Holy Cow! Have you had the new flavor at the Holy Cow Ice Cream Shop on Church Hill Road? “Rabbi Cherry Rocker” is a nod to Adath Israel’s spiritual (and rockin’) leader, Rabbi Shaul Praver. Vanilla ice cream with dark chocolate-covered cherries just might send you off your rocker, for sure.

I reminded you last week, so I’m sure you have the boxes and bags of books ready to donate to the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, this coming Sunday, May 4. From noon to 5 pm, volunteers will accept books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, games and puzzles, in the rear parking lot of the Main Street library — and will be happy to give you a receipt for tax reasons, if you so desire.

“Claydates” returns to HealingNewtown on Saturday, May 3. Join in on pottery fun under the instruction of experienced potters Karen Pinto and Rosiland Liljengren, in the lower level of the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, from 1 to 3 pm. There is a suggested supplies fee of $5 at the door, and you can sign up at www.healingnewtown.org.

If you are in the mood for something a bit more rambunctious this weekend, how about heading over to the grand opening of the Park & Bark dog park on Old Farm Road (below the Governor’s Horse Guard), Saturday, at 11 am? Newtown’s dogs will get their first chance to gallop across the two-acre park that day — and everyone gets to make new friends. (Wag if you like this.)

You just might want to plan a return trip to NCC, Saturday evening, for Open Mic For Newtown Youth. The May event shifts its start time by 30 minutes, beginning at 7:30 pm, instead of 7 pm. It will run until 9:15. Poets, musicians, and all entertainers are invited to share their talents, in The Great Room at Newtown Congregational Church. Suggested donation is $1. Adult family members attending are invited to bring a nonalcoholic drink or snack to share. All ages are welcome to attend. Signup starts at 7:15 pm, however doors will be open by 7 pm for those who wish to wait in line. There are spaces for about 20 performers with a time limit per spot of five minutes. Signup is first come, first served. Microphones, keyboard, guitar amp, and more will be available (live music only, please, says event organizer Jim Allyn). Youth under grade six must have a parent or guardian present. For additional information contact Mr Allyn at 203-270-9659 or jimallyn24@aol.com.

I would say that Larry and Linda Whippie are deserving of the Good Egg Award, for their leadership in the Field of Flags project at Newtown Congregational Church. Larry and Linda made sure that the lines of flags were placed in straight lines as volunteers made their ways down the hillside last Friday, planting 6,800 American flags, each representing a life lost in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.  If you have not yet seen the display, it is worth a walk over to West Street. The Field of Flags will be displayed in Newtown for another two weeks.

Six months after a new project of his premiered on PBS, Jeff Belanger learned he had received an Emmy nomination! The Newtown native — the author of more than a dozen books on the paranormal, a noted speaker on the subject of the unexplained, and the host of the www.cable.web talk show “30 Odd Minutes,” among other accolades — learned this week that his work has been nominated for an Emmy. The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for Boston/New England has selected New England Legends: The Spooky Berkshires for consideration in the category of Magazine Program/Special. The program was created and produced by Jeff, with PBS producer and director Tony Dunne. The series debuted, appropriately, on Halloween 2013. This is Jeff’s first Emmy nomination, and Tony Dunne’s fourth. Winners will be announced at the 37th Emmy Awards on Saturday, June 7, in Boston. Jeff’s parents, Nancy and Eddie, still live here in town. Is there an Emmy party being planned, do you suppose?

Gary Frenette, the town’s zoning enforcement officer, shared that his daughter Julianna is on the verge of getting her driver’s license, providing her with a means of independent transportation, and Gary finds it hard to believe his little girl is old enough to do so. Happy motoring, Julianna!

Rudy Edwards visited The Bee office Monday morning with an unusual find: a double duck egg. It is the second time in as many years, said Rudy, that he found an egg that had been laid by one of his ducks, in which an egg had been laid inside the egg. “I have heard that chickens sometimes lay double eggs,” Rudy said, “but I don’t know how common it is for ducks.” If you look at the photo,  you can see the egg-inside-an-egg. There is a little bit of membrane connecting the two shells. Rudy found a similar egg last year, he said, but that one was undisturbed when he found it. This year’s egg was pecked at by some of his chickens, he believes, before he could save it. He wouldn’t be surprised to find another double duck egg next year, he said. “I’ve had a little talk with my ducks,” he said, with a smile. “I asked that they lay a golden egg the next time around.”

Still thinking about what to get mom for Mother’s Day, May 11? You can always Google “Best Mother’s Day Gifts” and go from there… or shop locally. Gift certificates to a spa, gym, or nail salon might be perfect for your mom. Pick out gardening tools and seeds, or maybe a planter you’ve planted yourself with herbs and flowers, for the mother with a green thumb. Free passes to the movies or an upcoming concert will bring a smile to the theater-loving mother, and be sure to give her some sparkling “bling” to wear when she goes out. Is she a fan of Alex & Ani bracelets? Handcrafted candy or homemade biscotti and a gift certificate to a special restaurant for your foodie mom is special, or pick out a special craft beer or ale for the hops connoisseur. These — and more — are all available right here, in your own hometown. I’m pretty sure mom would appreciate your supporting the local economy. (Don’t forget that it is dandelion and violet season. What can beat a wildflower bouquet presented with a kiss?)

I’ll be ready to give you the news next week, with or without a kiss, if you will just… Read me again.