The Bee received a note from Lindsey Goodwick, and if that name rings a bell with you, it might be because Lindsey and her brothers were born and raised in Newtown, her parents were married at the Meeting House, and her dad’s business, Leverage Marketing, is still in business on South Main Street. Or maybe it is because Jamie Goodwick was an all-star track and football star at NHS, or Jesse’s support of the skate park, and Lindsey offered support to the pound rescue efforts. At any rate, Lindsey is in San Diego now, it seems, and the public relations contact for the family business Team Phun, a maker of lifestyle apparel, headwear, and accessories. I checked out the website at teamphun.com/products.html, and since there was no cat department listed, I took a look at the menswear. Hey! Is that former NHS grad Nick Ciarelli modeling for Team Phun? Linz directed us to teamphun.com/Kevin.html, too. That’s because Team Phun sponsors former Newtowner Kevin Silber, who is now a competitive eater. If you want some Phun, need some Phun clothes, or you want to see what kind of Phun the Goodwicks are up to, take a look at their websites.

One Newtowner was busy last weekend raising money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) at the Monroe Car Wash with friends. Rising fifth grader Maddie Stites, pictured with, from left, Caroline Coderre, Abby Stites, and Ellie Coderre, worked diligently during the bake sale at the car wash and raised $360, combined with her other fundraising efforts from the summer. Word is this animal lover is also planning a second Kids Dog Walk at Fairfield Hills for some time this fall. Last year’s Kids Dog Walk raised roughly $400 for the SPCA. Maddie has also now created her own organization called Kids Lend a Paw (KLAP) and is working on creating a website. Maddie has some big goals in mind, and I for one offer my furry paw in support. I’ll be keeping my ears perked up for all the news Maddie is set to make in the next few months.

Time to start working out your vocal chords, if you’ve been lazy all summer. Rehearsals for the non-audition Newtown Choral Society begin Wednesday, September 19, in the chorus room of the Newtown Middle School, at 7 pm. Choral director Mary Andreotta welcomes singers old and young, men and women, and will place you in whichever section you will shine. The choral group performs a winter and a spring concert each year, with the winter concert scheduled for December 1. If you love to sing and are willing to learn about singing, this is the group for you.

It’s a weekend of fun coming up. The Bridgewater Fair runs Friday, August 17, through Sunday, August 19, and as it has for the past 60 years, offers the Fireman’s Parade at 6:45, entertainment, hobby and food exhibits, a pet parade, tractor pull, dairy and beef shows, and fun fair rides. Not to mention, this fair is renowned for its grilled chicken and roast beef food stands. Details can be found at BridgewaterFair.com.

Save Saturday afternoon for Newtown’s own Botsford Fire Rescue Summer Bash, though. Doors open at the Botsford Fire Station on Route 25 at 2 pm, Saturday, August 18. BBQ, picnic foods, and refreshments will be available while you listen to music from Fast Ricky and Night Riders. For more information, call 203-270-4388. Sports fans might want to take a break from the Bash to dash over to Ice Cream Heaven on Glen Road. Former NY Jets running back Freeman McNeil will be there from 2:30 to 5 pm — and you can lick a delicious ice cream cone while waiting to meet him. Heavenly, right?

I’ve got my eyes set on the Annual Newtown Labor Day Parade, Monday, September 3, but not everyone can see that far ahead. So, the Lions Club members will be collecting gently used eyeglasses at the parade, one of the many charitable things this group does. If you have eyeglasses tucked away in far corners of the drawers, tuck them into your pockets and bring them along on parade day. (At noon this year, remember!) Lions members will be happy to take them off your hands and put them on the noses of people who can use them.

I love a birthday party, and the public is invited to celebrate a special birthday, this coming week. Wednesday, August 22, is the 155th birthday of town benefactress Mary Elizabeth Hawley. I was a little disappointed to find out that there won’t be cake and ice cream, but there will be cookies, flowers and a guest book to sign in the Mary Hawley Room of the Edmond Town Hall that day.

Faith Food Pantry in the basement of St John’s Episcopal Church is chock full of goods this week, and director Lee Paulson and pantry volunteers are extremely grateful for the generosity of residents, and especially this week to the Sandy Hook Organizations for Prosperity for a $500 check that will allow them to purchase extra items. Summer months are always a struggle for the local food pantries, because while donations dip, the need remains the same. Having a full cupboard to assist those in need is a wonderful thing.

Our summer interns are on their ways to superstardom after the hours of hard work they put in here. But before they finished up their last day here in our office, intern Sarah buzzed in with bee cupcakes, as a farewell snack. (Intern Steve, not to be outdone, spent the morning rolling doughnut balls for the worker Bees — he said — and packing them into a Dunkin’ Donuts box…) They are definitely leaving us with sweet thoughts of them.

That’s it from the Top of the Mountain this week. I’m hoping that I’m leaving you with enough sweet thoughts, that you’ll pick up the paper next week and… Read me again.