Lynn M. D’Angelo, CTRS, director of Therapeutic Recreation and Volunteer Services at Newtown Rehabilitation and Health Care Center is so proud, she tells me, of the amazing care employees there continue to provide patients during this pandemic outbreak. I think it is safe to say that the staff there deserves a Good Egg Award — at the very least! Lynn says that the Toddy Hill Road facility is continuing to accept donations of handmade masks for residents and employees, and would really appreciate donations of Ipads or Tablets “so we may continue to use video chat apps to connect our residents to their families. We’ve already completed (since March 11th) over 90 hours of video call so far.” You can contact Lynn at recreation@newtownrhcc.com or call 203-364-3131 if you have donations.

Are you afraid history will forget how Newtown fared during the novel coronavirus pandemic? The C.H. Booth Library is documenting our lives during this period. If you’d like to take part, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdc_XmC_Z7brZegTeHySkUvSuT5sQmJ7vp1-zJskSU2hM14Ug/viewform.

On that same note, consider sharing your story of what is right in your world with readers of The Newtown Bee. Send your 500 word (or less) essay to editor@thebee.com, subject line Community Voices, and we will consider it for publication. Prose, poetry — however you express yourself in the written word, we want to hear it. There is still good in this community on so many levels — let us know how your household is holding up.

The local dog park is closed for now, but how is your pup doing with social distancing/staying at home? Share a photo of your pooch (just the pooch, please!) and a brief positive message with your Park & Bark dog buddies. E-mail your images to roseann.reggiano@newtown-ct.gov and they will be posted on the Park and Bark website on the Tails Of Social Distancing page and on the FaceBook page. Roseann tells me, too, that sadly, NO Strutt Your Mutt dog walk and fair is planned at this time.

Remember that Edmond Town Hall Theatre has a virtual option that will allow you to view the Brazilian Western, Bacarau, and support our local theater doing so. The movie is available through May 14. Kino Lober will create a virtual screening room for ETH and share 50 percent of gains, or about $6 after costs. Tickets will cost $12 and buyers will be able to view the movie on their smart TVs or mobile devices for a total of five days. Theater supporters will be able to purchase tickets to the virtual screening room on the ETH website www.edmondtownhall.org/movies or on the Facebook page.

1st Lt Tyler King, a Marine Corps public affairs officer “currently attached with Task Force Northeast assisting medical personnel in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic” shared an interview link. The interview is with Army Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Robert Bassett, a Newtown native, according to King’s note, who “is currently the Associate Medical Director for Philadelphia Poison Control at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.” Read the interview at https://www.dvidshub.net/video/749492/covid-19-task-force-northeast-lieutenant-colonel-robert-bassett-interview.

This past week was National Teacher Appreciation Week, and one teacher got some love from her students - SHES fourth grade teacher Connie Sullivan, who was entertained by a car parade . Maybe you didn’t get to thank your teacher these past few days, but it is never too late to do so; and don’t forget those parents and other helpers who are moonlighting at home these days as distance learning substitute teachers! Thank you to all!

Horns For Hope last Saturday evening may not have created the noise that the Town of Newtown, Newtown Community Center, and Newtown Chamber of Commerce had hoped, but various neighborhoods around town seemed to have one or two happy residents raising a ruckus in thanks, and if you were in the right place at the right time, the wail of sirens or ringing of bells may have reached your ears. Two participants shared their thoughts on the May 2 event with me, as well as some photos. Thanks to Mary Perry of A Place For Hope & Healing, and to the Kouassi family.

“We consider it a privilege to thank those working so hard for us every day,” said Mary. “And since Hope is what we do, here is a new banner just up today (Saturday) at our home on Walnut Tree Hill Road. May it bring hope and a sense of appreciation for all those on the frontlines and those helping us in our communities every day,” she added.

The Kouassi family also made sure that essential workers and neighbors were specially thanked on May 2, with the three Kouassi girls, Alexine, Camille, and Matiya creating artwork in their driveway to celebrate.

Anna Wiedemann reminds me that there is a great service in town for senior citizens. Newtown Helping Hands’ free Shopping and Delivery Service for Newtown Seniors (60+) and other high-risk residents has volunteers ready to help neighbors less able to get out and about during this pandemic. “This free service has one goal: to keep seniors and other at-risk Newtown residents AT HOME and SAFE during the pandemic,” says Anna. “Clients pay for their orders with cash or prepaid store gift cards and may order every two weeks with four days’ notice, or more often if needed.” Call 203-270-4297 or e-mail newtownhelpinghands@gmail.com to request service. Not only that, Newtown Helping Hands is supporting local restaurants and providing free meals to families struggling with the COVID-19 financial crisis. Find out more at Newtown Helping Hands on Facebook. And, in case you missed the article at newtownbee.com, the April 29 COVID-19 Update will give you some more details.

Is there any silver lining to this social distancing? I would have to offer that yes, for what it’s worth, there may be... Newtown yards should be in the best shape ever this spring. Every nice day finds people in their yards raking, mowing, seeding, watering, feeding, and planting. Another plus? That’s a lot of fresh air and exercise! Stay safe, stay well, and keep up the good work.

It’s Mother’s Day this Sunday, and if you are still pondering what to give, visit cvhfoundation.org and take a look at a special card offer there. It may arrive a bit late if you’ve waited until now, but every day is Mother’s Day, especially if social distancing may mean putting off any get togethers for a while.

Or how about supporting a Newtown small business? I see that Queen Street Gifts & Treats, Castle Hill Chocolates, and the Toy Tree in the center of town all have curbside, delivery, and/or online services available. Give them - or any of your other favorite local shops - a call to see how they are helping you this holiday, and every day, during the shut down.

We’ve had reports of bear sightings from Sandy Hook to the Bethel border in recent days. As much as I enjoy watching birds, I do hope you have brought in your bird feeder (aka a bear feeder during the warmer months...) and are not leaving any pet food outside. The bears are awake and looking for food sources, so accessible trash or food is going to be targeted by these creatures who have an amazing sense of smell. If you encounter a bear or spot one on your property, don’t get closer to take a photo — back away slowly. You’ll find some good tips for coexisting with the big mammals at https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Nuisance-Wildlife/Living-with-Black-Bears.

This is also the time of year when you’ll start seeing newborn fawns. There is no need, almost ever, to be concerned if you discern a fawn that is lying alone, with no sign of Mama Doe. She is most likely not far. Don’t disturb the baby, please! Call a local wildlife rehabilitator if you feel that the youngster is actually abandoned.

I will not be abandoning my column, though, so be sure next week to... Read me again.