Spooks... or spirits of some kind, are having fun with the sculpture on Traffic Island Two at Glover Avenue and Queen Street, according to Jane Sharpe. The Town & Country Garden Club team was working on the island one day last week, planting fall chrysanthemums, and found these “bugs” crawling all over the art. Looks to me like someone has access to some pretty authentic-looking creepy crawlers.

There was no catnapping for this kitty at the office of The Newtown Bee last Friday. The “wham, bam, tap” of roofers repairing damage done to the roof of the 5 Church Hill Road office the prior week made sure that sleeping on the job was not about to happen.

Congratulations to Newtown resident Paul Berger for his third place win at the Rowayton Arts Center (RAC), “Autumn Juried Show,” for his black & white photograph, “Waiting For A Ride.” Paul’s photo, along with artwork by 83 other artists from the area, chosen from more than 350 submissions, is on view until November 9. RAC is located at 145 Rowayton Avenue in Rowayton. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, from noon to 5 pm, and Saturday, from 10 am to 1 pm.

The Jeff McGill Group will be appearing at La Zingara Restaurant in Bethel, at 7 pm, October 17, if you’ve been eager to hear the Newtown resident led group. Tom Devino on drums, Lou Pappas on bass, and special guest Dan Donofrio on flugelhorn and trumpet will join Jeff (on piano) at this Third Thursday jazz night. Get tickets at eventbrite.com/e/jeff-mcgill-quartet-live-third-thursdays-jazz-at-la-zingara-bethel-ct-tickets-64909250315.

It’s not one, but two, great big tag sales this weekend. The NHS Marching Band & Guard’s annual 100 Family Tag Sale will take place Saturday, October 19, at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Road, from 9 am to 2 pm, in the school’s cafeteria. You’ll find thousands of items, so plan to spend a bit of time there. Then head over to St Rose Church, 46 Church Hill Road, where you’ll find yet another great selection of donated items. The tag sale, Saturday, from 9 am to 2 pm, and Sunday, from 9 am to 1 pm, will benefit FAITH Food Pantry.

“Fill ‘er up!” is the shout of the Connecticut Clay Artists — and for $30, you can get a handcrafted mug and fill ‘er up with some fresh coffee, brewed at BD Provisions on South Main Street. It’s a fundraiser for FAITH Food Pantry, and 100 percent of the mug cost supports that local food pantry. At least 55 of the 130 mugs made by the area artists have already been sold, so be sure to hustle on down to the provisions store and get your mug. Then bring it back to BD Provisions to enjoy a free cup of coffee each visit to the food purveyor during October and November.

Readers may remember the special gender reveal event Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue First Assistant Chief Ryan Clark and his wife Katelynn did, back in June. If not, here’s a reminder: the volunteer firefighter literally tapped the water supply line for the department’s ladder truck on June 8, outside SHVFR’s main station. As family, friends, fellow firefighters, and even strangers looked skyward, a blue-colored stream of water announced to all that the Clarks were expecting a boy as their first child. We are happy this week to offer the follow-up to that story. On Monday, October 14, very early in the morning, Katelynn gave birth to the couple’s son, Wake. Mom, Dad, and son were all doing very well when the news reached us that afternoon.

Earn a spot in the Newtown Turkey Trot, and earn your stuffing on Thanksgiving Day. Registration for the November 28 5K is underway, with a new (and slightly less strenuous) course this year. Newtown Savings Bank is pleased to present this C.H. Booth Library benefit run. Runners and walkers can register at runsignup.com/race/ct/newtown/newtownturkeytrot. The race starts at 7:45 am, at Newtown Middle School. Find out more at the website or call 203-426-4533.

For anyone who is interested in learning about the US immigration system — how it works and what life is like for some immigrants in local communities — Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, will host “Immigration: The Facts Explained” on Friday, October 18. Doors open at 6:45, the presentations will begin at 7:30, and light refreshments will be shared. Keynote speakers are Tina Colón Williams, a lawyer at The Esperanza Center for Law & Advocacy and a board member with Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS); and Anghy Idrovo, the lead organizer for CT Students for a Dream and a UConn student. Reservations are requested at immigrationfacts.eventbrite.com. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted for Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement, the Newtown-based group preparing to sponsor its third family in the greater Newtown area. Call 203-426-9070 for information.

Keep your eye on the Horse and Pet News section, within our Sports section, for the new column by Newtown resident Tracy Van Buskirk, “Newtown Bridle Lands Association Trail Notes.” The first publication of this semiregular column was in last week’s October 11 print edition. What? That’s right. Like many other articles and columns, NBLA Trail Notes will be exclusive to our print edition. Be sure to pick up a copy when we hit the street each Thursday afternoon, or stop by our 5 Church Hill Road office during regular hours to get your copy of The Newtown Bee. Better yet, why not save yourself a trip by subscribing? classadz.vdata.com/legacy/newtownbee/circulation/subscriber, or call 203-426-3141 and we will happily take your subscription order. Happy trails to you!

Angela Evertez shared a picture she took of a hardworking garden spider in the flowerpots by NYA earlier this week. Look closely — the intricate art of web weaving is always impressive!

There are other creatures out and about, too, and some are just a bit bigger that the itsy-bitsy spider. Sunset Hill Road resident Sandra Smith had a bear enter her garage this past Tuesday, knock down a closed container, and drag away a five-pound bag of sunflowers seeds. It’s getting close to hibernation time, and bears will grab any opportunity they can to fill up before the long nap. Be bear aware, for sure.

I’d like to be heading toward hibernation, too, but instead I’ll be heading out to collect more news. Be sure next week to... Read me again.