<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Join the Bethel Public Library for a community shredding event on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event offers a secure way to dispose of your confidential documents while supporting the library.​</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Event Details:</span></p><ul><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Location: Bethel Public Library Parking Lot, 189 Greenwood Avenue, Bethel, CT</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">Cost: $1.00 per pound of documents</span></li><li><span style="background-color: transparent;">No quantity limit​</span></li></ul><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Shredding services will be provided by R.E. Lawlor Graphics &amp; Printing, LLC, ensuring your documents are destroyed safely and securely.​</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Proceeds from the event will benefit the Friends of the Bethel Public Library, supporting various programs and services offered by the library.​</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For more information or questions, please contact the library at (203) 748-4144.​</span></p><p><br></p>

<p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">THIS: Traveling the world while helping others plan their dream trips?</strong></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">THAT: Sitting at a desk all day in a 9-5 job?</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">If you're passionate about travel and love helping others experience the world, becoming a Vacation Consultant with Expedia Cruises™ could be the perfect fit for you!</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">Say goodbye to the ordinary and hello to an exciting, flexible career where you can make a real impact on people’s lives.</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">For more information, call (203) 429-5589 and ask to speak with Mary or Jim, local owners and operators of&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.expediacruises.com/en-US/900221/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">Connecticut's first-ever Expedia Cruises&nbsp;</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">- a full-service travel agency located at 67 Federal Road in Brookfield.</span></p>

<p><strong>Budget Passes</strong></p><p>The town and school budgets passed this week. It’s a bittersweet budget: relieved it passed but painfully aware how rising costs are affecting our community. The results: Town Budget: 1572 Yes, 967 No. Town Advisory: 1340 Too High, 843 Too Low. School Budget: 1538 Yes, 1003 No, School Advisory: 1225 Too High, 1050 Too Low. The turnout was around 18% of registered voters, up from approximately 11% last year. The actual moderator sheet with results is posted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/</a>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/index.asp?SEC=F3472A81-1BBD-41B7-8E36-8C112A9723E8&amp;DE=5823EE2E-D67C-4091-9EF9-534412C1DA95" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fiscal Year 26 Budget Information</a>&nbsp;link in the middle of the page. Also on the page is a final&nbsp;<a href="http://devos2.bethel.k12.ct.us/media/4594a33b7c67.mp4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">video discussing the budget process</a>.</p><p><strong>Charter Revision Public Hearing</strong></p><p>Don’t miss the Charter Revision Commission&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-public-hearing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">public hearing</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday, April 29th at Town Hall in the General Purpose Room at 7 pm. The Charter outlines the way our town’s government is structured, how our officials are elected, and the powers granted to our officials. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-crc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-crc</a>&nbsp;to review proposed changes to our Charter from the March 25th meeting. Charter changes will eventually be on the ballot in November or at a separate referendum.</p><p><strong>From Parks and Rec</strong></p><p>Kratos Gymnastics in Francis J Clarke Business Park is running summer programs to flip over! Summer programs run from June through August and all abilities are welcome. Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://kratosgym.com/weekly-summer-programs/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://kratosgym.com/weekly-summer-programs/</a>&nbsp;for more information.</p><p>The Bethel Run/Walk Club is starting up again on Thursdays at 6:30 pm! The group meets at the Bethel High School Track beginning on Thursday, May 1st. Train in a group with the same goals in a 10 week program to run/walk the Firecracker 5k on July 4th. Register with Parks &amp; Rec at 203-794-8531.</p><p><strong>Nips in the News</strong></p><p>Bethel liquor stores sold 192,747 “Nips” between October 1st, 2024 and March 30th, 2025 resulting in a $9637.35 payment to the town. The town receives a payment every 6 months for each 50 mL container of alcohol, or “nip,” sold in town to help us reduce the generation of solid waste or reduce the impact of litter caused by solid waste. Note that Bethel received $10,519.10 for the 210,382 nips sold in town between April and September 2024.