My heart is ringing with pride at the news that the July 24 bell ringers volunteering time for the Newtown chapter of the Salvation Army raised nearly $1,000 that Newtown’s Human Services Department will use for “back to school” supply purchases. Those supplies will then fill backpacks that will go to neighbors in Newtown in need of assistance. From 9 am until 4 pm on July 24, the tinkling bells and Christmas carols called out for donations at multiple locations in town. Ninety percent of the funds collected during each Salvation Army-Newtown chapter event stay right in town. According to a summary from the day, $197 was raised at Bagel Delight, $228 at Bottle Stop, $262 at Dunkin Donuts, $173 at the General Store, and $116 at Yankee Liquor.

Speaking of the start of a new school year, I have noticed my human coworkers are busier than normal these days, preparing for our annual Back to School supplement. It is set to run with the August 20 print edition of the paper. I can not wait to see what they come up with for this year’s supplement. Did you see all of the responses to our weekly question on Facebook last week? Each week we post a question for our Facebook followers to respond to, and responses may be used by The Newtown Bee for future coverage. The deadline to be included is always the following Monday at noon. Last week’s question was, “Who was your favorite teacher?” Readers offered nearly 450 responses. A round-up of those responses will be in the Back to School supplement.

As Your Healthy Pet reminded its Facebook followers at the start of July, it is Pet Hydration Month. I know the month is coming to a close, but August is also a hot month and pet hydration is still important. Remember to always supply fresh water for pets, both indoors and outdoors.

Newtown Bridge Club, the third largest bridge club in Connecticut, is affiliated with the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). The club holds five ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games each week: 12:30 pm Mondays, 12:30 pm Tuesdays, 12:30 pm Wednesdays, 6:50 pm Wednesdays and 12:30 pm Thursdays in the Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street; online bridge games are held Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings. Bridge lessons are available at various times. For more information, visit newtownbridge.org or contact the club manager at 203-733-8525 or director@newtownbridge.org.

The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library shared its thanks for those who are again donating books, CDs, DVDs, LPs, and puzzles in the library. It also wants people to remember to leave donations inside the donation room, not in the hallway. The donation room is just opposite the elevator on the first floor. Donations can be placed on the tables to the right.

Speaking of the library, its summer reading programs are still under way and continue until August 20. Learn more about its summer reading programs for kids, young adults, and adults at chboothlibrary.org/summer-reading.

“Martha Dobbs arrives at the airport in Washington DC on January 7 to discover she has been placed on the no-fly list. FBI Agent Jane McCaffrey will help her understand why.” So reads the program notes for Missus Dobbs, American, a very recent work by Newtown resident, playwright, and actor Kate Katcher. The work is among those being featured until August 2 in this summer’s Rogue Theater Festival, which is based in New York City and, for audiences, is completely virtual. The four-person Missus Dobbs, American additionally features Kate in the title role, Don Striano, as a homeland security agent, Blanca Grande as a ticket agent, and Barbara Distinti as Jane McCaffrey. Interested in streaming a performance? Tickets are $10 individual or $25 for a group, and are available online at showtix4u.com/event-details/54196.

Need to clear some space in your home or office? Newtown Congregational Church openings for anyone who would like to participate in a community-wide yard sale being planned for Saturday, August 14. There is no charge to participate, and anything made by each seller is theirs to keep. Organizers are simply hoping to provide the room for multiple groups, clubs, nonprofits, families, individuals, etc., to spread out, present items, and participate in a community effort. The sale will run from 11 am until 3 pm at the church, 14 West Street. If you are interested, call 203-747-5627 or 203-426-4529 by August 11 to reserve a space. While most items will be welcomed, organizers note homemade foods cannot be offered.

Newtown Parent Connection, Inc, will again host the Kevin J. Carolan Memorial Golf Tournament, this time for the 11th year, and organizers hope that people will be at Oxford Greens on Monday, October 4, for tee off. Kevin believed in Newtown Parent Connection’s mission and supported every element of its operation. He cared deeply about the impact it makes and the lives it changes. In his honor, Newtown Parent Connection raises funds for its programming. Registration will be open soon. Newtown Parent Connection hopes people will start putting their foursomes together now, and later register to attend the tournament’s dinner to ensure an exciting (and profitable!) evening. Upon completion of the event details, Newtown Parent Connection expects to send out a link to register and will begin soliciting sponsors for the event. Save the date and keep your eyes and ears open for more information.

I promise I will continue to keep my eyes and ears open for more Newtown news as long as you promised next week to... Read me again.