Although the fundraiser/auction this coming Saturday evening, September 13, at The Taunton Press is called “Putting On The Dog” and is sponsored by Canine Advocates of Newtown, I know that a new pound is going to benefit those of the feline persuasion, too, so I hope you have picked up a ticket for the event by now. The present pound behind the landfill off of Ethan Allen Road is a sad place for homeless animals to wait out a new family and CAN President Virginia Jess assures me that the new pound will be all about the animals it serves. Tickets ($60) for the fundraiser can be purchased at the door as well, so now there’s no excuse for not going. For more information call 482-2606.

The Spay & Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN) hopes to sell goodies and raise more funds this weekend in its never-ending endeavor to better the lives of dogs and cats in town. SNAN members will be at 13 Berkshire Road on Saturday, September 13, from 10 am until 2 pm, offering a little bit of everything. SNAN will use the proceeds from the sale to continue its mission of creating “a better world for our pets.” (And us cats and dogs know what THAT means.) Rain date, if needed, will be September 27. Call 426-5730 for additional information.

Everyone is always complaining about my caterwauling, but I hear that Newtown Choral Society is an unauditioned singing group, and the new practice season begins Wednesday evening, September 17. I have a feeling that Anna DeMasi, the music director of Musicals at Richter, and this year’s choir accompanist, will be able to keep me in tune. The Choral Society is kind enough to welcome all who have a love of singing and learning about music, and with a new choral director, John Mucci, how can I go wrong? Call 426-3769 if you want to be part of making some beautiful music this winter, too.

There were a lot of people weeding at the library last Friday — but not the flowerbeds. Librarians from all over the state were going through the stacks “weeding” out books that were no longer pertinent to the collection or had seen better days, as part of a state library program. It’s sort of a “Librarians Helping Librarians” deal — you know how hard it is to get rid of your own stuff. It takes an unbiased party with no personal investment to give the “heave ho” to unnecessary items. Library director Janet Woycik said that after the outside librarians have offered their suggestions, the staff at C.H. Booth reviews the list. Weeded out books, tapes, and audio books are then donated to the Friends for the annual book sale.

If you read last week’s story about John Boccuzzi Sr and Jr’s summer bike trip from Kittery, Maine, to Washington, D.C., and thought that 500 miles was an amazing accomplishment, hang onto your shirt. John Jr sent a correction to The Bee this week: he and his dad biked 669 miles altogether, making that 500-mile number look a little paltry. Whew. Now I’m completely humbled.

In case you wore out your flag waving it during the Labor Day Parade, Boy Scouts from Troop 270 are ready to help you dispose of it properly. The troop is collecting flags to be recycled and residents are invited to drop off their flags at Dodgingtown Firehouse at the corner of Route 302 and Taunton Hill Road, on Thursday nights, between 7:30 and 9 pm, when the boys are meeting. If you can’t get over to the firehouse during that timeframe, we keep a box in the front office at The Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, so that folks can drop their flags off any time the office is open. Typically there is someone here Monday through Friday from at least 7:30 am until at least 6 pm, sometimes earlier and sometimes later. The Bee will make sure the flags get to the Boy Scouts for proper retirement.

Joan Velush and Craig Rogers had a bit of a surprise awaiting them when they returned after a weekend trip from a family wedding in North Carolina. The mailbox out front of their Route 34 Victorian home had been crushed and ripped from its post, the retaining wall was missing a chunk of stone, and a gigantic skid mark had torn up a portion of their front lawn — all due to a car accident out front of their home early Saturday morning. But wait, there’s more. A tree that fell in the nearby woods over the weekend had ripped all of the wiring from the house, leaving them with no electricity and no water — other than what was sloshing around in the yard after the weekend’s deluge. Now there’s a nice welcome home present after 12 hours on the road.

Time for me to don my beret and take in some culture. The Galleries at The Fraser-Woods School on South Main Street is presenting sculpture by Jodi Carlson and paintings by Adam Kaplan from now through October 24. I don’t want to miss the artists’ reception on September 19 from 6 to 8:30 pm, either. Musical guests Rafael’s Trio will be there and there are lots of hands-on art projects scheduled for all. The public can view the collections by calling 426-3390 for an appointment. I’ve got my paw on speed dial already.

I noticed that George and Shane Miller already have their home at 50 Main Street sprouting mums on the front steps and all around the side of the house, and I’ll bet they are sampling some fine Merlot wines while listening to Mozart sonatas — all in preparation for the Kevin’s Community Center “Mozart, Merlot, and Mums” anniversary/fundraiser they are hosting Saturday, September 20. Tickets are $30 each and are available at various locations around town. Sample some fine wines, listen to the Concert Society Chamber Orchestra, nibble on tasty snacks prepared by local restaurants, and bid on outstanding items during the auction. What better way to pass a pleasant autumn afternoon? Visit KevinsCommunityCenter.org for more information.

There is yet one more great way to pass an early autumn afternoon, and that is to make sure that next week you… Read me again.