Matt Austin did something fun recently. Our freelance theater reviewer was recently selected to compete on NBC’s “Password Game Show Holiday Special” with Jimmy Fallon and Jonathan Groff. Matt can’t tell us how he did, of course, but he can share that the episode will air December 8 on NBC, and again on December 18. Matt also shared the experience “was super fun and should be a great watch.”

Ahead of this year’s 40th anniversary Newtown Holiday Festival — the holiday event and big annual fundraiser for Newtown Youth & Family Services (NYFS) — organizers are hoping to hear from a few more donors for the Festival of Trees. You may recall that while the Holiday Festival is primarily a Sunday event, the Festival of Trees runs for two days. This year’s Festival of Trees is planned for Saturday and Sunday, December 6-7, and will again be presented in the undercroft of Trinity Episcopal Church. Trees, wreaths, baskets and other festive décor are all welcome. All items are due at the church either late Thursday afternoon, December 4, or around midday Friday, December 5; full details are available at newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org or by contacting Susan Smith at SSmith@newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org. As a special thank you to those who fill the tables with the Festival of Trees offerings, NYFS is offering one complimentary House Tour ticket to each family, individual, or business that donates to the special event.

I have a gold star for Wendy Devereaux this week, after she solved the mystery of two very interestingly costumed people in a recent Way We Were. The October 31 presentation of that popular column offered a photo of two people dressed like punk rockers. The only information on the photo in our archives was its date, October 1982. Wendy saw the photo, shared it with her high school reunion committee, and discovered the teens in the photo are Mike Gross and Christian Chemero. Bravo and thank you Wendy and your friends!

I would like to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the passing of David Cervellino, who was a friend of Reporter Sam Cross. Last year on November 12, Sam learned of Dave’s passing just one day after attending the VFW Post 308 Veterans Day Ceremony. Post Commander Phillip Lombardo shared a moment with the audience when he encouraged veterans and active-duty service personnel to join their local VFWs because, he reminded them, “You’re never alone.”

This year, Newtown hosted quite a few ceremonies around the schools and town, each with their own tinge of sadness for those who have fallen, and each with their own immense pride in sharing the sacrifices, stories, and kinship of military service. Sam sends her condolences to all those who grieved this past Tuesday for a fallen friend, father, mother, brother, sister, or lover, and I do, too, readers. I may be only a small black cat, but my heart is as big as anyone else’s. Resources are available in town and across the state for those who are struggling with suicidal ideation. As Phil said, “You’re not alone.” I promise.

I know Sam was thinking about Dave this week, especially while covering some of the Veterans Day ceremonies. She had a special pick-me-up in the form of a hug from Miss Sophia Baggett while covering one of the school events on Tuesday, however. Sam said she was spotted by the oldest grandchild of Sherri and Scott Baggett, who clearly needed a moment to put the pieces together while seeing Sam out of her usual element. It didn’t take much longer after that for a big smile and equally large hug to be shared between the two.

President Obama may have presented his Presidential Challenge Coins to a flight of veterans when he surprised their Honor Flight upon arrival in Washington earlier this week, but I think a shy smile followed by a happy hug from a child can be just as powerful.

Bill Glass did a lot of running around on Monday and Tuesday, collecting images during Veterans Day events in town. One of his first stops was at Maplewood of Newtown, where he had the honor of reconnecting with Will Petrone (pictured). The World War II veteran is now 102 years old, having celebrated his most recent birthday on August 20, and Bill said Will still plans to keep going another five years. “His goal is to live to be 107, and so far so good,” Bill mentioned.

Speaking of all the special events and commemorations this week ahead of and on November 11, we have one story running in this week’s paper (and online), covering Monday’s ceremony at Newtown High School. We have many additional stories planned for next week’s paper. Stand by.

I know how far away Valentine’s Day is, but I have to agree with the reader who asked to remain anonymous when they shared this photo of a heart-shaped burning bush with me. It does make one think of love, and Valentine’s Day, even a few months early (or late). This was spotted in front of the Commerce Road post office, and while I fully understand it’s an invasive plant, I just want to share the joy that inspired the careful pruning with everyone who took the time to check in with me this week.

Bravo to the many residents of Naugatuck who were concerned when they saw a dog they thought was injured (and worse) on a city ballfield last week. What people were in fact seeing was an artificial coyote that had been placed on Peter J. Foley Little League Field in an attempt to keep the field free of birds. With a few days of wind and rain, however, the coyote was repeatedly blown over. From afar, it did look like a dog was lying down and not moving for frighteningly long stretches.

So many people contacted the City department, its employees issued a social media post last Tuesday. The November 4 public announcement opened with the words NOT A REAL DOG. “We have gotten numerous calls over the last few weeks about an abandoned dog, injured dog, and now today, due to the wind, a possible deceased dog” on the playing field, the post said. The public was thanked for its continued support “and ‘see something-say something’ due diligence.” The coyote was just taking a break, the post continued.

I think this is a good time for me to take a break. I hope you’ll meet me here again this time next week, when it will be time to … read me again.