Stories

Bethel named one of the "7 Best Places to Live in Connecticut" by WorldAtlas

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">World Atlas names Bethel, CT among of a handful of Connecticut towns they deem the “best places to live”</span></p><p><a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/7-best-places-to-live-in-connecticut-in-2024.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); background-color: transparent;">The article </a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">titled “The 7 Best Places to Live in Connecticut in 2024” states, “Bethel has a unique charm, fun-filled and active community calendar of events, and to crown it all, a walkable and thrilling downtown area. Residents can visit Noteworthy Chocolates, Trailer Box Projects Art Gallery, and Blue Jay Orchards (which is open from Late August to Early September) for relaxation and get-togethers during the week or weekends.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">A second town in Fairfield County, Monroe, is also deemed “One of the Best Places to Live in Connecticut.”</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">WorldAtlas states it is one of the largest publishing resources in geography and other topics it covers, including sociology, demography, environment, economics, politics, and travel. Read more</span><a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/about" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;"> https://www.worldatlas.com/about</a></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent;">*Image courtesy Town of Bethel</span></p>

Read More
On the Children's Shelf: When your secrets go viral…

<p>How do you keep things private in a digital age? When things can easily be shared online? When hackers can access devices and cloud storage, is anything ever really safe?</p><p>In “In Case You Missed It” by Sarah Darer Littman we see what happens when your safe protected cloud storage is hacked and shared online. Sammy, a high school junior is busy with the APs and getting her driver’s license. She keeps a personal diary on her computer so her little brother can’t find it and read it.</p><p>Sammy’s dad is the CEO of a major bank. He is under enormous stress because there are protesters outside the bank protesting bank actions. Sammy is aware of his stress, but she’s a teenager busy with her own school stress. While it might seem like there is no overlap, their whole world is turned upside down when hackers hack into bank documents then turn their attack on her father, personally. They hack into the family’s cloud storage and start sharing everything they find online…including Sammy’s personal diary.</p><p>Every thought, every frustration, the time she lied to her parents…all out there for her classmates and parents to read. Things at the bank are worse than ever and her dad stays at work for days on end because he is dealing with the issues there. Her entire school has read her diary, her friends are furious and refuse to speak to her. The ultimate irony in Sammy’s mind is that her mom tells her not to read any of their emails or texts shared online but Sammy’s mom reads her diary. On top of losing her friends, Sammy is caught lying to her parents through her diary and is now grounded. While Sammy’s secrets are on the internet being read, so are her parents’ secrets and Sammy learns the biggest secret they’ve been keeping from her. Definitely check out this book to see what happens when all those private thoughts and email exchanges are now available for the whole world to read.</p><p>This YA book is well written and readers of all age can identify with the question – how safe is anything online? The story flows well, is captivating and took turns I didn’t expect (which I really enjoy in a book). Friendships end, family dynamics change, Sammy learns a lot about herself, her real friends, and if you have to choose who is going to snoop through your diary….she’d rather it was just her little brother. I highly recommend this book.</p><p>Jessica Collins is an award-winning writer. Her column "On the Children's Shelf" has earned multiple Connecticut Press Club awards and national recognition. Read more on her blog: <a href="https://onthechildrensshelf.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://onthechildrensshelf.com/</a></p>

