Newtown’s self-proclaimed “The Can Man,” Paul Sarnik of The Sandy Hook went through some dark days earlier this year. Thanks to fellow residents, many he still hasn't met, Mr Sarnick is doing well these days.

Mr Sarnik was displaced and injured during a January 8 house fire. Burns to his hands — injured when he tried to carry a burning chair out of his home that cold morning — have healed nicely, and he has found a new home near Sandy Hook Center. And Mr Sarnik began a job a few weeks ago.

“I’m part of the two-man team with Pendergast Recycling,” he said, smiling broadly.

When he is not cleaning Newtown’s roadways (or findings bags of returnables left for him at the Citgo station on Church Hill Road), Mr Sarnik can be found at C.H. Booth Library or hiking. In warmer weather, he swims at Treadwell Park pool or canoes in Lake Zoar, he said.

Mr Sarnik offered his thanks to Newtown’s residents.

“I’m doing much better now,” he said.