This past weekend, Bee Publisher R. Scudder Smith and Helen Smith; along with Newtown Bee and Antiques & The Arts Weekly staff Sherri Baggett, Scott Baggett, Greg Smith, W.A. Demers, and Madelia Hickman Ring trekked down to the Philadelphia Antiques Show to cheer on sister publication A&A editor-at-large Laura Beach as she received the Award of Merit. The award is presented annually by the Antiques Dealers’ Association of America. Publisher R. Scudder Smith won this award in 2006, one of the highest honors in the industry. Through her lifelong passion in the arts, Laura has entrenched herself in its history and stands toe-to-toe among the cast of characters who push it forward today, says A&A Editor Greg Smith. “She is a thoughtful and thorough writer,” he adds, “one of the best in our trade, and we are so fortunate that she has been on our team for the past three decades.” Many congratulations to Laura!

On Saturday, May 4, Newtown High School’s boys’ lacrosse team will hold a fundraiser in support of Connecticut referee Lew Socci, whose 12-year-old daughter, Mary, is bravely battling brain cancer. The Nighthawks will take on New Fairfield at Blue & Gold Stadium at 7 pm, and these lacrosse families are joining forces to show that lacrosse is more than a game; it is a family in which no one fights alone. Donations are welcomed and will go directly to the Socci family.

The Fruit Trail at Fairfield Hills is going to be nudged awake this weekend. Volunteers for sprucing up the walkway gardens can join Andrew Mangold from 10 am to 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. Be sure to bring your work gloves and garden tools and dress for the weather.

Fairfield Hills is growing another crop, too. Robert LaPorta shared his knowledge of five little foxes (kits, I believe) living up there; I’m not going to specify just where, as we don’t want them to be inundated with admirers. Everyone who does spot them “stops and stares at the natural wonder. Even the dogs stop and stare,” Robert tells us. “Mother Fox isn’t anywhere in sight, but she’s probably just hiding out until all the silly humans leave.”

Nominated as one of the top five mixed martial arts (MMA) journalists is resident Chuck Mindenhall. He is a senior writer at SB Nation/MMA Fighting — the leading mixed martial arts website. Friend and supporter Ryan Quinn contacted The Bee to say that online voting is open to public through the end of June. Cast votes at worldmmaawards.com/vote. Nominated three times in the past ten years, Chuck said, “It’s always an honor to be nominated for this award, and here’s hoping the third time’s the charm. I truly appreciate the support.” Follow the website link and the five journalists’ pictures appear under the heading, “MMA Journalist of the Year.” The title is awarded to the leading journalist operating in the field of mixed martial arts, the site states.

After considering a suggestion by one of their partners, who “strongly recommended… that we restructure our fundraising and special events,” Newtown Youth & Family Services last week canceled plans for a Kentucky Derby-themed fundraiser scheduled for May 4. Tickets for that event will be refunded. Contact NYFS, 203-270-4335 or newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org, for additional details or if you have not yet received a refund.

The need for blood supplies never lets up at The Red Cross, be it summer activities taking a toll, car accidents, or other unexpected events. Locally, you can donate blood Tuesday, May 7, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm, at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. The Red Cross tells us that all blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds, and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The final session of Friday Night Bingo at St Rose is scheduled for Friday, May 10. Doors open at 5:45 pm and games run from 6:30 until about 9:30 pm. The family friendly event is held in the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall of St Rose of Lima School, 40 Church Hill Road. Cost is $17 per person, which covers all regular games; special games are also available for a nominal fee. Cash prizes are awarded for every game. Raffles are also conducted, and refreshments will be available. Reservations are not needed, but additional information is available by calling the school’s administrative office, 203-426-5102.

If it is just a couple miles too far for you to make it to the Ice Cream Shop on Church Hill Road or to Route 302’s Ferris Acres Creamery when you have an ice cream attack, Black Swan says it plans to offer a solution for Saturday, May 11 — the day before Mother’s Day. The 182 South Main Street store plans to have an ice cream truck in its parking lot that day — just because. That seems like a good enough reason to me!

Last we heard from Matthew Grills, the Newtown High School and Western Connecticut State University graduate had signed a contract to sing with Bavarian State Opera. The operatic tenor continues to build his resume six years later, having performed with Santa Fe Opera as an apprentice, served as a resident artist with Portland (Ore.) Opera, and performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, among many other achievements. Residents interested in hearing the celebrated tenor will have three opportunities to do so during this summer’s presentation of Berkshire Opera Festival. Performances of Gaetano Donizetti’s Don Pasquale are scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, August 24, and the evenings of Tuesday, August 27, and Friday, August 30. The festival is moving this year to Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington, Mass. In addition to Mr Grills in the role of Ernesto, the cast is also scheduled to feature bass-baritone Craig Colclough in the title role, soprano Deanna Breiwick as Norina, and baritone Emmett O’Hanlon as Dr Malatesta. The performance will be done in Italian with projected English translations. Full details and tickets, which are on sale already, are available at berkshireoperafestival.org/donpasquale.

Going to Provincetown on the Cape this summer? We are notified that Summer 2019’s Town Hall series, produced by Cortale at the town’s largest venue, will welcome back RuPaul’s Drag Race Season six winner Bianca Del Rio with her new show “Its Jester Joke” on July 15. She will be followed by mega-watt duo Debra Messing, the Emmy Award winning star of Will & Grace, and Kathy Najimy, star of Hocus Pocus and the Sister Act films, who will perform together on August 4, with Brian Nash at the piano. RuPaul’s Drag Race season eight winner Bob The Drag Queen, returns by popular demand with her show “Crazy Black Lady” on August 11. The Town Hall series will continue to raise funds for Sandy Hook Promise. For tickets and information, visit https://provincetownarthouse.com/ or call 800-838-3006.

Congratulations to Newtown’s Bob and Richelle Ward Of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, who were featured in the April 2019 edition of Top Agent Magazine.

You know The Bee rocks, but did you know Associate Editor John Voket rocks a little more than some of us? John can be found at a number of venues where he is performing as a musician. He will be opening for both headline acts again this year at the Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Lobster Fest in June, and is doing an opening set this Friday, May 3, at the Danbury Palace for the Tom Petty Project. John’s set at the Palace begins at 7 pm if you are looking for a full evening of great classic rock. Hard to believe our hard working reporters have time to wear another hat, isn’t it?

Don’t forget to register for the Knights of Columbus Run4Hunger. The run takes place at Fairfield Hills on May 11, and as one letter writer this week reminds us, we have many neighbors in need here in Newtown. This run benefits FAITH Food Pantry, which is one way of helping out when times are tough. For information go to run4hunger-newtown.com.

If you’re hungry for news, you know I’m happy to accommodate. Be sure next week to... Read me again.