<p>Fairfield County Bank Vice President and Senior Loan Officer Kevin McMahon (NMLS ID #571138) will host a free First-Time Homebuyer Webinar on&nbsp;<strong>Tuesday, April 29, 2025</strong>, from&nbsp;<strong>7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.</strong>&nbsp;via Microsoft Teams.</p><p>The webinar will cover the basics of purchasing a home, current market conditions, and how to choose the right mortgage product. Attendees will receive clear, practical guidance on how to prepare for the homebuying process.</p><p><strong>Registration is required.</strong></p><p>Register here:&nbsp;<a href="https://campaign.documatix.com/DPS/Events/Registration?GUID=MgIE73syy0uExEDBbqEGEQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(2, 177, 151);">Fairfield County Bank Webinar Registration</a></p><p><strong>$200 Closing Cost Credit</strong>Those who attend the webinar will be eligible for a&nbsp;<strong>$200 credit</strong>&nbsp;applied at closing. To qualify, the loan must be a first mortgage with Fairfield County Bank (excluding Home Equity Lines of Credit). The credit will appear on the Closing Disclosure, and attendees must present a certificate of attendance when applying. Only one credit per new loan. Offer expires&nbsp;<strong>December 31, 2025</strong>.</p><p>For more information, contact:</p><p><strong>Kevin McMahon</strong></p><p>Office: 203-854-7617</p><p><br></p>

<p><strong>Attention Rental Property Owners</strong></p><p>If you own a property which is rented or leased, including commercial, retail, industrial and residential property, except for owner-occupied residential properties of four units or less, your Annual Income &amp; Expense Report is due by June 2nd. Look for a notice in the mail next week. The form is also available online at&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/income-expense" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/income-expense</a>. The penalty in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_203.htm#sec_12-63c" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">state law</a>&nbsp;is absolutely ugly for fraudulent, incomplete, or late filing: a ten percent increase in the assessed value of your property!</p><p><strong>Eggs and Issues</strong></p><p>Local businesses and leaders attended the annual “Eggs and Issues” breakfast this week. The Governor was there to discuss the strength of our state’s economy. The CEO of Nuvance Health was there with an important announcement affecting Bethel: the merger with Nuvance and Northwell Health has been given the final approval and the deal should close very soon. The combined system will have 28 hospitals.</p><p><strong>Office Hours/Public Hearing</strong></p><p>There will be an Office Hours next Tuesday, April 15th from 5 pm to 6 pm at Town Hall in the First Selectman office. If you are a student out for break next week and want to learn more about town government, Tuesday is a great time to stop by and chat!</p><p>There will also be a public hearing for the sale of 19 Trowbridge Dr. on Tuesday, April 15th at 6:30pm in Meeting Room A followed by the Board of Selectmen meeting.</p><p><strong>Spring Break</strong></p><p>Use caution next week as schools are out for break! There will be fewer busses, but more kids could be out and about. We will likely have pothole work downtown and on Chestnut St. next week, so lookout for workers. And the Bethel Police made 620 traffic stops last month, so lookout for your speed!</p><p><strong>Fire Service College Fair</strong></p><p>Interested in the Fire Service?&nbsp;The Connecticut Fire Academy is hosting a Fire Service College Fair tomorrow, April 12th at the Connecticut Fire Academy at 34 Perimeter Rd. in Windsor Locks. Free admission and refreshments. Learn about college, training and career options in the Fire, Emergency</p><p>Medical Services, Emergency Management and Public Safety Communications career paths! Contact Alan Zygmunt at&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">alan.zygmunt@ct.gov</span>&nbsp;or 860-627-6363 Ext 222 with questions.</p><p><strong>Commission on Aging</strong></p><p>The Commission on Aging has a regular meeting on Monday, April 14th at 2:30 pm in the Senior Center at Town Hall. Proposals for senior tax relief are on the agenda. Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://bethel-ct.gov/meeting-calendar" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://bethel-ct.gov/meeting-calendar</a>&nbsp;for other meetings that might interest you!</p><p><strong>Sweet Tooth</strong></p><p>There is a public hearing on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&amp;which_year=2025&amp;bill_num=7273" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">House Bill 7273</a>&nbsp;next week that would impose a tax on certain sweetened beverages, syrups and powders and dedicate the revenue generated to a universal free school meals program. If you would like to browse through bills coming close to a vote in Hartford, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGATodayFileCopies/CGAAllFC1.asp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGATodayFileCopies/CGAAllFC1.asp</a>.