Bethel, CT | HamletHub

Stories

May 07, 2024

Powerhouse Vocalist, Bethel native, Isabelle Miner at LaZingara PT Barnum Square

Powerhouse Vocalist (and Bethel native) Isabelle Miner & Friends return to perform at the weekly Jazz & World Music series Bethel Jazz this Wednesday May 8 @LaZingara Restaurant 8 P.T. Barnum Square.  Born and raised in Bethel, CT, Isabelle found her footing as a singer and performer at the age of eight. She's gone on to train with some of Bethel's hometown musical favorites including Billy Michael, Cynthia McKorkindale and Erin Volpintesta. As a long time Jazz for Junior, she continued to hone her craft and went on to perform in New York City during her time in college. She returned to Hartford, CT where she sat in and collaborated with a variety of musicians. Isabelle has been growing her career as a photographer while constantly searching for outlets to sing and captivate audiences with her performance skills. Isabelle returned to Bethel for a couple years to start the band, Belle and the Boys, a trio including Billy Michael and Peter Strouse. Now a resident of Portland, Maine, she's been sitting in with a local band, Frenzie and will return to the CT area often to sit in with other bands in the jam scene. Isabelle enjoys a combination of soul and folk music while incorporating a number of power ballads into every performance.Only 6 Seats Left! Click <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/isabelle-miner-friends-mike-oehmen-varun-shah-matt-geyer-nate-sears-tickets-860184544127?aff=oddtdtcreator" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

May 03, 2024

Dan Carter's Bethel Update: Pig Roast & Clam Bake, Community Calendar, and More!

Bethel Community Calendar LaunchThe town launched the Bethel Community Calendar this week. This is a separate calendar from our Meeting Calendar. In addition to local events, there is an option to highlight local places and businesses. Eventually, we will have the ability to create stories. Accounts to submit events are free. Check out <a href="https://events.bethel-ct.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Bethel Community Calendar</a>.Employment OpportunitiesWe are interviewing for two positions with the town. We are looking for a Network Administrator and an Associate Director of Environmental Health Services. Learn more at <a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/Employment" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Bethel Employment</a>.Legislative UpdatesAs this update is sent out, the State House is debating HB 5390: An Act Concerning Transit Oriented Communities. The bill would allow Bethel, which has a transit-oriented district (TOD), to apply to become a transient-oriented community (TOC). We would be eligible for discretionary funding on a priority basis that we must spend on improvements in the TOD. However, if the town becomes a TOC, we would also have to follow state zoning guidelines for our TOD and we must allow residential developments with multiple units to be built according to those guidelines without public hearings, variances, or special permits. If we choose not to become a TOC, then we would not have the priority for state funding, including Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP) grants. If passed, the bill will go to the Senate.The House may also be voting on SB 416: An Act Concerning the Conversion of Commercial Real Property for Residential Use, which has already passed the Senate. This bill would require that Bethel allow developers to convert commercial buildings into residential developments without requiring public hearings, variances, special permits or special exception be granted or some other discretionary zoning action be taken, as long as site plans conform with applicable zoning regulations.Upcoming Events<ul><li>Workspace CT Offers for May - Workspace CT has new adult offers for May (cooking, woodworking & improv and sip) and a full slate of summer camps. <a href="https://www.workspacect.org/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Workspace CT Events</a>.</li><li>Office Hours - The next Office Hours are on Thursday, May 9th from 7:30 am to 9 am at Town Hall in the First Selectman office.</li><li>Master Gardeners Office Hours - A full complement of Master Gardeners are staffing their office at the UConn Fairfield County Extension Center at 67-69 Stony Hill Rd. Monday through Thursday from 10-4 where clients can speak with them in person. Email FairfieldMasterGardeners@uconn.edu with questions.</li><li>Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble - The Bethel High School Jazz Ensemble will be playing at La Zingara on May 9 at 7 pm. Reservations are recommended (mention you’re there for the music). 10% of the proceeds from jazz patrons will be donated to our program.</li><li>Kids Fishing Derby and Pig Roast - The Bethel Fish & Game Association is hosting its annual Kids Fishing Derby and Pig Roast on Saturday, May 11th at Bennett Memorial Park. The fishing derby registration starts at 7 am and kids 15 and under fish free from 8 am to 11 am. The pond will be stocked with over 100 trout and there will be prizes for the first trout caught and the top 3 longest! The Pig Roast & Clam Bake kicks off at 3 pm (doors open around 2-2:30) at Bennet Memorial Park. Arrive hungry! Smoked pig and chicken, raw & steamed little neck clams, burgers, dogs, BBQ & More! Beer, hard seltzers & soda included. $50 for adults and $20 for kids 10-18, kids under 10 are free. Get details and tickets at: <a href="https://bethelfishandgame.square.site/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Bethel Fish & Game</a>.</li><li>Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day - Our next Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day for Bethel residents is Saturday, May 11th at the Newtown Public Works Facility at 4 Turkey Hill Road, Newtown. It is super easy and they remove the items from your car for you. Check out what you can and can’t dispose of at <a href="https://hrra.org/household-hazardous-waste" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">HRRA Household Hazardous Waste</a>.</li></ul>Community Recognition<ul><li>A big Thank You to Bethel Garden Club for the beautiful and fragrant May Day baskets at Town Hall. We all appreciate everything you do!</li><li>Thanks to the crew of the “Why We Are Friends” podcast! Talking about flying, Taco Bell, and Bethel was great. You guys pack so much fun in every episode! <a href="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/whywearefriends/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Why We Are Friends Podcast</a>.</li><li>Congrats to all Bethel athletes, coaches, and staff for being the top-ranked school in the SWC for sportsmanship!</li><li>A big shoutout to South-West Conference Leadership Award winners Brooke McEvoy and Pedro Coelho!</li><li>Congratulations to Wendy Salto and Madison Tamburri for receiving the SWC Unified Sports One Athlete & One Partner Leadership Award!</li><li>Vincent Greto was named a scholar-athlete by the National Football Foundation! Great Job!</li></ul>