Read More
Superintendent Christine Carver Shares Bethel of Schools Updates

<h3 class="ql-align-justify"><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Recent Events in Our Region&nbsp;</strong></h3><p class="ql-align-justify">As I am sure that you are all aware, our neighboring school districts (Brookfield and Danbury) have been recipients of non-credible threats that have caused significant disruption in their communities.&nbsp;We want to join them in denouncing the behavior of any individuals or groups that threaten the safety within those and any community.&nbsp;As those districts have communicated, they are working locally with regional and federal agencies to investigate and potentially prosecute any individuals or groups involved in the threats.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">Because some parents have inquired, the Bethel Public Schools have not received any type of similar threats.&nbsp;If we had, we would have communicated it immediately and implemented our All Hazard Safety and Security Plan.&nbsp;Please know since these incidents began, we have kept in regular contact with the Bethel Police Department to monitor the situation.&nbsp;Sadly, it is not unusual to have copycats or what we refer to now as "swatting" or making a prank threat in an effort to disrupt and bring large numbers of resources or police to investigate a specific incident or cause disruption.&nbsp;So if you see or hear anything, please communicate it to the police immediately.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><h3 class="ql-align-justify"><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Solar Eclipse on April 8th</strong></h3><p class="ql-align-justify">One thing that I never thought I would have to do as a Superintendent is to address the impact of a Solar Eclipse.&nbsp;This total eclipse is historical and could be, weather permitting, an awesome experience to view with your family.&nbsp;Based on the&nbsp;<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">path outlined by NASA</a>&nbsp;, the eclipse path is supposed to be slightly north of Connecticut, creating 90% to 92% coverage in Connecticut between 2:30 and 4:30 in the afternoon.&nbsp;In Bethel, the largest coverage will be at approximately 3:26 PM.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify">The eclipse will create dusk-like conditions and cause some safety concerns due to the timing.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">largest safety concern</a>&nbsp;is eye damage that can be caused when looking directly at the eclipse.&nbsp;The problem for us in the schools is that the eclipse will occur during dismissal, while students are traveling on buses or walking home.&nbsp;It will be very difficult to monitor students during this time frame. Even if we were to provide protective eyewear, we can not monitor that our students actually have the protective devices on.&nbsp;Obviously, if it is a cloudy day, safety concerns would be minimized.&nbsp;We expect the State Department will be issuing guidance to districts on the best way to handle the situation.&nbsp;I can share that some districts in New York, who are on the direct path have called an early dismissal due to these concerns.&nbsp;So, more to come.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p class="ql-align-justify"><strong>Regardless of how we address the safety concerns from a school perspective, please talk to your children about the following advice I took from the NASA website on eclipse safety:&nbsp;</strong></p><p class="ql-align-justify">"<span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">When watching the partial phases of the solar eclipse directly with your eyes, which happens before and after totality, you must look through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are NOT regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun.&nbsp;</span><a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/resources/solar-filters" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(23, 23, 27);">Safe solar viewers</a><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">&nbsp;are thousands of times darker and ought to comply with the&nbsp;</span><a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/iso-certification" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(23, 23, 27);">ISO 12312-2</a><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">&nbsp;international standard. NASA does not approve any particular brand of solar viewers.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">Do NOT use eclipse glasses or handheld viewers with cameras, binoculars, or telescopes. Those require different types of solar filters. When viewing the partial phases of the eclipse through cameras, binoculars, or telescopes equipped with proper solar filters, you do not need to wear eclipse glasses. (The solar filters do the same job as the eclipse glasses to protect your eyes.)</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">&nbsp;</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">If you don’t have eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer, you can use an&nbsp;</span><a href="https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/projection" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(23, 23, 27);">indirect viewing method</a><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. One way is to use&nbsp;</span><a href="https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14391/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(23, 23, 27);">a pinhole projector</a><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">, which has a small opening (for example, a hole punched in an index card) and projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. With the Sun at your back, you can then safely view the projected image. Do NOT look at the Sun through the pinhole!"</span></p><p class="ql-align-justify"><span style="color: rgb(27, 27, 27);">Retrieved from:&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/</a></p><h3 class="ql-align-justify"><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Growing Technology Concerns</strong></h3><p class="ql-align-justify">Starting in April, we will be texting you a short video series of some growing concerns. When we thought it could not get any worse, there are growing concerns about the online behavior of our students, which is very unsafe and can have lasting impacts.