HOMETOWN PERSON: Kenneth Kopsco

Rotten to the core? Not our town! The Newtown Public School system is urging townspeople to join them in recognizing that At Our Core we are a resilient and postive bunch of people. Beginning this Friday, May 29, and through the weekend, you can use your creativity to come up with apple-inspired messages or creations. Decorate inside or out, featuring the apple in some way, take a photo, and send to PEAC@newtown.k12.ct.us. Stuck for an idea? Find tips at https://youtu.be/6DcGlvjm-QQ.

No-Touch Can And Bottle/Food Drive organizer Dave Ackert shares on his Facebook page an update on the recent drive sponsored by Dave’s business, Maple Craft Foods; Associated Refuse Haulers; Superior Remodelers; and Newtown Human Services: 27 percent of what was collected has been processed so far and redeemed for $1,425 that will be added to the $1,200 already donated to FAITH (plus four truckloads of food that was donated). Dave notes, as well, that more than 25 percent of families are dealing with food insecurity now, “so if you’d still like to help, Maple Craft Foods is offering to deliver breakfast kits that feeds 4-6 people, twice, for just $15 at MapleCraftFoods.com/Shop.

Leslie Ballard, who grew up in Newtown (you might know her from the band Panacea) and whose heart remains here, took it upon herself to see that flags decorating the graves of veterans in The Village Cemetery on Elm Drive were replaced this Memorial Day. Noticing that, most likely due to COVID-19 concerns, the usual flag replacements by volunteers had not occurred, this past Monday Leslie and brother, Corky, a Vietnam veteran , met at the cemetery and “replaced 40 flags at Newtown Village Cemetery. We waited until 2 pm to see if any organizations were going to do it — didn’t want to ruin their plans — but no one else was there,” Leslie tells me. “I could have used a lot more — there are still many ripped and worn ones, but we were able to do all in the two front sections along the road,” she said. She hopes to get more flags and do the rest in The Village Cemetery in the next few days. “It was actually a nice way to pay our respects, reading the names and branches on each service plaque,” Leslie said, recognizing “many familiar names — and our father, who served in WW II.”

Well, there is certainly one business that is thrilled to be making a comeback: the print edition of The Newtown Bee resumes on June 5! (Can you hear me purring?) Among those who have let us know they are as pleased about this as we are, is Laura Roche. Laura bumped into our Associate Editor Shannon Hicks recently and when she heard the news, shared that she felt it is one of those little pieces of normalcy we need to come back to our lives. Thank you, Laura!

Among other businesses in town that are happy to reopen is the Newtown Salt Spa at 43 South Main Street, albeit with limited hours. The relaxation spot has special protocols in place to keep everyone safe. Give them a call at 203-491-2212 for details if you need some R&R away from home or visit info@newtownsaltspa.com.

Koenig Frameworks on Pecks Lane has also announced it is reopening, initially by appointment only. Call 203-270-1887 for an appointment or e-mail them at info@koenigframeworks.com, and visit koenigframeworks.com for details on the gradual reopening.

Paul Sedor is hoping someone can help him find an old friend, John Carpenter, who attended Newtown High School and graduated in the early 1960s. Paul says John would be in his late 70s. If you can put him in touch, call Paul at 203-417-6033 or e-mail plsedor@yahoo.com.

Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport is reopening to the public on June 1. You’ll want to check out the website, beardsleyzoo.org, though before you go as there are several new protocols in place to keep visitors, workers, (and animals?) safe as this pandemic plays out. This includes online ticketing and the day split into two sessions, limited up to 500 guests per session. The zoo will also close from noon to 1 pm each day for extra cleaning. And guess what? Have your mask handy!

I’ll be that masked face nosing out the news again next week, so... Read me again.