May 03, 2024

Bethel Superintendent of Schools addresses incident in Parloa Park

In this week's newsletter (read it <a href="https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/bps-newsletters/bps-district-newsletters/5-3-24-newsletter" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>) Christine Carver addressed an incident that took place in Parloa Park this week.Carver said, "The incident in Parloa Park this week was of significant concern. Because it has been asked of me more than once in the last few weeks, how can the school provide discipline for something that happens off school grounds? Shouldn't parents just address it? CT State law and <a href="https://z2policy.cabe.org/cabe/browse/bethel/bethel/z20000165" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">Board of Education policy 5114</a> define the discipline of out-of-school conduct as such:"Students may be suspended or expelled for conduct off school grounds if such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process and violative of a publicized policy of the Board. In making a determination as to whether such conduct is seriously disruptive of the educational process, the Administration and the Board of Education may consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to, the following factors: (1) whether the incident occurred within close proximity of a school; (2) whether other students from the school were involved or whether there was any gang involvement; (3) whether the conduct involved violence, threats of violence, or the unlawful use of a weapon, as defined in section Conn. Gen. Stat. § <a href="http://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/title_29.htm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 123, 255);">29</a>-38, and whether any injuries occurred; and (4) whether the conduct involved the use of alcohol." Many incidents, especially those that involve violence, cause significant disruption in the school environment as many of the issues spill into the school setting. Often threats continue, students continue to speak to the incidents, etc. We hope parents also take these incidents seriously and provide home-based consequences for actions. Please take this opportunity to speak with your child about how conduct outside of school could affect discipline in school."Follow Bethel Public Schools on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BethelPublicSchoolsCT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/BethelPublicSchoolsCT</a>

May 03, 2024

Bethel Park & Recreation Summer 2024 Registration Starts May 6, 2024

Register for programs and activities at Bethel Parks & Recreation and make this the best summer yet! Registration opens on Monday morning, May 6 at 9 am.To view Bethel Parks & Recreation Summer 2024 offerings, check out the brochure <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QQQWWc2JvEZt8JTd8RUHKyTObz3mjHRT/view" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.

May 03, 2024

Immaculate and Bethel Varsity Baseball Games Matchup for Breast Cancer Awareness

Monday, May 6 at 6pm at Rogers Park in Danbury, join us for an exciting varsity baseball matchup - all for a good cause! The Immaculate High School Boys Baseball Team will take on Bethel in a Breast Cancer Awareness game that supports <a href="https://www.areyoudense.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Are You Dense, Inc</a>, which educates the public about the risks and screening challenges of dense breast tissue and its impact on advanced stage breast cancer. The event is organized by Immaculate parents Marc and Kateri Kenney whose son Jordan '27 plays on the team. Kateri was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

