Early last Friday morning, Mark Todd observed a sad situation on Riverside Road, that once again proves that drivers need to be aware of the many wild creatures that populate our town, and sometimes cross our paths. A raccoon had been hit by a car — I know, it happens all the time here — but its companion raccoon did not want to leave his side. “After watching them for a while,” said Mark, “the female kept pushing on her mate trying to revive him. It seemed like she just did not want to give up on him.” The raccoon’s obvious distress and concern is a reflection, said Mark, of our crazy and hectic lives, and reminded him that we must not forget to care for those we love the most — human or otherwise.

I am going to carefully cross the street to get to the Newtown Senior Center on Riverside Road this Friday and Saturday, October 24 and 25, for the Annual Harvest Bazaar. Loads of wonderful crafts and other items made by members of the Senior Center will be offered for sale between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. Choosing between all of the hand knit children’s items and afghans, quilted wall hangings, blankets, jewelry, and holiday decorations and ornaments for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas is going to be a challenge. The prices are a bargain, center director Marilyn Place assures me, and what a great chance to get a leg up on gifts. Baked goods will also be available, and a white elephant sale is just the opportunity to uncover the perfect treasure to take home. I hope that Bob Sharpe will jump behind the wheel of the van, maybe, and give me and all my bounty a ride home when I finish shopping…

If I’m going to make room for all of my new finds, I’m going to have to clear out a few shelves. Just in time, the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library are hosting a special book donation day on Sunday, October 26. Volunteers will staff the parking lot, so you don’t even have to haul the books into the building yourself — plus, they will fill out a tax refund voucher for the donation of books, puzzles, videos, CDs, and DVDs. The Friends are finding that donations for the summer book sale are decidedly down this fall and hope that this one-day drive will pad the collections so that next July’s sale is as stupendous as always. If you find that you have way too many books to donate, give the library a call at 426-4533, and a Friend’s volunteer will arrange to pick up your donation. Then, if you are like me, you can start refilling the emptied shelves with yet more stuff.

Congratulations to “Grandma” Beryl Harrison, reference librarian. Her 2-year-old Border collie, Belle, blessed the family with eight little puppies on October 9. This is Belle’s first litter, Beryl told me, and Belle is doing a super job of mothering the wiggly babies. The puppies truly are a family affair, too, as the father, Monty, belongs to her son Trent (as in “Mr Harrison” in the NHS science department). It’s a good thing the parents are Border collies; I have a feeling that eight pups are going to need plenty of herding to keep them in line pretty soon.

The Inn at Newtown will be treating the thousands of little ghouls and goblins that stop by between 5:30 and 8:30 pm this Halloween to a cup of hot apple cider. But there is one condition, that I whole-heartedly support: they have to make a donation to Canine Advocates of Newtown. Inn assistant general manager Melissa Gardiner admitted that general manager Jason Cardillo has a soft spot for dogs, and as they have done in the past, the Inn managers want to help the dogs. All of the donations support the badly needed new dog pound, and it is not just dogs that are housed there these days.

I peeked into animal control officer Carolee Mason’s office one day this week and counted six kittens and at least as many mature cats purring around her ankles. Plus, Carolee says that she has some little rescue kittens at home that are too small to bring to the pound yet. The kittens are all neutered, spayed, and healthy, and ready to go. Looks like it would be the “purr-fect” time to bring home a new friend.

By the time Trick-Or-Treaters make it to the top of Main Street, that cup of cider from the Inn will probably be worn off. Not to fear — the volunteers at the ambulance garage on Mt Pleasant are offering respite to weary revelers. Stop by the garage and get a free cup of hot cocoa — and it’s the perfect opportunity to thank the volunteers for the hundreds of hours of health care service they provide to residents every year.

In addition to hot cocoa at the ambulance garage, The Bee will be getting in on the Trick or Treating action this year. For those of you who live in the area, those who will need to park on Church Hill Road to get up to Main Street’s festivities, and any of you who want to run down to 5 Church Hill Road while Trick Or Treating on Friday, we will have two young costumed guests handing out candy shortly after 4:30. Danielle and Cory will be posted right at the front door, so come say Hello and get some candy from them.

To get an early start on Halloween, Rich “Fry” Goessinger says he will be handing out candy to folks who buy their papers from him on Thursday afternoon. Rich is the guy who is posted at the end of our driveway every Thursday afternoon. He says he’s looking forward to seeing all of his regulars next week, and maybe even a few newcomers.

The Bee has not been exactly inundated by nominations for The Good Egg Award that we hope to announce on a monthly basis in this column. The Good Egg is someone who deserves a little recognition for a life well-lived, good deeds humbly done, or who quietly brings happiness to others’ lives. If you know a Good Egg, drop a line to nancy@thebee.com and let us know who it is.

I hope everyone has taken note of the candy collection boxes at Caraluzzi’s, Stop & Shop, CVS, Big Y, Booth Library, and Edmond Town Hall and dropped off a bag or two of individually wrapped treats. The collection is the effort of Main Street resident Miriam Rhyins and will benefit the residents of Main Street on Halloween night. Last year, Miriam greeted more than 3,000 trick-or-treaters at her home — that’s a lot of treats to give out. Miriam and other members of the Main Street Halloween Committee will distribute the candy on Halloween morning. She’s hoping that enough candy will be donated to ease the costly burden of the annual Main Street All Hallow’s Eve festivities for residents who live on the main drag of town. Now that would be a real treat.

Thinking about all of that candy has made me hungry, but it looks like it’s Homesteads to the rescue. Linda Hastey tells me that the assisted living community at 166 Mt Pleasant Road is hosting a Pizza Pizzaz Party, this Saturday, October 25, from 11:30 am to 1 pm. “Please join us in learning the secret to making fresh homemade pizza from scratch,” urges Linda. Homesteads Chef Hector Valez will make and toss fresh dough and then assemble a pizza that everyone can enjoy free for lunch. Once your tummy is full, a short tour of the facility is optional. RSVP to Linda at 426-8118. Seating is limited, I hear, so don’t hesitate to call.

You don’t have to call me, but don’t forget next week to…. Read me again.