“Doh!” Whether you like The Simpsons or not, it is worth noting that the goofy, animated television series celebrated 30 years since its debut on Fox Broadcasting, last Tuesday. Can you say “Cowabunga!”

Speaking of humor, CNN reports that The Far Side has returned, the quirky single-panel cartoon that pushed America’s laugh button from 1980 to 1995 in about 2,000 newspapers. But this time, longtime fans need to visit TheFarSide.com for a daily dose of chuckles from classic Gary Larson cartoons, and maybe a few new ones.

A special thank you to resident Peter Alagna, who surprised Bee staff last Friday with his homemade fresh mozzarella and Italian olives. The delicious treat was appreciated by all, and we hope the holiday spirit is returned to him tenfold.

The paper is looking back over its papery shoulder this week, to all the news items that filled our pages in 2019. I thought I’d join in with a wrap-up of the Good Eggs who have received my illustrious award this past year. The last few days of 2018 found the Good Egg Award handed out to an anonymous family who took pity of Salvation Army volunteer bell ringer Fran Ashbolt, who had forgotten her cap on a chilly day. These Good Eggs brought Fran a cap to keep her warm and let her go on ringing out the year. Also that week, we gave accolades to BD Provisions on South Main Street for supporting FAITH Food Pantry — one cup at a time.

Nominations for Good Egg, and Good Egg Awards went to the Ackert family, who delivered donations of books to students at Savoy Elementary School in Washington, DC; to Berkshire Motors for reaching out to assist the family of cake maker Daniela Delgado, when they ran into car problems; and to Jimmy Shpunt who was celebrated for devoting 50 years to the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company. Twice in 2019, Julie vanderKroef found herself the recipient of the Good Egg Award for her kind gestures toward our very own Bee staff.

There were a couple of unidentified Good Egg recipients in 2019: one, a woman who provided life saving first care to a bicyclist who collapsed on Mt Pleasant Road, the other to a kind gentleman who picked up the tab for someone else’s coffee at Caraluzzi’s.

I know there are so many others out there in our town, worthy of a Good Egg Award. These are the people who make an effort to help others, and fly under the radar doing so. If you know someone who is a Good Egg, be sure to contact nancy@thebee.com. (She’ll make sure I know!) In the meantime, here’s a Good Egg you can hand out to anyone you deem a Good Egg! INSERT GOOD EGG GRAPHIC

While FAITH Food Pantry may have taken the evening off for Christmas Eve, regular weekly hours were scheduled for Thursday, December 26 (6-7:30 pm). Next Tuesday’s hours, New Year’s Eve, will not be affected and you’ll find the Church Hill Road pantry open 9:30 to 11 am, and on January 2, from 6-7:30 pm. Thank you, to all the volunteers who have made FAITH a place those in need can count on.

Winter does not mean no Ferris Acres Creamery cakes for the winners of our Birthday Cake drawing each week. The Creamery and The Newtown Bee have figured out how to ensure that Birthday Cake winners can count on a delicious frozen treat from the Route 302 ice cream shop, every single week. Be sure to send in your child’s photo, date of birth, and daytime contact information to eliza@thebee.com — someone will be a winner!

Speaking of births... who will be The Newtown Bee First Baby Of The Year? We’re itching to find out. If you live in Newtown or Sandy Hook and believe your newborn may be the very first new citizen of the town for 2020, send the information to shannnon@thebee.com for a chance to win all kinds of great gifts and gift cards from numerous local businesses. You’ll find the details on page A18 of this issue.

Maybe you spotted the announcement elsewhere in the pages of this paper, but just in case: The Trees for Trouts Christmas Tree Drop-off Event takes place on Saturday, January 4, from 9 am to 1 pm, at the Deep Brook kiosk off of Old Farm Road. (That’s past the dog park.) Bring your retired Christmas tree, donate $10, and it will be used to create vital habitat for wild trout in that stream.

Take a break from the hustle of the holidays and rest your eyes on some spectacular art work hanging around town. The “Small (and large) Works!” exhibit continues at Art & Frame Gallery during the 77 Main Street’s regular hours. Call 203-748-0197.

Then be sure to hurry over to Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, where Newtown High School Art Portfolio class has original works on exhibit, until January 2. Associate Editor Shannon Hicks was at the community center last week during the show's installation. See page A-17 for her story and photos.

At C.H. Booth Library you’ll find paintings by Roberta Shea on view until January 4, a worthwhile detour, no matter where you are headed.

There’s still time to squeeze in a trip to Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street, where the Flagpole Photographers Camera Club has dozens of members’ photographs on display. But this show ends Friday, December 27, so put it at the top of your art tour list!

There was sure a lot of commotion in the layout section of The Newtown Bee last Friday, when staff members gathered for a Secret Santa handmade gift exchange. “Oohs!” and “Ahhs!!” filled the room as each participant discovered coworkers’ talents. Do they look pretty happy? I think so! INSERT SECRET SANTA SELFIE

It looks like one Elf on the Shelf got a little tired of just sitting around. Katherine Will’s Elf, Ellie, got kind of adventurous last week, taking the zip line over to the Christmas tree. Now if that’s not scary, I don’t know what is. INSERT KATHERINE WILL'S ELLIE PHOTO

I have to emphasize, with the holidays still in full swing, how important it is to look out for your four-footed friends’ health. Not only being sure to wash footsies that have trod on salt and sanded roads, but making sure that goodies are truly good. Keep the chocolates and anything sweetened with xylitol far from eager tongues, and make sure the trash can, full of edible no-nos, has a secure lid. Spicy foods and fowl bones should not be part of your pet’s celebration, and watch out that abandoned alcoholic drinks (for that matter, any THC treats) are not slurped down by a partying pet. And keep that ribbon and tinsel out of Fluffy’s reach, please!

What you can do, is offer certified chew toys to dogs, some of which can be stuffed with a peanut butter or healthy dog treat. Balls are fun for a cat to chase, I cannot deny, but please make sure it is big enough that any of my feline friends cannot accidentally swallow it. (A catnip treat would not be a terrible thing, I’m just saying...)

Whatever you choose to do these final days of 2019, be safe, be happy, and get ready for a new decade — and don’t forget to... Read me again.

Have a Happy New Year!