May 03, 2024

Sustainable Bethel Commission's Bethel Walk Audit - May 18th

The Bethel Walk Audit will take place SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2024 from 1 PM - 3 PM at the INTERSECTION OF STONY HILL ROAD AND OLD HAWLEYVILLE ROAD.The Sustainable Bethel Commission is seeking volunteers to conduct a Walk Audit on part of Stony Hill/ Route 6 in Bethel to document and capture the experiences of pedestrians, cyclists, public transportation riders and others to find and recommend to the town more sustainable transit oriented development options. The objective is to improve safety, ease of access to local establishments, and quality of life for Bethel residents, organizations, and businesses in the Stony Hill area. The Sustainable Bethel Commission and Bethel residents will be taking a close study of the intersection at Stony Hill Road and Old Hawleyville Road and the surrounding area. We are notifying the community and inviting you to participate in the Bethel Walk Audit. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1354330948591173/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">Click here </a>for additional details.If you are interested in participating as an individual or a group/organization please click the <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSes0iF34nwmW3lhhlH_FoWGNK1wcfNMxHX19ocmg3z-1KrB6w/viewform" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">Volunteer Form</a> linkReach out with any questions about volunteering and/or partnering with the Sustainable Bethel Commission to <a href="mailto:sustainablebethel@bethel-ct.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">sustainablebethel@bethel-ct.gov</a>

May 02, 2024

WCSU commencement will be a family affair for Bethel residents

Bethel resident Victoria Ferreira, a Spanish teacher at Danbury High School and Connecticut Army National Guard reservist, will not be alone when she crosses the stage to receive her diploma on Sunday, May 12, at <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University’s</a> Commencement exercises at the Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport. Ferreira, who will receive a <a href="https://catalogs.wcsu.edu/grad/sps/programs/master-of-arts-in-teaching/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Master of Arts in Teaching</a> degree, will be accompanied by her son Logan, 15.“My goals are Logan’s goals, and this is for him,” Ferreira said. “My son, despite facing challenges associated with autism, is looking forward to participating in this memorable occasion. He came to campus with me and we spent time in the library on many occasions. He understands education comes first — we both do our homework and have books. He had to be patient when I had to go to class or leave for National Guard training. He is the one who made the sacrifices, and he is a survivor and the one who deserves this moment,” she said.“My husband and I both received our degrees from WCSU,” Ferreira continued. “I have a bachelor’s degree in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/wlc/spanish/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spanish</a> and <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Communication</a>, and my husband, Brian, has a Bachelor of Arts in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/art/undergraduate/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visual Art</a> and an M.F.A. in <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/art/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Illustration</a>. The university was great every time we had to leave for training. They are so supportive and worked with our schedules. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the following individuals and groups who supported my educational journey at WCSU. Without their guidance and encouragement, I wouldn’t have made it this far: Professors Dr. Jeanne Lakatos, Dr. Katie Lever-Mazzuto, Dr. Katy Wiss, Dan Saraceno and Dr. MaryAnn Murtha, who made it possible for me to survive when my husband was deployed to Bahrain. Also, my husband, Brian Ferreira, Logan’s school paraeducators Patricia Moriarty and Ksenia Rubin, and the Bethel School System. I was able to get everything done with their support, and I am thankful for that.”Ferreira came to the U.S. from Peru in 2000. At the time, she was 26 years old. She said her family was still in Peru and she wanted to belong to something bigger. “I was active in scouting in Peru, which feels like a family,” she said. “The United States opened doors for me and I wanted to give back and serve people, so I enlisted because the Army is like a family, too. It turned out that WCSU also became my family.”After basic training, Ferreira was involved in drilling exercises in Stratford, when she met her future husband, whose unit was also participating in drills in the same facility. Logan is their only child.Ferreira is a Sergeant First Class in the CT Army National Guard. “Logan has been a significant part of my education, as well as my military journey,” Ferreira said. “He has attended every promotion and award ceremony, and I was honored to have him pin my new ranks each time. Everything we have done, we have done for and with him. We don’t know if Logan will be able to attend college, and we want him to have that feeling of accomplishment. He knows mommy is going to graduate, so this is his graduation, too. He’s also graduating from Bethel Middle School this year.” Proud husband and father Brian will be cheering them on from the stands.Ferreira is an advocate for children with special needs at Danbury High School, and in her role as a Special Olympics coach. “I always try to show people that these kids are smart and kind and need opportunities,” she said. “They want what everyone wants, it just requires patience. Logan is part of the WCSU, Danbury and Bethel communities,” Ferreira continued. “He can be the face for everyone to show what is possible. He’s going to be so happy.”Ferreira reiterated that the celebration on May 12 would not have been possible without the support she received. “WCSU is amazing,” she said. “You can do anything. It doesn’t matter what your age is, your background, if you have a special needs kid, or are deployed — WCSU is good for everyone and they will help you do anything. There is no limit.”For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.