Spring Book Donation Day, sponsored by Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, is scheduled for this weekend. Volunteers will be in the parking lot of the library, 25 Main Street, on Sunday, April 10, rain or shine from noon to 5 pm, to help unload donations and provide tax receipts. Donations of new and gently-used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, video games, board games, and jigsaw puzzles are sought. Donations are used by the Friends to raise money for the library in the big annual summer book sale, scheduled this year for July 8-12; The Little Book Store near the circulation desk on the second floor of the library; and the Holiday sale in December. For additional information on Spring Book Donation Day, call 203-270-4537 or visit boothbooksale.org.

Michael Unger spoke with Newtown Bee Editor John Voket recently, and the two caught up on all things NewArts and this summer’s planned production of Seussical the Musical. There are still openings for those who would like to participate, whether on stage in front of audiences or as part of the crew. Another round of auditions has been scheduled for Saturday, April 9, from 10 am until 3 pm, Michael told us last week. The auditions are all virtual, and there were still plenty of appointments available as of Wednesday morning. There are openings for performers in first grade through college age, and performances will be in August at Newtown High School. Pick up a copy of last week’s Newtown Bee or visit NewtownBee.com to read John’s feature after speaking with Michael. Conversely, see the calendar listings in print and online for details, including links to John’s story and to the NewArts audition page.

A few Newtown residents will be part of “Celebrate! A Lifetime of Middle Eastern Dance,” a special event planned for Sunday, April 24, at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall. Riskallah Riyad, who will be hosting the afternoon event, will be joined by local students and at least five professional guest dancers will all be part of the 2 pm performance. Tickets are $30 for adults, $10 for ages 12 and under, and can be reserved at riskallah.com or WCSUtickets.ticketspice.com/celebrate.

NHS student-athlete Marc Maurath has started a Newtown Community Service Project called Kleats For Kids. He has a booth set up at NYA Sports & Fitness with a goal to collect 200 pairs of youth and high school cleats for sports, including baseball, soccer, football, softball, lacrosse, etc. Maurath is working with a national nonprofit called Leveling The Playing Field which will help with distribution to programs in need.

It took a little time, but we believe we finally know who the unidentified man is within the group photo that ran in the March 25 presentation of The Way We Were. Former longtime resident Evie (Pendergast) Andrejczyk called in to tell us she was pretty sure it was Coach Harold DeGroat, and after digging through some archive photos, we believe Evie is absolutely correct. Evie was among the countless children who learned how to swim from Coach DeGroat (in Curtis Pond in Sandy Hook, no less), and recalled some of his leadership in early Newtown school athletics. With that final piece of the puzzle filled in, we thank everyone who helped fill in the names of all the men in that photo.

Steve Danyew, a Newtown High School and Frost School of Music-University of Miami graduate, recently concluded a stint as composer-in-residence at the 2022 Colorado State University-Pueblo Festival of Winds. During the festival, the CSU-Pueblo Wind Ensemble premiered Steve’s new work, “American Nocturne,” which was the third and final piece in his Magnolia Star trilogy. Steve also had an opportunity to speak with students about composing, met with local high school directors, worked with a guest conductor and one of the festival’s four high school honors bands as the group prepared his arrangement of “Amazing Grace,” and even made time to make his debut as a percussionist. With just two hours of rehearsal time, Steve and others put together a short program of music — including his work, “Green Diamond” — which was all performed later that day for high school students participating in the festival.

A reminder this week that at least the next two Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) artist demonstration programs will be at temporary locations. SCAN usually meets in the lower level of Newtown Meeting House, but is going off-site this month. On Wednesday, April 13, at 5 pm, Guilford-based artist Steve Plaziak will offer a watercolor demonstration in the community room of C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street. Later this month, Jacqueline Jones will present a demonstration, using oil paints to create a water lilies scene. That program is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, at 1:30 pm, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. SCAN is asking that all guests of its programs be fully vaccinated; masks may also be requested. Reservations are not taken for SCAN programs, but additional information is available at SCANart.org.

I noticed this week that former The Newtown Bee Editor Nancy K. Crevier added two additional paintings to her current display at C.H. Booth Library in the Mary Hawley Museum Room on the third floor. Nancy’s display showcases landscapes, with a focus on clouds as seen at Holcombe Hill Wildlife Preserve. She has 16 small paintings on view in a glass case, and now two more larger paintings.

Newtown High School students participated in the school’s Annual Day of Silence on April 8, a day when those participating create a void of silence in solidarity with those who are still in the closet or are unable to come out. “By not using your voice on that day, you support and represent those who cannot use theirs,” an announcement for the event read. The event was hosted by the school’s Gay-Straight Alliance and students signed up in advance to participate.

St Rose of Lima School teacher Valerie Petrillo captured this photo of a rainbow over Church Hill Road from the vantage point of the school at 40 Church Hill Road on April 1. I know what April showers bring ... I’m hoping April rainbows bring hope and brightness to all.

Another reminder for our readers — especially those who follow us on Facebook — next Friday morning will be the time to vote in the 2022 Newtown Bee Peeps Diorama Contest. Shannon Hicks is hoping to defend her win from 2021, when she picked up her fifth championship title with her creation, “January 20, 2021: Kamala Harris, First Female US Vice Peepsident, Is Sworn In To Office.” We know that Lynn Remson is just itching to show off her design this year, though, and perhaps win her third title, and the honor of hosting the Peeps Diorama Contest trophy at her desk for the next 12 months. We’re hoping there will be a few additional entries to select from. We will have in-house voting Friday morning, and we will also offer Facebook voting for The 2022 Peep-les Choice Award. Do plan to visit our Facebook page (facebook.com/TheNewtownBee) between 9 am and noon to vote for the diorama of your choice.

I will happily award myself a trophy as long as you promise next week to... Read me again.