The halls of The Newtown Bee this week were buzzing with news from our sister publication’s website: The Bee Publishing Company announced the promotion of Madelia Hickman Ring to Editor of Antiques and The Arts Weekly to fulfill the position of Gregory Smith, who is leaving the company as of January 27. Ring has been employed four years as associate editor at the paper and will be familiar to its many readers. We wish Smith the best of luck in his next adventure, and we are thrilled to have Antiques and The Arts Weekly in the hands of the amazing Hickman Ring.

Speaking of buzzing, are you passionate about honey bees, beekeeping, or protecting precious pollinators? Because the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary has a hive and different ways to participate with its efforts. There are Intro to advanced classes available for all skills and interest levels. It also has a BEEKIND Beekeeping Club, a friendly and helpful community of new and experienced beekeepers created to support participants. “Engage with other like-minded apiarists, learn the latest ‘buzz’ from the experts, and have fun every step of the way,” an announcement reads. Register or learn more at cvhfoundation.org/events.

Wishing a happy retirement to Hawleyville Post Office Postmaster/Transfer Coordinator Mark Favale, who is retiring on January 21 after working 43 years for the United States Postal Service (USPS), 23 of which were in Hawleyville. Those who wish to send their farewell sentiments and well wishes to Favale are invited to write a Letter to the Editor.

We extend our sincere apologies this week to Daniel Delvecchio, who donated to sponsor a luminaria in honor of his father, John Delorenzo, for the Ram Pasture tree lighting last month. Newtown Parks & Rec provides the information for the donations each year, and somewhere in the process, we missed including Daniel’s donation in the paper. Daniel was among the many who helped make the tree lighting another beautiful event thanks to the lights on the trees and the luminaria that line Ram Pasture and roads that lead to that historic property. Thank you to everyone.

Now that we’ve had a good stretch of very seasonal temperatures, Newtown Parks & Rec was able to open the ice rink at Dickinson Park. The rink is under cover of the pavilion, so easiest access is from the park’s Elm Drive entry. Note that ice hockey is not permitted there, and Parks & Rec also asks that everyone simply be courteous to each other. They also ask that everyone be off the ice by 7:45 pm daily. The park closes and gates are locked at 8 pm. For additional details or to check on ice status, contact the department at 203-270-4340.

A virtual Juvenile Justice forum is slated for Monday, January 24, at 6:30 pm. According to an announcement from State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, Newtown lawmakers and representatives will discuss changes to state laws, recent data, and the proposed House Republican’s plan to address crimes committed by juveniles, such as the rash of car break-ins in the summer and fall of 2021. To register for the virtual event go online to repbolinsky.com/crimeforum and e-mail questions to info@housegop.ct.gov.

Congratulations to Cover Two Sandy Hook. We learned that the local sports bar was recently the recipient of a $1,000 tip for its staff from the Marcus Lemonis Lemon-AID Foundation through its “Great American Tip Off” competition.

Also this week a reminder that Newtown author Andrea Zimmermann’s planned author event at The Brookfield Library will be next week. Originally planned for the first week of the month, Andrea is now scheduled to be at the library, 182 Whisconier Road (Route 25) in Brookfield Center, on Wednesday, January 27, from 5 to 6 pm. She will be signing copies of her latest book, A Legacy of Lies, A Rock Ridge Mystery (which will be available for purchase), and talking about her writing process. Masks are required. You haven’t heard about the new release? Eliza Hallabeck wrote all about it in the December 24 print edition. If you don’t have that week’s paper still lurking around, it was also posted online. It’s worth a read, just like Andrea’s book.

I’m planning on eating some waffles on February 17 in honor of Galentines Day (popularized by the sitcom Parks and Recreation), and Vein Institute, 33 Church Hill Road, has an event planned. The “Botox and Bubbles” event will run from 4 pm to 7 pm that evening to celebrate Galentines. Attendees will meet the Vein Institute’s team and learn about its services. Botox $15/Unit will be performed by a board certified physician and there will be a bonus swag bag of goodies, which will include a coupon for a future Botox treatment. Spots are limited for the evening and an RSVP is required. Call 203-426-5554 to RSVP.

The Board of Education heard from Newtown’s Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue and most of the public school principals at its first budget meeting this week. And I couldn’t help but note hearing the principals praise Newtown’s teachers for all they are doing for our youth. Teachers are working through burnout, through changing roles, and through added stress from the most recent wave of the pandemic. Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2 to May 6 this year, and all school staff deserve a bolster then and now. Maybe a small gift or kind note would help relieve the stress of your child’s teacher? In my experience, a few words of encouragement when I am burdened go a long way.

We learned this week from Michelle Greenspan that: “On January 3rd, at 6 am in the morning, one of Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s ambulances went out of service for maintenance and repairs. Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps (NVAC), a mutual aid partner to Stony Hill, was able to loan them a Newtown ambulance so that Stony Hill could remain in service and provide emergency care to the Town of Bethel. NVAC has loaned the ambulance for approximately two weeks while Stony Hill’s ambulance undergoes repairs. During these two weeks, when NVAC needed additional support responding to calls in Newtown, Stony Hill was able to assist NVAC and respond to Newtown in our loaned ambulance. A great showing of partnership and neighboring community support!” And because of this note we are nominating both NVAC and Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department as Good Eggs. Congratulations! You are Good Eggs! And we thank you for helping, always.

Did reading about the Good Egg Award make you think of someone worthy of it? To nominate someone for the award, e-mail editor@thebee.com with a nomination, including the first and last name of the worthy person along with a description of why they deserve the award. I love sharing news of good deeds and good people in town.

And you know I will get the word out as long as you promise next week to... Read me again.