It’s time! If you have books, jigsaw puzzles, LPs, CDs, DVDs etc that you’ve been holding onto during the recent Temporary Donations Pause by Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, it’s time to let go of those items and let the Friends find a new home for them. Volunteers began accepting items again on Monday, July 20. The donations will continue to fill the always-changing inventory for The Little Book Store within the library, some will be earmarked for the Holiday Sale in December, and many will be stored away for the 2027 Book Sale.

Please do remember, however, that the Friends do not accept board games, encyclopedias and Time-Life series books; outdated reference and text books, or travel guides; VHS tapes; Readers’ Digest condensed books; magazines, or pamphlets. The 501(c)(3) organization is dedicated to providing financial and material support to the Main Street institution. Proceeds from sales through the organization help the library update its book and media collections, and fund technology upgrades. Support from the Friends also includes underwriting of programs for all ages and other library services.

No word on when the fourth attempt to celebrate a formal opening for “The Great Art-Doors” will take place, but last weekend’s reception was cancelled once again due to rain. For those keeping score, the outdoor exhibition at Nettleton Preserve was to have its opening reception on June 27. Oppressive heat moved that date to July 5, which was then canceled due to the strong storm that moved through the area the previous afternoon and evening. The third attempt planned for July 18 was also washed out, and no new date had been set as of this week. The good news is, the exhibit itself is on view daily from dawn to dusk until September 11. Access to the Newtown Forest Association property is from Old Castle Drive. Signage and trail maps will help visitors discover the ten works installed for the outdoor exhibition.

Belated birthday wishes to Rev Andrea Castner Wyatt, who reached a milestone on Tuesday. Our Production Director and in-house MacGyver, Scott Baggett, also had a milestone birthday, on Sunday. While he and wife Sherri were out of the office at last Thursday and Friday, the resident “mice” (friends and co-workers) went to town decorating his office. I won’t reveal his specific age, but I will tell you the theme of his space when he walked into 5 Church Hill Road Monday morning was “Welcome To Club Med-icare.”

Newtown Congregational Church has in recent years been supporting Bridgeport Rescue Mission. This month the congregation is building a collection of back-to-school supplies to be delivered during BRM’s Block Party next month. If you’d like to donate toward that effort, organizers at 14 West Street are accepting new backpacks suitable for boys and girls, new sneakers for boys and girls, school supplies, and even toiletries including deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Items are due at the church office by July 30; please note the office’s summer hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 9 am-5 pm. If you have questions call 203-426-9024.

Readers, I have very exciting news to share. On Friday, July 17, Bee Reporter Sam Cross taught her very first salsa class at Lathrop School of Dance. She told me Monday morning that it went very well! There were even some fellow Bee employees who tried their hand at the Latin dance. Sam had about 16 people attend the class and raised $145 through donations for FAITH Food Pantry. Participants also arrived with lots of food items, which filled three bags of food, pet food, and other items to donate to the pantry that has been helping residents since June 1983. At the end of the night, Lathrop owner Tamra Saric surprised everyone by matching the donation for a total of $290. Sam ran down to FAITH on Tuesday right before the rain started and dropped off the goodies. Lee Paulsen, president of FAITH, was very happy and pleased with the donation. All FAITH volunteers were ecstatic to learn that Tamra matched the donation. I'm giving Tamra a Good Egg Award for her matched donation! You deserve it, Tamra.

I heard from one Way We Were reader a few weeks after running a nondescript carnival photo. She thought the photo in the July 3, 2026 Way We Were may have been at the former ICC fields along Berkshire Road/Route 34, but she didn’t want to commit to that. She was a very young girl circuses were presented there, she said. One of last week’s Way We Were notes did mention those days, however. Fifty years ago this month “the circus came to town and the Italian Community Center field buzzed with activity Tuesday morning as the big tent went up, the animals were fed and spectators gazed at the ceaseless activity,” the July 16, 1976 issue of this newspaper reported. So Colleen, your memories were indeed correct.

Further, longtime resident Evie Watts sent a note this week that said fire companies jointly presented carnivals in that space in the 1960s. Evie remembers the ICC property too, which was on the “Rte 34 flats, across from Johnny Appleseed Lane,” she added. Thank you to both readers for sharing your memories with me and our readers.

The seventh presentation of Newtown-Bethel Salvation Army’s Christmas in July bell ringing event collection raised over $3,000 last weekend. Volunteers were at seven locations across town until rain hampered their efforts, but that’s still a lot of money that will help Newtown Human Services purchase back-to-school supplies for Newtown students. Some of those funds will also be earmarked for local families who need help with emergency utilities coverage.

Local Salvation Army President Glenn Nanavaty told me this week he heard from one volunteer who met with two people who fondly remember the late Dick and Marie Sturdevant. This year’s Christmas in July effort was done in memory of those two longtime Newtown residents, who’d both been very active with the Salvation Army and many other groups, clubs and organizations. “Two very sweet individuals who were friends of the Sturdevants stopped by to donate in their honor. They were generous and kind and shared some memories about Marie,” the bell ringer shared with Glenn. “It was a lovely idea to remember them and all they did for this program and our community,” she added.

I too have very fond memories of both Sturdevants. They were both the epitome of “salt of the earth.”

You are equally prized in my heart, dear readers. I’m grateful that you remember me and know when it’s time to come back and … read me again.