Bethel, CT

There’s no better way to start feeling merry in Ridgefield than stepping into the Ridgefield Guild of Artists’  Festive Home 2025 . Christine and I visited on Preview Night — a sold-out celebration filled with appetizers, holiday drinks, and the warm buzz that only comes from a room full of cheerful neighbors ready to welcome the season. This year’s theme is  Hometown Traditions , and the Guild has truly transformed the gallery. Every room feels like stepping into a cozy holi

Brookfield Craft Center’s 50th Annual Holiday Shopping Tradition features an extraordinary collection of contemporary American craft for the holidays: handmade works by more than 150 selected artists in jewelry, wearable fiber, ceramics, glass, wood, paper and steel. All purchases benefit the Craft Center’s education programs, and provide support for independent artists. Holiday Events & Special Shopping Hours Opening Reception Friday, November 7 | 5:00–8:00 PM Kick off the

Origins (1934) In 1934, Russian immigrant Rudolph Kunett  founded the first commercial vodka distillery in the United States at 77 South Street, Bethel . This was the humble U.S. birthplace of Smirnoff Vodka .   Smirnoff in America Kunett purchased the U.S. rights to Smirnoff from Vladimir Smirnov. Though Americans weren’t big vodka drinkers at the time, this Bethel plant laid the foundation for vodka’s rise in the U.S.   From Bethel to the World By the late 1930s, Hartford’s

My Clients Trusted the Process - It Paid Off. Sold for $262,500 over List Price! My Clients Trusted the Process- It Paid Off. Sold for $262,500 over List Price! 115 Remington Rd., Ridgefield, CT 06877 Just Sold - Dee Braaten of Keller Williams - Sold Price $1,387,500

Octember Leaves are leaving and the wind is moaning as spirits swirl about. Haunting haunts town and countryside. Ghosts on the mind; ghosts in the yard; ghosts skulk the street. Hallowe’en steals color from the trees and their twigs to make a creepy way, to forge a sighing day to force a listening over your shoulder …for a growl or a scream. Ira Joe Fisher Email: irajoefisher@gmail.com Phone: 203-912-1457 Learn More Octember - Poetry by Ira Joe Fisher

Hidden We’re too near a city and our own town powders night with light hiding the stars we seek; or should wish to. Dim is a cruel word, and gone, even crueler. Light is kind to farmer, to reader but pin-pierced sparks that stay (I’m told) and glow to gold; ought always be seen, to comfort and send an essence of sun in small beams that neither burn nor blind, but (so I’m told), only glow to gold. Ira Joe Fisher Email: irajoefisher@gmail.com Phone: 203-912-1457 Learn More Hidd

When Autumn Comes to Clouds When autumn comes to clouds it brings a Fahrenheit fall. And a lake grows grey even in day. When autumn comes to clouds birds plot their feathery flight high and south down and away.             Happiness upon your Octember, Ira Ira Joe Fisher Email: irajoefisher@gmail.com Phone: 203-912-1457 Learn More When Autumn Comes to Clouds - Poetry by Ira Joe Fisher

Fall Open House @ Brookfield Craft Center

Holy Joy My books breathe and glow about my rooms. They have lifted me in a little valley to a whiling away in Asia and around the south and west and north and on to now in treed New England.   My books bear the wild wonder of word – a daily gift I take in chalice-like: reverent, awed, inked, moving, and holy; passages underlined and margin-lined mystery-wisdom thrilling my thoughts.   If I may – a wish rises from my me that a daughter or a son might look upon these sacred pa

Join us in honoring our nation and community this Veterans Day. The America 250 Bethel Committee , in partnership with the Bethel Patriotic Association , is seeking Veterans  who would like to participate in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence  at the Bethel Veterans Day Ceremony . Event Details: 🌟  Date:  Tuesday, November 11, 2025🕰️  Time:  11:00 a.m.🌳  Location:  Bethel Town Green, Bethel, Connecticut Your voice and presence will help us honor the legacy

For homeowners concerned about drinking water quality, PFAS contamination is an issue that can’t be ignored. PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.” Once they enter the environment, PFAS break down extremely slowly, accumulating in soil, water supplies and even the human body over time. This persistence is linked to a range of potential health effects , including certain cancers, live

Date Night Oct 8th at Portofino 5 Course Italian Wine Pairing Dinner.

As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Town of Bethel is joining communities across the country in celebrating this historic milestone. Celebrating the Declaration of Independence The Declaration, signed on July 4, 1776, was more than a statement of separation from Britain—it was a bold commitment to liberty, equality, and self-governance. While Bethel was not incorporated until 1855, residents of the region

Bethel is preparing to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and honor the ways the founding ideals continue to effect our lives. Everyone is encouraged to contribute to our anniversary calendar. We invite you to be part of our story. Join us on Wed., October 8th Bethel Municipal Center 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Meeting Room D (next to Planning and Zoning office) Learn more at: https://bethel-ct.gov/america250 American250@bethel-ct.gov

Origins (1934) In 1934, Russian immigrant Rudolph Kunett founded the first commercial vodka distillery in the United States at 77 South Street, Bethel . This was the humble U.S. birthplace of Smirnoff Vodka .   Smirnoff in America Kunett purchased the U.S. rights to Smirnoff from Vladimir Smirnov. Though Americans weren’t big vodka drinkers at the time, this Bethel plant laid the foundation for vodka’s rise in the U.S.   From Bethel to the World By the late 1930s, Hartford’s 

We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter at Community Stroll: the addition of Ira Joe Fisher as our distinguished new contributor!   Ira Joe, Ridgefield’s celebrated Poet Laureate, Emmy-winning broadcaster, actor, and educator, will now bring his poetic insight, storytelling flair, and warm community voice to our website, social media platforms, and newsletter. His ongoing series of “P-06877-etry”—short, reflective videos filmed in Ridgefield—was a beloved feature i

As the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Town of Bethel is joining communities across the country in celebrating this historic milestone. The Declaration, signed on July 4, 1776, was more than a statement of separation from Britain—it was a bold commitment to liberty, equality, and self-governance. While Bethel was not incorporated until 1855, residents of the region played their part in the Revolutionary War

Join the story - Celebrate History, Honor Community, Inspire the Future - Click on the link to find out more about celebrating the 250th Birthday of the signing of the Declaration of Independence - https://bethel-ct.gov/america250 Celebrate America 250 Bethel Join the Story!

Join us in Bethel, CT for the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Stars Lab this Friday, August 15 at 10 AM at 185 Grassy Plain Street in Bethel, CT.

Learn about how British intellectuals helped shape the Declaration of Independence on Thursday, August 21, when historian Peter Moore will present “Britain and the American Dream.” A free virtual program, the first in KTM&HC’s and Ridgefield Library’s collaborative “Declaration Deep Dive” speaker series. Ridgefield, Conn .— Join us on Thursday, August 21 at 7 p.m. on Zoom for "Britain and the American Dream" presented by Peter Moore - the first program of our speaker series "