Newtown resident Doug Mac Hugh was pleased to find out recently that the Equity show that he directed for the Barnstormer’s Theater in New Hampshire last August was picked as one of the five best shows of the year. The play, The Weir, written by Conor McPherson, was nominated for best actor, best actress, and best director (that would be Doug)! The Barnstormer’s Theater has been around for 80 years, Doug tells me, and was founded by Grover Cleveland’s son. There are even still Cleveland family members serving on the board of directors there. Congratulations, Doug!

Someone who knows them very well has nominated Head O’ Meadow kindergarten teacher Gail Diminico and her morning and afternoon classes for Good Egg this week. Mrs Diminico’s classes have been doing random acts of kindness throughout the school year. In addition to sending cards and care packages to one Newtown resident serving in the Marines, they have made hand-tied blankets for NICU babies, collected toys for children at the Dorothy Day House in Danbury, and collected candy for goodie bags for the Veterans Home. For the upcoming 100th Day of School the classes are collecting cans of soup to donate to a soup kitchen. Mrs Diminico asked room moms at the school year’s first meeting to ask parents to not send in goodie bags for monthly celebrations in class, but rather encourage the children to perform a random act of kindness to learn the importance of helping those in need. Wow – multiple Good Eggs to these Kindergartners and their teacher! If the Good Egg had a hat, she would definitely doff it.

It’s not quite like seeing the first robin, but I always feel a little hopeful that beneath the snow banks beats the heart of spring when I hear that softball sign-ups have begun. Check out newtownsoftball.org if you have a girl born between 1995 and 2003 who is longing to swing a bat and send a ball flying over the outfield fence.

Bethel Public Library is already thinking ahead to spring and gardening, and they have enlisted one of our favorite Newtown gardener/authors to present a program in its 2010 Gardening Series. Sydney Eddison will be the featured speaker on Tuesday, March 23, with “Gardening for a Lifetime.” The program will share how Sydney has simplified her garden and gardening techniques — while still maintaining a gorgeous home landscape — and will run from 6:30 to 8 pm. Call the library for details about this and the other two programs in this series, or for reservations (strongly suggested for the popular series), at 203-794-8756, extension 4.

“Hoo-hoo’s” that? That was the question Arts and Antiques Advertising Manager Sue Capponi had when she and husband Gary peeked into their mailbox last Sunday morning.  Taking refuge from the bright daylight was a little screech owl, much to their surprise. After checking with wildlife experts, who agreed that the visitor would most likely take wing when dusk fell unless it was injured, Sue and Gary took a couple of photos and then left the owl to its daytime nap. When they checked post-Superbowl, the screech owl had indeed checked out of the mailbox motel.

Here’s a little “Sage” advice from me: Get thee to the Edmond Town Hall next Saturday, February 20. Sage DeSimone was watching the early news reports of last month’s earthquake in Haiti and decided she could do something to help those who were affected by the natural disaster. So the Reed School fifth grader has organized a bake sale, and is hoping fellow Newtown residents will keep her in mind when they are running their weekend errands on February 20. Sage and some friends will be in the lobby of Edmond Town Hall that day, selling homemade baked goods to raise funds for Save The Children. The Helping Haiti Bake Sale will begin at noon and will continue for a few hours. If you would like to help Sage with supplies, she would love to hear from residents who are willing to donate baked goods as well. Give her a call at 203-364-7956. While the bake sale is scheduled to start at noon, Sage and her friends will be at the town hall by 11 next Saturday morning to set things up and receive baked goods donations.

For those seeking a bit of culture, Polly Brody will read from her new book, Stirring Shadows, Sunday, February 21, at 2 pm. You get to take a road trip for this one — Polly will be at Border’s book store in the Southbury Plaza (Exit 15 off of I-84 East), 100 Main Street North.

The rehearsals for the Newtown Choral Society’s spring concert are still in their infancy, so if you have been sitting on the fence as to whether or not you should join this nonaudition community singing group, it is not too late. The Choral Society meets Wednesday evenings from 7 to 9 pm, in the Newtown Middle School choir room. This spring’s concert, at the Meeting House on Main Street, is scheduled for May 15. So, chime in. Men and women, young and old are welcome. All you need is a desire to learn more about the art of singing.

If you are part of the “sandwich generation,” caring for both your own children and your parents, mark this upcoming event on your calendar. A variety for health care professionals will participate in a panel discussion sponsored by Senior Helpers of Sandy Hook at C.H. Booth Library, from 7 to 9 pm, on Thursday, February 25.  The first in a series of health seminars, “Caught Between Growing Children and Aging Parents” will address many concerns of adult children caring for aging parents in the home, while juggling raising their own children.

The Paris Piano Trio is scheduled to perform on Valentine’s Day, February 14, at Edmond Town Hall. Sponsored by the Newtown Friends of Music, the concert begins at 3 pm and tickets are just $20. Seems like the perfect Valentine’s Day date to me. Call 203-426-6470 for ticket information.

Valentine’s Day will be just a memory by the time this column rolls around again, but here’s hoping you will still be sweet enough next week to…. Read me again.