</p><p><strong>Brotherhood in Action Food Pantry</strong></p><p>Brotherhood in Action will be delivering food next Friday, April 18th, starting at 9:00 am. Enter the lot behind the United Methodist Church at 139 Greenwood Ave from the driveway on Greenwood Ave. It’s easy: your car will be loaded for you and you will be given instructions.&nbsp;They really could use drivers since they get fewer drivers around Easter due to travel plans, etc. It’s a quick but meaningful way to help some of our friends and neighbors! Show up or let them know you are coming at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bethelbrotherhoodinaction.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.bethelbrotherhoodinaction.org/</a>.</p><p><strong>Stations of The Cross Downtown</strong></p><p>Next Friday, April 18th, look out for residents participating in the Stations of the Cross downtown from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. This is an ecumenical event sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Bethel, the United Church of Christ, Bethel United Methodist Church, St. Mary's Catholic Church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, and Walnut Hill Community Church.&nbsp;Other churches and individuals are welcome and invited, so there may be a pretty large group. Participants start at 12 pm from Molten Java and will end the walk at the First Congregational Church. You may want to avoid Main Street</p><p>since there will be a lunch after the event. If you have any questions, visit</p><p><a href="https://firstchurchbethel.org/events.html%20or%20call%20203-743-1877" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://firstchurchbethel.org/events.html or call 203-743-1877</a>.</p><p><strong>Newtown Savings Volunteer Fair</strong></p><p>Attention nonprofits and those looking to volunteer! 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 nonprofits and volunteers from Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven counties to connect! Nonprofits interested in participating may email&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 204);">community@nsbonline.com</span>&nbsp;for more information.</p><p><strong>Shoutouts</strong></p><ul><li>A shoutout to Coach Fernandes, CT Coach of the Year and SWC Outstanding Coach of The Year! This was his 18th and final season with Boys Soccer. Thank you for your positive influence on Bethel!</li><li>Congrats to the to the lady Wildcat’s Coach Dani on CT High School Coach of the Year! Coach Scolpino led the girls basketball team through an amazing season and the first CIAC championship game this year!</li><li>BHS Varsity teams were on fire this week! Boys baseball over Brien McMahan 14–4 and Fairfield Ludlowe 4-3, girls lacrosse over Pomperaug 11–8 and Stratford/Bunnell 19-3, and boys lacrosse over Pomperaug 19-3 and Stratford/Bunnell 15-3, girls softball over Joel Barlow 20-12. Junior varsity girls softball and lacrosse also off to a great start this season!</li><li>Ilana Flynn with BHS girls lacrosse scored her 100th career goal! Way to go!</li><li>Thanks to the Bethel Patriotic Association for honoring veterans with the banners on School Street!</li><li>A shoutout to Ava, Julia, Katie, and Ryan for shadowing at town hall this week! It’s great to see your interest in local government!</li></ul>

<p>Petty Officer 1st Class Amanda Bruno, a native of Bethel, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility, Virginia Capes (FACSFAC VACAPES). Bruno graduated from Bethel High School in 2005. "My foundation as the person I am today was shaped by the ROTC program in my hometown," Bruno said. "My instructors were incredible fathers who instilled in me the values of responsibility and discipline. The lessons I learned from them continue to guide me in my career and life."</p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bruno joined the Navy 19 years ago. Today, Bruno serves as an air traffic controller. "I joined to do something different from everyone else," Bruno said. "I didn’t have the opportunity to go to school, so I saw the Navy as a way to eventually get my education and gain stability."&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bruno has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service. "In my career, it’s not so much about me anymore, it’s about my junior sailors and how I can prepare them to become subject matter experts," Bruno said. "At this point in my career, my accomplishments are secondary to how I feel about my junior sailors. I want to boost them up and leave the fleet better than I found it."