This is what I love about Newtown: there is something for everyone. Last weekend, for example, I could choose from numerous tag sales benefiting local charities, check out healthy happenings at the annual Health Fair, go to the first ball game played on the new Fairfield Hills ball field, celebrate the fifth anniversary of Kevin’s Community Center with Mozart, Merlot & Mums at George and Shane Miller’s on Main Street, check out the music at the new Flagpole Radio Café, go for the gusto at the Grapes of Wrath bike race, lend an ear to the first Newtown Friends of Music concert of the season, or take in a bit of history at the Middle Gate one-room school house. And that doesn’t even include the school functions. I have a feeling that the next few weeks are going to be equally a whirlwind of activity.

Take this weekend, for instance. I’m already gathering together clean, used clothing and small household items for the Salvation Army Collection at Newtown Ambulance garage on Saturday. If I get going early enough, I can stop by the Fall Fair at Christ the King Lutheran Church. Then I have to decide if I can squeeze in a hike with Newtown Hikers before heading out to Newtown Scholarship Association’s wine tasting at Rock Ridge… or should I take in the play at The Little Theatre? Decisions, decisions. Well, it’s all in good fun and so much of what goes on in Newtown is for a good cause. I guess it is Nicer in Newtown.

In addition to pumpkins, changing leaves, and cooler temperatures lately, if you had any doubt that fall had in fact arrived earlier this week, visitors to The Bee’s office had to look no further than Bridget Seaman’s desk. By late Monday morning Bridget had celebrated the return of fall on one of two days many people believe an egg can be balanced on its end (the first day of spring being the other time this can be done). I didn’t want to burst her bubble at the time, but it turns out egg balancing can be done at any time. Snopes.com and myriad other resources have reported on the fact that it has nothing to do with the earth’s gravitational pull, the sequence of the moon and the sun, the tides, the weather or even the time of day it’s done… with some patience, almost anyone can balance an egg on its end at any time of the year. I applaud Bridget for her tenacity, if nothing else.

There’s nothing sketchy about this program; oh, actually, there is…. Resident and celebrated children’s book illustrator Paul Meisel will be among those celebrating the opening of “From Sketch to Finished Publication” next weekend at Weston Public Library. Paul is one of six Connecticut-based illustrators who will be represented in the exhibition, which presents works and explains the process of creating work that will become published in a children’s book. An opening reception is planned for Sunday, October 5, from 2 to 4 pm, at the library, 56 Norfield Road. In addition to Paul’s work, the show will include works by Lizzy Rockwell of Norwalk, Jeff Seavers of Westport, Sanna Stanley from Madison, Hans Wilhelm of Weston, and Linda Wingerter of New Haven. The collection will remain on view until October 24.

Love is in the air at some of Newtown’s schools. There may be many months between now and February 14, but for some residents Valentine’s Day is approaching fast. This year will mark the fourth year students at Sandy Hook School have written letters to servicemen and women overseas, and this year students at Reed Intermediate School will also be joining the number of students who celebrate Valentine’s Day by sending handwritten cards to those serving in the military. Organizer Donna Monteleone Randle is continuing the efforts of the project by sending out emails this week to bases up and down the East Coast for information on service people who might appreciate a heartfelt Valentine’s Day wish. Ms Randle said that she also welcomes Newtown residents who know of anyone serving overseas desiring a Valentine to contact her at ndrandle@charter.net.

If it seems like there are more four-day weeks than full weeks of school coming up for Newtown students, it really isn’t your imagination. Students in the Newtown school system will have shortened weeks through the middle of October, just in case any parents start wondering why kids are sleeping in one day a week. Newtown schools will be closed on Tuesday, September 30, as those of the Jewish faith celebrate Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This day marks the beginning of ten days of self-examination in which the errors of the past year are reviewed and improvements in the coming year are resolved, ending with the holiest of Jewish days, Yom Kippur, October 9, which is also a day off from school. Then comes Monday, October 13, when Columbus Day is observed, followed by just two full weeks of school before Election Day, November 4, gives students another day off the and again on November 11, Veterans’ Day, the following week. Does that mean the kids and teachers have to cram five days of learning into four every week?

I think most people are aware that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Fire Prevention Week falls during October, as well (this year, October 5–11), but how many know that it is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Down Syndrome Awareness Month?

According to the American Institute on Domestic Violence, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury in women in America, with 5.3 million women abused each year. For more information on violence in the home and workplace, visit aidv-usa.com.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development describes Down syndrome as a “set of mental and physical symptoms that result from having an extra copy of Chromosome 21.” This incurable condition causes a slowed development, mentally and physically. To support Down syndrome research and education, or to find out about nationwide “buddy walks,” visit ndss.org.

Passing by Maple Corner Farm on Hattertown Road the other day, I thought for a minute that I had shrunk. But no, it’s just that the pumpkins growing there are so enormous that they would dwarf anyone. Apparently, growing giant pumpkins is a passion shared by many gourd growers, and the nearly 500 pound behemoths growing at Maple Corner Farm are just the tip of the iceberg. For a look at some photos of eye-popping pumpkins, visit bigpumpkins.com  or ctpumpkin.com. If you’re already deep into giant pumpkin growing, you’ll want to check out the information at ctpumpkin.com about the Norwalk Stew Leonard’s 4th annual pumpkin weigh-off scheduled for this Sunday, September 28. Okay, I’ve told you where it is, now it’s up to you to heave that squash onto a forklift and get it there.

Laura Lerman is an avid walker, so she and the other walkers who like to hike the Borough are happy to see that work has begun on installing new sidewalks along Main Street. From what Laura can tell, it looks like the new stretch of smooth, even walkway extends from in front of 53 Main Street to right around 63 Main Street. I’m going to have to pussyfoot up there myself to see the good workmanship, I think.

And if you’re pussyfooting around next week, be sure to take time to… Read me again.