Our latest newtownbee.com home page poll received a lot of hits last week, regarding favorite movie genres. It looks, so far, like the perfect movie that could be made for Newtown would be a romantic comedy with some action and a little dab of horror.

Botsford Fire Rescue will celebrate ten years of its summer fundraising efforts this weekend, when members of the volunteer fire and rescue company present their 2019 Botsford Summer Bash. The public is invited to the event, to be presented Saturday, August 24, 5 to 11 pm, at Botsford fire station, 315 South Main Street. Live music by Frandango will start at 6, but the grill will be running all night. There is no admission charge; proceeds will be made through the sale of food, drinks and T-shirts. The menu will include burgers, ribs, hot dogs, veggie burgers and corn on the cob. A full bar and soft drinks will also be available. The event is rain or shine.

There is still a final walk and talk with First Selectman Rosenthal. Join our top official on Friday, August 30, in walking the trails at Fairfield Hills, weather permitting, from noon to approximately 12:45 pm. If it is raining or if walking is not an option for you, First Selectman Rosenthal issues an invitation to visit in his office, from 12:45 to 1:30 pm. It’s a great chance for a casual conversation — and a bit of exercise.

One of our favorite worker Bees, Don Miner, celebrated a milestone this past Friday — 24 years working in production department at The Newtown Bee! Congratulations to Don, and thanks, as well. We appreciate his hard work!

You know summer is winding down when the Treadwell Park pool and Eichler’s Cove swimming hours change. As of this Monday, August 19, through Sunday, September 1, swimming will be 2:30 to 8 pm, Monday and Wednesday; 2:30 to 7 pm, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday; and 10 am to 7 pm, Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, September 2 (Labor Day), the final pool hours for this season will be 1 to 7 pm.

It’s still summer, though, and the American Red Cross reminds us that the need for all blood types remains high. You can help by donating. Newtown Rehabilitation & Health Care Center, 39 Toddy Hill Road (formerly Masonicare) is hosting a blood drive this Friday, August 23, from 1 to 6 pm. Walk-ins are welcome. Then, on Tuesday, September 3, the Lions Club will sponsor a blood drive at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. For details or to find another site for blood donations, visit redcrossblood.org.

The Newtown Yoga Festival returns with a program of love on Saturday, August 24. This year, you’ll find yogis and a “buffet” of yoga and mindfulness events at the new Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, at Fairfield Hills. Day-of registration is at 8:30 am, the opening ceremonies begin at 9 am, and programs run to the Closing Mantra at 4 pm. Tickets bought online at newtownyogafestival.org are $40/person; or $50 at the door. You’ll want to bring your own yoga mat and any props you like to use.

Waffle lovers will be happy to know that Cafe Xpresso, 150 South Main Street, is participating in the USA Finger Licking Dutch stroopwafel company’s Free Stroopwafel Day, this Saturday, August 24, from 8 to 11 am. A stroopwafel is a waffle/cookie made from thin layers of baked dough, with a thin layer of caramel-like syrup in between. Sound delicious? Call Cafe Xpresso at 203-304-9955 for more information.

Did you realize how much it costs to put on the annual Labor Day Parade? Right around $30,000. That’s a lot of dough, but if you break it down, it’s barely more than $1 per resident of Newtown. Can you support the 2019 parade? It is such a great fellowship, with thousands of friends and families gathered in the center of town. Pre-parade visiting and noshing abounds, and kids begin to stake out the perfect spots for leaping out and snagging the candy that is sure to be tossed by numerous organizations taking part. It’s a fun, fun morning and a wonderful send-off to summer. What a deal, at only $1 per person, if everyone pitches in. Visit newtownctlabordayparade.org to donate. (And don’t forget to bring your nonperishables to donate to FAITH Food Pantry. Volunteers will be collecting along the parade route.)

September is Baby Safety Month, sponsored by Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA). You’ll find tips about keeping babies safe at all stages of growth at jpma.org. (I like the tip about getting down on hands and knees to see what a crawling baby actually sees — and spot danger before it happens. Think like a baby — or like a cat!)

“Bee” part of the conversation! Contact editor@thebee.com, subject line Community Buzz, if you are interested in participating in the semi-regular casual conversations hosted by The Newtown Bee, or for more information. A single subject will be posed to five or six residents taking part, and the conversation will be moderated by a staff member of the paper. No need to be an expert on any subject — just be willing to share your thoughts with each other. Parts of the conversation may be used in future articles. We want to know what you think is important and hear your views. We are seeking a diverse group and welcome anyone age 16 and older to be part of the conversation. The next Buzz is tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 13.

What makes Newtown so awesome? It’s the people, and we love to help our readers discover the people who contribute to this town. If your family has lived in town for four generations or more, contact alissa@thebee.com to take part in our semi-regular series about longtime residents. You can contact Alissa, as well, if you or someone you know would like to be our Snapshot, the weekly profile of people from Newtown/Sandy Hook. (Check out page 2 of any issue or search Snapshot at newtownbee.com if you are unfamiliar with our Snapshot format.)

Hope On Main Street is coming to town, September 7. This fundraiser/walk for the American Cancer Society co-chaired by Gayle DiBenedetto and Christopher Farrington kicks off at Edmond Town Hall, at 5:30 pm. There will be luminarias lighting up Main Street, music, speakers, and opportunities to donate. The event honors those who have lost the fight with cancer, as well as survivors and caregivers. Find out more at facebook.com/hopeonmainstreet or e-mail hopeonmainstreet@gmail.com. Organizers continue to seek volunteers to help with this event.

Former Newtown resident DeAnn L. Prosia is part of the upcoming exhibit at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, “The Trained Eye: The Art of Railroads & Stations.” DeAnn’s etching, a 12-by-12-inch piece, is entitled “Entrance to the City.” The show will open Wednesday, October 9, and runs through Sunday, January 5, 2020. An opening reception takes place Thursday, October 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The museum is located at 295 West Avenue in Norwalk.

You know as well as I do that this column is an entrance to Newtown. Be sure next week to... Read me again.