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bruno serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, "I serve because it’s an honor in itself," Bruno said. "It’s a privilege to be able to sacrifice for this country, even though it sometimes seems to be lost or forgotten by others. It’s an honor of sacrifice, and it’s something that’s often lost and forgotten."</span></p><p><span style="background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Bruno is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. "I want to thank Lt. Cmdr. Dwindles, Master Sgt and my family for their unwavering support," Bruno added. "Special thanks to my mom, Debbie Done, for her endless support and care packages during deployments, and to my husband, Anthony Bruno, for his sacrifices. I also want to thank my two children, Evelyn and Charlotte, for being my motivation and strength."</span></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p><strong>Plant Swap at Rainy Day Paperback: Saturday, April 12, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM</strong></p><p>Whether you’ve got more cuttings than you know what to do with or just love adding something new to your windowsill, the Plant Swap at Rainy Day Paperback is the perfect place to connect with fellow plant lovers. On Saturday, April 12 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, head to 81 Greenwood Avenue in Bethel for a laid-back afternoon of trading indoor plants and sharing garden know-how.</p><p>There’s no cost to participate and no requirement to take a plant if you don’t have one to give. If you’ve got leftover seed packets cluttering your drawer, bring those too—someone else might put them to good use.</p><p>From May through October, the event is held outdoors (weather permitting), and participants are welcome to bring outdoor perennials. During the colder months—November through April—the swap moves indoors and is limited to houseplants only.</p><p>Stop by, share what you’ve got, and leave with a new green companion—or just some inspiration.</p><p>Learn more <a href="https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/plant-swap-e4eb5" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://events.bethel-ct.gov/events/plant-swap-e4eb5</a></p>

<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>Tuesday, April 8th</strong></p><ul><li>Varsity Baseball vs. Brien McMahon – Hunt Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Freshman Baseball vs. Danbury – BMS Turf Baseball Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Softball vs. Joel Barlow – Kisling Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Softball vs. Trumbull – Berry Softball Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs. Pomperaug – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Girls Lacrosse vs. Pomperaug – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 5:30 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Thursday, April 10th</strong></p><ul><li>Varsity Baseball vs. Fairfield Ludlowe – Hunt Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Baseball vs. Fairfield Ludlowe – BMS Turf Baseball Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs. Stratford/Bunnell – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Girls Lacrosse vs. New Fairfield – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 5:30 PM</li><li>Varsity Boys/Girls Outdoor Track vs. Kolbe Cathedral/Masuk – BHS Track – 4:00 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Friday, April 11th</strong></p><ul><li>JV Baseball vs. St. Joseph – Hunt Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Softball vs. Norwalk – Kisling Field – 4:00 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Monday, April 14th</strong></p><ul><li>Freshman Baseball vs. New Fairfield – BMS Turf Baseball Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs. Lakeview High School – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Girls Lacrosse vs. Lakeview High School – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 5:30 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Tuesday, April 15th</strong></p><ul><li>JV Baseball vs. New Fairfield – BMS Turf Baseball Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Girls Lacrosse vs. Brookfield – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs. Brookfield – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 6:00 PM</li><li>Varsity Softball vs. New Fairfield – Kisling Field – 4:00 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Wednesday, April 16th</strong></p><ul><li>Varsity Girls Tennis vs. Notre Dame Prep – Joel Barlow Tennis Courts – 11:00 AM</li><li>Varsity Girls Lacrosse vs. Immaculate – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Girls Lacrosse vs. Trumbull – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 5:30 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Thursday, April 17th</strong></p><ul><li>Varsity Baseball vs. Nonnewaug – Hunt Field – 4:00 PM</li><li>JV Baseball vs. Nonnewaug – BMS Turf Baseball Field – 4:00 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Saturday, April 19th</strong></p><ul><li>Varsity Boys Lacrosse vs. Foran – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 12:00 PM</li><li>JV Boys Lacrosse vs. Foran – BMS Turf Lacrosse Field – 2:00 PM</li></ul><p><strong>Please note:</strong> All games are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.