Stop & Shop patrons, meet Marty the Robot. Newtown Bee reporter Alissa Silber spotted this new piece of technology, decorated on one side with skeleton bones, during the store’s recent Purse Patrol Program, with People’s United Bank and the Newtown Police Department, on October 25. The sign on the human-sized robot reads, “This store is monitored by Marty for your safety. Marty is an autonomous robot that uses image capturing technology to report spills, debris, and other potential hazards to store employees to improve your shopping experience.”

Tickets are still available for “The Magic of Lyn,” being planned by Congregation Adath Israel this weekend, at Masuk High School in Monroe. Doors will open at 6 pm on Saturday, November 2, when audience members will be invited to bid on silent auction items. There will also be a 50-50 raffle and homemade baked goods ahead of the 7 pm show by Master Illusionist Lyn Dillies, suitable for all ages. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 ages 12 and under in advance, and can be reserved by calling 203-426-5188 or online at adath.ticketleap.com/magic-of-lyn. At the door, prices will be $30 and $20, respectively.

Pumpkins decorated at the last Families United in Newtown (FUN) — a nonprofit group that provides individuals with special needs and their families recreational opportunities in a safe supported environment mentored by Newtown High School National Honor Society students and community volunteers — meeting on October 26 were spotted at C.H. Booth Library after the meeting. I hope you saw these silly and spooky creations at the library while you could. I hear they were only on display through November 1.

It’s that time of year again… Crafters have been busy bees getting ready for the Newtown Senior Center’s Annual Bazaar, which takes place Saturday, November 9, from 9 am to 3 pm. You can get a sneak peek of the treasures to be sold displayed in the lobby of the center at 8 Simpson Street. What a great way to support our Senior Center. Also on November 9, the annual Christ the King Fall Fair will be taking place, during the same hours, at 85 Mt Pleasant Road.

You’re probably tuckered out after the Halloween festivities, so why not enjoy some lovely photography and pottery this weekend at Newtown Municipal Center? The opening reception for “Tenth Annual Newtown and Beyond” exhibit is from 2 to 4 pm, November 3. Flagpole Photographers Club members will be on-hand, showing off their favorite works. At the same time, The Clay Dates Potters will also celebrate the opening of their new exhibition, in the showcase of the municipal center. Can’t make Sunday? The photographs and hand-crafted pottery will all be on display at 3 Primrose Street through December 27, during regular building hours.

How far will you go for Fido? The Haight-Brown Vineyards in Litchfield announces its Third Annual “Dogs of Wine Calendar” casting call, for Sunday, November 10, from 1 to 3 pm. (Rain date, Sunday, November 17.) All dogs will be photographed and given consideration for the calendar, which will be available in time for the holidays. It’s only $10 for entry and bandana — or $25 for entry, bandana, and calendar; or new this year, $32 for tasting, entry, bandana, and calendar! The vineyard is located at 29 Chestnut Hill Road, Litchfield. For answers to questions and registration information, call 860-567-4045.

Lori Haggerty, owner of River’s Edge Healing Center, 5 Riverside Road, recently shared photos of the business’ Halloween display, which you may have spotted in the days leading up to the spooky holiday. Positioned near the neighboring Sandy Hook Cemetery, there are multiple skeletons and ghouls with signs, some of which read, “Get a facial… you’ll look boo-tiful” and “My back is killing me… I need a massage.”

Just a reminder that this is the final week for The Bee’s collection of donations for Newtown’s animal shelter. Food, blankets, towels, toys, tennis balls and any other donations would be appreciated! You’ll find the donation box in our lobby at 5 Church Hill Road.

Editor Nancy Crevier was pleased to give a mini-tour of The Newtown Bee to English visitor Tess Davidson, last Friday morning. Tess, from Horley, Surrey, was in Newtown visiting her sister Fran Ashbolt and family, and dropped by to see what our community newspaper was like and admire the many bee artifacts that populate our office. So nice to have a visitor from afar!

The VFW Post 308 will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony on Monday, November 11, at 11 am, at the 18 Tinkerfield Road property. It’s a brief but solemn event that honors veterans past and present, and the public is invited to attend.

Put an “X” on your calendar for Monday, November 18, when First Selectman Dan Rosenthal presents the second in a series of conversations about Fairfield Hills. The first session dealt with the history of the campus, and this second one will focus on the financials regarding the property, from 2004 to present day. Don’t forget, questions about Fairfield Hills are welcome: stop by the First Selectman’s office or mail your questions to First Selectman’s Office, 3 Primrose Street, Newtown CT 06470. Questions pertinent to the evening’s presentation will be addressed, and all questions received will be answered at some point by the end of the series. The program takes place in the auditorium of Newtown High School, from 7 to 8:15 pm.

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and the Connecticut National Guard Foundation recently launched the 18th annual Operation ELF (Embracing Lonely Families) to help military families enduring the hardship of separation due to deployment. More than 500 Connecticut National Guardsmen are currently in the deployment cycle. Donations of gift cards for grocery and department/home goods stores, pharmacies, and gas stations help support military families throughout the year. Donations of fuel oil, snow removal, and home maintenance services are also needed. New, unwrapped toys for young people of all ages are welcome. Donations may be dropped off locally at Armed Forces Reserve Center, 90 Wooster Heights Road, Danbury, between 8 am and 4 pm, through December 10. For gift card and financial contributions, mail to Connecticut National Guard Foundation Inc, 360 Broad Street, Hartford,CT 06105, memo: Operation ELF.

Last, but certainly not least, don’t forget to vote! Municipal elections take place this coming Tuesday, November 5. Your voice can’t be heard if you don’t cast a vote. Visit newtown-ct.gov for information on polling places, or find the information in this week’s Newtown Bee.

Here’s hoping that one vote you cast is to make sure next week to... Read me again.