A hardy group of worshippers turned out at the top of Castle Hill on Easter Sunday, braving the 30 degree weather, just at sunrise. Heads nodded in agreement as Jim Allyn sang “Here Comes The Sun,” particularly at the start when lyrics note, “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.” Not only the lovely sunrise, but the chance to worship in person for the first time in over a year, observed Rev Kristen Provost Switzer, made the morning especially wonderful, which co-celebrant Rev Matt Crebbin seconded. Behind the masked faces, you could tell there were smiles being shared to see others at long last. Now that’s the way to start a morning!

The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation has an idea if you are already pondering what to get mom for Mother’s Day. How about a Mother’s Day Tribute? This Mother’s Day, you can fund a flowering herb perennial for the CVH Animal Sanctuary’s new herb pollinator garden in your mom’s honor. For $35 (or more, if you wish!), “your gift celebrates her nurturing spirit while helping Mother Earth and the fragile creatures who call it home. The special mom in your life will also receive a stunning artisan card acknowledging your gift and thoughtfulness.” Visit cvhfoundation.org for details.

Congratulations to Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, whose name will be added to the Newtown Bee Peeps Diorama Trophy for the fifth time following last week’s competition. Following a one-year hiatus — as with so many things last year, our tenth annual Peeps Diorama Contest was also a casualty of COVID-19 — Shannon and two competitors put dioramas up for in-house and Peep-les’s Choice voting last Friday morning. In the end it was Shannon’s design, “January 20, 2021: Kamala Harris, first female US Vice President, is sworn in to office.” Shannon’s diorama depicted Inauguration Day, complete with the Capitol Building, Kamala Harris being sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, with Second Gentleman Doug Ermhoff standing by; President and Jill Biden; Barack and Michelle Obama; and even Bernie Sanders — complete with parka and knitted mittens — and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman. All were dressed in “outfits” reminiscent of what was worn that chilly January morning, right down to tiny, matching facemasks. Competition came from Newtown Bee Editor Nancy Crevier, with “Peeping At A Return To Normalcy,” and Production Department member Lynn Remson, with “Peep in A Box.”

It’s Dodgingtown Fire Company’s turn to benefit from the Big Y Cares reusable shopping bag program. For each $2.49 reusable bag that is purchased this month at the 6 Queen Street location of the supermarket, the local fire company will receive $1 of that purchase price. The bags are available at most checkout locations, and at the service desk in the front of the store.

If you toot any horn of your own, the American Legion Post 202 wants you this Memorial Day, Monday, May 31! As sponsored last year, Post 202 is again presenting “Taps On The Housatonic,” to safely honor departed veterans. Musical instrument players are needed to mark spots along the Housatonic to play “Taps,” beginning at Eichler’s Cove at 10:10 am. Participants will then take part as “Taps” moves north up the river to Brookfield. Post 202 is also seeking photos of deceased Newtown veterans as part of a photo/video remembrance. Deadline for sending photos is May 1. For more information on these Memorial Day activities contact americanlegionnewtown@gmail.com or call 203-577-9568.

It’s ice cream season in Newtown, and I see that the Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop on Church Hill Road is back. Ferris Acres Ice Cream on Route 302 makes its 2021 debut on April 13; but if you can’t wait, I understand that Villarina’s Pasta Shop on Church Hill Road is scooping Ferris flavors now!

You are following Newtown resident Brett Boles’s video series “The M Tea” on TikTok, right? Because I hear actor Mandy Patinkin is, as are almost 95,000 others. In 60 seconds or less Boles has been “spilling the tea” on what makes Broadway musical songs work from a songwriter’s perspective. Check it out. I keep meowing songs he highlights day and night until I watch the next video.

If you are one of the 2,300 voters in Newtown eligible to vote in the special 112th District election, and are not going to be able to cast your vote on April 13, be aware that an absentee voting session is scheduled for this Saturday, April 10, at 9 am, at the Town Clerk’s office in the Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street. Registered voters in the 112th District can cast their vote at this special session. Call the Town Clerk at 203-270-4250 if you have questions.

Emergency operations in town are so important. I’m curious about the $5 million-plus Newtown voters will be asked to appropriate at the April 27 referendum for the continued upgrade to emergency communications, though, so I’ve marked my calendar for the April 12 Newtown Bee Facebook Live event, at 5:30 pm, when principles of that project will provide answers. If you have questions, please send them to Newtown Bee Associate Editor John Voket by noon on April 12, at john@thebee.com.

My ears perked up to hear that the Good Dogs, Great Listeners Storywalk was returning, this time at Fairfield Hills. From this Saturday through April 18, you’ll find the perfect way to enjoy spring weather and share reading with young learners. Laminated pages from the children’s book Good Dogs, Great Listeners will be posted along the route that begins near Glander Field and circles the campus. Thanks to Joel and JoAnn Bacon and the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation for bringing this family program to town. Learn more about the foundation honoring the memory of Charlotte, a victim of 12/14, at charlottebaconfoundation.org.

Have I mentioned lately that even those with all their vaccinations should continue safety protocols — for the safety of others? I’m still licking my paws for 20 seconds each time I wash up, wearing my mask (specially outfitted to accommodate whiskers, naturally), and physically distancing when I’m in a public place with others. You never know who around you has been able to be inoculated against COVID-19 or not, so it seems the simple and polite thing to do to keep everyone safe! How great is it, though, that those who have passed the two week mark after vaccination can finally gather with others fully vaccinated sans masks? Pretty strange to see those full faces again, and pretty wonderful, too. Be sure to keep checking with area drugstores and the ct.gov website to schedule your vaccination if you have not been able to do so yet — it is worth the patience practiced.

I certainly appreciate your patience each week as you await the next column. Be sure to... Read me again.