</p><p><strong>Friends of Parks and Rec</strong></p><p>The Friends of Bethel Parks and Recreation wants to know what you think about our parks! Fill out our survey so we can see what our parks are doing well and what they need most. Here's the link:&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.gle/pLEeBEuyny7jCqdu8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/pLEeBEuyny7jCqdu8</a></p><p><strong>Office Hours</strong></p><p>The next Office Hours is on Tuesday, April 29th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. Stop in with questions, concerns, or just to say hello. If another time is better, feel free to make an appointment at&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov</span>&nbsp;or by calling 203-794-8540.</p><p><strong>Earth Day</strong></p><p>Tomorrow, April 26th is the Bethel Community Earth Day at Town Hall. Trashapalooza garbage pickup begins at 10 am and goes to 12 pm. If the weather is bad, Trashapalooza will be moved to Sunday. The Earth Day Fair begins at 11 am. Enjoy games, entertainment, and snacks until 2 pm. The fair will be moved into the General Purpose room if it’s raining. Please park behind Town Hall. Learn more on the&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/events/s/bethel-community-earth-day-202/494496346824592/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook event link</a>.</p><p>Bethel Arts has partnered with Sustainable Bethel Commission to launch the 2025-2026 outdoor sculpture exhibit tomorrow, April 26th at the Bethel Earth Day celebration on the Town Hall lawn. In the event of rain, the exhibit will kick off in the Bethel Public Library. Learn more and see the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bethelartsct.org/bethel-arts-sculpture-exhibit-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">map of exhibits</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bethelartsct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bethelartsct.org</a>&nbsp;under the “Programs” link.</p><p><strong>Bethel Baseball 12U Car Wash</strong></p><p>Clean your car and help the Bethel Wildcats 12U Baseball team play in a tournament in the legendary Dreams Park in Cooperstown, NY this summer! The team will be hosting a car wash and bake sale behind the municipal center this Sunday, April 27th from 1 pm to 4 pm. If you can’t make it, please consider a donation through Venmo @bethelbaseball. Please add Cooperstown in the note.</p><p><strong>Bethel CT Pride Volunteer Fair</strong></p><p>Bethel CT Pride is hosting a Volunteer Fair at the Bethel Public Library in the Parloa Room this Sunday, April 27th from 2 pm to 4 pm. This is a great place to connect with local groups who need volunteers!</p><p><strong>Eversource on the School Campus</strong></p><p>Expect Eversource to be working on transmission line on the school campus next week. We are not sure of the times, but have asked them to avoid interfering with pick-up and drop-off at the schools. With that said, be prepared for delays!</p><p><strong>Relay for Life</strong></p><p>Join the&nbsp;<a href="https://secure.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=109520&amp;pg=informational&amp;sid=214742&amp;name=event-details" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Relay For Life of Greater Danbury</a>&nbsp;at the Danbury Mall next Saturday, May 3rd between 8 am and 2 pm to fight back against cancer. Welcome the teams for the 1 mile walk at 9 am and stick around to be part of the walk-a-thon. Enjoy family activities, music, entertainment from local artists and dance groups, local vendors, art and crafts, and more. Special welcome bags for the first 100 attendees! Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://relayforlife.org/GreaterDanburyCT" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">http://relayforlife.org/GreaterDanburyCT</a>.</p><p><strong>SHFD Open House</strong></p><p>We are all invited to the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department for their open house on Saturday, May 3rd between 12 pm and 4 pm! Meet the volunteers and check out the equipment! There will be activities for all ages. Please register at:&nbsp;<a href="https://forms.gle/mveu4PCGmUZgUDa17" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://forms.gle/mveu4PCGmUZgUDa1</a></p><p><strong>Bethel Fish &amp; Game Fishing Derby</strong></p><p>Mark your calendars for the Annual Bethel Fish and Game Association Fishing Derby at Bennett Park on Saturday, May 10th from 8 am to 11 am. It is followed by their 4th Annual Pig Roast and Clam Bake at 4 pm! Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/bethelfishandgameCT/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/bethelfishandgameCT/</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://bethelfishandgame.square.site/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethelfishandgame.square.site/</a>&nbsp;for tickets and info.</p><p>** Shoutouts **</p><ul><li>Thank you to the Board of Education, fellow members of the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Finance, Bethel Public Schools leadership and staff, the Town of Bethel department heads and staff, our amazing Voter Registrars and poll workers, and the hundreds of residents who participated in the budget process. A special thanks to the town’s Director of Finance, Brad Heering and the Director of Finance and Business Operations for Bethel Public Schools, Jen Variale, for months of work preparing the budget!</li><li>Congrats to our Athletes of the Week, Amelia Wade, a Senior captain on the girls lacrosse team who has been a key player on the Wildcat defense, and Thomas Martin on the boys baseball team who was 8-12 in three games last week with a home run, 4 RBIs and 4 runs. Boys baseball is 8 – 0 and girls lax is 6 – 3!