&nbsp;The goal is to educate you as parents on: (1) what we see happening; (2) how we can partner to reduce this unsafe behavior; (3) how we are educating our students about the risks; and (4) what you can do at home to keep your child safe.&nbsp;Without creating a spoiler alert, the best thing you can do as a parent is wait to give your child a device!&nbsp;This work is being done by our Social Emotional Learning &amp; School Climate Collaborative, consisting of Parents, Teachers,&nbsp;Administrators, Pupil Personnel Staff, and Students.&nbsp;We really hope that you take the time to watch those videos to help keep our students safe.&nbsp;</p><h3><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">End of the Year Events</strong></h3><p class="ql-align-justify">As we begin to wind down the school year, there are so many great events that highlight the accomplishments and talents of our students.&nbsp;A few highlights that are not worth missing (flyers below) include:</p><ul><li class="ql-align-justify">Anything Goes, Bethel High School, Performances, this Saturday, March 16th&nbsp;&amp; Sunday, March 17th.</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Winter Guard Friends and Family Event, Friday, March 22nd at 5:30-8:30 PM, Bethel High School Gym</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Unified Prom, Thursday, March 28th, Amber Room&nbsp;</li><li class="ql-align-justify">The Military Ball, Friday, March 29th, Aqua Turf (BHS Cadets &amp; Invited Guests)</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Bethel Education Family Board Game Night, Wednesday, April 3, 6-8 PM, Bethel High School</li><li class="ql-align-justify">STEAM Fair, Wednesday, April 24th, 6-8 PM, Bethel High School</li></ul><p class="ql-align-justify">Hope to see you at these events!</p><h3><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Heart of the Arts Award</strong></h3><p><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">Congratulations to Christine Manalo, BHS Chorus Teacher, the recipient of the&nbsp;</span><strong style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">Heart of the Arts Award</strong><span style="color: rgb(33, 37, 41);">&nbsp;for her work in Unified Music. Please view this wonderful&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=w2er9ZWYfYqND81s&amp;v=HCzwBRjlYVI&amp;feature=youtu.be" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(120, 2, 2);">video honoring Christine Manalo and our Unified Music program.</a></p><h3><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Future Chefs Finalists!</strong></h3><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Congratulations to the following students who will be competing in the Future Chefs live cooking competition which will be taking place on Monday, March 18th in the Culinary Arts Class at Bethel High School:</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Berry School</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Cooper Schneider - 1st Grade</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Romulo Das Flores Jr. - 1st Grade</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Rockwell School</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Avery Young - 2nd Grade</span></p><p><strong style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Johnson School</strong></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Theo Vaghi - 3rd Grade</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Haswanth Venkatesh - 4th Grade</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Evelyn Hancock - 5th Grade</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF YOU FUTURE CHEFS!</span></p><h3 class="ql-align-justify"><strong style="color: rgb(91, 15, 0);">Public Hearing on the Town and School Budgets&nbsp;</strong></h3><h4>Public Hearing on the Budget</h4><ul><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">Date:</span> Tuesday, March 29th</li><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">Time:</span> 7:00 PM</li><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">Location:</span> Bethel High School Auditorium</li><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">Details:</span> Babysitting will be provided for toilet-trained children. The public can comment on the proposed town and school budget at the hearing.</li></ul><h4>Budget Comments</h4><ul><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">Submission Deadline:</span> Comments for the FY 24-25 budget can be sent to budget@<a href="bethel-ct.gov" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">bethel-ct.gov</a> or by mail to the First Selectman's Office, Clifford J. Hurgin Municipal Center, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801. Please include your address with your comments.</li></ul><h4>Additional Budget Meetings</h4><ul><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">March 19th, Tuesday:</span> Public Hearing on the Budget at BHS Auditorium @ 7:00 PM (babysitting provided).</li><li><span style="color: var(--tw-prose-bold);">April 4th, Thursday:</span> Town Meeting at BHS Auditorium @ 7:00 PM (babysitting provided).</li></ul><h4>Budget Increase Details</h4><ul><li>The Board of Education presented its proposed 2.99% budget increase for 2024-2025 to the Board of Finance/Board of Selectmen.</li><li>The increase is focused on maintaining top-quality curricular and extracurricular programs, and adding an additional special education teacher at Berry School and multilingual learner teacher/literacy specialist at Bethel Middle School due to increased needs.</li></ul><h4>Budget Information</h4><ul><li>All budget information can be found on the <a href="https://sites.google.com/bethel.k12.ct.us/bethelpublicschools/financial-dashboard" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">District Financial Dashboard</a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">.&nbsp;</span></li></ul>

