Debbie DeBlasi shared this photo of a Megan Circle bus stop celebrating the new school year last week. Students and neighbors gathered in the theme of The Walt Disney Company’s movie Up. The message, according to DeBlasi was, “There is no where to go but… Up!” That certainly wraps up my hopes for students this school year too.

Newtown Parent Connection, Inc., has scheduled its 11th Annual Kevin J. Carolan Memorial Golf Outing for Monday, October 4, at Oxford Greens in Oxford. Sponsors are being sought, and different sponsorship levels are available. Single golfer registration is available along with foursome registration. Not a golfer? Register to join in on the fun for cocktails and dinner only. For more information, including times, and to register, see the website ctparentconnection.org/golfregistration.

Families United in Newtown (FUN) is set to host its first event of the 2021-22 school year on Saturday, September 25, from 11 am to 1 pm at Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, in the Rauner Hall. The Pajamas and Pancakes event will kick off the year, literally. A soccer challenge will be offered, and pancakes will follow with dancing in pjs. An RSVP is required to attend by calling Linda Jones at 203-512-6284.

Local grandmother Brenda Aurelia submitted this photo of her grandsons — from left, Maverick Kearns, James Aurelia, and Danny Aurelia — from the Labor Day Tractor Display & Parade on September 6. The public invited to visit a collection of working farm tractors being displayed by local enthusiasts (no lawn mowers), take photos, meet owners, etc, tractors were then driven along the traditional parade route. The three grandchildren, I'm sure, were not the only ones with smiles on that day. Donations were collected to support the local American Cancer Society fundraising team Home On Main Street for the event.

Speaking of grandparents, it is Grandparents Weekend at the Community Center thanks to a partnership with the Newtown Senior Center and Newtown Parks & Recreation. The weekend will start with a Grandparents Day at Dickinson Park on Friday, September 10, from 4 pm to 6 pm, and attendees are invited to bring their grandchild, special child, or to come with a friend. The Survivor's Swing Band will perform at the event, and sandwiches, chips, and cookies will be served. A firetruck and police cars will be available to kids "to enjoy." Attendees are also asked to bring a chair and blanket. For more information call the Newtown Senior Center at 203-270-4310. The on Saturday, September 11, from 1 pm to 2:30 pm, a Picture Frame Painting Event will be held at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, and attendees are invited to spend quality time with grandparnts by painting a frame together. All art supplies will be provided. This event is free but registration in needed. Call 203-270-4349 for more information. And on Sunday, September 12, the weekend will conclude with a Sock Hop, presented by Newtown Community Center and Newtown Senior Center at 8 Simpson Street, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Preregistration is needed and the event is free. Along with dancing, a photo booth, milkshakes, and more will be offered at the 1950's themed event. 1950's themed attire is encouraged.

United Way of Western Connecticut recently announced its King of the Hill Road Race will be held virtually this year, again, to ensure the safety of participants, who can walk, jog, or run a 5K distance any time between Wednesday, October 3, and Sunday, October 9. Funds raised through the event will benefit families who work hard but struggle to make ends meet in the greater Danbury, greater New Milford, and Stamford area. As in past years, runners can register as part of teams or as individual runners. The cost to register for the race is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. Through the registration website, runners are encouraged to set up personal fund raisers that they can share via email and social media. To register for the race, go to runsignup.com/Race/CT/Bethel/KingoftheHill5K. For more information and specific instructions for registering and setting up teams, go to uwwesternct.org/kingofthehill or contact Stacy Schulman at stacy.schulman@uwwesternct.org or call 203-826-8479.

The continued presence of COVID-19, and especially its delta variant, means at least one less holiday concert in town this year. Newtown Choral Society President Laura Lerman confirmed to us this week that because of the variant, “we have postponed choir practice until January. So very disappointed.” Should the pandemic truly clear away after the new year, we may at least be able to look forward to a spring concert by our local singers.

Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown will be holding in-person and drive-through food collections this month. Donation bags can be picked up in the lobby during Rosh Hashanah services. Filled bags can then be placed in cartons anytime in the lobby on Yom Kippur or any time after that up to September 19. Members of the town’s synagogue will also be collecting food on Sunday, September 19, between 10 am and noon, in the Adath Israel parking lot, 115 Huntingtown Road, from anyone who prefers that option. Donations will then be delivered to Newtown and Monroe food banks by members of Adath Israel’s Care & Share Committee.

I want to share a hearty welcome to the roughly 30 new Newtown Public Schools faculty and staff hired for this school year, shown with Newtown Federation of Teachers President and Newtown High School teacher Trent Harrison, left, at a recent orientation event. Here's to a year full of wonderful lessons and inspirational moments.

I'll be inspired to continue my efforts of collecting Newtown news as long as you promise next week to... Read me again.