I would type this in all-caps if my paws worked that way: Newtown High School’s Marching Band & Color Guard will be in the May 30 Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and I could not be prouder. More information, and photos, are in this week’s Education section. But if you read nothing else, note that the parade steps off at 2 pm on Monday, and it will be livestreamed starting at 1 pm online at musiccelebrations.com/2022-nmdp. I’ll be wearing red, white, blue, and gold while watching. March on Nighthawks!

Readers are reminded that while Memorial Day is one of the days when we traditionally lower the flags, that honor is done only for the first part of the day. Flags should be lowered to half-staff at sunrise, and remain lowered until noon, then raised briskly to the top of the staff, in honor of those who have died while serving in American wars.

EverWonder Children’s Museum is working on a new off-site all-ages event, and registration opens this weekend. Mad Hatter’s Tree Party is being planned for Saturday, June 11, from 10 am until 2 pm, at Holcombe Hill Preserve, 55 Great Hill Road. There will be guided nature walks with forestry experts, live animal demonstrations by Christine’s Critters, giant yard games and science crafts, and a tea party with Alice, Mat Hatter, Queen, and others. Costumes are encouraged, and “curiosity required,” according to organizers. Admission is free, but registration is required and is available online at everwondermuseum.org.

A reminder that St Rose Of Lima Roman Catholic Church celebrated the opening of registration for new and returning families for the 2022-23 Religious Education school year this week. Registration opened Monday, and can be done online through strosechurch.com/how-to-register. There is an early bird tuition freeze available through June 30. Classes will begin in September, and will meet weekly. Additional information is available at the website above.

Congratulations to St Rose of Lima School Principal Dr Bardhyl Gjoka, who recently earned his Doctorate of Education degree in education leadership from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield. He officially graduated on May 14, after previously successfully defending his dissertation on “analyzing the effects of mathematical mindsets and self-regulation of middle school students to overcome the challenges of math anxiety.” Then on Friday, May 20, Dr Gjoka wore his graduation garb to Mass at St Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church, and is pictured with Sister Thaddeus Rajca, left, and Monsignor Robert Weiss.

I am making plans for Labor Day weekend already: Panacea has announced its annual show will be returning to Dickinson Park again this year. Panacea & Friends is scheduled for Sunday, September 4, at Dickinson Park. The headliners will perform classic hits of the 60s-80s; additional performers TBA. The music will start at 2, and the event will run until 6 pm. Weenie Lynn’s Food Truck is scheduled to be at the park, and those planning to attend will be asked to consider donations — nonperishables or financial — for FAITH Food Pantry, via the Second Annual Bridget Seaman Food Pantry Drive.

Newtown High School’s sports teams have been swinging for the fences in the South-West Conference tournaments. Check this week’s, and next week’s sports sections, for coverage of the softball and baseball squads, as well as track and field, lacrosse, tennis, volleyball, and golf.

Congratulations to Jennifer Hubbard, president and executive director of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, which honors the memory of her daughter, who lost her life at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14. Hubbard will be one of three honored at an upcoming Girl Scouts of Connecticut Annual Legacy of Leadership Luncheon fundraiser, slated for June 8. The event will honor Hubbard, Judy Frey of Westport, and Polly O’Brien Morrow of Stamford, for, “leading with compassion and making sustainable change in our communities,” as Chief Executive Officer of Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT) Diana Mahoney said in an announcement recently. Congratulations to Hubbard and her fellow nominees!

Here’s some more animal news: The Animal Control Shelter recently posted this on its Facebook page, “Newtown Animal Control Shelter,” that “June 1 is fast approaching! There are way too many unlicensed dogs in Newtown, which is a ticket-able offense. Dogs that are 6 months or older must be licensed and have a valid rabies vaccination. It only costs $8 to license your dog if they are spayed/neutered, or $19 for unaltered dogs. This money goes towards the feeding and veterinary care of our shelter animals. It is a one-time annual payment that costs a lot less than a $75 ticket for not licensing your dog. You have the entire month of June to do this before the late fee is added on. More information on licensing your dog can be found at newtown-ct.gov/town-clerk/pages/2022-dog-license-information.”

For the second consecutive week, we have reason to smile at the actions of others. Margot Hall reached out late last week, requesting a Good Egg Award for a kind, anonymous shopper at The Big Y on Queen Street. Margot said she was waiting in line around 5 pm Saturday, May 14, with a cart of groceries, when she noticed the “lady shopper holding two or three bags of sugar” right behind her. As many of us have done before, Margot invited the lady to go ahead of her, rather than making her wait while Margot’s larger order was rung up. The woman thanked Margot, and told her she was cooking meat at home when she realized she didn’t have the brown sugar her recipe called for. The woman’s order was rung up, and then she “waved and left the store hurriedly.” No doubt to get back home to take care of the cooking food. When Margot reached the register, the cashier then told her that the woman had left something for Margot: “several bills for far more than her purchase. I was stunned,” she shared. To the woman who offered a gesture of kindness in return to a simple act of kindness, Margot wishes to say the following: “Thank you kind lady for your generosity, and I am going to pass on your generosity as a donation of those bills to FAITH Food Pantry from both of us!” We share Margot’s thoughts that that kind woman indeed deserves a Good Egg Award.

The Newtown Bee asks a weekly question on our Facebook page, facebook.com/thenewtownbee, and I can’t help but share the answers to the latest question here. Last week The Newtown Bee asked, “How did you meet your best friend?” And readers responded with the following comments. “When she moved in across the street when I was 7 years old and had a horse. We have been lifelong friends ever since, and both live in Newtown now.” “Catholic School. First grade. Now Godmother to my son and friendship 30 years strong.” “At the animal shelter. She was in a cage, I brought her home.” “At the bus stop on Elm Drive and Bonnie Brae in the early 70s!” We wish all these wonderful friends many more great years and smiles together.

I will smile as long as you promise next week to ... Read me again.