Read More
Dan Carter's Bethel Community Updates

<h4>My CT Savings Program Presentation</h4><p>State Comptroller Sean Scanlon recently visited Bethel to discuss the My CT Savings program, which helps small businesses offer retirement savings plans to employees at no cost. For more information, visit <a href="https://chat.openai.com/c/www.MyCTSavings.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">www.MyCTSavings.com</a>.</p><h4>Respite Care Program for Alzheimer's and Dementia</h4><p>State Senator Hwang and the new Executive Director of the Western CT Agency on Aging were also in town, highlighting Connecticut's respite care program for those caring for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. Contact the Bethel Senior Center for details.</p><h4>Memorial Day Parade Participation</h4><p>Veterans and owners of military vehicles interested in participating in the Memorial Day Parade on May 19th can email Haganwilliam87@gmail.com. The parade starts at 2 pm, crossing from the Sycamore Restaurant to PT Barnum Sq., and ends with a ceremony at Town Hall.</p><h4>WorkspaceCT Summer Programs</h4><p>WorkspaceCT in Bethel offers summer programs for kids and teens, with early bird discounts available until March 31st. Visit <a href="https://www.workspacect.org/summerprograms" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">WorkspaceCT.org/summerprograms</a> for details.</p><h4>Summer Job Opportunities</h4><p>Bethel Parks &amp; Recreation is accepting applications for camp counselors. Applicants must be 16 or older and have completed their sophomore year. Applications are due by March 28th. For 10th graders interested in working with children, consider the volunteer Summer Counselor in Training program. Applications are due by May 3rd.</p><h4>Community Events and Reminders</h4><ul><li>Bethel Public Library's Mini Golf Fundraiser is on March 15th and 16th. Visit <a href="https://www.bethellibrary.org/minigolf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">BethelLibrary.org/minigolf</a> for details.</li><li>BHS Production of "Anything Goes" runs from March 15th to 17th. Tickets available at <a href="https://chat.openai.com/c/www.bhstheaterboosters.com/event" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">bhstheaterboosters.com/event</a>.</li><li>Bethel St. Patrick's Day Irish flag raising is on March 16th at 9:00 am at P.T. Barnum Square.</li><li>Office Hours with the First Selectman are on March 18th from 5 pm to 6 pm at Town Hall.</li><li>Public hearing for the 2024-2025 annual budget is on March 19th at 7 pm at Bethel High School auditorium. Visit <a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/depts-comptroller" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">Bethel-CT.gov/depts-comptroller</a> for details.</li><li>Bethel Winterguard hosts Friends and Family Night on March 22nd at BHS.</li><li>Drum Circle celebrates the Spring Equinox on March 23rd from 3 pm to 4:30 pm at Town Hall. All ages and experience levels welcome. Donation suggested.</li></ul><h4>Community Achievements</h4><ul><li>Sofiane Hilmi advanced to the class L state swimming finals.</li><li>Kyle Kurtz set a new BHS record, ranking 13th in the US in the pentathlon.</li><li>The Ice Cats won the state semifinals, marking a strong season effort.</li><li>Christine Manalo, BHS Choral Director, received the Heart of the Arts Award for her inclusive music program. Watch the award presentation <a href="https://youtu.be/HCzwBRjlYVI?feature=shared" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: var(--link);">here</a>.</li></ul><p>Enjoy your weekend in Bethel!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

Read More
Danbury Collective Hosts Community Meeting to Forge Paths To Youth Success

<p>On Tuesday evening, the Danbury Collective held an impactful community meeting that brought together a diverse group of area parents, community members, municipal and organizational leaders to address challenges facing Danbury children and families.&nbsp;The gathering at the Family &amp; Children’s Aid building at 80 West Street was a significant opportunity for stakeholders to discuss the Collective's mission of fostering educational equity, enhancing support systems for the youth of Danbury, and harnessing the collaborative power of community members and organizations.&nbsp;</p><p>“The opportunity that we have with our youth is all about connecting the dots, cradle-to-career,” said Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves. “We have so many organizations that are doing great things in different areas. Having the Danbury Collective bring them together to address problems in our community is only going to form a better outcome for everything we do.”&nbsp;</p><p>The well-attended meeting focused on the Danbury Collective’s current three key areas of action: advancing early childhood education, combating chronic absenteeism and bolstering learner engagement, and promoting youth mental health. The event provided a platform to discuss the citywide collective impact Cradle-to-Career initiative that aims to align resources and collaboratively address the systemic challenges faced by children and youth in Danbury.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>“After seeing the effects of the pandemic on our students in Danbury Public Schools, the key areas of action for the Danbury Collective are of the utmost importance,” said Interim Superintendent Kara Casimiro.&nbsp;“These types of organizations are the catalyst for change, and they are the only way that we will get leverage in the community to achieve the student outcomes that we are aiming for.”&nbsp;</p><p>“We believe that all children should have access to opportunities to thrive,” expressed Melissa Hannequin, Executive Director of the Danbury Collective. “We understand that every person and child has individual needs, and we are committed to helping them meet those outcomes.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>The meeting's success was a testament to the city's collaborative spirit and the shared commitment of all stakeholders to the well-being and future success of Danbury’s young population. Elizabeth Quinonez, Director of the Early Child Care Initiative and co-chair of the Danbury Collective’s Early Childhood Education Working Group emphasized that “Early childhood education, access to resources, and advocating for policy change must be a part of our strategy for taking collaborative action.”&nbsp;</p><p>Grace Molina, Vice Chair of the Collective’s Advisory Council, a Danbury parent, and a Danbury Public Schools employee, added, “In order for us to know what supports are needed in the Danbury community, we need parent voice. Parents know their child better than anyone else, so we need to hear from parents from all walks of life – working parents, at-home parents, parents that speak English or another language as a first language.”&nbsp;</p><p>The event audience is hopeful for the collaborative efforts and parents are looking forward to tackling the issues we see every day in the schools. A Danbury parent, Mallory Paige, expressed, “My hopes for my children and the youth in the community is that they all thrive while breaking down barriers that will prevent them from becoming who they are destined to be and to build bridges that will reshape what community is and feels like.”&nbsp;</p><p>The Danbury Collective joins the ranks as the fifth collective impact Cradle-to-Career initiative in Connecticut, and the fourth in the service area of United Way of Coastal and Western Connecticut. United Way serves as the backbone organization, providing essential funding, fiduciary services, and strategic support to ensure the initiative’s success. This collaborative effort signifies a crucial step towards enhancing the lives of Danbury’s children and youth, promising a future where every child can thrive from cradle to career.&nbsp;If you would like to join this innovative effort, please contact Melissa Hannequin, Executive Director, at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:melissa.hannequin@unitedwaycwc.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(255, 114, 0);">melissa.hannequin@unitedwaycwc.org</a>&nbsp;or 203-826-8299.</p>

