No, that was not some new java concoction that Starbucks’ manager Peter Johnson was stirring up in the garbage bag behind the Church Hill coffee shop Tuesday morning. Peter, as always, was going the extra mile for a customer who thought he had dropped his wallet in the garbage. So, on went the gloves, and Peter got down to the dirty business. They came up empty (sort of…) but luckily, the wallet did turn up elsewhere. Whew. Someone owes Peter a cup of coffee!

When our readers have devoured every word that there is in each issue of The Bee, sometimes they must turn to a competitor. So, you New York Times readers may have come across a familiar Newtown name in the recent Sunday Book Review, featuring a book by Nicholas Schmidle. Nicholas is our very own Mae Schmidle’s grandson and a contributor to the New York Times Magazine, the New Republic, and Slate. His book, Two Tumultuous Years in Pakistan, a collection of anecdotes, looks at why US policy toward that country is not changing, based on his two years traveling across Pakistan. Congratulations to Nicholas, whose book was very well received by reviewer Joshua Kurlantzick.

A lot of people know Mary Maki for the hard work she donates as president of the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library. But what many do not realize is how much more she does, says a friend who thinks Mary deserves the Good Egg Award. Mary started the genealogy club in Newtown and has worked diligently to organize the genealogy collection; she and her husband, Ray, and Harlan Jessup created a list of those in the Irish cemetery in Danbury; she keeps current The Newtown Bee obituary index, and has maintained a database for the rare books for the annual Book Sale. For more than five years, Mary has coordinated the Friends’ newsletter. She has assisted with many book projects concerning Newtown’s history, including working for 11 years on the Newtown Oral History Project with Andrea Zimmerman and Dan Cruson. She is co-leader with Liz Arneth of the daytime adult writing group, and is member chair of the Newtown Garden Club. In addition, says this fan, “Mary Maki offers incredible support to everyone she knows. She encourages people in their endeavors, offers to bake something special for any event, and volunteers at or attends openings, book signings, readings, events, and receptions as a show of support. She is a true team player and never puts herself before the good of the larger community goal.”  Mary, you are a Good Egg! Congratulations!

Reed Intermediate School principal Donna Denniston retired this spring, following six years at the helm. Ms Denniston steered the school through its infant years, since its opening in January of 2003, and will be greatly missed by the staff, parents, and students who had the pleasure of knowing her.

But Newtown is ready to welcome with open arms one of its own into the vacated RIS principal position, beginning this week. Dr Sharon Beitel, a Newtown resident and recent principal at Huckleberry Elementary School in Brookfield (as well as a former Head O’ Meadow teacher) stepped into the principalship at RIS on Wednesday. Congratulations and good luck, Dr Beitel. And welcome back to Newtown!

I would have purred my farewell to Newtown Bee intern Sarah Ferris on her last day, this past Monday, but it seems that purring has come under suspicion. According to a BBC report, “Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a ‘soliciting purr’ to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.” Researcher Dr Karen McComb even added “Obviously we don’t know what’s going on inside their minds, but they learn how to do this, and then they do it quite deliberately.” Now, really. It almost makes cats sound sly and manipulative. And we all know that is not true… hey, is that ice cream over there? PURRRRRRRRRR.

Whether you’re a member of VFW Post 308 on Tinkerfield Road or not, the men’s auxiliary invites you to a picnic next Saturday, July 25. From 11 am to 4 pm, join them for hamburgers and hot dogs, liver with bacon and onions, raw clams, chicken, deep fried turkey, and sausage and peppers. Admission is $15 per person or $25 for a family with kids ages 12 and under, including soda and beer. Kids can jump in the bounce house and a DJ will provide music, rain or shine. Call 426-9316 for additional information.

Local funny man Andrew Kennedy does not often perform in Connecticut, but if you are swift, you can still get tickets to his one-night-only comic show at the Huntington Street Cafe in Shelton, Saturday, June 25. Tickets are just $15 for some New York City quality comedy and are available by calling 925-9064; or stop by the coffee house at 90 Huntington Avenue in Shelton and ask for Peter. Visit Andrew’s website at andrewkennedylive.com for information about the show and venue. Seating is limited, so don’t think about this for too long. I’ve already got a smile on my face just thinking about the good time.

The Newtown Bee’s Facebook account reached 600 fans on Tuesday! That’s pretty good, but let’s bring that number up. How about 1,000 Bee fans by this time next week? I know there are more of my fans out there, and, of course fans of The Bee, so sign up for an account on Facebook and search for The Newtown Bee to become a fan. As stories break, Bee fans get updates and links to our website, extra photos that may not have made it to print that week, and a weekly Newtown question that you can answer. It’s the best way to keep up with what’s happening around town, especially if you don’t already tweet with us on Twitter.

It would truly be “tweet,” though, if next week you would…. Read me again.