Sales Rep Jeff Williams had a "dreams come true" moment on Friday, September 4. Jeff and Reporter Sam Cross set off down the hill to a distant neighbor, 61 Church Hill Road, to document and celebrate the grand opening of Monarch Physical Therapy. Opened by Dr Chelsea and Matt Barnes, the new practice specializes in pelvic health and orthopedic wellness. Before the two went down the hill, Sam got a call to her office phone. Jeff realized that co-owner Matt Barnes is the Matt Barnes from the Boston Red Sox, aka the pitcher that helped secure the 2018 World Series for the team. Jeff came up and asked if it would be "cheesy" to ask for a color photo to be printed of Matt for an autograph opportunity. Sam didn't think it was.

When they got down the hill, there were dozens of people there to celebrate the grand opening of Monarch. Before the two left, Jeff told Sam he wanted to stick around for a few more minutes to get a picture with Matt. Jeff swooped in and got his photo. Way to go, Jeff, and welcome to Newtown, Monarch PT!

The old fashion adage says one should never wear white after Labor Day, but Reporter Jenna Visca may never wear white again after last week. Our reporter was among those invited to join Jeremy Ferris when he and his wife welcomed Sadie — a former stray dog Jeremy met while the US Army specialist was serving in the Middle East — into their home on September 3. Jenna has a wonderful story and photos from that reunion coordinated through Paws of War, which didn’t even bend my nose too badly considering it’s a canine. Unfortunately, our dear Jenna was sporting some new clothing that morning and boy did it get some wear! While covering the reunion, Jenna repeatedly knelt on some grass. Her left knee made contact with the ground and suddenly the pretty white pants that were part of Jenna’s shopping spree during the recent Connecticut Tax-Free Week became white-with-green pants. Folks, this is your reminder to be careful when wearing white. Thankfully, I don't have to worry about that since I have black fur.

While that reunion was a happy one, we received word from the state Department of Criminal Justice about a 51-year-old Granby man who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison for injuring a State Police K-9. Ooooooh my hackles are still raised over this one! A domestic violence incident was unfolding in East Hartford in July 2025 when Connecticut State Police from Troop B and Granby Police Department responded to a call for help. CSP Trooper Lance Carlson and K-9 Gordon were among those responding. When officers were attempting to arrest the bad guy — Michael G. Wilkinson — he grabbed K-9 Gordon by the neck and pinned the then-4-year-old German shepherd against the wall! A fellow officer used an “electronic control device” (a Taser) to subdue Wilkinson, at which time he was taken into custody. The Honorable Brian W. Preleski last week sentenced Wilkinson on the charge of Illegally Injuring a Peace Officer Animal. One of the desks in our building at 5 Church Hill Road has a bumper sticker that states: Abuse An Animal Go To Jail. The bumper sticker is not wrong! Don’t make me show my claws.

In other news, fifty-five years ago on September 11, lifelong Newtowners and high school sweethearts Jim and Sue Shpunt tied the knot at St Rose of Lima Church. Jim has served as a line officer, assistant treasurer, and vice president of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company (SHVFR), while Sue has served on the Ladies Auxiliary. They've both been active with SHVFR for 55 years as well. These days, they've expanded their volunteer efforts to include FAITH Food Pantry. Eagle-eyed readers may have even spotted Sue rolling a food donation wagon in this week's Labor Day Parade. I give my warm congratulations to this happy and very dedicated couple of community treasures.

I hope everyone had a lovely Labor Day weekend, whether you visited family far away or decided to take a cat nap at home. As for me, I trekked up and down Main Street to catch the Labor Day Parade on Monday. What a show! This year's parade was particularly special, as longtime Newtown resident Bill Glass was chosen to be the event's grand marshal. Bill is more than just a familiar face; he has been a freelance photographer for The Newtown Bee for over three years, in addition to many other local groups and organizations. Reporter Jenna Visca and Sports Editor Andy Hutchison were there to take photos for the newspaper. However, being grand marshal did not stop Bill from doing what he loves most. Ever the photographer, Bill brought his camera and took pictures as he rode down Main Street, Glover Avenue, and Queen Street. He kept taking photos once he finished the parade route, giving everyone a big, bright smile from behind the lens. I was just happy to watch from afar. Being alone is nice, but seeing such a big crowd can be fun ... occasionally.

On that note, I'm presenting a Good Egg Award to Dave Schaedler, who hand-built a float for Friends of Newtown Seniors (FONS) in this year's Labor Day Parade. The float had red, white, and blue streamers dangling from its sides, along with a large double-sided sign describing how FONS advocates for senior citizens planted in its center. Schaedler pulled the float down the parade route on his motorcycle, all while a few FONS members sat in the float and waved at the crowd. One of those people was his wife, Beverly Bennett Schaedler; based on their joyous expressions, the two could not have more happy to ride in the parade together.

Labor Day weekend is not the last chance to have "end-of-summer fun," though, readers. I know the Bethlehem Fair will return this weekend. Children can have fun riding rides and enjoy cotton candy until their mouths turn blue (or pink). Flower displays from gardeners, hand-made quilts, and of course the photographs submitted by locals are sure to delight fair-goers. Barns of hens and roosters, bunnies of all kinds, sheep, cattle, and goats are there for attendees to enjoy. While Newtown is not as farm-centric as it used to be, I still know my way around a barn!

Well readers, it was nice to catch up. I will see you next week when you return to ... read me again.