Congratulations to the Newtown 9U travel baseball! The team won the rescheduled Memorial Day Tournament at Quassy field the weekend of June 5. Playing from the winners bracket both days, Newtown 9U went 3-0 to win the tournament.

Happy Birthday! To who? Well, to any young person you wish to submit for the weekly chance to win a free ice cream cake from The Newtown Bee and Ferris Acres Creamery. Readers are welcome to once again send in a head and shoulders photo of children, first name, age, date of birth to eliza@thebee.com for publication in “Birthday Wishes” — formerly known as “Birthday Cake.” Be sure and include a daytime phone number in case we have questions, as well as your address.

Do you have great photos of the excitement of the last day of school? Please consider sharing them with Newtown Bee readers. Send your photos to eliza@thebee.com by Monday, June 21, at noon. Who knows? You may then see some familiar faces in the June 25 edition of the paper!

Debbie DeBlasi shared this photo of a Megan’s Circle bus stop celebration proclaiming “We made it!!” to the last day of school. The special celebration was held on June 9 to accommodate the different school and sports schedules for all the students in the area. It was a special year for the bus stop, with many graduations from milestone grade levels. Congratulations to all of Newtown’s students. You certainly “made it” this year!

Are you ready to tee off at the 29th Annual Jack Friel Memorial Golf Scramble this coming Monday, June 21? If you’ve not yet preregistered at newtownscholarship.org/events for the tournament to benefit the Newtown Scholarship Association at the Country Club of Waterbury, get going, golfers! Registration opens at 11 am, lunch begins at 11:30, and shotgun start is at 12:30 pm. You’ll find the entry fees and details on some great prizes at newtownbee.com/05232021/jack-friel-golf-scramble-benefits-newtown-scholarship-association or the previous website noted here.

This Tuesday, June 15, was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Newtown Police remind us, “Older people throughout the United States lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation. Elder abuse can take many forms, such as physical abuse, exploitation, neglect, involuntary isolation, financial exploitation, and emotional abuse. Often times the abuser is a caregiver.” If you suspect someone is a victim of elder abuse, contact our police department for assistance in addressing what could be a life-threatening situation, at 203-426-5841, or 911 if you believe it is an immediate emergency issue.

In his Library Directors Report to the Library Board of Trustees last week, Director Doug Lord noted that it was not until June 1, 2021, that all state libraries reopened. “A cautious attitude has worked for the Newtown library in terms of having zero COVID infections among staff, though precautions were taken when people were suspected of having been exposed. The facility is beginning to open for a few small, sparsely attended meetings and programs. Masking continues to be an area of concern as the agency serves all ages,” he reported. When asked if tutoring would be allowed inside the library during the summer, the library director responded that “no final decision has been made,” but he is optimistic. I’ve been prowling about our C.H. Booth Library and report with confidence that the many safety measures in place should make anyone feel as comfortable about a visit, and appreciate the ongoing cautious approach. I sure don’t worry when I’m there!

Happy Golden Anniversary wishes to Laura and Ken Lerman. The longtime Main Street residents will be celebrating their golden anniversary on Father’s Day, June 20, 50 years to the day they were married (which was also a Father’s Day). Congratulations to the longtime lovebirds!

There’s some fun on the way. Parks & Recreation presents the 2021 Summer Carnival, beginning next Thursday, June 24, 6-10 pm, off of Keating Farm Avenue at Fairfield Hills. Rides, refreshments, and games will keep you amused through Sunday, June 27. The carnival is open 6-10 pm on Friday; 2-10 pm, on Saturday, and 1-5 pm on Sunday.

If summertime means party time to you, and if party time involves alcohol, you might reconsider any partying at a number of Connecticut’s state parks. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection has a list of parks where alcohol is a no-no at portal.ct.gov/deep/state-parks/parks-areas-with-alcohol-ban. Eagleville Dam, Kent Falls State Park, Kettletown State Park, and Lake Waramaug State Park, as well as Sherwood Island State Park and Squantz Pond State Park are on the list of nearly 30 parks, last updated this month.

The New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA) will host its 20th Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 19, from 11 am to 4 pm, according to a press release in my mailbox. If you go, you’ll find FREE admission for all. “The day will be filled with entertainment provided by a number of local talents, including Aleecya Foreman, Nzinga’s Daughters, Abukar & Babafemi, Tre Brown, Jus Hues & Wizdom, and Lance Kamau James. Local soul food restaurant My Wife Didn’t Cook will provide soul food available for purchase. “

Juneteenth commemorates the freeing of more than 250,000 enslaved black people in Galveston Bay, Texas, in 1865. “Historically, celebrations have been community-wide events, bringing people together to share a joyous experience, and the NBMAA is honored to serve its part in carrying on this tradition in New Britain. Excluding a short hiatus, the Museum has marked the holiday every year since 2001 and is thrilled to return to the celebration this year with renewed enthusiasm.” I think you’ll be enthusiastic, as well, if you make time to honor this day.

The American Red Cross is experiencing a severe blood shortage and is seeking donors of all blood types — especially type O and those giving platelets. As a thank-you, those who come to give now through June 30 will receive a $5 Amazon gift card via e-mail, courtesy of Amazon. Visit redcrossblood.org/together for details on that. Locally, a blood drive takes place Friday, June 25, from 8:30 am to 6 pm, at the Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street. Make your appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767.

The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library will present its humongous annual book sale, Friday, July 9 through Tuesday, July 13. Keep an eye open for features in upcoming issues of The Newtown Bee, where you’ll get details on the new hours, special categories, rare book offerings, and more.

Of course, I cannot forget: Many good wishes for a wonderful Father’s Day this coming Sunday to all who celebrate “dadness!” Be sure next week to... Read me again.