Read More
Bethel’s Byrd’s Books Welcomes Melanie Barnum To Discuss New Book on Intuition

<p>“For those of you who have been to one of Melanie Barnum’s events, you know you are in for a very special evening,” says owner Alice Hutchinson of Bethel’s Byrd’s Books.&nbsp;On Friday, March 22nd at 7:00pm,&nbsp;celebrate Melanie’s new book,&nbsp;<em>Real Life Intuition: Extraordinary Stories from People Who Listen to Their Inner Voice,&nbsp;</em>as Alice opens her popular book shop for an evening of inspiring stories and useful how-to’s.</p><p>Reservations are requested due to limited space. To register for your seats, go to the Event link at&nbsp;<a href="ByrdsBooks.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ByrdsBooks.com</a></p><p><em>Real Life Intuition&nbsp;</em>features&nbsp;empowering and sometimes surprising experiences from real people and exercises for developing your natural gifts. Discover inspiring stories from doctors, lawyers, musicians, therapists, and other professionals who tapped into their intuition and experienced a positive life shift. Through these vignettes you will gain a deeper understanding and working knowledge of your five clairs: clairsentience, claircognizance, clairvoyance, clairaudience, and clairalience. Melanie Barnum also reveals how to interpret dreams, intuitive flashes, and signs and synchronicities. With this book, you will tune in to the universal energy that connects us all and use it to help move toward greater success and joy.</p><p>A Bethel, CT author, Melanie Barnum&nbsp;is a psychic, medium, speaker, life coach, and hypnotist who has been practicing professionally for over twenty years. She is a multiple award-winning author whose books have been translated into several languages and has been featured in numerous print, broadcast, and online media bookings. Melanie's friendly and down-to-earth manner and gifted psychic insight make her readings unique and powerful, providing invaluable advice and guidance related to relationships, family, career, and educational opportunities.</p><p>Byrd’s Books is located at&nbsp;178 Greenwood Avenue&nbsp;across from the Bethel Public Library. Author discussions and Book Group gatherings are regularly added to Byrd’s Books’ calendar of events at&nbsp;<a href="ByrdsBooks.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ByrdsBooks.com</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Hours are&nbsp;Tuesdays to Saturdays10:00am to 6:00pm, Sundays&nbsp;12:00 noon&nbsp;to 4;00pm, Closed Mondays.&nbsp;For directions to the store or more information, call Byrd’s Books at&nbsp;203-730-2973. To review the shop’s expanded catalog of new titles, go to&nbsp;<a href="ByrdsBooks.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ByrdsBooks.com</a></p>

