While many readers have been counting down the days to July 4 and celebrating this country's independence, Friends of Newtown Seniors are already beyond that. Bev Bennett-Schaedler mentioned last week that she and others hope to see many people at this year's FONS Summer Soiree, which is being planned for Tuesday, August 5, from 5-8 pm, at Aquila's Nest Vineyards. Cost will be $28 per person, but reservations aren't yet open. Bev is just hoping to get the word out now, and will share additional details as soon as everything is pinned down. Speaking of Independence Day, we usually have notes in the paper to remind readers when it's time to lower the flags. Independence Day is a celebration, and not a somber one, so flags are not lowered for the occasion. They should fly high and proud all weekend.

And though it is a weekend sure to be filled with summer fun, be sure to watch out for little critters in the road at night. Reporter Sam Cross saw a family of ducks crossing South Main Street by the Walgreens. Traffic at the busy intersection stopped to let the feathered friends cross.

Last week I talked about a few cows who went on a 36-hour walkabout in the Hanover Road area. This week I’m happy to say some kind people in Sandy Hook are trying to keep a young family of geese safe. Sue Shpunt shared this photo, taken in front of Misty Vale Deli, where someone has taken the time to put out this Brake For Geese sign in the area where a mother and her goslings have been seen by many people making the treacherous walk across Berkshire Road. The path they’re using is not only across the busy state road, it’s also near its intersection with Pole Bridge Road, which is a scary intersection for people in vehicles never mind small two-legged animals. Looks like Newtown is taking a liking to these beaked creatures. Thank you to the person who posted the signs, and to Sue for the photo.

It seems to me that our reporters find lots of interesting things in town as they are out and about. Reporter Jenna Visca found a sweet tribute when she went to the C.H. Booth Library for an interview on Wednesday, June 25. She was just about the climb the staircase at the building's back entrance when she saw a brick engraved to the late Kate Sasanoff. The engraving reads, "Beloved Friends & Co-Worker Kate Sasanoff 2021 - 2025," with the two years separated by a heart. Kate was a former Bee who worked here for about a decade, first in the front office of The Newtown Bee and later the advertising office of Antiques and The Arts Weekly. Around five years ago, she accepted a position as the adult programming coordinator at Booth Library, which she absolutely adored. The newly engraved brick serves as a permanent reminder of "Sassy's" love, generosity, and infectious joy for life. Thanks to her friends at the Booth Library for making a sweet dedication to a dear friend.

Readers may not know this about Sassy, but she was an avid artist. Interested readers can find one of Sassy's paintings at Newtown Art & Frame, 77 Main Street. Owner John O'Sullivan has one of her paintings on display in the local frame shop. O'Sullivan said she asked him to repair it and after repair, it became a fixture on the wall. I have seen it on my nightly strolls of Main Street, it does fit the space quite well.

Our readers may not know this, either, but Newtown Bee photographer Bill Glass has his artwork on display at the Municipal Center right now. You can read more about it in the Enjoy section of this week's paper, but I heard Bill spent much time making sure each painting and photograph was hung perfectly straight on the wall. He even brought his own laser level with a tripod for the occassion last Friday.

I heard some rumblings in the office about July 10 being National Kitten Day. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for little kittens, especially the ones picked up by Newtown Animal Control. The ladies down at the shelter take great care of all the cats that they come across, especially the kittens. I remember when I was a kitten, my black fur super soft, much like Baby Banks', though she is starting to lose the puppy fur. I guess we all grow up some time. I am not looking forward to her gangly teenage years and the possibility of her chasing me through Production. My old legs can only carry me so far...

Luckily, we have two new interns, Tyler Pruneau and Leah Laughlin, to carry me around the office. Tyler is a sport journalism major at University of Connecticut Storrs, and Leah is a senior at Newtown High School. Tyler and Leah have been a great help in getting Way We Were squared away, a section of our paper where we look at what was happening in Newtown 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 years ago. Leah recently covered the Verses in the Vineyard event at Aquila's Nest and Tyler has been helping our Sports Editor, Andy Hutchison, by covering sport camps and other events around town. If anyone sees the two youths around town, be sure to say hello. We are quite excited to have more youngin's in the office. It is always nice to see young people take an interest in journalism.

The past two weeks with the new interns have made the office a lively place to be. My naps keep being interrupted by laughing and the sound of typing. I must say, I do prefer these new, slim keyboards compared to the sound of typewriters. Sometimes, I still hear the sound of typewriters clacking in my sleep. Dear readers, please wish me many good naps in the coming weeks as there will be much summer to-dos for our reporters and interns to keep up with.

Speaking of summer, I am so glad that heatwave is over. My old bones do not appreciate the 100 degree days we had. I know it may not have actually reached the triple digits, but does it really matter? I like a nice 75 with a cool breeze, preferably with a fish in my mouth, but you didn't hear that from me. If there are any days ahead that it gets like that again, be sure to hang out at the Municipal Center or any of the other cooling locations in town, like the Community or Senior Centers. Wear thin layers, unlike my thick fur coat, and light colors, also unlike my thick fur coat. Truly some days are hard to live as a black cat.

A doctor in the United Kingdom made news last week after she said milk is the perfect beverage for a heatwave. Dr Natasha Fernando reportedly said the sodium in milk helps bodies hold onto water, and milk keeps people hydrated longer than water does. Milk is 87% water and is packed with electrolytes, it was also noted. For vegans and those who don’t or can’t drink regular milk, Dr Fernando said soy milk works just as well. While the announcement was certainly received with mixed reviews, I could have told you the same thing: milk is the best drink for all occasions. I hope you’ll join me for a bowl or three before next week, when it will be time to come back and … read me again.