With the official arrival of autumn this week, Newtown Forest Association is reminding everyone this season is one of the best times to experience the majestic view from Holcombe Hill. The highest point in Newtown, at an elevation of 830 feet above sea level, the property at 55 Great Hill Road offers spectacular views of three counties. Views of the leaves as they turn their brilliant autumnal reds, oranges and golds are just around the corner, with the best viewing through mid to late October. A recent email from NFA invites everyone to “bring your family, friends, and camera — it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season outdoors.” NFA properties are open sunrise to sunset; visit newtownforestassociation.org/explore for notes, including addresses, about each property.

Last Thursday was a busy day for Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS), who concluded one series and introduced another. While hosting Dr Tracey Gendron for a breakfast event at Newtown Senior Center — hours before Gendron then presented the finale for the “Timeless Newtown” series (stories in print and online next week) — FONS also launched a nutrition program emphasizing healthy choices and locally sourced foods. Attendees enjoyed food primarily purchased at Newtown Farmers’ Market, including fresh yogurt with local berries, local mozzarella, and tomatoes, whole wheat toast and whole grain multi-grain toast, jellies with no high fructose corn syrup, and butter. Locally grown peppers were offered with scrambled eggs and roasted potatoes. Guests were encouraged to visit farmers markets in the area and purchase locally grown produce and other products. They were also given nutrition information concerning the foods provided.

Last Sunday morning, Lauren and Kyle Collins welcomed about 90 people to the first service of Steadfast Church. The Collinses are the lead pastors of the new church, which meets in The Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall on Sunday mornings at 9:30 am. I’m told things went perfectly for the couple, and I wish them the best with the family-oriented church.

Congratulations are also due to Newtown resident Naveen Kapur, whose biography has been added to the Marquis Who’s Who online directory of distinguished professionals. The New Delhi native has made a life for himself as an entrepreneur in the power engineering field, including the founding of N.K. Engineers, Inc. His designs can be found all around the world including across the United States and in Yugoslavia, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. His work has also been recognized by The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc. Naveen’s name is on the Immigrant Wall of Honor for his work in the power engineering field. His story was shared with readers in April, when he talked about his life and some of the professional distinctions that led to the acceptance earlier this month by Marquis.

This weekend launches a month of themed service projects by Newtown Woman’s Club, GFWC. The local club is joining General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC) member clubs around the world planning to participate in the 2025 International Day of Service on September 27. Members of the Newtown club are among those who have promised to raise awareness and take action to help end domestic and sexual violence. Newtown club members have already collected and presented items to Maderas Home for Women Veterans in Bridgeport. Others have coordinated the placement of purple bows and/or ribbons on mailboxes, fences, doors, trees, walls and buildings around town, ahead of October being recognized as Domestic & Sexual Violence Awareness Month. At least one wreath was hung at Edmond Town Hall on Monday, and I saw one in the lower hall of C.H. Booth Library when I was there Tuesday afternoon. Woman’s Club members planned to hang similar wreaths at the municipal center and senior center by the end of this week, and hope to see a growing sea of purple as we head into and then start checking off the days of October.

The local women’s club is also among those planning to participate in The Center for Empowerment and Education’s SafeWalk when that signature event is presented in Newtown for the first time this year. The Danbury-based organization (formerly The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury) will present six SafeWalks across the region this season, with Newtown’s planned for October 4. The event rallies support for survivors, raises awareness about interpersonal violence, and funds CEE’s life-changing, no-cost, confidential services. If you’d like to learn more visit thecenterct.org/events or contact CEE Special Events Manager Linda Cummins at 203-731-5200 x232 or linda.c@thecenterct.org.

Readers who need support or know of anyone who needs help are reminded that CEE’s no-cost, confidential hotlines are available 24/7. The CEE Domestic Violence Hotline is 203-731-5206, and the Sexual Assault Hotline is 203-731-5204.

Ahead of that, organizers of the 2025 Newtown Arts Festival are hoping the large soccer fields within the Fairfield Hills campus will be filled this weekend. The celebration of all things artistic opens Friday with a concert by The Zoo (which will move to Edmond Town Hall if there’s rain) and then continues Saturday and Sunday with events and offerings for all ages and many interests. See our calendars and recent press releases for details.

Pavement Picassos are invited to register for a new event timed to coincide with the arts festival. Newtown Lions Club recently announced Chalk The Walk, a sidewalk art contest also taking place within Fairfield Hills this weekend. Three local artists will judge designs on Sunday afternoon, and there are $100 prizes being offered for Youth (ages 12-18) and Adult (18+) categories. There will additionally be a $100 People’s Choice Award. A separate area will be set up for ages 12 and under who would just like to have fun drawing.

Cost is $10 per sidewalk square. The Lions will provide some chalk, but entrants are welcome to use their own chalk or chalk pastels. Paint and other non-washable materials cannot be used. Hair spray is the only fixative allowed. Registration can be done through newtownlions.org, and check-in opens at 11 am Saturday. Sidewalks will be open for chalking until 5 pm Saturday, and then on Sunday from 11 am until 3 pm. Judging will be done Sunday afternoon, and photos will be taken of each submission if rain starts. Visit the Lions Club’s website for full details. Non-artistic festival attendees will also be needed Sunday afternoon, to determine the People’s Choice winner.

I understand there was something of a coup during Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue’s annual golf tournament this week. During registration the fire company offers players the opportunity to purchase a mulligan before play begins. That’s not new. What is new is how one foursome opted to use theirs on Monday. Apparently the team that took home this year’s first place trophies pooled their many mulligans and shaved more than a few points off their score. The unnamed team went from being a contender for High Duffer trophies with an initial score of 72, to taking home top honors with their “final” score of 39.

There’s no shaving in my past or future, only another column to collate before next week. I hope you’ll remember to come back then, when it will be time to … read me again.