Happy autumn! Fall falls upon us this Saturday, at 9:54 pm. The Old Farmer’s Almanac tells us that during the autumnal equinox, “the Sun crosses what we call the ‘celestial equator... from north to south... the Sun is overhead at noon as seen from the equator, so at this point, the amount of nighttime and daytime (sunlight) are roughly equal to each other.” Look around: the trees are responding to the change in daylight with the presentation of colorful leaves. Enjoy it for what it is, I say.

Arts Festival attendees were treated to some terrific entertainment from the main stage last Saturday and Sunday afternoon, as well as Friday and Saturday nights. Great vendors, great food, art and science, and demonstrations covering so many aspects of the arts made it a true Celebration Of The Arts. Thanks to the Cultural Arts Commission, the organizers, sponsors, and the many volunteers who make this annual event a special weekend. And don’t forget, art events continue for another six weeks. See last week’s print edition or click here to read Shannon Hicks's preview, "2018 Arts Festival Events Will Again Lead Into Arts & Humanities Month.”

Julie Hasselberger is reaching out to our generous community, in hopes that she can procure funding to cover the cost of new tires for the wheelchair van used for her 20-year-old son. The Sandy Hook mother is devoted to managing Daniel’s care. He was born with Polymicrogyria, a severely deformed brain, due to the Cytomegalovirus Julie contracted in pregnancy. Daniel, who is non-verbal, has cognitive abilities of a young child and requires tube feeding. He is completely wheelchair bound. Medical costs, medical devices, daily expenses, and homecare have placed constant stresses on the Hasselbergers. If you can help in this situation, it would be greatly appreciated. Go to gofundme.com/danieljohnhasselberger for more information and to donate.

Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company will continue its 80th anniversary events with an open house and public safety day this weekend. Visit the company’s main station at 18-20 Riverside Road on Sunday, September 23, between 11 am and 2 pm. Displays and demonstrations will be set up in the firehouse and parking lots, rain or shine. Firefighters will have displays from training sessions, offer tours of the station, demonstrate and then let guests use a thermal imaging camera and other equipment. Children will be invited to cut soda cans in half using a cutter that will also be used during a car extrication demonstration. Representatives from various state and local organizations are planning to participate. Newtown Emergency Management will have information on storm preparation and about Newtown’s Community Emergency Response Team. Town Clerk Deb Aurelia Halstead will show how to sign up for emergency notifications through the town’s CodeRED system. Smokey Bear will visit, as will local law enforcement personnel. And — one lucky family will win a fire truck ride for their child to school. Admission and refreshments are free. For information, call 203-270-4392 or visit sandyhookfire.com.

The CVH Animal Sanctuary presents a free “Sunday at the Sanctuary” workshop, September 23, from noon to 3 pm, at the sanctuary property at the end of Old Farm Road (past the dog park). “Mindful Of Monarchs” will feature Sandy Hook monarch specialist Sandy Schill, with a demo and talk; and entomologist Dr Rayd Krell from WestConn, with an educational program. Register at cvhfoundation.org. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Weather cancellations will be posted on the website, with a planned rain date of September 30.

Plant lovers will want to mark the calendar for October 6 and 7, when Hollandia Gift & Garden Center, 95 Stony Hill Road in Bethel hosts its 27th Annual Fall Festival. Thousands of gorgeous chrysanthemums, a tractor pull and tractor parade, and so much more autumn fun is in the works. Call 203-743-0268 for information.

Julie VanderKroef had a visitor at her bird feeder last Thursday evening, and the feeder took the brunt of the visit to her Taunton Lake Road residence. “The bear settled in for 15 minutes, lying down, munching on a full bird feeder of sunflower seeds,” Julie says. “I was able to get some amazing pictures because the bear was almost posing for me. It was fascinating. After devouring the entire feeder full of seeds, the bear headed up the hill and back into the woods behind our home. Our neighbors have ten acres of woods. How’s that for a Newtown Moment?” asks Julie. Pretty amazing, I say. “Number 217” was making the rounds. James Post witnessed the same bear at his Head Of Meadow Road address, off of Route 302, on September 13. Earlier last week, Andrea Zimmermann was gazing at her lovely Hattertown road backyard when a big, furry head entered the picture, followed by the rest of a bear just beyond her deck. Keep an eye peeled when outdoors.

South Britain Congregational Church will host its 26th Annual Apple Festival this weekend, 9 am to 3 pm, Saturday, and those who make the trip into Southbury may see some familiar faces there. Among those offering entertainment will be the Newtown-based Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club. The club is scheduled to perform at 10 am. There will be plenty of apple treats and much more. The church is on Route 172 at the intersection of East Flat Hill Road, with plenty of parking available. Call 203-264-5890 or visit southbritainchurch.org for additional information.

Have you stumbled over a ceremonial American flag within the past few weeks? We heard this week from one of the participants in the 2018 Labor Day Parade who is puzzled over the loss of a ceremonial flag that was part of their group’s float. Photos show the flag was on their float near the end of the parade route, but somewhere along Queen Street or Church Hill Road, the flag must have fallen off. Washington Avenue, Berkshire Road, and Wasserman Way are also possible roads that the flag may have been accidentally lost. If anyone has found an American flag with an eagle at the top of the pole, please call The Bee at 203-426-3141 or drop it off at our office, 5 Church Hill Road, and we will see that it finds its way back to its owner.

I’ll find my way back to the news, you can be assured of that. Be sure next week to... Read me again.