How's your "Ho, ho, ho"? Hollandia Nursery is looking for… a Santa Claus. If you or someone you know is feeling extra jolly this holiday season, and would like to earn a few extra dollars for spending, please give Kathy a call at 203-743-6636. Santa needs to fly in from the North Pole to be on hand Saturdays and Sundays, starting November 18 until Christmas Eve. (We know that Santa gets a little busy that night.)The Newtown Bee continues to collect donations to share with the Animal Control Center here in Newtown. We do have a drop-off box just inside the front door, and are looking for anything from paper towels, food, toys, litter, etc. We will be accepting donations until November 2, and taking everything to the shelter on November 3. Stop by with your contributions anytime between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.54below.com.

Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks is cherishing a photograph signed by American Idol fifth season winner Taylor Hicks. When Bee Copy Editor Janis Gibson approached the singer following a concert last Saturday, and mentioned that her co-worker was also named Hicks, Taylor was eager to personalize his photo - to his "cousin." Now there's a special memento.

There are plenty of creatures in need in our town.

A handmade poster was on display at Newtown High School this week, sharing information about the Sunday, October 29, free showing of the documentary A Plastic Ocean, at 2 pm, at Western Connecticut State University's science building in Room 125, on Dr James Roach Avenue in the midtown campus. The event is being hosted by Newtown Forward's Climate Change Subcommittee and will run until to 5 pm, with a question and answer session directed by Dr Mitch Wagener, a university professor, environmental scientist, and biologist. A Plastic Ocean was produced by the Plastic Oceans Foundation, a global network of independent organizations united in their efforts to change the world's attitude toward plastic within a generation, according to a release for the event.

The Newtown Historical Society hosts its first open house of the season this Sunday, from noon to 4 pm, at the historic Matthew Curtiss House at 44 Main Street. You'll find the house draped in mourning, just in time for Halloween. Docents will be on hand for guided tours, or take your own walk-about. If you want to make your own mourning cockade - a black ribbon medallion - there is a $2 materials fee. Take a peek at all of the treasures within this Colonial home.

Got books? Or CDs, DVDs, puzzles, games, or LPs, for that matter? The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library wants the ones you have finished with. The Fall Book Donation Day takes place this Sunday, from noon to 5 pm, in the back lot of the library at 25 Main Street. Volunteers will help you unload your donations, and tax receipts are available. Donations will be used for the July book sale, with the most gently used or new books being offered at the library's Little Book Nook.

Here, kitty, kitty, kitty... Oh wait. This was not a kitty to invite to come closer. The Feldmans on John Beach Road had a look at a pretty big bobcat lounging in the brush behind their house last week.

This week we offer a Good Egg Award to Kirsten Strobel, a Reed Intermediate School teacher who reportedly makes an effort to attend the activities of her students even after the end of the school day. We received a call on Monday from a former teacher who witnessed Ms Strobel's exemplary efforts. "I was with my family at a youth basketball game this past weekend," the retired teacher said. "It was in Trumbull, and there were just two players from Newtown on the team." Nevertheless, Ms Strobel showed up with gift bags and baked goodies for everyone on the team. "It's my understanding that she does this for each of her students" during the course of the school year, the caller mentioned. "I taught in Newtown, and I know how precious your weekend time is. This woman definitely goes above and beyond for her students," she added. For being a bright spot in the lives of her students, we bestow a Good Egg Award (and some virtual homemade cookies) upon RIS Grade 5 Teacher Kirsten Strobel.

In honor of Castle Hill Farm's 90th anniversary, all are invited to an evening of celebration, Saturday, October 28, from 6 to 9 pm, at 25 Sugar Lane. There will be live music by local country band Union Rail, BBQ-style foods sold, and a warm bonfire to sit by. Then, join in the Flashlight Corn Maze, lit by the glow of flashlights. If that's not enough fun for you, meet up at the farm on Sunday morning, October 29, from 8 to 10 am, for the second annual Mutts, Maze, and Muffin Morning. Freshly brewed coffee and muffins will be waiting for you, and canine companions can enjoy dog treats and sniffing their ways through the maze - on leash - with their owners. Call 203-426-5487. Congratulations to the Paproski family!

I may not be able to howl like canines, but my paws can type a reminder that this Saturday, October 28, is the Park & Bark Dog Park's 8th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume party and Haunted Haystack Treasure Hunt at 21 Old Farm Road, just past the Animal Control Center, from 11 am to 1 pm. Admission is $5 per dog, with a limit of three dogs per handler. Park & Bark will be closed to nonparticipants from 10 am to 1 pm, to host this event. I am counting down to see what costumes Newtown's dogs come dressed in this year. (I'll vote for whichever one comes dressed as a cat...)

A benefit for the Jessica Rekos Foundation takes place at Feinstein's/54 Below, Broadway's Supper Club, on Thursday, November 2, at 7 pm, with performances from Broadway stars. These stars include Tony-winner Cady Huffman (The Producers) and Bill Hutton (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). The benefit honors the young 12/14 victim's love of horses and whales through songs "of passion and inspiration," we are told. There is a $35-$45 cover charge and $25 food and beverage minimum. Premium tickets are available for $75-$80, and can be ordered at

There is so much to do and see in the upcoming days, and I haven't even mentioned Halloween, next Tuesday night. No doubt, the ghosts and goblins will descend on Main Street as they always do. Thanks in advance to the many residents of Main Street who graciously greet the trick or treaters and hand out thousands of pieces of candy.

I'll hand out a few hundred words again next week. I hope you plan to... Read me again.