My very best wishes to Felicia Figol, who has been sworn in to a new police department. Felicia and her K-9 partner Aris have been partners since 2017; Felicia had been with Newtown PD since July 2004. She served this town very well, as Cadet Coordinator, Marine Patrol Officer and Field Training Officer before taking on the role of K-9 Officer. Prior to that she was an Arizona State Trooper. Her new municipality has a great team joining them. I will miss her, despite the fact she chose in recent years to ride around with that big dog instead of this cool cat.

Following a one-day delay, Newtown Lions Club was able to host its Great Pootatuck Duck Race last Sunday. The 24-hour delay came about due to miserable rain on Saturday. It must have been a difficult decision, but it made sense. Members of a Newtown Congregational Church committee were tickled to learn during a post-worship service meeting last Sunday that Joan and Paul Palubniak used to live in the town where the first duck race in this country took place. Joan mentioned that cool little accolade during the meeting. I hope she and Paul made time to visit Newtown’s Duck Race, which is indeed Great, just like its name.

On their way to the Duck Race on Sunday, Rhonda and Chane Cullens had to wait while a family of geese had a little race of its own. Two adult and three young ducks ran across Berkshire Road just east of that state road’s intersection with Pole Bridge — a dangerous spot for many drivers, never mind four small animals! — but the feathered family was lucky in that the Cullenses saw the quintet in plenty of time to safe and provide safe passage.

Madelyn Brokaw is having a fun week. The young resident started by calling our office on Monday after recognizing her grandfather’s mailbox in last week’s Bee’s Buck challenge. Madelyn was the first person to call in with that correct answer, and that’s how easy it is for readers of all ages to pick up $1. A few hours later Madelyn’s photo arrived to be included in this week’s Birthday Cake column. Hers was the only photo to arrive for this week’s paper, which means young Miss Maddy has also won a coupon for Ferris Acres Creamery!

I offer a nod of thanks this week to the thoughtful and generous FAITH Food Pantry donors who have been leaving items at our office in recent weeks. In addition to only left nonperishable foods, some pet supplies and personal hygiene items, at least a few people have also left reusable bags for the pantry’s clients. We’ve heard from FAITH volunteers over the years that bags are very helpful for their clients. I’m grateful to be able to be the go-between for those helping the Church Hill Road pantry and those who help residents who need a little bit of help putting food on the table or otherwise taking care of themselves and their pets.

At least a few people were generous with their time, and have created a bit of a mystery at Newtown Congregational Church. A stone bench that sits outside the West Street house of faith was askew recently, until someone took the time to reset it. The bench top had shifted, and weighs so much that it must have taken a few very strong people to move it back into position. No one has claimed responsibility for the good deed but I know NCC Office Administrator Vicky Truitt is very happy to have discovered the random act of kindness.

Caylee Brackett is an autistic 13-year-old who is also an aspiring artist. She uses her creativity to her fullest capabilities and believes “anyone can create art, you just need to be determined.” Caylee has begun using her talent to do good for others. For years, her main source of inspiration was fellow Newtown resident Rita Formisano. Rita passed away peacefully last year at age 95, after a battle with dementia.

Caylee has begun designing and selling notecards, and is honoring her late friend by raising funds for The Alzheimer’s Association through their sales. An avid animal lover — “especially cats,” her mom tells me — Caylee’s cards are also raising funds for Newtown Animal Control Center. The hardcore Godzilla fan who also enjoys rainy days, lamb chops, earthy colors, and vexillology, and is a major geography and history buff, has been given a small space for some of her work within Sentimenti, the art gallery and boutique at 3 Queen Street. Proceeds from the sale of her cards will be divided between those two good causes. Caylee’s mom Dani has promised to let me know when those donations are made so we can join Caylee for those happy events. If you’d like to learn more or see additional cards, Dani is happy to connect on Facebook or via text (203-948-6848).

Trinity Episcopal Church will have a special event later this month and they were kind enough to mention it to me this week. Elijah Morris, who is finishing his freshman year at Trinity College (and whose brother received a shoutout in this space last week), has also been the organ scholar at Trinity Church for months. Parishioners of the historic church on Main Street have been treated to his musical talents during that time, and now the public is invited to a full organ scholar recital there. Elijas will be performing at 3 pm Sunday, June 22. His recital will include works by Bach, Widor, Vierne, Hindemuth, Messiaen, Alain and Howells. There is no charge, and all are welcome.

The Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown concludes its 2024-25 season earlier this week, and Joan Reynolds was very excited to share a fun secret about her outfit. “Look at this!” she said, tugging on the sleeve of a very attractive jacket. “I found this at our thrift shop. It matches this shirt perfectly, like they were made for each other,” she continued. She was not wrong, either. Joan was wearing a jacket with shades of pink and tan, and a loose leopard and diamond print. Subtle patterns of sequins were sewn on the arms, panels and neck area of the jacket, which she’d paired with a tan T-shirt that did indeed look like it had been made to match the jacket. She looked wonderful, as did the other VNA members who were

The VNA Thrift Shop has been operating for well over 50 years, and is still one of the best kept secrets for very affordable clothing and household decorations. I love when anyone finds something fun at a thrift or consignment shop. When the proceeds of a sale there benefits others — as all sales at the VNA shop continue to do — it’s a real win-win!

You know what else is a win-win? The opportunity to read this column, which will happen again in seven days. You’ll be a winner if you’ll remember to come back and … read me again.