The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library have been receiving donations at their storage building for a few months. Volunteers are at 17 Old Farm Road Wednesday and Saturday mornings, 10 am-noon, while HVAC work is being done at the town library. This Sunday, rain or shine from noon to 2 pm, the group will conducting its annual Fall Book Donation Day. New and gently-used books, DVDs, CDs, LPs, video games, complete jigsaw puzzles and books of antiquarian interest are all appreciated. Volunteers will help with unloading, and tax receipts will be available. Donors are asked to pack items in bags or boxes they do not want returned. The Friends do not accept multivolume encyclopedias, Time-Life Series and Reader’s Digest books, cassettes or VHS tapes, outdated reference books, text books, travel guides, magazines, or free publications. Items will eventually be sorted and readied for the 50th Anniversary Book Sale, already scheduled for July 10-14, 2026.

“Nom nom nom!” is the first thing that came to my head when I saw this week's photo from Bill Glass, although there’s so much more to take in. Our resident photographer shared this photo of opportunity after spotting the wonderful seasonal presentation on Mountain Laurel Lane. I agree with him — this is fun! I’ve seen others popping up in recent weeks, and have been enjoying each. Thank you to everyone who’s been making my favorite month so enjoyable. I can’t wait to see what else appears before October 31.

As promised recently, I have another candy donation location to share: Collection bins have been placed at each entrance of Trinity Episcopal Church for the annual collection at 36 Main Street. Donations will be shared with neighbors ahead of Trick or Treating in a few weeks, when up to 3,000 (not a typo!) costumed guests can be expected to visit homes along that popular area in just a few hours. Parks & Rec usually has a bin available and will also accept donations during their October events. They will also share what they receive among nearby homeowners by midday October 31.

Newtown Historical Society also welcomes candy donations this year, for its plan to participate in Main Street Halloween. Abby Simes is spearheading the effort to have The Matthew Curtiss House become another stop for Trick or Treaters, and a bin has been set out at 44 Main Street. Volunteers will also gratefully accept candy during the society’s October 26 open house. NHS members plan to be in front of The Curtiss House by 4 pm Halloween, which really isn’t too early. We’ve often seen the youngest costumed revelers walk past our office toward Main Street by that time.

Returning to Trinity Church for a moment, I understand folks there will again be hosting The Great Pumpkin Challenge later this month. Parishioners have carved out a Sunday afternoon this month to spend together and create jack o’lanterns for the display. Readers are invited to participate in the fun tradition by creating their own pumpkin designs. A donation of $5 per pumpkin is also requested, with all donations forwarded to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. All pumpkins will be put on risers in front of the church and lit by late Halloween afternoon.

One more note about our friends across the road. Trinity and C.H. Booth Library recently created a nice addition to The Little Pantry. The standalone structure in the parking lot that serves as a supplement to FAITH Food Pantry and other pantries in the area now has an adjacent offering: Free Books For Kids. The collaboration means families in need now have a place they can look to for some new books for their younger readers.

Halloween and seasonal fun continues this weekend at Castle Hill Farm, where the annual fall festival runs weekends through the end of the month. Each Saturday and Sunday between 10 am and 5 pm, the Paproskis and their staff host a seven-acre corn maze, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins, the magnificent pumpkin trebuchet, and more. Dogs are not allowed at 1 Sugar Lane during the festival — it’s just too busy, and I get that — however, a special group of dogs will be assisting this Saturday. Canine members of The Land & Sea Newfoundland Group and their owners will be at the farm on October 18 from 10 am until 3 pm. Customers can let the dogs pull carts around the pumpkin patch while they select the perfect gourd(s). The Newfies will then pull the carts to each person’s vehicle, where they can unload their new purchases. Nancy Schreiner is a member of the group, and said the community loved the event when it was offered last year.

Dogs will be allowed at the farm in a few weeks, however. The 2025 Dog Day at Castle Hill Farm will return on November 1 with cider, breakfast and lunch offerings, dog-friendly hayrides until noon, the corn maze, a pet parade, a costume contest with multiple categories and prizes, live music, a food truck and more. Cost is $15 adults, $20 adult-pet team, and reservations are available at 203-774-4440 or castlehillfarm.net, or you can pay upon arrival.

Newtown Scholarship Association (NSA), which has been awarding college tuition scholarships to deserving Newtown students since 1937, will present its newest fundraiser on Sunday. Chili & Cheer, at Reverie Brewing Company Sunday afternoon, will offer chili cooked by the chefs at MarketPlace Kitchen & Bar, Angelina’s Italian Deli, Sandy Hook Café, and taco barn. Tickets are $70 for adults, $10 for children, and include side dishes, desserts, and two drinks. Jailhouse will be performing live music, and games of corn hole will definitely be happening during the 4-7 pm fundraiser. Proceeds will benefit the efforts of NSA. See our calendar listings for additional details.

This weekend also marks the deadline to make a reservation for the 2025 FONS OktoberFest. The annual event will return to NewSylum next Tuesday evening, and organizers need those ticket counts to properly plan for the all-you-can-eat buffet and each attendee’s first drink. Tickets are $38, and all ages are welcome; anyone 20 or under just needs to be accompanied by an adult. Call 203-430-0633 or visit friendsofnewtownseniors.org for full details or a reservation.

Congratulations to Sandra Radosh and Martin Blanco, who on Wednesday learned an episode of their podcast “I Wish I Were a Prosciutto” earned a bronze 2025 Silver Award in the Individual Episodes-Best Guest category. The series features a mix of family stories, conversations with food professionals and home cooks, historic explorations, and sampling of delicious food. Discussions are suffused with wit and intelligence, while evoking the spirit of the traditional Italian American Sunday dinner. The award-winning episode features an interview with Lidia Bastianich, the celebrated PBS cook, restauranter, and Italian food ambassador.

I’d be honored if you’ll simply remember to come back next week in time to … read me again.