<p><strong>Bethel Public Library will hold a Shred Day fundraiser on Saturday, May 11 from 9am to noon.</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><strong>$1 per pound</strong></p><p class="ql-align-center"><strong>Funds raised will benefit</strong><a href="https://o9vh5xbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001UqSfgGhUPtWOe2-EWLS5n6wnmS9qPF-bbONb-KNbKDHL9ZK7fPF-vsfssfn3l4is1loXtdcDyuOkUGwGVpkx1tf4YI-xJDXXrWCJaa2_aLepaxxHR_M6Ai2GnjjNtimzT9JpOaoBcO_SO4174d8XYa0bjTSetDC-ciqGPEi99sqFhEAUpD0Z9YLW4QCwmdzSmekzsWUX94truggxz5u54bU1qlxHsrIpbe80U-t-tq564JQLOijb3iEtjMMOfNMq&amp;c=cxwT-36Y9Uhbvl-_HCl44nrQ-on6plaPupCtL3EW8SIAmMAOkv5wDg==&amp;ch=J8v8HVXN7OtkhDqOa5cTF8i9luGhb9210F8B6kOBSccZdGxquMPdWw==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(69, 179, 202);"><strong><em>&nbsp;The Friends of the Bethel Public Library.</em></strong></a></p><p class="ql-align-center">Spring cleaning is underway! Bring your documents to the Bethel Public Library for&nbsp;<strong>safe, secure shredding&nbsp;</strong>provided by&nbsp;<a href="https://o9vh5xbab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001UqSfgGhUPtWOe2-EWLS5n6wnmS9qPF-bbONb-KNbKDHL9ZK7fPF-voLVi3I9CMGfBhUuhuBr9WB93uj93AXR8d9voviRfOJGmD_X6_QDwsBqt2FvzxKLsQDL-MdSHsC4Ui-726c6WdP9cJ40KWpbGg==&amp;c=cxwT-36Y9Uhbvl-_HCl44nrQ-on6plaPupCtL3EW8SIAmMAOkv5wDg==&amp;ch=J8v8HVXN7OtkhDqOa5cTF8i9luGhb9210F8B6kOBSccZdGxquMPdWw==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(69, 179, 202);"><strong><em>R.E. Lawlor Graphics and Printing, LLC.</em></strong></a></p><p class="ql-align-center"><em>Please call&nbsp;</em><strong>(203)748-4144</strong><em>&nbsp;with any questions.</em></p><p><br></p>

<p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">DAWS Pets of the Month</strong></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Meet Bruce, our Dog of the Month! </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">If you adopt Bruce this month, his adoption fee will be 25% reduced.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">This six-month-old terrier mix is 25 lbs of pure puppy energy! He's expected to grow to around 40 lbs and is already showing off his fun personality. Bruce loves to play and run around, and he's super friendly, too! But like any young pup, he's still learning manners. Bruce will make a fantastic companion for anyone who enjoys an active lifestyle and the joy of dog training! He'd thrive best in a home with teens or younger, dog-savvy children, and having another playful pup around would be a bonus!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(13, 13, 13);">Bruce is all set for his forever home - he's neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and healthy! His adoption fee is $395.</span></p><p><a href="https://www.petfinder.com/dog/bruce-71252344/ct/danbury/danbury-animal-welfare-society-inc-daws-ct31/?referrer_id=5cec270f-7277-46ad-8c5c-b317b8977bef&amp;utm_source=api&amp;utm_medium=partnership&amp;utm_content=5cec270f-7277-46ad-8c5c-b317b8977bef" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">ADOPT BRUCE</a></p><p><strong style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Meet Dante and Pepita, Cats of the Month! </strong><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">DAWS two adorable seven-month-old black kittens looking for their forever homes! They're our cats of the month - their adoption fee will be 25% reduced.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">This brother and sister pair can be adopted together or separately. They may be shy initially, but they overflow with love and affection once they warm up to you. They love to play and can be pretty rambunctious, keeping you entertained for hours. Whether chasing each other around or curling up in your lap for cuddles, Dante and Pepita will bring endless joy and laughter into your home.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Give these sweethearts a chance, and you'll have lifelong loyal companions! Adopt Dante and Pepita today, and let the fun begin! The kittens are altered, microchipped, vaccinated, and healthy. </span></p><p><a href="https://94yvoc7ab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001At8LnQtrNgwhfz_h236Ek-_LVS80D8vs8OWcHg84djfYqCD7i8L3wTFXKbXmI34IzsCFUSvuo851Plopf7m2NO205HUVWljDE31W2RMeuSqdctYOMcSMrTEPORyTgbVrbKHkIb9qQGNCtZWrHgi7RVjIpTkuVJFBXqpv6tJ3cvAFpM9idB94mkfviW_zwHZl7OcZkIn2LtMRnndQs1sG3YCxOiygSmGY5v_Kiq4fgbaJGOcvxgUMZp-Je6ny5x93ffhOb3M941m7rQ1StJx5g1JVwmgBFI8czNcsMZ9lY2Wlm4gBpiVT4x8Afdn0HJfFnQ_IhCREXwB-tJbF700p-iiNKWOeqkUI20EzjS2EmFUZ4EgA8OVSwpnmpMY_2yS0tU-iOlkuEc-dPiptfx0K7pJFn9FZRiGEZmS21GsLybWcMnoJ6AqYZ7jg_AJezf2GQ0iU21m_oZWBdDTgYY6JZIbxU-R6ECVo0i2sEVc7wS4=&amp;c=IjWlo9F03QHq_lKOxRut-eOJjSq7vuWccUzDH4vrnqTNWz4JOWY9jQ==&amp;ch=dWeN1U94-ucNEicP6S_F9djWknrJX1UFJsM2wPkm1UdW7GamKvNNGQ==" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(17, 85, 204);">ADOPT CAT SIBLINGS</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The NAMM Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2024 Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) Awards, a signature program now in its 25th year of recognizing and celebrating school districts and individual schools for their support and commitment to music education and their efforts to ensure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Among the 975 school districts in the country that are among the Best Communities in the nation for music education are several in Fairfield County including Danbury, Darien, Bethel, Newtown, Wilton, Fairfield, Westport, Bridgeport, and Norwalk.