Top 10 Bethel Neighbors of 2011

In 2011, Bethel residents did amazing things, did something noteworthy or told an interesting story. 

In no particular order, here is a list of 10 Patch features about interesting Bethelites from the past year:

1. Published: December 5
Description: Long-time Bethel resident and famed cartoonist Joseph Farris published "A Soldier's Sketchbook," a book compiled from hundreds of letters, photos, illustrations and other memorabilia he sent home to his family during his time in WWII. “[When] I turned 80, I thought if there was ever a time to do something with the letters, it would be now,” Farris said. “I figured it would be nice to show my family what I had been through. I had no idea it would become a publication, to me they were just two large scrapbooks.”

2. Published: June 7
Description: This spring, Bethel native Matt Barnes was selected 19th overall by the Boston Red Sox in this year’s Major League Baseball draft. At Bethel High School he was an all-state selection and a Connecticut High School Coaches Association All-Star. Barnes, a junior right-handed pitcher, throws mid 90s and has control with his curve and change up.

3. Published: March 14
Description: Karen King, of Bethel, is officially an Everyday Hero after drawing 875 votes. The (Newtown) Reed Intermediate School fifth grade teacher was a finalist in the American Federation of Teacher's Everyday Heroes program, and recently learned she garnered the most votes. King said the best of both worlds for her is when she can combine teaching with her other passion – volunteering.

4. Published: July 28
Description: For half a century, Belardinelli Tire has provided Bethel with "good quailty products and excellent customer service." "Did I ever think I’d grow to be this big? Absolutely not," Owner Tulio Berlardinelli said. "But God has been good to me and I have a lot of my family working here with me. This was my goal; to have a family business."

5. Published: September 8
Description: Several members of the community starting working together this year to raise money for a community pool, which sparked a lot of debate. "I think [a pool] is an important part of a community and swimming is an important life skill and if you live in town, you don't have that opportunity unless you are willing to drive to other towns,” BHS Principal and committee member Pat Cosentino said. “We hope to make this dream of bringing a pool to Bethel a reality; it’s time to make this happen.”

6. Published: November 17 
Description: Eighteen of Bethel's greatest stories are now available in the paperback book “Historic Tales of Bethel, Connecticut,” written by native resident and town historian, Patrick Tierney Wild. “Many of the stories wouldn't be familiar to newer families that have moved to Bethel,” Wild said. “I tried to really cover information that would be fresh or hadn't been covered in as much detail before.”

7. Published: June 20
Description: Last year, Bethel sculptor David Gesualdi created the life size bronze statue of Bethel's most celebrated native son P.T. Barnum, which now sits outside the Bethel library. In a followup, Gesualdi says this year he is working on an intricate three dimensional bronze plaque that will be placed at the base of the Barnum statue. The plaque will depict a circus parade and the Nelson brothers who were clowns with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for more than 50 years, and who retired to Bethel and are buried in town.

8. Published: April 4
Description: Eric Schmidt, a cancer survivor, celebrated 10 years of completing his treatment for testicular cancer by donating 10 inches of hair to locks of love and running in a 10 mile marathon to raise money for St. Jude's. “I try to shed some light on what I'm doing and try to see if people want to help,” he said. “I’m all about paying it forward.”

9. Published: November 5
Description: Mother and teacher Aimes Dos Santos was featured on the BIO Network's show "I Survived....Beyond and Back," sharing a childhood story that changed her life and beliefs. "...The scary part for me is that everyone in my life had never heard this before. It's almost like a coming out, but in a big way," she said.

10. Published: May 9
Description: Photographer Stacy Burt held an event that promoted real women and making them feel their best. Burt said: "We all have issues; little things that we nitpick, but the reality is that we all have beauty in us. Whether it’s our beautiful eyes, smile, personality, whatever it is, we all have things that need to be celebrated."