Congratulations Lynn Remson, who handily picked up our Peeps Diorama Contest Trophy for another year and Peep-le’s Choice Honors last week. Lynn’s diorama, called Campfire Tails, depicted a small group of Peeps (with arms, interestingly) seated around a campfire and creating s’mores. The Peeps were within a dark forest scene, complete with spooky eyes. Thank you to everyone who took the time to look at the photos online last week. We had just over 250 votes for Peep-le’s Choice this year. Lynn picked up that honor by a landslide. The in-house win — which was a little closer, between Campfire Tails and Peeps in Sheep’s Clothing — is a repeat win for Lynn, who also won those honors last year for her Santa Peep design. The trophy she’s had on her desk in our Production Department will remain right there for another year. Lynn’s competition last week also included one diorama that celebrated The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and another that paid tribute to one person’s love of bowling. The fifth diorama in this year’s competition honored the late Ira “Bob” Born, the legendary candymaker and longtime president of Just Born who created the process to mass produce Peeps, who died in January.

Bingo fun and cash prizes, along with raffle giveaways and concessions, return to the Msgr Weiss Gathering Hall at St Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road, next Friday night. Doors will open at 5:45 pm on April 21, sales begin at 6 pm, and games run from 6:30 until 9:30 pm. Admission is $20 per person, which covers all regular games. This monthly event offers chances to win prizes with each game, and intermission raffle prizes. Reservations are not needed but additional information is available through the school’s administrative office, at 203-426-5102. Not that this cat wants to see anyone’s plans get rained out, but if there is any bad weather visit facebook.com/strosenewtownbingo for last-minute updates.

With springtime comes many people choosing to brighten up their home with fresh cut or potted flowers. Keep in mind that just because a plant is aesthetically pleasing or delightfully fragrant to you does not mean it is safe to have indoors with cats or dogs. One of the most popular spring flowers are lilies (Easter Lilies, Daylilies, Asiatic Lilies, Peace Lilies, Lily of the Valley, etc), which are so toxic to cats that within two hours of ingestion they can experience dehydration, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Chewy.com says that in addition to lilies, other common poisonous plants for cats are Sago Palm, Daffodils, Tulips, Autumn Crocus, Hyacinth, Azaleas, Dieffenbachia, Cyclamen, Oleander, Rhododendrons, and Kalanchoe. If you suspect your cat has ingested a toxic plant, contact the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. It is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Have you wondered what to do with medication in your cabinet that you are not going to use? You can turn in unneeded medication for safe disposal at Drug Take Back day on Saturday, April 22, from 10 am to 2 pm, at Newtown Police Department, 191 South Main Street. It is organized by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Participating in Drug Take Back events can ensure that the medication does not get into the wrong hands and end with tragedy.

Newtown Lions Club is just about midway through its fourth annual month-long, town-wide food drive to help local food pantries. Collection baskets have been set up at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street. Donations are accepted any time the center is open: Saturday and Sunday, 7 am-5 pm; Monday through Thursday, 6 am-9 pm; and Friday, 6 am-8 pm. The collection continues to April 30 and the Lions are looking for nonperishable foods including snack items, along with personal hygiene items.

Local Lions Club member Jennifer Collins interviewed artist David Merrill for an upcoming television special. They chatted about his perspective on some of his favorite paintings from the newly released book David K. Merrill’s Lifetime of Painting. The air dates for the David Merrill Special on Spectrum Channel 192 are Wednesday, April 19, at 7 pm; Sunday, April 23, at 3 pm; Wednesday, April 26, at 7 pm; Sunday, April 30, at 3 pm.

David K. Merrill’s Lifetime of Painting was produced by photographer Rhonda Cullens for the Newtown Lions Club and all of the profits from sales go to Lion’s charities. The book is now available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other international book sellers. Amazon Publishing Pros reviewed the book and made the following comments: “Undoubtedly a gem, David K. Merrill’s Lifetime of Painting is a collection of intimate and brilliantly executed paintings that easily rival those found in most American museums. This stunning coffee table book features over 100 paintings, making it a wonderful addition to any art lover’s collection. Offering a comprehensive overview of David K. Merrill’s lifetime of artistic masterpieces, this book covers a wide array of great works and notable treasures. It is a book that deserves to be cherished and shared with the world, serving as a testament to the incredible talent and skill of this accomplished artist.” If the book sounds familiar it may have something to do with a feature by Reporter Alissa Silber that was published in last week’s print edition and on our website.

TLC Sweet Souls Rescue, a nonprofit animal rescue in Newtown, posted to its Facebook page on March 24 that they need help spreading the word about adoptable dog Skylar. The post stated, in part, “Skylar came north almost two months ago with her best friend Sydney! As luck would have it, Sydney was adopted fairly quickly, but Skylar is still waiting for her most awesome loving adoptive home to find her! Skylar is one sweet dog who just keeps getting overlooked! Skylar is about 6 months old now, about 40 [pounds], and very playful! We have no clue as to her breed makeup and she is pretty much full grown at this point. Skylar is housebroken and is good with other dogs, even cats! Skylar would love an active family that would include her in their daily activities! If you are looking for that special fur baby to add to your family, Skylar might just be the one!” Interested about adopting Skylar or another dog? Visit tlcsweetsouls.rescueme.org.

Did you know that April 18 is National Columnists’ Day? It celebrates all newspaper columnists and their contributions to the truth in black and white. I’m not sure how many columns are written by a cat, but I don’t mind being a trendsetter.

Additional thanks this week to Brian Leavitt, who sent a second note (following last week’s lead from John Pharnes), saying he, too, thinks the Newtown Little League Team pictured in the March 31 Way We Were column dates to the early to mid 1960s. Brian also mentioned he remembers games of that era being played at the former Italian Community Center once located off Berkshire Road/Route 34 where Lone Oak Meadows was built. “Love the photo, the equipment, and style,” Brian noted, before joking, “They look like they were the inspiration for the Bad News Bears movie.”

I don’t know about bears, but I’d be very happy if you would remember to come back next week and … read me again.