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Now in its 25th year, the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education program recognizes and celebrates school districts and schools for their support and commitment to music education and efforts to ensure access to music for all students as part of a well-rounded education.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">According to The NAMM Foundation, “The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education.&nbsp; Designations are made to districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.”</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Learn more about The NAMM Foundation</span><a href="https://www.nammfoundation.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> https://www.nammfoundation.org/</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>Timothy Ryan Schneider “Tim, Timbo” of Bethel, CT, passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024, in Paterson, NJ at age 31. Tim was born on January 29, 1993, in Danbury, CT, the son of Christopher Schneider of Waterbury, CT and Donna Buer Schneider of Bethel, CT. He graduated from Bethel, HS in 2011. Tim is also survived by his older brother Michael (Alyssa) of Pottstown, PA, his sister Kelly of Bethel, CT, his grandmother Anita Buer of Bethel, CT, his nephews James, Ian, and Ronan, as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.</p><p>Tim was a fervent and devoted New York Mets fan and passionately rooted for whichever team a friend played for, whether it be Union College, Villanova, Harvard, Penn State, Roberts Wesleyan, or any other team. He often changed his fan gear multiple times a day in order for his attire to reflect his loyalty. Tim attended Ability Beyond for the past 10 years. Tim also was a member of Special Olympics New Milford where he was an avid bowler, basketball player, and an amazing second baseman for softball. Tim also had the honor of being a member of the Special Olympics Team USA Unified Basketball Team in 2015 which competed in the World Games in Los Angeles. His team brought home a gold medal. </p><p>For many years, Tim was visible on the sidelines with Bethel sports teams. He assisted the football team in retrieving the field goal ball and was an inspiration to the teams he was a part of. Tim’s biggest passion was being the manager and foul ball retriever for the Bethel baseball team, and spending time in the dugout and on the field with the guys. Tim was and forever will be, the heart and soul of Bethel sports, as his enthusiasm and devotion always inspired his teammates to do their best and to continually achieve, for anything less than winning in Tim’s eyes was not an option! </p><p>Tim was a once-in-a-lifetime soul who positively impacted the lives of so many, and anyone who came in contact with Tim instantly and intuitively knew this. To those in Tim’s circle who embraced him in every facet of his life, thank you for letting him be ‘one of the guys’. Tim cherished the laughter and memories that you shared, and the compassion, patience, and genuine care that you showed him greatly enriched his life. Memories of your kindness and friendship to Tim will endure, and we have tremendous gratitude and admiration for what you each have done. Tim, our son, brother, uncle, grandson, cousin, and friend, rest in peace. The world will never know a more fierce competitor or friend, nor an individual who could persevere the way you did. You have, and will continue to, inspire so many in countless ways.</p><p>A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Bethel High School Gym in Bethel, CT at 1pm. The family asks that you wear your sports attire. There are no other services. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in Tim’s memory can be made to the Scotty Fund (https://www.scottyfund.org/), Ability Beyond (https://abilitybeyond.org/ways-to-give/) or Special Olympics Connecticut - New Milford program (Special Olympics CT)</p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><br></p><p>DANBURY, Connecticut — <a href="https://www.wcsu.edu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Western Connecticut State University</a>&nbsp;will celebrate its recent <a href="https://news.wcsu.edu/wcsu-designated-a-hispanic-serving-institution/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">designation</a> as a Hispanic-Serving Institution with an afternoon of events on Thursday, April 25, that pay tribute to the heritage of the community the university serves. The festivities will take place at the Berkshire Hall lobby and patio on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury, and will be free and open to the public. The first 150 attendees will receive an HSI T-shirt and everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for some WCSU Swag. RSVP at <a href="https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://wcsutickets.regfox.com/wcsu-hsi-designation</a>. </p><p><strong>Planned events include:</strong></p><p>3:30 p.m. – Welcome by WCSU Pre-Collegiate &amp; Access Programs Associate Director Jessica Coronel, and Gabriela Perez, a graduating senior majoring in Anthropology/Sociology and Psychology with a minor in Multicultural Studies. Perez’s senior thesis for the Anthropology/Sociology major is an ethnographic study focusing on what makes a quality HSI. She is interviewing students and faculty, and will be summarizing her findings and personal experiences of the difference that intentional HSI planning and development can make in the lives of Hispanic students.