Ezra is taking a tour. Readers will hopefully remember Ezra the Rooster, who was introduced by Newtown Historical Society on January 1, 2025. Ezra is a handsome metal rooster painted with bright colors who has been “touring” Newtown locations on occasion since last year. The historical society settled on the name Ezra to honor Ezra Levan Johnson, Newtown’s first “unofficial” historian.

After some quiet months, I understand Ezra is ready to do a little walkabout this weekend. I promised his handlers I wouldn’t give away the itinerary, but I can offer a hint about his destination: Ezra will be heading toward a historic home that is among those listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the locations that played a key role in the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. I won’t say anything further this week. I just encourage everyone to check Newtown Historical Society’s Facebook page (NewtownHistoricalSociety) and/or Instagram (@newtowncthistoricalsociety) feed to see if you were able to figure out where he was headed, and then learn about that special location.

Newtown schools have completed the 2025-26 academic years, but I think a few students are still enjoying some of their recent work. Regional students were invited earlier this spring to participate in the annual Byrd’s Books Bookmark Contest, and two Newtown students were among those selected by the independent book store in Bethel to have their illustrations honored. Sophia, who was a student in Mr Dalton’s class at Reed School, was the Grade Five winner for her illustration based on Pax, Journey Home. She has been given 25 bookmarks created with her illustration and a $25 gift certificate from the bookstore. Additionally, Olivia, who was in Mr Conetta’s class at Newtown Middle School, was a runner-up in the Grade Seven category thanks to her drawing based on The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Olivia received a $10 Byrd’s Books gift certificate for her creative work.

Newtown Lions Club members were also big winners last weekend. Not only did the club have its most successful Great Pootatuck Duck Race fundraiser to date (see related story), but thanks to pre-planning by Co-Chair Arnie Berman, many members were wearing shirts that really celebrated last weekend’s big event. If you missed them, the shirts were short sleeve button downs, slate blue background with white flowers, the Lions Club seal, and even rubber ducks also featuring the Lions Club seal. Great work, Arnie. Those shirts were just ducky.

Bruce the Spruce is on vacation. Last week’s photo, showing Bruce dressed and ready to head to the West Coast, may be the final for a little while. It turns out Bruce wasn’t just heading toward California, as noted by the “California or Bust” sign that was part of his outfit, he may have stepped right into retirement. The ladies who coordinate Bruce’s outfits are taking a well-earned break after creating themed outfits for the artificial three foot tall tree in our Production department since December 2023. We’ll see what the future holds for Bruce, of course. I offer my sincere thanks to Lynn, Susie, Jill, and anyone else who has contributed ideas and/or pieces toward Bruce’s creative and enjoyable outfits in recent years.

Taking a cue from The Rolling Stones, whose fans and critics have speculated about that band’s retirement for years, local siblings and musicians Leslie and Corky Ballard have decided to continue the tradition of the "Continuing Final Panacea Reunion" this year. Panacea is the band that formed when its members were Newtown High School students in the early 1970s. The band broke up in 1972, once everyone graduated from high school, but reunited for The Great Newtown Reunion in 2013. When weather and the time forced an early conclusion to that set, Panacea returned the following year for a Labor Day weekend show at Dickinson Park. They’ve returned nearly each year since, although more recent shows have been billed as “final” gatherings.

This week Leslie said a 2026 show really wasn’t a sure thing until very recently. Original drummer and guitarist Rick Kuhn and Jon Dodson, respectively, won’t be able to fly in for September, and the expenses for rentals, insurance, etc can be pretty prohibitive. Nevertheless, Leslie and Corky have announced they will scale back some of this year’s presentation — no stage, and they’ll use their own PA system, for starters — but not their enthusiasm when they and a few friends head to Dickinson Park pavilion on Sunday, September 6, for The 2026 Panacea & Friends Newtown Reunion. Music from the 1970s-90s will be performed rain or shine from 2 to 6 pm, a food truck will be on site, and the 6th Annual Bridget Seaman Memorial Food Drive for FAITH Food Pantry will be collected. Our late friend was an advocate to the local food pantry, and Panacea has continued to honor her and that memory with the annual donations drive in her name. Event updates will be available in our pages and online at facebook.com/PanaceaNewtown.

Independence Day is fast approaching, and I’m going to take this moment to let you know that at least two national events are planned to coincide with the Semiquincentennial. These have been months in the making, but I just want to make sure everyone is aware of a nationwide bell ringing and Light To Unite. For the former, everyone is invited to join participants nationwide to ring a bell at 2:50 pm EST. Depending on the type of bell and whether you’d like to use a handheld or rope pulled tower bell, electronically sounded bells, carillons, chimes, handbells, etc, ringers are encouraged to do whatever they’d like when that time arrives. The National Bell Festival is suggesting 13 tolls to reference the original 13 colonies; 250 tolls, one for each year of our nation’s history; ringing for 20 minutes; a full peal; or even a recital of patriotic hymns. Further, if you can’t put your hand(s) on a bell for that afternoon, the all-volunteer team behind this event is also encouraging people to get outside and listen to the bells. Rumor has it there are plans for a free app for iPhone and Android that will bring bell towers right to anyone’s fingertips. As of June 17, however, the app had not yet materialized.

For the latter, The National Flag Foundation has been encouraging people to light buildings and landmarks in red, white, and blue, as well as fly the American flag. Light To Unite will be, according to organizers, an invitation for citizens to honor the flag “and illuminate cities, towns, and landmarks in red, white, and blue, symbolizing our shared heritage, freedom, and unity.”

Ahead of Sunday and Father’s Day, I offer one of my favorite bad dad jokes: Why did the tomato turn red? Because it saw the salad dressing. Share that with your favorite father figure on Sunday, or be nice and pretend to laugh if someone tries to tell it to you.

Either way I hope you forgive me for that one by this time next week, when it will be time to … read me again.