So what was the scariest part of the past week? Halloween or Election Day?

Hard to believe we are just now getting a photo of this dashing couple of Pumpkin Race Decorating judges.  Judges Justin Scott and Amber Edwards were dressed the part at the Lions Club annual Pumpkin Races, Saturday, October 17. One look at them, and participants knew their efforts would be taken seriously. One more look, and I’m sure their stellar careers took yet another leap up the ladder.

Touchdown! Newtown High School celebrates 50 years of football and honors the 1965 team at its game against New Milford, this Friday, November 6. Former players will be on hand, and fans are encouraged to come out to see the men who were a part of the start of 11-on-11 football in town. Former players will be honored on the field at Blue & Gold Stadium at 6:45 pm, and kickoff is set for 7 pm. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.

Join in on the opening exhibition for Flagpole Photographers Camera Club’s annual “Newtown & Beyond” at Newtown Municipal Center. Flagpole Photographers will be there on Sunday, November 8, to celebrate its sixth annual presentation, from 2 to 4 pm, and all are invited to enjoy the photographs, as well as some refreshments and music. If you miss Sunday’s reception, the exhibition will remain on view in the municipal center’s main corridor weekdays through November 30.

The Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) is expanding organics recycling into our town, a program that has seen great success in neighboring cities. Kickoff for this recycling program will be Saturday, November 14, at the Transfer Station on Ethan Allen Road, when participants will receive kits, including a kitchen counter compost bin and composting bags, along with a chance to ask questions about the recycling. An amazing number of food scraps can be turned into usable compost, cutting down on waste in landfills. New England Compost in Danbury will turn Newtown’s food waste into compost, and participants will receive free compost annually from the compost company. Sign up at www.hrra.org and find out more about recycling your food scraps.

Next Wednesday is Veterans Day, and the schools are honoring veterans through various programs. VFW Post 308 will also host a ceremony at 11 am, November 11, at the club on Tinkerfield Road. The public is welcome to attend. This ceremony celebrating sacrifices made by US troops is such a short time out of what is a day off for many people, so consider putting the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month on your calendar, now.

Nate Hapke’s film, Thom & Gerry, filmed locally the summer of 2014, with actors Richard Herd (pictured) and Al Thompson, is an official selection of the New Haven International Film Festival. It is scheduled for a 3 pm screening, Thursday, November 12, and 1:15 pm, Friday, November 13. The festival is being held at the Gateway Community College, 20 Church Street, in New Haven. For more information go to https://filmfreeway.com/festival/newhavenfilmfestival.

Newtown High School students are gearing up to present the school’s student-directed fall drama, The Great Gatsby, based on the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Thursday through Sunday, November 12-15. Performances take place in the NHS auditorium, 12 Berkshire Road, at 7 pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Sunday performance is set for 2 pm. Tickets are $7 for students and faculty, $12 for adults, and $10 for senior citizens, and will be sold at the door.

I’m tripping over my paws to “Fall For Bingo,” and you can, too. November 13 is “Fall For Bingo” Night at St Rose of Lima, in the Monsignor Weiss Gathering Hall, 40 Church Hill Road. Doors open at 5:45 pm, and games run from 6:30 until 9:30 pm. Admission is $17 per person, for all regular games. Attendees who bring someone new to the monthly event will receive a special gift (as will their friend). For more information, call 203-426-5102.

It’s time to decorate for the upcoming fall and winter holidays, and members of the Newtown Senior Center have been busy all year handcrafting beautiful items to help you do so. The Newtown Senior Center will hold its annual bazaar, Saturday, November 14, from 9 am to 3 pm, at the Riverside Road Senior Center. All of the money earned goes to support special programs and events at the Center.

In case you forgot, there is another holiday sandwiched in between Halloween and Christmas. It’s that day set aside to give thanks. Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, will host this year’s Interfaith Thanksgiving service, Sunday, November 22, at 7 pm. Presented by members of Newtown Interfaith Clergy Association, this service includes brief readings by members of the participating houses of worship, and is open to all. Monetary donations and nonperishable goods received during the service will be given to FAITH Food Pantry.

Women Involved In Newtown (WIN) is looking for help in filling Thanksgiving baskets for Newtown families in need. Donations of food items, as well as cleaning supplies and hygiene products are needed by November 20. Call Mandy Monaco at 203-426-5600 for details.

Now I see where the NHS football team gets all those fancy moves. It’s certainly worth the minute and 37 seconds of your time, to check out the October 30 Pep Rally video at https://www.facebook.com/158260014186649/videos/vb.158260014186649/1073879579291350/?type=2&theater.

Incidentally, Trudy, a pug, and her owner Sheila Maher buzzed into The Newtown Bee last Friday, ahead of Halloween. As much as we love our office dogs, Trudy topped both Rosé and Piper that afternoon, thanks to the special bee costume she was snuggled into.

I might not have the antennae Trudy sported, but my whiskers are all aquiver already, in anticipation of the news that is out there waiting for me this week. Be sure to…Read me again.