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Top 10 Most Popular Stories of 2011

Below is a list of Bethel Buzz’s Top 10 Stories of 2011 with excerpts from the most popular articles.

#10 Irene Bashes Bethel

Hurricane Irene hit Bethel hard early Sunday, August 28, 2011, causing over 54% of Bethel residents to lose power. The Bethel Police Department said many roads in Bethel have downed trees and power wires. The Town of Bethel dispatched road crews. The dispatcher said the Putnam Park area and Stony Hill areas have were hit hardest. CL&P representative Theresa Gilbert said as of 2:50 p.m. 54 % of Bethel residents are without power. “Our first priority is to make the area safe by working with town crews to clear the roads so crews can access the equipment. We will then assess the damage.”

#9 Fire Breaks Out Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park

On Monday, December 12, 2011 the second fire in three days had Bethel volunteer firefighters busy. A fire broke out at Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park off of Route 53. Crews from Bethel and Stony Hill Fire Departments fought the blaze, which was reported by a nearby business. Firefighters were on the scene for more than two hours. The fire began when workers ignited materials inside the building while working with a blowtorch. The building had been vacant since the heavy snowfall of last winter caused the roof to collapse. According to officials, the building was going to be demolished.

#8 September 11^th Memorial Service

This article was about the September 11^th Memorial Service just over the Bethel town line at Mr. Howard Lasher’s home in Newtown. In September of 2001 Mr. Lasher commissioned artist David Merrill to paint a tribute to his 10 dear friends that he lost that day.

Mr. Lasher said: “The American Flag Memorial is about the people who tragically lost their lives on 9/11 and also for all those men and women who have given their lives in defense of our great nation. Whether it is Iraq, Afghanistan and all the wars, The American Flag Memorial represents what they died for.

Mr. Lasher was devastated to awake to the sight of vandals who threw paint and smashed lights on the memorial site on December 7, 2011, the 70^th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day. The Newtown Police are still investigating and anyone with information is asked to call them at 203-426-5841.

#7 Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting Kicks Off Season of Cheer

Hundreds gathered in downtown Bethel for the annual tree lighting ceremony and festivities on Black Friday. New this year to the Black Friday events were the Municipal Center Indoor Farmer’s Market with Billy’s BBQ on the lawn, rides on a 1928 fire truck (for a fee) and pictures with Santa at Aurora Photography on Greenwood Ave. The Bethel High School Choir, led by Karen Neville, filled the air with Christmas cheer as they sang Christmas carols before First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker kicked off the Tree Lighting Ceremony. At 5:30 p.m. Santa arrived on a fire truck to the delight of children waiting to tell him their Christmas wishes.

#6 CT United Rides Through Bethel Sept. 11^th

On Sunday, September, 11, 2011 Bethel residents watches as thousands of motorcyclists from across the state paid tribute to those who lost their lives on the September 11th attacks on our nation. About 4,000 bikers from The CT United Ride blazed through Bethel, the largest number of riders ever to participate, according to Executive Director and founder Fred Garrity, Jr.  of Trumbull, CT.

“This is one of the original 9/11 events which began in September of 2001 as a fundraiser for New York. It started out with about 500 people and it was so successful that people wanted to continue. From the second year forward it continued as a tribute to those who continue to protect and serve,” Garrity said.

#5 C L & P Announces Credits to Residents Without Power

On November 29, 2011, CL&P announced the company has increased the post-storm fund established on November 9 up to $30 million. Any residential customer without power after noon on Saturday, November 5, as a result of the storm, will be eligible for credit applied to their CL&P bill – a minimum of $100 to a maximum of $200 depending on how many eligible customers apply for the credit.

The fund, which will be administered by the company, will be open for application beginning Wednesday, December 7, 2011. On that date, CL&P will begin contacting qualified residential customers to inform them of their eligibility to apply for the credit. Also at that time, qualified customers can choose to apply at http://www.cl-p.com or by calling 888-566-9257. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. January 31, 2012. Credits will begin to be applied to the customer’s February billing statement. No release of legal claims will be necessary in order to receive compensation from the fund.

