It’s hard to stay occupied and keep my paws out of the gaily wrapped presents under the tree as Christmas gets ever closer. I’m hoping it is not too late to register with the C.H. Booth Library children’s department to take part in the holiday craft activity from 1 to 2 pm on Saturday, December 22. For just $3, I can keep my mind off of Santa’s imminent arrival and make a last-minute present for one of my favorite human friends. I’m going to dial 426-4533 right now and sign up. Wish me luck.

Another signup that has me pretty excited is the new Parks and Recreation online registration. When the hubbub over the holidays has calmed down, it will be time to fill some of those winter evenings with activities other than writing cards and wrapping gifts. I hear that by logging on to newtown-ct.gov, Parks and Recreation Department link, Online Registration, I can look over the many offerings they have for the winter months and sign up right then and there. Master Card and Visa are accepted and online registrations are processed right away. Sure beats trying to remember to stop by the South Main Street office or mailing in the registration.

Dan Sorrentino of Newtown Hardware received a surprise gift on Wednesday. “A gentleman came into the store and handed me a New York Islander hockey jersey, said ‘Merry Christmas,’ and left,” Dan tells me. It was on the busy side, what with icy sidewalks making salt and sand a big seller and the holiday rush, so Dan didn’t get a chance to thank him. Whoever the mysterious Kris Kringle is out there with the big heart, Dan sends his thanks. I hope you read it here.

Heard from Gregg Dean this week. Gregg’s dad was E. Brian Dean, a man well known in the community as a mentor, teacher, and coach. (The Bee even did an article about Brian around 1979 as he embarked on an acting career.) Gregg moved to California with his parents in 1987; unfortunately his father passed away in 1992 and his mother died three years ago.

Since those losses, Gregg has embarked on a journey to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional performer as his father was, but his avenue is music. That’s why he wanted to touch base with some of his former friends and neighbors — like me. Gregg currently performs in an alternative rock band in San Francisco. “We are gaining traction and are playing to a growing fan base at some of San Francisco’s most esteemed venues, including The Great American Music Hall,” Gregg wrote in an e-mail. His band, called Pinpoint Mercy, is releasing its debut album in January titled Bitter Rust Parade. “You’ll find the music to be melodic rock, with meaningful lyrics and heartfelt ballads that unite music fans from many generations,” he said. Gregg has launched a grassroots promotion campaign through MySpace and is looking for support — and even casual interest — from music lovers of all ages who may be interested in a Newtowner who is shooting for the big time. Anyone interested in Gregg’s project is invited to visit MySpace.com/PinpointMercy to see and hear what he and his friends have been working on.

Oompa loompa, doompadah dee, if you are wise, you’ll listen to me…. Moviegoers of Edmond Town Hall are in for a treat this weekend. Tom Mahoney has arranged for the 1971 film Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory — that’s the film with Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson, not the 2005 one that starred Johnny Depp, who may or may not be living in Newtown — to be screened for three days. There will be two evening shows on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 21 to 23, and a pair of matinees on both Saturday and Sunday. I guess visions of sugarplums will be dancing in my head.

That’s a lot of music going on, but wait… there’s more. When Bruce Moulthrop, the senior warden of St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook, heard Todd Gorski accompany the Newtown Choral Society at its holiday concert earlier this month, Bruce asked Todd to play the organ at the church’s Christmas Eve service. Todd, the music director at The Church of the Epiphany, an historic Episcopal church on Main Street North in Southbury, said yes, and then asked, “Would you like a choir, too?”

So, Todd will be playing the organ, and leading his choir from the Church of the Epiphany at the St John’s Christmas Eve service at 8 pm.

 “Then,” Todd told Bruce, “we’ll have to high-tail it back to Epiphany for a 9:45 carol sing, followed by our 10 pm service.” Now that’s what I call dedication.

“Dedication” is a word we have been hearing here at The Bee all week long. It is a word that has been used more than once to describe Kim Harmon. Kim, our sports editor, died unexpectedly over the weekend, leaving the staff stunned and saddened, but heartened by the many, many kind condolences that have arrived and the knowledge that one of our own touched the lives of so very many people in Newtown in such a positive way. During this holiday season we extend our best wishes to all, particularly to the Harmon family. And perhaps next week our hearts will be lifted just a tiny bit higher by the time you…. Read me again.