</li><li>Congrats to the boys 4x 100M Team! Fiengo, Richardson, Sorbello and Vasquez took 1st and set a new school record of 43.64 The last record was set 23 years ago! Way to go</li><li>A huge shoutout to K9 Penny and Sgt Robinson for locating a man with dementia this week! Sounds like everyone went one way, and Penny went the other and located the man! Go Penny!</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong>FC Buzz Weekend</strong> <strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">April 25 - April 27</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(19, 19, 20);">HamletHub is proud to partner with the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County and FCBuzz to Elevate Arts and Culture in Fairfield County! Each week, look for a listing of weekend events and activities. The Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County celebrates the vibrancy and diversity of the arts and culture across 15 towns in coastal Fairfield County. Sign up to receive a free eBuzz newsletter with top picks and spotlight events from the hundreds of events posted on FCBuzz.</span></p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bio-blitz-at-new-pond-farm-education-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bio Blitz</strong></a></p><p><strong>New Pond Farm Education Center, Redding</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 7:00 am - 7:00 pm</p><p>Join an enthusiastic group of scientists and staff anytime between 7am and 7pm as we work to inventory the biological diversity of our pond, marsh stream, and surrounding areas. Help us better understand the local flora and fauna that are found in each habitat and in the process gain skills and knowledge that will lead to a deeper connection with the natural world.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/spring-tag-sale-fundraiser-at-stamford-history-center" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Spring Tag Sale Fundraiser</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford History Center, Stamford</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm</p><p>This is your opportunity to find treasures and gifts large and small! Antiques, furniture, art, books, jewelry and more. We recommend arriving early for the best selection. All proceeds benefit Stamford History Center.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/bethel-community-earth-day-2025" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Bethel Community Earth Day 2025</strong></a></p><p><strong>Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, Bethel</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>There will be local vendors, non-profit organizations, community groups, artists, and others who are dedicated to environmental awareness and preserving our planet. Throughout the day there will be live music performed by local musicians and groups, a kid’s activity station, and other fun games. Bethel Community Earth Day will be a day for fun, learning, growth, and community-building for people of all ages.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/oliver-nurseries-plein-air-speaker-series-06d05" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Specialty Daffodils with Christopher Harley of Qdaffs</strong></a></p><p><strong>Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday, Apr 26, 10:00 am - 10:45 am</p><p>Join the series on the terrace next to the Design Barn for inspiring speakers and answers to your pressing gardening questions! Make a morning of it by grabbing coffee at our coffee bar, strolling our park-like grounds, checking out our curated selection of vendors and connecting with our gardening community!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/open-day-at-new-pond-farm-education-center-53c92" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Open Day</strong></a></p><p><strong>New Pond Farm Education Center, Redding</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm</p><p>Stop by anytime between 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. to learn more about the stunning landscape, the diverse habitats, their fascinating history, the varied wildlife, the multitude of educational opportunities, in addition to our warm and welcoming staff.\</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-met-live-in-hd---mozart-s-le-nozze-di-figaro" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Le Nozze di Figaro</strong></a></p><p><strong>Quick Center for the Arts, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 26, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm</p><p>Don’t miss Mozart’s timeless comedy that returns to cinemas worldwide with a live transmission from the Metropolitan Opera. Conductor Joana Mallwitz, making her Met debut, leads a stellar ensemble cast, including American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel as the clever valet Figaro, Ukrainian soprano Olga Kulchynska as the wily maid Susanna, Canadian baritone Joshua Hopkins as the skirt-chasing Count, Italian soprano Federica Lombardi as his anguished wife, and mezzo-soprano Sun-Ly Pierce as the adolescent page Cherubino.</p><p>See these and discover hundreds more events on the <a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FCBUZZ EVENTS</a> page at <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://culturalalliancefc.org</a> Sign up for the <a href="https://culturalalliancefc.org/resources/newsletter-sign-up/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cultural Alliance eBuzz</a> to receive top picks and spotlights each week in your inbox.</p>

