Just a reminder that Newtown Troop 270 Boy Scouts will continue picking up Christmas trees January 12, 13, 19, and 20. There is a suggested donation of $10 per tree, which goes to support the Scouts. Visit goo.gl/forms/J6CCAsPVz4nE5OxO2 to schedule a date for pick up.

Reed Intermediate School teacher Jessica O’Connell organized a campaign at the school to donate sweatshirts and more to the Sweats For Vets organization, which she learned about in an alumni magazine for Clark University. Between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, the school collected 41 sweatshirts and 70 other accessories to donate to local homeless veterans. Ms O’Connell delivered the assorted items — sorted by size and wrapped by parent volunteers — on December 21 to four shelters: South Park Inn in Hartford, the St Elizabeth House & Friendship Center in Hartford, Friendship Service Center in New Britain, and Veteran’s Crossing in East Hartford. More information about Sweats for Vets is available on its website, sweats4vets.com.

The holidays may be over, but Edmond Town Hall isn’t leaving the spirit behind quite yet. Between the next featured film — The Grinch, which opens Friday night — and the fact that Ingersoll Auto of Danbury will be covering the cost of all nine screenings January 11-13, it’s still feeling a lot like Christmas at 45 Main Street. The latest animated telling of the Dr Seuss story about the Grinch (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) and his hate-love relationship with Whoville will be at Edmond Town Hall Theatre January 11-16. See the theater’s ad on page A-2 for the screenings schedule (or visit our online Calendar page). Beyond the weekend, tickets are just $3, with senior citizens treated to $2 tickets for each week’s Tuesday’s matinees.

Thanks to Diane Lawrence, who recognized the Scouts in last week’s “Way We Were” photo. “Mrs Beatty was the den leader,” Diane tells us, “and her son Billy is standing right next to her. In the front row stands my nephew, Ian Tran (the Harry Potter look alike!) and to his left is Bill Manville.” It’s always good to have history clarified!

There was a little gift left at the doorstep of The Newtown Bee this Monday morning — a greeting that appears to be one created by the California duo Dave Maldonado and Noah Reich, who visited last month and created messages of love for our community. Someone must have discovered one of the messages the guys randomly placed about town, (in addition to the huge sign placed in Sandy Hook Center) and decided to share it with us. We thank whomever passed this message on to us; it is cherished.

Sometimes it takes a few weeks to find the First Baby of Newtown. It’s starting to look like 2019 may be one of those years. We have a small carload of gifts and prizes just waiting for the couple who contacts us with news of a newborn. If you have given birth since the beginning of the year — or know of a Newtown resident who has done so — please reach out to Newtown Bee Associate Editor Shannon Hicks (203-426-3141 or shannon@thebee.com). We have extended the deadline to noon on Tuesday, January 15, and the family that contacts Shannon will receive a story about their newborn, along with all of those goods, services, and prizes made possible thanks to the generosity of local businesses.

Thunder in January? A tremendous roll of thunder Tuesday night (or should I say, very early Wednesday morning) had more than a few in town sitting up from a deep sleep. Thoughts jumbled about as to what that sound was, being that heads are not attuned to thinking about thunderstorms in the deep of winter. The downpour that followed clarified that it was not some local disaster, just Mother Nature throwing a little tantrum.

We understand congratulations are in order for the Bolinsky and Morrone families. State Representative Mitch Bolinsky may have hosted a listening session, donated blood, and attended opening day of the 2019 Legislative Session this week, but it’s daughter Rachel who is still celebrating really big news. Rachel and boyfriend Adam Morrone reportedly went hiking in Meriden early last month, and Adam asked her to marry him once they reached Castle Craig. Mazel Tov!

Happy birthday to Masonic Lodge, Hiram Lodge No. 18, in Sandy Hook, which turns 228 years old this month. According to Bee archives, “Hiram Lodge No. 18 A.F. A.M. was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Connecticut on January 17, 1791. In the first 60 years of its existence, there were five meeting places for the local Masons — Bennett Perry’s Lodge Room, which served the Masons from 1791 to 1821; Czar Keller’s Lodge Room (1821#128;#147;1823), William Blakely’s Lodge Room (1823#128;#147;1825), Masonic Hall (1825#128;#147;1848), and Alexander Hall’s home, which began hosting meetings in 1848.” The Lodge purchased property near St John’s Episcopal on Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook in 1905, and there they built the Masonic Hall that they have occupied since 1906, holding its first meeting in November of that year.

Are you a senior citizen who often feels outwitted by your devices, be it the smart phone your kids got for you, your iPad, or your Kindle? The C.H. Booth Library has experts ready to help you out, Thursday, January 17, from 1 to 2:30 pm, in the meeting room. Bring your confounding device and your questions — no need to register; just stop in.

A good laugh in winter is always a positive thing. If you want to laugh away an evening and support education, the Newtown Education Foundation is hosting comedienne Alexandria McHale at Edmond Town Hall, Saturday, January 19. Tickets at eventbrite.com/e/evening-of-comedy-tickets-52563242072. Tickets include free wine, beer, and dessert. You can also opt to take part in the VIP preshow dinner party at 6 pm.

The Newtown Choral Society starts its rehearsals for the May 18 spring concert on Wednesday, January 23, at 7 pm, in the choral room of Newtown Middle School. If you are interested in adding your voice to this group, contact Laura at lel@se-ltd.com.

Maybe you’re not into singing... We hear on Wednesday, January 23, for one night only, the Riverview Cinemas at 690 Main Street South in Southbury will show the dark comedy feature film EGG. It stars Christina Hendricks, (Mad Men), Alysia Reiner, (Orange Is The New Black), Anna Camp (Pitch Perfect), Gbenga Akinnagbe (The Wire), and David Alan Basche (The Good Wife). What’s really cool is that the film was written by Southbury native Risa Mickenberg, who once upon a time worked at The Newtown Bee as an advertising sales rep. Risa will be at the theater to discuss the film after the showing. The showtime is set for 7 pm. For more information visit https://riverviewcinemas8.com/.

There’ll be no swabbing of this cat’s mouth, but if your family dived into the mysteries of your ancestry through ancestry.com or 23andme.com, let us know. The Newtown Bee is seeking residents to share interesting stories that may have come from genetic testing for a future story in the paper. We welcome unusual insights discovered through genetic testing of pets, as well. Contact alissa@thebee.com if you have a tale (or a tail) to share.

You can be a Beautiful Butterfly sponsor and give your Valentine a very special gift. The Catherine Violet Hubbard Foundation is offering the chance to register your true love as a Beautiful Butterfly. His or her name will then be displayed at the fifth annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party on June 8, and your Valentine will receive a lovely card to show your thoughtfulness. Not only that, your gift supports the CVH Foundation’s biggest pet adoption event of the year. A Beautiful Butterfly sponsorship is $100. Visit https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E172119&id=57 by February 7 to sign up. Now, isn’t that better than a box of chocolates?

What’s the best thing of all, though? When you... Read me again.