Read More
Upcoming Events for Adults at Bethel Public Library

<p><strong>Nonfiction Book Club</strong></p><p><strong>The Innovators</strong></p><p><strong>by Walter Isaacson</strong></p><p><strong>Thursday, March 14</strong></p><p><strong>6:30-7:30 PM</strong></p><p>This is a story that is riveting, propulsive, and at times a deeply moving account of the people who created the computer and the Internet.&nbsp;The tale of their teamwork is important because we don't often focus on how central that skill is to innovation.&nbsp;This discussion is led by Programming and Outreach Librarian Ellen Janpol, who will talk about her time working for one of the "grandfathers of the Internet", Paul Baran!</p><p><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NE-aQ0Y188WD52ohmE9-ZEaYpIZKH5r9298Xd4eZpsM53T63waqPzX8Cb_TyxpLmDDmNhs7MDCyhVhpLYZEyenFeQ-7hiAhISWtprCA2tG9l221lmpSZAjmTyqAj_vsAD0Hu3mjvGBBlfAG1WP2HIVgUyxo1955nhjXB4cUq348yzY8NKeK2p0HbBbLe0EfNmu_WzzJDKwmhLFWzlLOJHrFbsOEaFKGprKvHSKzN0-1aljwbFiAghalxPcZVu7VgTaN5-3bMEyI=&amp;c=yXmVqhAfSgPoVL3VDdm5dmYhioYVs20enxQ1ZKHhE703iMv57WNqnQ==&amp;ch=sja9y2_Otp5MiDJUu4oVHjZJFtVuYK4IvaR_mAXzEKMtFXjfFin9uA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here To Register</strong></a></p><p><strong>Morning Book Chat</strong></p><p><strong>The Paris Apartment</strong></p><p><strong>by Lucy Foley</strong></p><p><strong>Tuesday, March 19</strong></p><p><strong>10:15-11:30 AM</strong></p><p>From bestselling author Lucy Foley comes a new locked room mystery! Jen needs a fresh start and goes to stay with her brother in Paris. But her brother is missing, and the longer he stays missing, the more Jen digs into his situations, and the more questions she has. His neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not very friendly. Everyone's a neighbor. Everyone's a suspect. And everyone knows something they not telling.</p><p><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NE-aQ0Y188WD52ohmE9-ZEaYpIZKH5r9298Xd4eZpsM53T63waqPzX8Cb_TyxpLmgdmK71Vwj35a30FqIfcq6tGDNIUcJLCdrjtH9Q764UgpkRmSSiplWD0fsdDz6s0ALUrufO7PWITXlDA9q0KwOdaYwDrBBE7yDL97ewdT6BD88u_aVIQ9CIUh_bs7nS3ULdkQOeY-8cu8M6uCMRIIdj-ijCIp7cSbWx0KMy40tK1CWMvFSz3yKcVYMFUNKf4zM_9-ACadv1Y=&amp;c=yXmVqhAfSgPoVL3VDdm5dmYhioYVs20enxQ1ZKHhE703iMv57WNqnQ==&amp;ch=sja9y2_Otp5MiDJUu4oVHjZJFtVuYK4IvaR_mAXzEKMtFXjfFin9uA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here To Register</strong></a></p><h3>Trash Talk: Bethel's Recycling Capability</h3><p><strong>Thursday, March 14</strong></p><p><strong>6:30-7:30 PM</strong></p><p><strong>In Person and On Zoom</strong></p><p>A member of the Housatonic Resources Recovery Authority (HRRA) will provide a family friendly, educational workshop on waste disposal, recycling, and managing resources.</p><p><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001NE-aQ0Y188WD52ohmE9-ZEaYpIZKH5r9298Xd4eZpsM53T63waqPzW0Rk0WsfUQJj-DQ7NsSVR7rWO7PtPPB1kyA1SsqMmaLgL-lA1m0w0hC-Q8bW7NqLpqcfBoNyip3h3_yHVj6eSeSbmhKCmxyAOrEom9PNHHWzuH-mJeKcsbIEIGZgLF_6zDxY9JKUS5197BtRnG_8i7HF-5rCXyIgT3VcdphK-rrbp0q5daPmrcn396ePD-2XlkNg_ljjkw9jfx6fv3HxWc=&amp;c=yXmVqhAfSgPoVL3VDdm5dmYhioYVs20enxQ1ZKHhE703iMv57WNqnQ==&amp;ch=sja9y2_Otp5MiDJUu4oVHjZJFtVuYK4IvaR_mAXzEKMtFXjfFin9uA==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here to Register</strong></a></p>

Read More