreaming about any wool, but gathering a collection of woolly sheep items over the past few years. His display of 50 of his stuffed sheep and sheep-related items are on display through January 31 in the CH Booth Library Children’s Department. Not “baaaa-d” I say!

If you see sad faces around the office of The Newtown Bee this Friday, it is because we are bidding goodbye to our copyeditor, Steph Myers, who for the past year and a half has used her keen eye to prevent literal mishaps from making their ways into print. We will miss her good humor, patience, and incredible fortitude for reading mass quantities of writing every week — not only in The Newtown Bee, but for Antiques & The Arts Weekly, as well. Thank you, Steph, from all of us!

Who thought much about Alexander Hamilton before the Broadway show brought the story of one of our founding fathers to the forefront of our minds? If you have become a fan of the early American rebel/historical figure, mark your calendar for this Sunday’s Newtown Historical Society presentation of “Hamilton: Misery, Money, and the Musical That Made Him Famous.” The 2 pm program facilitated by Dr Raymond Sullivan takes place in the lower meeting room of C.H. Booth Library.

There are some great volunteer opportunities on the horizon for the NHS Blue and Gold Booster Club. The Newtown High School Athletic Department is looking for a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer for the club. The Blue & Gold Booster Club is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to strengthen all Newtown High School Athletics through community support, while encouraging public attendance at all athletic events. Any and all interested community members can e-mail NHS Athletic Director Matt Memoli at memolim@newtown.k12.ct.us for more information.

It is not too early to think about the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for your sweetheart. Not sure what to get or where to go? Just like the holidays, consider shopping local. Check out the advertising in our paper, and you’ll see that there are so many places just a hop, skip, and a jump away from your front door, with fabulous ideas for the ideal present. Gift certificates to restaurants (or a reservation at one!), chocolates, jewelry, flowers, massage, gym memberships, wine and spirits, favorite foods, that perfect card... the list goes on and on for Valentine’s Day presents that shine. You’ll be happy, and your true love will think you are the cat’s meow.

Speaking of the cat’s meow, I’m sure you are already looking forward to my next week’s “mewsings” on life in our community. Be sure to... Read me again.