The last time we spoke about Hannah Cruz, the Newtown native was playing Inez Milholland in the original Broadway cast of Suffs. The 34-year-old is now not only playing Svetlana in the Broadway revival of Chess, she — wait for it… — has been nominated for a Tony Award!

Hannah’s name was announced on Tuesday, right there with Shoshana Bean, Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer and Nichelle Lewis, when nominations were released for Best Performance By An Actress In A Featured Role in A Musical. The 79th Annual Tony Awards will be presented in just a few weeks, on Sunday, June 7. I hope to see a serious increase in the number of local TVs and streaming devices watching the awards that night.

Just as we did last weekend for National Fallen Firefighters Day, I offer a reminder now that flags should be lowered next Sunday from sunrise to sunset for another set of first responders — May 17 in observance of National Peace Officer Memorial Day. National Police Week will be observed May 11-17, and will include a National Police K9 Memorial Service on Monday at 1 pm and a Candlelight Vigil on Wednesday at 8 pm, among other special events.

The names of 363 officers killed in the line of duty have been added this year to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. This includes 109 officers who were killed during 2025, and an additional 254 who died in previous years. There are currently 24,775 names engraved on the memorial. Lowering our flags on May 17 will be our way of honoring the thousands of law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in this country’s history, according to the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. If you’d like to learn more, visit nleomf.org.

As mentioned last week, organizers have announced the cancellation of May 15 St Rose Bingo “due to technological and scheduling difficulties.” There is no June St Rose Bingo planned, so the series will be on summer break. The good news is, organizers did say bingo will return next school year, “hopefully starting in September,” in their April 28 announcement.

The following day, dogs will still have the run of Fairfield Hills for a few hours next weekend — on leashes, of course, but it’ll be their time to have their annual fun when Newtown Park & Bark and Newtown Parks & Recreation present the 15th Strutt Your Mutt event. Cost is $10 per dog if you and your canine pal would like to participate in a 2K walk, an agility course, contests, and/or games. Local vendors and at least two food trucks will also be on hand for the returning event on May 16 from 11 am-2 pm; rain date will be Sunday, same hours. Proceeds from this annual event will again benefit Park & Bark.

This weekend, members of Newtown Board of Realtors will be outside Stop & Shop for a few hours, collecting donations for Newtown Animal Control Center. Those wonderful people will be outside the supermarket on May 9 between 11 am and 1 pm, and I’d be grateful if you could help them if possible. I’m a lucky cat. I’ve never had to worry about a safe, warm place to sleep, where my next meal will come from, or even whether or not I am loved (I am). Many animals aren’t that lucky, and even those who have to stay at a shelter for a short time are often traumatized. Anything to make their stay more comfortable is helpful.

Ahead of the return of Keys For A Cause, which is covered in print and online this week, Newtown Youth & Family Services and NewSylum have also announced the return of the collaborative Mental Health Awareness Month fundraiser. For the fifth year, proceeds from every pour of NewSylum’s Therapy Session will be donated to NYFS to support the Sandy Hook-based agency’s mental health programs. Therapy Session is a hazy New England-style pale ale. These annual “Pours For Therapy” initiatives have raised $7,700 over the past four years, including $1,500 last year alone. Drink responsibly, of course, but remember those pours are for a good cause.

I’d like to offer a Good Egg Award to “The Tree Lady,” whose recent anonymous donation to Newtown Forest Association meant more than 1,000 Canaan fir seedlings were delivered to Newtown schools. Students in grades K-6 were given the opportunity to take home their very own tree and then nurture it. “This inspiring vision encourages our youngest community members to take an active role in caring for our planet, one tree at a time,” NFA said in a statement. Thank you Tree Lady, and happy planting to the new young stewards.

Bev Bennett Schaedler would like everyone to mark their calendars for June 11. That Thursday evening will be when the 2026 Friends of Newtown Seniors Membership Meeting will be conducted. Bev says this year’s event will not only include “an exciting and informative annual report,” there will also be a pig roast-style picnic for dinner featuring everything from collard greens, cornbread, and mac & cheese to hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, dessert, and drinks. There will also be a super performance by Rockin Roosters. The event will be at Newtown Community Center, cost will be $25 per person, and the opportunity to make reservations will open very soon.

Summer may still be about six weeks away according to the calendar but in Newtown, it has arrived. Holy Cow Ice Cream, Dolce Italian Ice & Gelato, and Shortt’s Farm and Ice Cream have all reopened in recent weeks, and now Ferris Acres Creamery has joined the party. This photo shows Vinny Mattison, and if you’re wondering why he looks so happy, it’s because he drove from New Fairfield on Tuesday, when the Creamery opened for its 2026 season, to make sure he and his wife had very fresh ice cream from 144 Sugar Street. Vinny told Bee Photographer Bill Glass he and his wife love making the drive from their home to the Creamery because “it’s rated as one of the best ice cream locations in the country.” The Mattisons favor Tractor Trax and Cookie Jar flavors.

If you have a local child or grandchild high school age or younger, this is also the perfect time to remind you that our print edition celebrates birthdays every week. The Birthday Cake column invites families to share a photo and the first and last name, birthday, and age a child will be turning — ahead of their big day when possible, but no later than 30 days after — and make sure that’s in our hands before noon each Tuesday. Each week, one lucky child then receives a coupon to the Creamery, good for a basic chocolate and vanilla ice cream cake. See page A-6 in this week’s paper for additional details. We are grateful to the Ferris family for continuing this tradition with us. Next month will mark the 14th anniversary of their generous partnership with us.

I believe that’s about it for me and my news this time around. I hope you can find some time to enjoy some fresh ice cream, gelato, sherbet, or a similar tasty treat before this time next week, when it will be time to … read me again.