Category Archives: The Bees Knees

Mobsters & Molls Wanted To Help Fight Cancer

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MOBSTERS AND MOLLS WANTED TO HELP FIGHT CANCER

The following is a press release from Relay For Life of Bethel/Danbury/Redding–

A murder mystery dinner fundraiser will be held to raise money for the American Cancer Society on Sunday, November 9, 2011. The event will be held at Anthony’s Lake House (10 Christopher Columbus Ave. Danbury, CT) from 5-9 PM.

The theme of the dinner is a 1020′s speakeasy. The Juice Joint, a swanky speakeasy run by Rosie Marie, has been nothing but jumping. To celebrate its success, Rosie is planning a party to remember at the exclusive nightspot. With murder on the menu, there are a medley of individuals to make the night most memorable: the major mobsters and their molls, the swanky singer with her hopes of Hollywood, the cigarette girl with a temper that sizzles, the crooked police chief with nothing to lose, the Mayor who might be capable of murder and many more.

Tickets are $40/person, which includes the price of dinner and entertainment. Those who volunteer to play one of the characters only pay $30/person. Buffet dinner & cash bar.

To play a character, attendees must RSVP by Oct. 14. There are at least 6 men, 7 women and two gender neutral roles to fill – first come, first serve. There are no scripts to memorize. An outline of your character’s personality, background and costume suggestions will be sent on October 16 in order to prepare, and upon entering the party, each character will receive more details about their role in the actual murder. Everything else depends on how you want to portray your character.

Everyone else must RSVP by October 24. The dinner is for ages 21+ up only.

All payments MUST be received by October 24. Please contact Allison at 203-885-3464 or bethelmurdermystery.com for payment options.

Prizes will be given for those who solve the mystery, best costumes – character and audience member, best performance and wealthiest performer (bribes are the name of the game). There will be a raffle table and smaller fundraisers at the event.

A Sunny Saturday For Scotty

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A Sunny Saturday For Scotty ~ By Wendy Mitchell

Linda Anderson and her son Brett

After nearly a week of rain, the sun warmly welcomed the hundreds who came out to the 15th Annual Scotty Fund town picnic on Saturday, September 10. The non-profit organization is named for Scotty Anderson, who would have been 18 years old this year, had he not lost his life at the age of 3 to cancer.

“He would have been starting out his freshman year at college,” said Chuck Murad, a family friend of the Andersons who DJ’d the event. Chuck went to Bethel High School with Linda, Scotty’s mother, and has helped out at the event since it began 15 years ago. Dozens of volunteers manned the booths that filled the entire lawn of the Municipal Center.

Bouncy houses, pony rides, a dunk tank and many other kid-friendly activities entertained children and helped to raise money for a great cause. The Bethel High School Honor Society students painted kid’s faces, students dressed as princesses and many volunteers sold t-shirts and other items to help raise money for the fund.

The Scotty Fund provides financial and family support to children with life threatening or critical illness in Bethel and surrounding areas.

“We can’t do what we do without the dedication and help from all of these great volunteers,” Linda Anderson said.

Linda, along with her husband Mark, founded the non-profit organization which serves about 18-25 families from Bethel and surrounding towns.

Grant money is given to children for medical expenses, transportation and other costs. Additional support the organization provides include cooking meals, providing child care, running errands and grocery shopping.

The 475 tickets for The Scotty Fund’s Winter Gala were already sold out by 3:00 p.m., Linda said. The event will be held on Saturday, December 3rd from 6:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.  at the Ethan Allen Hotel in Danbury.

For more information about The Scotty Fund call (203) 743-1388 or click here.

Become a Volunteer Group Facilitator For Healing Hearts

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Become a Volunteer Group Facilitator For Healing Hearts

The following is a press release from The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families, an award-winning program of Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. offering support groups, workshops, and educational events to help children, teens and adults cope after the loss of a loved one.

For Immediate Release: August 8, 2011

Become a Volunteer Group Facilitator For Healing Hearts

You can help grieving children and adults find support, compassion and acceptance after the death of their parent or sibling. Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. seeks volunteers to assist with grief support offered by The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families.

Volunteer group facilitators will complete a professionally led training that is required of all volunteers. After completing the 20 hour training, volunteers work in teams to create a safe environment for children, teens and parents/caregivers to discuss their grief issues. On-going supervision, instruction and support from the Program Manager (as well as other program staff) help volunteer facilitators develop their capacity to be a helpful presence to the bereaved.

Healing Hearts Group facilitators are asked to make a one-year commitment for either Tuesday or Thursday. Groups meet bi-weekly September-June and once a month in July and August. Regular attendance is essential to maintain continuity with the children and families. Volunteer facilitators participate from 5:15 to 8:30 p.m., including meetings with program staff members before and after the support groups for preparation and debriefing.

