Enough with the rain already! Of course I’ve been saying this for weeks — 12 of them, in fact — but truly, three full months of rainy Saturdays is enough to make even frogs, snails and snakes wish for some sunshine. And they like rain!

Sandy Hook LobsterFest had an interesting Saturday last weekend thanks to the rain. The tail end of Catherine’s Butterfly Party also had people running for cover when the light mist and heavy humidity turned into torrential downpours for a little while. Among those really looking for a sunny day this weekend are my friends at Newtown Forest Association. Organizers there are hoping the second time will be the charm this weekend, when they hope to present their 3rd Annual SpringFest after it was postponed in April due to rain. Best wishes also to everyone involved in Saturday’s Rooster Run, drive-up retired flag collection, rabies clinic, Stuff-A-Truck Diaper Drive, and the Edmond Town Hall planned drive-in night, details of which are all available in our print and online calendars. No one wants to be contending with rain for any of those special outdoor events.

As I’ve just mentioned — and highlighted recently in this paper and online — the annual Low-Cost Rabies Clinic is planned for this weekend: Saturday, June 14, from 9 to 11 am, rain or shine. A tent will be set up along the eastern side of Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street (the side facing NYA Sports & Fitness Center). Cost is still $20, cash only. Cat and dog owners who want to have their pets vaccinated against rabies will need to have the animal’s current rabies certificate — not tags —to receive a three-year dose. Those without certification will still receive a one-year dose. There are no reservations; just stop by and hop in line. All are welcome, too — this is not just for Newtown residents. Tell ‘em Mountain sent you.

Meanwhile, June is also Dog License Month. The current fee is $8 for spayed and neutered dogs, and $19 for unaltered dogs. Newtown residents can register their dog online by visiting newtown-ct.gov/town-clerk; by sending a check payable to Town Of Newtown c/o Town Clerk’s Office, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT 06470. If you’d like to visit the Office of the Town Clerk in person you’ll need a copy of Fido’s spaying or neutering certificate and current rabies certificate. Registration closes August 31. All registered dogs are entered for a chance to be Newtown’s #1 dog.

Banks Baggett continues to see her little fan club grow. The newest addition to the Bee staff had more people stop in this week to meet her. Among them was Joel Wardenburg, who was delighted by the four-month-old Golden retriever when he met her Wednesday morning. Banks now weighs in at 30 pounds and is going through her shredding phase. Employees already know to keep food away from her and big sister Libby, but now they’ve learned that Banks will happily walk away with and then tear up any loose pieces of paper she finds.

I had a nice note arrive recently from the folks at Katonah-Purdys United Methodist Church in Katonah, N.Y., where Reverend Lori Miller has been ministering since 2023. Lori was the pastor for Newtown United Methodist Church for seven years, having taken on the role of senior pastor there following the retirement in June 2016 of Reverend Mel Kawakami. Her entry into the ministry happened back in 1985, when Lori began a three-year stint as associate pastor at Community United Methodist Church in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. She now plans to retire from the United Methodist Church, according to the note from Katonah-Purdys UMC. I wish her and husband John Halbrook the very best.

Last week the CT State Library announced its inaugural Excellence in Public Libraries Award recipients, and I was very surprised to see our hometown library was not among those listed. C.H. Booth Library has so much to offer visitors of all ages. Plenty of books, of course, but also movies, a wonderful room to sit and enjoy some reading, games, and even the growing “Library of Things” are all available at 25 Main Street. The latter gives patrons an opportunity to try before they buy everything from cake pans, sewing machines and a metal detector to a digital projector, a pickleball paddle set, fishing poles, and much more. In my mind, Newtown’s is an excellent library. I do offer my congratulations to those institutions that are on this year’s list, however: Ansonia Library, being honored for Outstanding Children's Services; Danbury Library, Accessibility and Inclusion; Darien Library, Civic Champion; Hamden Public Library, Advancement in Literacy and Education; Hartford Public Library, Innovative Programming; and Wilton Library Association, Community Engagement. Those locations will be celebrated during an awards ceremony on August 14 in Hartford but honestly, I celebrate Booth Library year-round!

I look forward to celebrating the Second Annual Mary Hawley Public Service Award honoree. I’ve been sworn to secrecy and even the tastiest temptations of tuna will not drag the details out of this old cat but I understand the Award Committee is about to make its decision public.

Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt, and Sunday will be the granddaddy of a day for Bad Dad Jokes. For those who will be celebrating Father’s Day and might have some of those goodies heading your way — or plan to dish some out — I wish you a happy day. I wish everyone happy days, in fact. If you’re keeping track, seven days from now would be a great time to come back and … read me again.