During last week’s heat wave, another Parks & Rec Thursday Summer Concert event needed to be postponed. The good news is, those who want to see Gold Roots can still do so. The band will be performing Thursday, August 18, still from 6:30 until 8 pm. Anyone planning to go should make sure they head to the correct place: the concert has been moved from Dickinson Park to Fairfield Hills. Even better, it’s a two-for-one night for those going to see the band. Parks & Rec’s Summer Carnival will be on its second night next Thursday, so there is even more entertainment — and food and game options — that will be going on in the background. BYO seating. The concert will be in the field along Keating Farms Avenue.

Speaking of postponements, next Monday is also the new date for the Luau Party being offered by Parks & Rec and Newtown Community Center. Registration is required for the event, which will run from 5:30-7:30 pm at Dickinson Park and offer plenty of arts and crafts, a dance party, games, and snacks. Call the community center (203-270-4349) or Parks & Rec (203-270-4340) for additional information and to get your family on that guest list. Mahalo!

Do you know someone who has lived in Newtown all their life? Or do you have a new neighbor that just moved to town? Both people — as well as everyone in between — would make a great person to be featured in The Newtown Bee’s Snapshot profile. Reach out to reporter Alissa Silber by e-mail at alissa@thebee.com to recommend yourself or someone who lives and/or works in Newtown. It is a fun way to get to know people and learn more about what makes the Newtown community so special. See page two of this week’s print edition to read about Newtown resident Bob Schmidt.

The American Bar Association (ABA) has honored Sandy Hook resident and local attorney Monte Frank as its Advocate of the Month for “his tireless work to end gun violence,” The American Bar Association announced on its Twitter account, @ABAGrassroots, this week. Frank co-founded Team 26, which advocates for commonsense gun ownership measures and relief from gun violence. The tweet continues, “He represents Connecticut and the ABA House of Delegates and is the chair of the Policy Subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Gun Violence.” For more information about Team 26 see its website team26.org.

Have you been keeping up with our weekly online question? Last week The Newtown Bee wanted to know, “What is the farthest place you have travelled to?” Readers responded. A new question is posted weekly. Readers are encouraged to check facebook.com/thenewtownbee for the latest. Responses may be used for future coverage. Reader responses follow. Answers included Victoria, Australia; Hawaii; Greece; Finland; Durban, South Africa; and New Zealand. One person wrote, “Israel, it was fantastic!” Another person shared, “Huangguoshu Waterfall, northwest of Guiyang, PR China.” And another wrote, “To Italy. It was part of an art history course at Fairfield University. What a wonderful three credits!” And, finally, another person shared, “Being married to a Kiwi, it’s New Zealand and Australia. Before the Pandemic, we’d head down under to visit family every 2-3 years. We’re hoping to head back to Aotearoa in 2023.” What will we ask next? Be sure to check in weekly to share your responses and join the conversation.

The C.H. Booth Library is rolling out new Memory Kits to foster positive experiences between people experiencing memory loss and those who care for them. The kits contain items and activities that stimulate conversation, spark memories, and provide positive interactions. The Memory Kit materials include: jigsaw puzzles, conversation cards, books from past decades, word searches, aqua paints, games and more. We hope that people living with memory changes and their care partners can enjoy the activities together. Newtown residents may reserve a kit online or by calling the library. Patrons can borrow a kit for three weeks. A catalog of available memory kits is available online at booth.biblio.org/eg/opac/results?query=memory%20kits&qtype=keyword&fi%3Asearch_format=&locg=67&detail_record_view=0&sort=poprel.

As State Representative Mitch Bolinsky reminded residents in an e-mail announcement this week, the state’s Tax Free Week is Sunday, August 21 to Saturday, August 27, this year. With Newtown’s public school students set to return to school on August 29, that seems like the perfect time for some back-to-school shopping. As Bolinsky’s announcement shared, “This one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6.35% sales tax on clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item. Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price per item is less than $100, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $100 put on layaway during this week is also tax-free. Tax Free Week was first enacted in 2000 and applies to most clothing and footwear purchases intended for everyday use. Goods not covered under the program include, but are not limited to: clothing or footwear specifically designed for athletic activities: football cleats, specialty boots for fishing, hiking, skiing and other activities, as well as wet suits, helmets and headbands, etc.; accessories: jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, etc.”

Hope on Main Street (HOMS) Founder and Chair Gayle DiBenedetto knows September 10 is going to be here before we know it, and she’s hoping that fellow residents will read this note and immediately contact her. Gayle and others are planning a special event for cancer survivors and caregivers. “COVID took our spirit and forced us to cancel our HOMS event for two years in a row. We aren’t letting it take our event again this year, or our spirit,” she said this week. HOMS is a smaller version of Relay For Life. This year’s is being planned for Saturday, September 10. It will begin — rain or shine, according to Gayle — at 5:30 pm with a gathering/reception in front of C.H. Booth Library, with small tokens/gifts for survivors and caregivers. With a bagpiper then kicking off a walk, all who are able will walk south toward the former police station at 3 Main Street, cross Main Street and head north. Around the flagpole the group will again cross Main Street, and return to the front of the library. Volunteers and sponsors are also being sought. All are invited to contact Gayle as soon as possible; survivors and caregivers should register no later than September 3. Everyone can get additional information by sending an e-mail to homeonmainstreet@gmail.com.

I apologize to all my fellow felines everywhere for not mentioning International Cat Day on August 8, ahead of the day itself. I hope everyone recognized the day, which is held annually to celebrate cats and raise awareness about ways to help them. If you did miss it, don’t worry. I have a way for you to celebrate cats every week: Just promise to ... Read me again.