<h2>Local Business Champion: <a href="https://www.communityshellfishct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Community Shellfish Connecticut</a>!</h2><p>Meet&nbsp;Bob Altman, founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.communityshellfishct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Community Shellfish Connecticut</a>.</p><p><strong>Why did you start your business?</strong></p><p>To bring the best seafood from the pristine waters of Maine to home cooks and restaurants in Fairfield County.</p><p><strong>What is your best-selling product/service?</strong></p><p>We specialize in live Maine lobsters, Oysters, Mussels, Clams, Crab, and BlueFin Tuna.</p><p><strong>Have you 'reimagined' your small business?</strong>We use high-quality personal video storytelling to create a connection between the fisherfolks in Maine and the seafood lovers in Fairfield County. We also created 100 video recipes to show home cooks inventive ways to prepare shellfish and lobster for dinner.</p><p><a href="https://www.communityshellfishct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Community Shellfish Connecticut</a>&nbsp;is located at 23 Francis Clarke Circle in Bethel, CT. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.communityshellfishct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Community Shellfish Connecticut</a>&nbsp;online&nbsp;<a href="https://www.communityshellfishct.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">here</a>. Make sure to check out their&nbsp;<a href="http://facebook.com/Communityshellfish" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Facebook</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/communityshellfish/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Instagram</a>&nbsp;pages as well!</p><p><strong>HamletHub thanks&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.fairfieldcountybank.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);"><strong>Fairfield County Bank&nbsp;</strong></a><strong>for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!</strong></p>

<p><strong>Vote On Tuesday</strong></p><p>Don’t miss the referendum for the 2025-2026 Budget next Tuesday, April 22nd between 6 am and 8 pm at your&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B90B1B948-C443-4CA6-8B88-90B1EEA9B1E2%7D/uploads/Bethel_Voting_Map_2022.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">normal polling location</a>. Budget information, a sample ballot, and the referendum absentee ballot application is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-comptroller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-comptroller</a>. If voting absentee, personally bring your&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/vertical/Sites/%7B90B1B948-C443-4CA6-8B88-90B1EEA9B1E2%7D/uploads/Budget_Referendum_Application_2025.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">absentee ballot application</a>&nbsp;or appoint a family member to bring it to the Town Clerk. Voter information is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/elections" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/elections</a>.</p><p><strong>Town Meeting</strong></p><p>A&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-town" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Town Meeting</a>&nbsp;is scheduled at Town Hall on Wednesday, April 23rd at 6:30 pm to consider the sale of 19 Trowbridge Drive, Bethel, CT for a purchase price of $300,000 to Arctic Builders. This is the last of four properties in the Francis J Clarke Business Park developed by the Town and put up for sale. The project cost to build infrastructure was $1.4 million, $690k of which was covered by state grants. Once the deal closes, the totals will be in the Friday Update.</p><p><strong>Charter Revision Public Hearing</strong></p><p>The Charter Revision Commission has scheduled a&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-public-hearing" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">public hearing</a>&nbsp;for April 29th at Town Hall in the General Purpose Room at 7 pm. Our commission has been working on revisions to our Charter since July 2024, which outlines the way our town’s government is structured, how our officials are elected, and the powers granted to our officials. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-crc" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/2025-crc</a>&nbsp;to review proposed changes to our Charter from the March 25th meeting. Charter changes will eventually be on the ballot in November or at a separate referendum.</p><p><strong>Ballot Box</strong></p><p>Note that the ballot box for absentee ballots at Town Hall has been moved over to the entrance on the front of the building where the Town Clerk’s office is located. The yellow box for correspondence is now in the spot the ballot box occupied in front of the main entrance.</p><p><strong>Street Sweeper</strong></p><p>Please excuse the messy streets! Our sweeper had a few mechanical issues, but is back on the road. In fact, you will see all our crews busy on the road working on potholes, signs, catch basins, and brush. Please use caution when driving near our highway crews!</p><p><strong>Summer Registration</strong></p><p><a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/vertical/sites/%7B90B1B948-C443-4CA6-8B88-90B1EEA9B1E2%7D/uploads/DAY_CAMP_2025.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wildcat Summer Adventures</a>&nbsp;(formerly Summer Day Camp) registration begins Monday, April 21st at 9 am&nbsp;<a href="https://bethelct.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=29939" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">online</a>&nbsp;or call 203-794-8531. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/rec-programs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/rec-programs</a>&nbsp;for more amazing Park and Rec programs! Also, don’t forget WorkspaceCT spring theatre programs for kids and teens! Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.workspacect.org/tandemtheatre" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.workspacect.org/tandemtheatre</a></p><p><strong>Earth Day 2025</strong></p><p>Join your friends and neighbors at the Bethel Community Earth Day at Town Hall on April 26th! First, check in and pick up garbage bags for Trashapalooza between 10 am to 12 pm! Help us pick up trash around town. The Earth Day Fair begins at 11 am. Enjoy games, entertainment, and snacks until 2 pm. Trashapalooza has a rain date of 4.27 The Fair is rain or shine. Please park behind Town Hall. Learn more on the&nbsp;<a href="https://facebook.com/events/s/bethel-community-earth-day-202/494496346824592/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook event link</a>.</p><p><strong>Book Trail</strong></p><p>It’s Spring and time to hit the trails! Connecticut is known for&nbsp;<a href="https://ctvisit.com/food-drink-trails" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Food &amp; Drink trails</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://ctparks.com/hiking" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hiking trails</a>. Did you know we have a Book Trail? The&nbsp;<a href="https://ctbooktrail.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Connecticut Book Trail</a>&nbsp;is a group of independently owned bookstores in Connecticut working together to create a greater sense of community and to foster a love of reading and books across the state. This Saturday, April 26th, they are celebrating Independent Bookstore Day! Over 1,200 stores are participating across the country including our own Byrd’s Books. Start the CT Book Trail at Byrd’s with a raffle, goodie bags, and more. Learn more and how to get a book trail passport at&nbsp;<a href="https://byrdsbooks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://byrdsbooks.com/</a>.</p><p><strong>Bethel Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit</strong></p><p>Bethel Arts has partnered with Sustainable Bethel Commission to launch the 2025-2026 outdoor sculpture exhibit! The exhibit officially opens at the Bethel Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 26th on the Town Hall lawn or in the event of rain, in the Bethel Public Library. Many of the exhibits went up today. Learn more and see the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bethelartsct.org/bethel-arts-sculpture-exhibit-2025/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">map of exhibits</a>&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bethelartsct.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.bethelartsct.org</a>&nbsp;under the “Programs” link.</p><p><strong>Newtown Savings Volunteer Fair</strong></p><p>Don’t forget that Newtown Savings Bank is hosting a Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, April 23rd from 5 pm to 7 pm at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown. It’s a great way for volunteers from Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties to connect with nonprofits who need help! Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nsbonline.com/events" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.nsbonline.com/events</a></p><p><strong>Compost is coming soon!</strong></p><p>Residents participating in Bethel’s food scraps recycling program have diverted 47,105 lbs (23.5 tons) of food scraps from their trash, saving money and positively impacting the environment! Food Scrap Program participants can collect your bounty of up to three, five-gallon buckets of finished compost on Friday, May 9th or Saturday, May 10th at the Transfer Station. Compost is for food scraps recycling participants only and you must bring your own buckets. Want to join the program and be eligible for compost next year? Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://hrra.org/organics-food-scraps-bethel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://hrra.org/organics-food-scraps-bethel/</a>.</p><p><strong>Shoutouts</strong></p><ul><li>Shoutout to Bethel Pizza who celebrated 50 years in business this week! Their Grand opening was 50 years ago yesterday!</li><li>Shoutout to the honest person who dropped off a wallet that was found the sidewalk next to Town Hall! We are still looking for the owner.</li><li>Another big week for BHS athletes! Bethel Softball won over Abbot Tech, boys tennis over Abbot Tech, girls tennis over Notre Dame Prep, boys baseball is 4-0 with victories over New Fairfield and Nonnewaug, and both the boys and girls lacrosse teams had victories over Brookfield and Immaculate, bringing the boys to 5-0 and girls to 6-1!</li><li>A shoutout and thank you to the Bethel Women’s Club GFWC for your support of needy families through Bethel Social Services! Watching families in need walk out of Town Hall so happy is priceless!</li><li>Last week was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. A late shoutout to our dedicated group of dispatchers! When we dial 911, we are so grateful you are there!</li><li>Shoutout to all of those who are delivering food for Brotherhood in Action tomorrow at 9am! More drivers needed! Enter the lot from Greenwood Ave at United Methodist Church at 139 Greenwood Ave! It’s a super easy way to help others!</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p>