</p><p> For the most up-to-date schedule, visit: <a href="https://ciac.fpsports.org" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ciac.fpsports.org</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p class="ql-align-center"><strong style="color: rgb(24, 25, 26);">FC Buzz Weekend April 11-15</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/oliver-nurseries-plein-air-speaker-series-9d503" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Plein Air Speaker Series</strong></a></p><p><strong>Oliver Nurseries and Design Associates, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 12, 10:00 am - 10:45 am</p><p>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/plant-swap-6edc3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Plant Swap</strong></a></p><p><strong>Rainy Day Paperback, Bethel</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 12, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm</p><p>Bring a plant to swap or take some home! You don't have to bring plants to take home and you can bring plants without taking.</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/family-day-luck-of-the-irish" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Family Day: Luck of the Irish!</strong></a></p><p><strong>Bellarmine Hall, Fairfield</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 12, 12:30 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>During this Family Day event, kids ages 4-10 will get to create St. Brigid's crosses - an Irish tradition of a woven cross that is hung over a doorway to evoke St. Brigid's blessings and mark the beginning of Spring!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/an-easter-on-mulberry-street---play-reading" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>"An Easter on Mulberry Street" - Play Reading</strong></a></p><p><strong>Weston History &amp; Culture Center, Weston</strong></p><p>Saturday Apr 12, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm</p><p>An Italian-American family prepares for Easter on the home front during WWII in this bittersweet comedy written and directed by Frank S. Petrilli. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/the-rock-and-roll-playhouse-music-of-taylor-swift" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>The Rock And Roll Playhouse: Music of Taylor Swift</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Sunday Apr 13, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm</p><p>The Rock and Roll Playhouse, a family concert series hosted at historic music venues across the country, allows kids to “move, play and sing while listening to works from the classic-rock canon” (NY Times). Performing songs created by the most iconic musicians in rock history, The Rock and Roll Playhouse band offers its core audience of families with children aged ten and under games, movement, stories and an opportunity to rock out in an effort to educate children and explore their creativity. </p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/tulip-bulb-opening-reception-at-grace-salmon-park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Tulip Bulb: Opening Reception</strong></a></p><p><strong>Grace K Salmon Park, Westport</strong></p><p>Sunday Apr 13, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm</p><p>Emily Teall's interactive steel sculpture, Tulip Bulb, has been planted at its new home in Westport, CT! Tulip Bulb is now at Grace K. Salmon Park at Imperial Landing, where it will remain for the next 5 years. This event will also feature poetry by Donna Disch and local musicians. Please come by to celebrate!</p><p><a href="https://events.culturalalliancefc.org/events/ancient-aliens" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204);"><strong>Ancient Aliens</strong></a></p><p><strong>Stamford Center for the Arts, Stamford</strong></p><p>Sunday Apr 13, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm</p><p>Ancient Aliens LIVE is an experiential extension of Ancient Aliens that explores the theory that extraterrestrials have visited Earth for millions of years. The ninety-minute live experience celebrates the long-running program Ancient Aliens on The HISTORY Channel and features leading Ancient Astronaut theorist Giorgio A. Tsoukalos, investigative mythologist William Henry, UFO investigator Nick Pope, and ancient civilizations expert, Jason Martell, as they discuss thought-provoking extraterrestrial theories on fan-favorite topics from Ancient Egypt to the moon, paving the long road to Disclosure.</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>