</p><p>3:45 p.m. – Celebration of Puerto Rican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BrassCityBomba" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brass City Bomba</a></p><p>4:15 p.m. – Celebration of Brazilian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/connecticutcapoeira/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Benção Capoeira</a></p><p>4:30 p.m. – Lobo Awards Ceremony, presented by WCSU Interim President Dr. Manohar Singh and Chair of the Department of Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology Dr. Carina Bandhauer. Recipients are: Lobo Leadership Award –&nbsp;Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves; Lobo Student Award – Najely A. Clavijo; Lobo Faculty/Staff Award – WCSU Director of Financial Aid &amp; Student Employment Melissa Stephens; Lobo Alumni Awards – Carolina Bortolleto and Camila Bortolleto</p><p>5:10 p.m. – Celebration of Mexican faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/trio.lospajaros/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Trio Los Pájaros</a>&nbsp;– Mariachi Music</p><p>5:45 p.m. – Celebration of Ecuadorian faculty, staff, students and community members with a performance by dancers from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CentroCivicoEcuatoriano/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ecuadorian Civic Center of Greater Danbury</a></p><p>6 p.m. – Closing</p><p><span style="color: rgb(36, 36, 36);">In addition to the entertainment, WCSU’s Sodexo dining services will provide an assortment of food to celebrate the occasion in style. Among the offerings will be an aguas frescas station, and tortilla and plantain chips with assorted dips including jalapeno cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa, guacamole and hot sauce. A buffet will feature grilled chicken asada, jasmine rice and a garden salad, and there will be a churro station for dessert — all at no cost to celebration participants.</span></p><p>For more information, contact WCSU Communications and Marketing at <a href="mailto:pr@wcsu.edu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pr@wcsu.edu</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Cybersecurity Workshop for Small Business Owners: Protecting Your Business in Today's Digital Landscape on </strong>May 30 at 5:30 pm, Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave.</p><p>In an era where cybersecurity threats are on the rise, small businesses are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks. To address this critical issue and provide actionable insights to small business owners, a live workshop titled "Cybersecurity for the Small Business Owner" will be held on May 30, 2024, at 5:30pm EDT at the Bethel Public Library.</p><p>Hosted by industry expert and SCORE mentor, Michael Samoska, this workshop aims to equip small business owners with the knowledge and tools necessary to safeguard their digital assets and customers from cyber threats.</p><p><strong>Key Topics Covered:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Awareness and Risks:</strong>&nbsp;Understand the importance of cybersecurity and the potential risks facing small businesses.</li><li><strong>Impact of Today's Complex Threats:</strong>&nbsp;Learn about the evolving nature of cyber threats and their implications for small businesses.</li><li><strong>How to Protect Your Business:</strong>&nbsp;Gain insights into best practices and strategies to protect your business, clients, data, and information.</li><li><strong>Helpful Resources:</strong>&nbsp;Discover valuable resources and tools that can assist small businesses in enhancing their cybersecurity posture.</li></ul><p>For those unable to attend in person, the workshop will be livestreamed via Zoom. To receive the Zoom link for the livestream, please email&nbsp;<a href="http://westernconnecticutscore@scorevolunteer.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(5, 99, 193);">westernconnecticutscore@scorevolunteer.org</a>. Pre-registration is required for both in-person and online attendance. Register now at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.score.org/westernconnecticut/event/cybersecurity-small-business-owner" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: blue;"><u>SCORE Western Connecticut Event Page</u></a>.</p><p>Small businesses play a vital role in our economy, and protecting them from cyber threats is essential for their growth and sustainability. This workshop offers an excellent opportunity for small business owners to arm themselves with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the complex cybersecurity landscape.</p><p>Don't miss this chance to strengthen your cybersecurity defenses and protect your business. Join us on May 30th to learn from industry expert Michael Samoska and take the first step towards securing your business against cyber threats.</p><p>Free refreshments to be offered to participants.</p><p><br></p>