#4 Molten’s Metamorphosis: Molten Java Announces New Digs

Change is good. So thinks Wendy Cahill, owner of the award-winning Bethel coffeehouse, Molten Java. On Friday, November 4, 2011, Cahill announced plans to expand and move her successful coffeehouse to a new, larger location at 213 Greenwood Ave.

The spacious turn-of-the-century Victorian mansion is located in Dolan Plaza, right next to the newly opened Peachwave Yogurt. Enjoying 8-and-a-half years at the current, soon to be former location, 102 Greenwood Ave., Cahill said it was time to expand “because that’s what my customers want and need.”

#3 Bethel Family Displaced After Fire Saturday Night

On December 10, 2011 a family of 5, along with two dogs and a cat, were displaced when a fire broke out at their home at 19 Midway Drive. The fire was in the Bethel Fire Department district and Stony Hill assisted them with 15 Stony Hill Fire Department firefighters, 2 engines and a rescue truck. The family lost everything and is asking for donations for their 3 girls, ages 9, 12 and 15.

The family is asking for gift cards and money, which can be mailed to Daisy Paixao, c/o Lilia Penha, 32 Midway Drive, Bethel CT. 06801. Fire Marshal Galliford stated Sunday that the cause of the fire is still under investigation but that the house and its contents were a total loss.

The Connecticut chapter of the American Red Cross has been notified of the fire and will be working to assist the family. Bethel Buzz will keep readers posted as we receive information. Donations are also being collected at Famous Pizza for gift cards to Target, Kohl’s and Bethel Food.

#2 Welcome to Bethel, Gilleoghan Irish Dance

When world champion dancers Terry Gillan and Philip Owens made the decision to open their own dance studio they knew Bethel was the place. Gilleoghan Irish Dance officially opened Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 170 Greenwood Ave., in the former location of Emily’s Cheese Shop. Instructors and owners Gillan and Owens have been teaching Irish step dance for over three decades. Both live in town and chose the Greenwood Avenue location due to its visibility.

“Bethel is an artsy town with a great town center so we thought it was a great place for our studio,” Gillan said.

The pair has created a solid reputation in the world of Irish step dance and has earned many awards and honors. Aside from their obvious talent, the pair has a way with students that have caused some to follow them as far as New York and New Jersey to continue studying with them.

Gilleoghan Irish Dance offers international level solo and team dance, dance drama, show style dancing and formal children’s’ dance education and examinations complying with Irish Dance Commission standards. They also teach adult competitive and recreational programs, as well as Irish Language (Gaelic) classes.

And our #1 story of 2011 was an inspirational one about a Bethel woman who fought the odds to conquer her goals.

#1 Dreadlock Mom Runs For Her Life in NYC Marathon

Thirty-nine-year-old Heather Roles has been to hell and back. On Sunday, November 6, the former Bethelite and single mom ran in the New York City Marathon, along with 47,000 runners. Coming back from a life of drug addiction and homelessness, Heather now lives a healthy lifestyle and ran the 26.2-mile course to reclaim her health and her life.

Heather’s story is intense, and one she shared on live T.V. on NBC. The media group interviewed Heather during Wave 1 of the race, at about 11:30 a.m., just as she ran past the 14-mile marker. She has come a long way from just six years ago when she was living out of her car with a three-year-old son in tow. Running, she said, is the saving grace she needed to get her back on her feet again and headed along the right path.

After quitting a heavy smoking habit Heather found out she has Stage-4 liver disease. She has set up her own website and is currently in the process of raising funds to donate to The Liver Foundation, a charity near and dear to her heart. Please visit www.liverfoundation.org to donate.

“This is the last marathon I am running for me. I know there are millions of people who need a new liver now, as I will in the near future. That’s why the next, and all the future events, will be for The Liver Foundation. I will need a new liver eventually. My health right now is fantastic, I compete in triathlons all summer and have found distance running to be the peace I need.”