It's all in the family for the Ashbolt family of Newtown. Dad Mark, mom Francis, son Stephen and daughter Emily all participated in the Rooster Run this past weekend. You may have noticed them race by, wearing T-shirts designed by Emily: Francis "Flashbolt," Emily "Dashbolt," Stephen "Smashbolt," and Mark "Cashbolt." Stephen and Emily crossed the finish line together, as did their parents, with Francis, Stephen, and Emily each running away with a trophy. At least Mark got bragging rights…

The very kind Representative Elizabeth Esty, whose district is home to Sandy Hook, brought Senator Chris Murphy a care package during his recent filibuster, consisting of Diet Mountain Dew, Doritos and foot cushions. While the snacks may have given Senator Murphy the energy to keep going, the filibuster only served to force a vote on bills to keep anyone on a terrorist watch list from purchasing weapons and expanding background checks for gun purchases. Neither of those bills made it through the Senate.

I guess they will take this sitting down… House democrats, including Connecticut representatives Himes, Larson, DeLauro, Courtney, and Esty, took part in a sit-in on the floor of the House of Representatives, Wednesday, to push for a vote on gun violence, joined by Georgia Rep John Lewis, pushing Republicans to address gun violence in the legislative chamber.

The Newtown chapter of Hearts of Hope sprang into action following the Orlando shooting. Nearly 100 Hearts of Hope volunteers gathered at the Newtown Untied Methodist Church last Wednesday evening to create hundreds of the hand painted clay hearts. Each originally painted hearts and a message of encouragement is bagged in an organza bag. Hearts of Hope are sent to places in need in times of tragedy, and are distributed randomly. The Newtown hearts will soon be distributed about Orlando, showing once again, sadly, our support in a time of sorrow, and hopes that this small gesture of kindness will soothe the recipients. The brainchild of Judith Pedersen, more than 70,000 hearts from various chapters across the nation have been given away since 9/11.

Celebrating its ninth anniversary, The Southbury Farmers' Market kicked off the season Thursday, June 23, on the green at the Southbury Town Hall, 501 Main Street South. Many of the vendors and farms have returned each year, including Sunrise Sunset Farm of Bethlehem with all sorts of vegetables and Doug's famous garlic; Goatboy Soaps of New Milford with soap and body products; Lisa and Rick also bring a few baby goats with them to the market. The market is open every Thursday, from 3 to 6 pm, through October 13.

Our own Newtown Farmers Market will open Tuesday, June 28, from 2 to 6 pm, and take place each following Tuesday through October. Shoppers can look forward to the addition of food truck vendors this season, as well as many favorite farmers returning to share their bounty.

This marauding bear was caught not only red-pawed, but also red-eared, I would say. Bear #146, as his tags clearly indicate, found a snack from a Cider Mill Road garbage can this past Sunday evening.

So, back in April, more than 320 people gathered at Blue & Gold Stadium at Newtown High School for a few hours, to participate in the Newtown Dance Mob. Part of a celebration of Newtown Dance Week (NDW), the event - which organizers hope will become an annual event - brought together dancers from six local studios to perform a dance mob routine and celebrate the official unveiling of the Wingman For Dance program. A video created from the event was entered in the 2016 NDW Dance Mob contest. Capturing the sheer joy and togetherness everyone experienced that day, the video emerged the winner, taking first place ahead of 30 other entries from across the United States. The video can be watched at https://vimeo.com/165995907. Following the success of this first event, the organizers are already planning a bigger and better dance mob for next year. Wingman is a unique youth leadership program from Dylan's Wings of Change. Wingman for Dance is the latest module in the series, specially adapted for studio environments and designed to inspire young dancers with the courage and empathy to go above and beyond for each other and create strong and inclusive communities. General applications to join Wingman for Dance will open in July. Meanwhile, to learn more about Wingman, check out the website at wingmanleague.org, e-mail WingmanforDance@gmail.com, or find the group on Facebook.

Are you up for some real mountaineering type hiking? Join Aaron Coopersmith of the Newtown Forest Association, who is leading a short, but sweet, rigorous fun hike, Saturday, July 2, starting at noon. The hike leaves from 29 Dayton Street, Sandy Hook, at the entrance to the Rocky Glen State Park, which is part of Al's Trail. All ages are welcome, but young children must be accompanied by a guardian. Please dress accordingly. Leashed dogs are welcome. RSVP to aaroncoop@gmail.com.

The only roughing it I'll be doing is when I move from one cushion to the next. Nonetheless, you know I'll come up with more nosey news, so plan to… Read me again.