I know this is a holiday that everyone waits for year around: National Boss Day. The day came about more than 40 years ago when Patricia Haroski, a secretary from Illinois, registered the day with the US Chamber of Commerce in honor of her father, a white-collar boss, in 1958. The day was officially proclaimed in 1962, by then-governor of Illinois, Otto Kerner. It is officially celebrated on October 16, (Mr Haroski’s birthday) not just in the United States, but in other countries, as well. So if you have a favorite boss, this Friday is the day to show your appreciation.

File this under this week’s News of The Odd: One of our sister towns had some interesting news over the weekend. It seems a woman was knocked unconscious by a pantless burglar early last Saturday morning. A woman in Newtown, in Wellington, New Zealand, was surprised by a man in his mid-20s who entered her home on October 10, according to The Dominion Post in New Zealand. When the woman disturbed the man, according to the newspaper, he punched her in the face. She did not suffer serious injury. Police would like to hear from anyone, the report continued, who had seen a man without trousers in the area prior to the attack. Kind of hard to miss, ey?

Everyone is still thinking pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, including the Newtown High School girls’ volleyball team. They are hosting a DIG PINK breast cancer awareness rally, Friday, October 23, at the Newtown vs Oxford match. They will be joining thousands of high school and college teams from across the US to promote breast health education and raise funds. Admission will be $5, and all of the donations and ticket sales will benefit the Side-Out Foundation, supporting solutions for women and men with breast cancer and helping them regain control of their lives. Feel free to wear pink to the event — the JV and Varsity teams will be wearing PINK jerseys.

Best wishes to former state rep Julia Wasserman (who is also the 2009 Labor Day Parade grand marshal) for a speedy recovery from recent arthroscopic knee surgery. If I purr loudly enough, I’m hoping that she will hear the good wishes I am sending to her.

Make time to wander over to Sticks and Stones Farm at 201 Huntingtown Road this Saturday evening, October 17, for the Harvest Wine Tasting, from 5 to 7:30 pm. The event, a benefit for Newtown Scholarship Association, will feature wines provided by Sandy Hook Wine & Liquors, delectable hors d’oeuvres from the students of the NHS advanced culinary program, and a live and a silent auction. Tickets are $35 each and are available at Peoples United Bank, Sandy Hook Wine & Liquor, or at the door on Saturday. Dress is casual. (I hope it’s okay if I wear my fur…)

Fran Walczak tells me she will be serving on the board of Parent Connection, our local organization that addresses the problem of substance use and abuse among young people in Newtown. With a background in psychiatric nursing, and having been the director of the child and adolescent abuse outreach program at Danbury Hospital for more than 20 years, I’m sure that the group will appreciate Fran’s clinical expertise. “I watched from the sidelines as this grass roots Parent Connection movement grew, and was incredibly impressed,” says Fran. “I’m honored to be on the board.” As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, Fran reminded me, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Governor Rell announced a statewide “Day of Caring & Compassion” for Saturday, November 7. State residents across the state are invited to visit any of 15 fire stations in Connecticut that will be serving as collection centers for donations of nonperishable foods to help replenish the state’s two main food pantries. None of Newtown’s fire companies will be participating in that event because they will all be working together two weeks later for the annual Fill The Fire Truck campaign, to once again help FAITH Food Pantry and the Salvation Army Food Pantry. In place of Gov Rell’s one-day event, and to get ready for the November collection by the fire companies, The Bee would like to encourage all Newtown residents to visit our office at 5 Church Hill Road any time between now and November 7 with donations for either food pantry. We will divide everything into two large collections — unless food or financial donations are specified for a particular pantry, in which case those requests will also be honored — and get everything to the pantries the following week. For information about Newtown’s Three Weeks of Caring, contact Shannon at 426-3141 or Shannon@thebee.com.

Hey, where are the Good Egg nominations? Don’t forget that if you know a Newtowner who could use a little recognition for quietly improving the world in which we live, let me know at Nancy@thebee.com. Just put Good Egg in the subject line. With so much negativity getting the headlines in this world, let’s not forget that it is the good that truly makes the world go ’round.

I’m going to put in my own good word for Main Street resident Miriam Rhyins who has spearheaded the movement to collect candy for Halloween to be distributed to her other Main Street neighbors. Residents of Main Street greet thousands of ghosts and goblins each Halloween, and the cost of providing treats can get tricky. Miriam and volunteers have placed collection boxes at several local businesses, and appreciate the generosity of all who contribute bags of individually wrapped candies or Halloween treats. All Hallow’s Eve is scary enough without worrying about buying candy.

Speaking of scared, last year I was scared to death by the political scarecrows constructed by the GATES and art enrichment students from NMS for the annual scarecrow contest. I wonder what we’ll see next Saturday on the Queen Street school’s front lawn when the students unveil their creations? I’ll be voting for whoever comes up with the best black cat, of course….

You don’t have to vote for me, but I would appreciate it if next week you…. Read me again.