Bethel Community Updates
Coffee with a Cop
Bethel Police officers hosted a “Coffee with a Cop” at the Senior Center this week, where they reminded everyone to be on the lookout for the latest gift card scam. Bethel residents have received emails that appear to be from someone they know, asking them to purchase gift cards and send photos of the cards. Additionally, checks are being taken out of the mail and doctored to change the recipient's name. Please be vigilant about these scams and help protect those who might be vulnerable!
Community Workshop on Communication
Last March, a small group of citizens from across the community gathered for a workshop with the goal of helping town leadership define our priorities. The group explored five questions. The fourth question was, “What are opportunities for/barriers to effective communication in Bethel?” Participants identified concerns about the lack of a Bethel newspaper, lack of printed newsletters for seniors, lack of a town-funded Chamber of Commerce director, and difficulty finding information/resources. Suggestions included improving information online/social media, centralizing communication from area churches, and monitoring online forums. What do you think are opportunities for/barriers to effective communication in Bethel? Email your thoughts to firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov. Stay tuned next week for question five.
Planning & Zoning Commission Public Hearings
On Tuesday, July 9th at 7:00 pm at Town Hall in Conference Room D, the Planning & Zoning Commission will continue public hearings for 22 Stony Hill Rd. (construction of a new gas station/convenience store) and 25A Turkey Plain Rd. (an addition to the Animal Center). They will also begin a new hearing for 165 Grassy Plain St. (an addition to the existing manufacturing warehouse). Learn more at Public Hearing Info and Zoning Info.
Office Hours
The next Office Hours session is Wednesday, July 10th from 7:30 am to 8:30 am. It’s a great time to stop by the First Selectman's office in Town Hall with questions or concerns. Otherwise, call the office at 203-794-8540 or email firstselectman@bethel-ct.gov to make an appointment.
Summer Reading Challenge
Kids, teens, and adults: the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge is underway and your adventure begins at the Bethel Public Library! Log your reading through August 31st and earn raffle tickets for great prizes, including gift certificates to local businesses for the adults! Summer Reading Info
Where’s Waldo?
Where’s Waldo? He is hiding in 25 businesses around Bethel! Drop by Byrd’s Books or visit their website for your passport to fun and prizes. Find Waldo and stamp your passport at 20 of the 25 businesses to enter the grand prize drawing at the Where’s Waldo party on Saturday, July 27th! Visit Byrd’s Books for more information and school summer reading lists: Byrd’s Books Info
Bethel Police Department Car Show
Don’t miss the PD Car Show this Sunday, July 7th on the Town Hall lawn from 4 pm to 8 pm. Enjoy cars, music, and great food! Donations support the Scotty Fund and the Bethel Police Benevolent Association.
St. Thomas' Church Tag Sale
Summer Shop & Stroll
Friday, July 12th is the deadline for vendors and groups to register to participate in the 2024 Summer Shop & Stroll! Residents and visitors can enjoy a day in Downtown Bethel filled with shopping, live music, and family fun! For a list of 2024 vendors or to register, visit Shop & Stroll Info.
Little Mermaid Jr. and Footloose
ERA Productions and Park & Rec present Little Mermaid Jr. with a cast of 6th to 8th graders on Friday, July 12th at 7 pm and Saturday, July 13th at 2 pm and 7 pm. Don’t miss the high schoolers from the greater Bethel area performing Footloose the Musical on Friday, July 19th at 7 pm and Saturday, July 20th at 2 pm and 7 pm. Shows are at Bethel High School. For tickets, visit Bethel Park and Rec Events.
Free Workshop on Self-Advocacy
OLIDA Learning, a Bethel-based business, is offering a free workshop beginning on July 16th, “Your Guide to Self-Advocacy,” for teens and young adults with disabilities. If you are a parent, family member, or friend of a teen or young adult with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, this workshop is designed to help the student become a strong self-advocate. Learn more or register at Learning Streams.
Big Band Swing Dance Party
Bethel’s own Phil LoPresti and Cynthia McCorkindale will be joining the Clark Eno Orchestra for a Big Band Swing Dance Party on Thursday, July 18th from 7 pm to 9:30 pm at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. For details, call 203-748-4119, email ceno@comcast.net, or visit Clark Eno Orchestra.
Firecracker 8k Shoutout
Shoutout to the Bethel Park & Rec staff, Town Employees, First Responders, and all who made the 58th Annual Firecracker 8k an amazing event! 287 runners, including members of the Bethel Running Club, took on the challenge, and our own Evan Bureau finished first! Congrats to Evan and all those who finished! See your results at Firecracker 8K Results.
Bygone Bethel
Shoutout to Patrick Wild, our own Bethel Historian. Bethel turned 169 years old on June 29th. A lot has happened since 1855, so if you want to learn more about Bethel's history, check out Patrick's column, Bygone Bethel, at Bethel Grapevine.