Hometown Person for April 17: Judith Discala

The Reiss family is proud of son, Kevin. Cathy shares this with us: Kevin, who is a sophomore studying physics at Boston University and currently back home doing remote learning, learned a week ago that he has been awarded the Goldwater Scholarship! He’s one of three BU students awarded this year, one of four Connecticut residents, and one of the 396 students from across the country to be awarded. Only undergraduate sophomore and juniors can apply for this scholarship, and it’s not unusual for sophomores to not get it the first time, and then apply again as juniors. No doubt Kevin’s being a researcher and author of a physics research paper that was published in a scientific journal last fall helped. I’d say Newtown High, and especially some of his special teachers there, prepared him well.” Congratulations, Kevin!

Don’t feel you have to miss out on doing the crossword puzzle or Sudoku puzzle that you looked forward to in the print edition. Under the Living tab on our homepage, you’ll find Games. That’s where crossword and Sudoku puzzles live on our website — all the time!

If it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny: the Easter Bunny made of rolled haystacks overlooks Route 302 from Castle Hill Farm. This year, the bunny is sporting not only big ears, but the usual smile is obscured by a mask. Spring, in the time of coronavirus...

The Institute for American Indian Studies (https://www.iaismuseum.org) has a few stories of its own and launched a series called “Inside with IAIS” in March. Back by popular demand and social distancing restrictions, the IAIS is continuing its video series “Inside with IAIS” in April. The educational staff at the Institute has pivoted from on-grounds educational programs to internet-based, distance learning programs that are entertaining and educational for the whole family. These programs will take place in April on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 2 pm, on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/IAISMuseum/.

With students learning at home these days, Farm Sanctuary, a national nonprofit in New York state dedicated to changing the way society views and treats farm animals, is bringing its humane education program into people’s homes. The virtual humane education classes for prekindergarten to twelfth grade are being offered to teachers and parents free of charge, and include fun and engaging activities, story times, sing-a-longs, and more. For a list of online programs see its website https://www.farmsanctuary.org/fb-live-virtual-online-classes/.

The Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport is taking good care of the animals there while closed to the public. But they’ve come up with a way for kids to share their thoughts on animals: On Friday, April 3, the Zoo launched an interactive opportunity for children and families. “Do You Have a Zoo at Your House?” asks children to draw pictures and write letters for their favorite Zoo animals or take photos of how they’ve created a zoo of their own at home, using plush animals, blocks, Legos, or costumes. The Zoo’s website (www.beardsleyzoo.org) will include a page where the children’s art, letters and photos will be posted for all to enjoy, as well as featured on the Zoo’s social media accounts.

Are you and Fido feeling a little cabin-feverish? The American Kennel Club shares this press release: The AKC Museum of the Dog has made available a collection of educational content and online material for audiences to access and enjoy the museum’s collection, programs and resources. Audiences are able to experience a virtual tour of its current exhibition, “Mush! A Tribute to Sled Dogs From Arctic Exploration to the Iditarod.” The popular “Paws To Read” program, designed to provide children an opportunity to get creative and be inspired by some of the best children’s fiction books, has also gone virtual. Pre-recorded children’s book readings will be uploaded to the Museum of the Dog’s Facebook and YouTube channel for children to read along online. The books that will be featured in these segments are:

*Dogs Don’t Do Ballet by Anna Kemp

*Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion

*I Will Love You Anyway by Mick Inkpen

*Stubby by Kathy Borrus

Individuals can go on museumofthedog.org to access free downloadable worksheets that feature a variety of activities for families. Children can create artwork using any household materials and submit a photo of their art for the Community Wall. The art will be featured on our Community Wall frames digitally in the Museum galleries as well as our @MODCommunityWall Instagram account. Guidelines for submission can be found on the website. Now, that’s not too “ruff,” is it?

Here’s what I hear from Maplewood Senior Living: “We aren’t letting the current coronavirus situation get our residents down here at Maplewood Senior Living. Thanks to our dedicated staff some residents have been able to help plant seedlings for our gardens, and others have taken virtual tours of botanical gardens. Our associates are even making special springtime deliveries of fresh rosemary bouquets made with love, compassion, and hope to each of our residents. In studies, the smell of rosemary has been found to assist in enhancing memory, and lifting your mood and spirits. A perfect gift during these times.”

Along with the closed signs that seem to be all over town, I’m heartened by the plethora of other signs I see: those that are saying Thank You. Many of the signs are directed specifically at the essential workers who are keeping us fed, and healthy, and in the know. These signs certainly show that Newtown hearts have not lost hope.

I’m pretty sure the Easter Bunny still plans to make the rounds this April 12 (distributing with a mask, and gloves on all four paws), so maybe you want to make sure he is aware of the survey by candystore.com. Candystore tells me that among the ten least favorite Easter candies are jelly beans, packaged cotton candy, Peeps (particularly a hot tamale Peep...), chocolate crosses, and bunny corn. The best candy to find in your basket on Easter morning? That includes foil wrapped chocolate eggs, gourmet jelly beans, hollow chocolate bunnies, and Kinder Joy Eggs candy with the little prize inside. (By the way, Connecticut’s top favorite gourmet jelly bean is Buttered Popcorn, with Cherry and Juicy Pear flavors following up.) Will you be one of the recipients of the 90 million chocolate bunnies made this year? I hope so!

I’ll be back next week, right here at newtownbee.com, so I hope you’ll make time to... Read me again.