“She was pretty famous,” Richard said this week, obviously very upset about the death of his friend. “I know the book wasn’t a best-seller or anything, but we sold copies of it around the world. She outlived many critters. She was a very, very gentle cat,” he said. Proceeds from the book’s sales were always earmarked for Newtown’s dog pound fund. Richard and Susan were planning a quiet, dignified burial of their cat and would like friends to know that if they would like to remember Ughy, donations for the Newtown dog pound would still be welcomed in her memory.

Bee Education Reporter Eliza Hallabeck has had a few photo submissions for a summer roundup she is planning for a future issue of The Newtown Bee. She will be compiling all those photos for a feature on what Newtown’s youth did during the summer vacation. Whether enjoying a vacation, staycation, or a day next to the pool with a friend, be sure to snap and photo and send it to Eliza@thebee.com with a short caption explaining the who, what, when, and where. The deadline for submissions is July 30.

Speaking of The Bee, although the newspaper’s survey monkey asked all responders to our recent “How well do you know/trust your neighbors?” informal survey to leave individual names out of their responses, I won’t chide one responder who said, “One of my neighbors is The Newtown Bee, and I love it!” We, especially my canine friends Deeke, Starr, and Rosie, love you too, neighbor. The Newtown Bee posts a new online survey each week, so check in often to tells us what you think about our topics. Some responses may be used for future stories. One went up this week, Wednesday, July 14, that asks residents about how well they sleep. I’d go online myself and answer this one, but I’m pretty sure my cat sleep patterns would throw off the survey! I don’t know how humans have energy without cat naps throughout the day, but then again, I don’t get the option of drinking caffeinated beverages.

Don Leonard was the director of photography about two years ago on a project for a film called A Dance for Grace that was filmed in large part at New Milford High School. The Newtown resident didn’t think anything was going to come from the project, and had all but written it off as little more than a learning experience, when he found out on Tuesday morning that the film has not only made it through the editing suite, it’s being screened! A Dance for Grace, which has been shown in New York and at a few festivals, Mr Leonard said, is going to be screened on Sunday, July 25, at noon, at Bank Street Theater in New Milford.

The Children’s Adventure Center, the preschool located at 14 Riverside Road in Sandy Hook, sent Eliza Hallabeck a short story about a bee this week. Although the bee is not from Newtown, the preschool shared the story written by students Averie, Tahmid, Hanna, Vincent, Rebecca, Kiely, and Summer. “This is a story of a bee,” the students wrote. “Her name is Mint. She lives in a beehive by the ice cream shop in Southbury. She builds a beehive for her friends, because she likes them. She likes ice cream. She wants to share with her friends.” I think I would like to meet this Mint. I’d hold back my fondness for swatting flying insects to befriend any creature who also likes ice cream!

The word from FUN (Families United in Newtown) is Newtowners should keep their eyes open for signs around town in the coming months. The group is a partnership between Newtown High School Honor Society members and NHS parent Linda Jones. FUN, a recreation foundation in honor of Tyler Jones, who was diagnosed with autism at 2 years old and passed away in 2009, will hold meeting for parents of children with disabilities once everything comes together. Tyler worked to promote autism awareness by starting his own company, T.J. Designs, which sold beaded jewelry while handing out brochures. His mother, Linda, approached the high school students with her vision for the group. While FUN will have parents meeting at a location to be determined, the NHS students will watch the children. FUN is counting down to the first meeting, and Ms Jones says fliers should be popping up around town this summer to announce when the meetings will begin. I just couldn’t keep my mouth shut. The news is as exciting as a new cat toy. Good luck FUN!

State of Connecticut Probate Administration representatives recently met with Bethel Probate Judge Daniel O’Grady regarding preparations for the merging of the Newtown, Redding, Bethel, and Ridgefield probate courts into the new 45th District Regional Probate Court. Judge O’Grady was the point official during this meeting because the regional court will be located in Bethel. Judge O’Grady, who is engaged in a three-way primary with Ridgefield Probate Judge Joseph Egan and Newtown Probate Judge Moira Rodgers, said the state officials’ visit shows the Bethel Court is fully prepared to take on the expansion of work and employees for a smooth transition. State officials reviewed space and staffing requirements as well as the court’s proposed budget for the new facility, and indicated the merger and all related administrative issues are on schedule as expected.

The weekly Discussion Salon series hosted by Ben Roberts has found a new home. Originally meeting on Mondays at the now closed Mocha Coffeehouse, the group moved into the secondary dining room at My Place Restaurant on Queen Street this week, and Ben is pretty happy with the move. “Things went very well [there] last night, so we plan to meet there every Monday, 7 to 9 pm, for the foreseeable future,” he told me on Tuesday. The restaurant offers a full menu, including one of the best beer experts in town, so discussions will continue to be fed by current events as well as foodstuff.

While cats are more than content to run around and play at will, it seems canines need a little more guidance. In the continued efforts to plan a dog park (such a crazy thing! bah! when do we get a cat park?!) for Newtown, The Blue Z will host a fundraiser on Friday, July 16, with a performance by the local rock band American Mortar. Suggested donation is $5, and dogs will actually be welcomed as long as they’re on leashes and stay outside. The show will run from 7 to 9 pm, and the Z is at 127 South Main Street.

Maybe I’ll see you at next week’s discussion series, or at some other interesting event that keeps grabbing my interest. Until then, make sure to take time to tell someone you love them, pet your dog, scratch your cat, and come back next week when you can …Read me again.