Volunteers must be 21 years or older and agree to a criminal background check and fingerprinting prior to assuming their volunteer role. Participation in the volunteer training and continuing education is required. Volunteers facilitators must be able to work as a team member, maintain an atmosphere of respect and non-judgement, respect confidentiality, and be dependably present to participants, other volunteers and staff of the program. Individuals from varied backgrounds and career experiences are welcome to apply—compassionate, caring and empathetic listeners are welcome.

Anyone interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a Healing Hearts volunteer facilitator may contact Joanna DeNicola, LCSW, Healing Hearts program manager at (203) 792-4422 or  email:JDeNicola@RegionalHospiceCT.org.

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The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families is an award-winning program of Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. offering support groups, workshops, and educational events to help children, teens and adults cope after the loss of a loved one.

Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. offers real hope for those facing advanced illness through patient-focused care, education, resources and advocacy. We help patients and families discover what end-of-life care can be—what can be gained, what can be realized and what can be recaptured. For more information, visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org.

_____________________________

 

For More Information:

 

Joanna DeNicola

 

Healing Hearts Program Manager

 

Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT

 

(203) 792-4422

 

JDeNicola@RegionalHospiceCT.org

Bethel Student Reports On Service Project: ASP 2011

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Bethel Student Reports On Service Project: ASP 2011 ~ By Paul Rodgers

Editor’s Note: On Saturday, July 30, a team of 50 volunteers from the Bethel United Methodist Church embarked on a week-long journey to repair homes in Appalachia, West Virginia. Click here to read article. Below is an article one of the volunteers, Bethel 15-year-old Paul Rodgers wrote about his experience on the trip.

We arrived at the Methodist Church in Fishersville, Virginia, around 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night, the first night of our trip. The next morning they woke us up early to prepare for the ride from Fishersville to our ASP center in Guyan Valley in West Virginia. It was a four hour drive from Fishersville.

My team consisted of Steve D, our team leader, three adults- Sharon, Kasia and Uta, and three kids- Max, Erin and I. When we arrived at our work site the lady wasn’t answering the door so we starting working. Our job for the week was underpinning (blocking the animals and wind from entering the space below the trailer) and putting up siding. After an hour the woman whose house we were working on, Anita, came out. With one look at me she said “Your mischievous aren’t you. Steve, just look at his eyes.” She smiled at me and I immediately knew it was going to be a fun and humorous week.

Tuesday was an average working day. We went to the work site, had lunch with Anita, worked some more and finished the underpinning. Now it was all siding. That night we were treated to a band called “Crossroads Bluegrass Band”.

On Wednesday were heard reports of a thunder storm coming our way. One the way to the work site Steve Deuschle said that as long as it is only a quick shower we’ll stay. Right around lunch time it started down pouring so we went inside to eat. Anita found out it was Max’s Birthday and insisted on making a cake for the next day. Anita’s husband Jeffrey showed us is extremely large model train collection. After about two hours we resumed working and Jeffrey and Anita joined us outside. Thunder started to rumble and clouds started moving in. “How long does it take you to pack up?” asked Jeffrey. When Steve D replied “20 Minutes” Anita practically made us leave, for our own safety. Thinking of workers standing on metal ladders, hammering iron nails into a metal trailer a week after she had lighting strike her yard didn’t seem safe to her.

On Thursday we started to finish the siding around Anita’s door. During lunch she presented Max with a chocolate birthday cake. Thursday on ASP is always the day where we go for a picnic in a state park. The ride to the park was a little less than a half hour long. We were the last car to arrive an when we did everyone was gathered at a low wooden fence. The view was absolutely amazing. It was a farily large but steep drop to a lake which was surrounded by a mountains and dams.

On Friday we said goodbye to our families.  Anita’s grandkids, Mikey, Casey, Matthew and Caden were over. We were immdedialty attached to them as they were to us.  Everyone on site, the crew, Anita and her grandkids, were very upset that we had to leave. It was an emotional time. ASP isn’t just about repairing someone’s house; it is about creating a bond with them and others.

I really enjoy doing this mission trip because it gives me the opportunity to help people. After this trip I came back really appreciating things. One of the things Anita said was “I never though I would need to ask for help.” We can all relate to this because someone could happen to us in an instant and might need help.

What I took away from this experience is that every home is different, everywhere you go, but theres no place like home.

To learn more about ASP please visit www.asphome.org. For information on next year’s trip, please contact John Esposito at espo@bethelmethodist.net.

BUMC Sends Off 50 Volunteers With Blessings

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BUMC Sends Off 50 Volunteers With Blessings ~ By Wendy Mitchell

Bethel United Methodist Church members joined hands Saturday morning for a large prayer circle as they sent off 50 volunteers to Appalachia, West Virginia for the Appalachia Service Project.

In case you were driving by 141 Greenwood Ave. this morning and were wondering what all that cheering was for, it was the Bethel United Methodist Church sending off church members on a local missions trip.

The Rev. Vicky Fleming, along with a large group of parents and well wishers, sent off 50 volunteers Saturday morning with blessings and prayers. The group set off on their 600-mile journey to Appalachia, West Virginia for the Appalachia Service Project, a charitable organization that helps the needy rebuild and repair homes.

The church rented 7 Chevy Suburbans that were each sponsored by a church member and/or local business. Each vehicle costs approximately $1,000 to rent for the week.  The group will stay at an ASP center during the week as they work on homes. The caravan of the 7 Suburbans along with 2 cargo vans left the church Saturday morning at approximately 9:00 a.m. as family members clapped, hugged, cheered and wiped away tears for those they will miss during the week.

The group will return next Saturday with heartwarming stories about their journey, both physical and spiritual.

For more information about the Bethel United Methodist Church click here.

For more information about the Appalachia Service Project click here.

Pictures below by Wendy Mitchell, editor of Bethel Buzz & John Robertson, owner of Create My DVD.

Get Your Motor Running For Healing Hearts

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The following is a press release from Healing Hearts:

 

Photo Contributed

Motorcycle Poker Run Fundraiser to Benefit Healing Hearts

DANBURY, CT— Bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts, get ready to ride for a cause in Western Connecticut! Join us for a memorable ride to support The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families.

Ride for Healing Hearts is set for Sunday, August 21, 2011. Registration is from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at New Milford Cycles, 571 Danbury Road in New Milford. Participants will enjoy a scenic ride through Western Connecticut, stopping at checkpoints along the way to draw a card to complete their poker hand. The event will conclude with a picnic at Bennett Park in Bethel. Trophies, raffles, event pin, goodie bags and food are all part of the fun.

Proceeds will benefit The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families, which is a program of Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. The event is sponsored, in part, by Connecticut Cruise News, New Milford Cycles and Urban Assassins.

Because of fundraising events like Ride for Healing Hearts, the agency continues to offer bereavement support for anyone who needs it in Western Connecticut and nearby communities in New York State. The Center was created specifically to help adults and children with their grief and to support them as they rebuild their lives. This past year alone, Healing Hearts helped more than 1,169 area residents. The Center is located at 73 Stadley Rough Road in Danbury and features a beautiful Healing Garden and Memorial Brick Walkway, as well as age-appropriate group meeting rooms.

Every year Healing Hearts is helping more and more children, teens and adults. “Ride for Healing Hearts is a fun way to raise funds for the program and at the same time raise awareness about the importance of grief support,” explains Nancy Lavoie, organizer of the event. Bikers are encouraged to form teams, seek sponsors and raise funds.

Registration is $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event. For more information or to get involved, send an email to heartshealing@yahoo.com, call Nancy Lavoie at 203-788-0290, or visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org.

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Terri Nackid  (203) 702-7412  TNackid@RegionalHospiceCT.org

The Healing Hearts Center for Grieving Children & Families is an award-winning program Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. offering support groups, workshops, and educational events to help children, teens and adults cope after the loss of a loved one.

Regional Hospice and Home Care of Western CT, Inc. offers real hope for those facing advanced illness through patient-focused care, education, resources and advocacy. We help patients and families discover what end-of-life care can be—what can be gained, what can be realized and what can be recaptured. For more information, visit www.RegionalHospiceCT.org.

DAWS Kitten Adoption Open House is Thursday!

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Don’t forget Thursday is DAWS Kitten Adoption Open House from 4:00-8:00p.m. Reduced fees!Below is information, courtesy of DAWS.

Event Details

Kittens for adoption at DAWS shelter in Bethel, CT
Jun 30 2011

Location: DAWS Shelter

4pm – 8pm

First come, first served

Adoption fee: $75

We have more than 25 kittens currently in foster care looking for loving homes. We have both male and female kittens that range in age from 8 – 14 weeks old….they’re really little and cute and come in a variety of colors and fur lengths!  To help them find their forever-homes, we will be having a special Kitten Open House on June 30 at the DAWS Shelter (147 Grassy Plain Street, Bethel) from 4pm – 8pm.

We will show kittens to potential adopters on a first come, first serve basis. Please come prepared to wait as a few people may come or a lot of people may come. We will do our best to limit visits to 15 minutes per family.

Pre-Approved Applicants can take kittens home the same day!  For fastest service, the day of the event, please complete and return a cat application (download it here) to cats@daws.org by June 28.  NOTE:  We reference check all of our prospective adopters.  If your application is approved, you will be able to take your kitten home on June 30.  Applications received during the open house, will be processed following the event.

All kittens will have age appropriate vaccines/medical care at time of adoption and will be altered. If you have questions, please email cats@daws.org.

The kittens are cute, cuddly, and playful.  Take a look at a few of the little ones waiting to meet you:

Sharon:

Sharon

Union:

Union

Berlin:

Jetson:

Jetson

Kimshi:

Kimshi

Wren:

 

Please download the event flyer and post it on a community bulletin board at the supermarket, gym, coffee house – anywhere you can think of.  We appreciate your help to make sure everyone knows about our Kitten Adoption Event!

We are also in need of foster homes for kittens.  If you’re interested in fostering, please email daws@daws.org.