Spring Fever: A Local Slice of Life

Story and photos by Paula Antolini

Today, April 4, 2013, the weather seems to be teasing us into Spring, still a little chilly and breezy, but blue skies, sunny, and the temperatures keep climbing.  This weekend is supposed to be even better weather. 

Beautiful weather brought people outdoors today. There were many bikers and joggers all around. Outdoor sports activities started this week in Bethel schools. Lacrosse players and track and field runners were out practicing on the Bethel school track.

People were visiting local parks. Every person I photographed today was happy and friendly and glad to be outdoors enjoying Spring! 

Bethel residents Bill and Meg Schofield were pushing their 2 1/2 year old son William on a swing in Putnam Park in Redding, and he was delighted, giggling galore, then running around like a little boy would.  Dad Bill was born and raised in Bethel and the couple is married for three years.  Putnam Park is right over the southern border of Bethel on Route 58. 

I spotted eighty-year-old Gail Paynter walking laps in the park. She is a fifty-seven year resident of Newtown, she said. One chat with Paynter and you no longer have any excuse not to exercise, she was wonderfully lively and energetic, and enjoying the lovely day.
 
Collette Griffin, a 12 year resident of Redding, was walking her four dogs in the park, named Remi, Flame, Scrappy and Ross.  All are rescue dogs, from shelters in Woodbridge, Bridgeport, Arkansas Cruelty Rescue Shelter and one from a hoarding case in South Carolina, Griffin said.  As we chatted, Griffin placed two of the smaller dogs inside her sweater she was wearing, one sat in a dog holder and both dogs were content and the other two dogs reclined on the ground. Griffin used to run a rescue organization "New Leash on Life" she said.  She's a lawyer in Hartford and Chair of the Animal Law section of the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA).

Anthony Kozlowski was seen on Jacobs Lane in Bethel, working on his property, raking dirt in preparation for a new garden area in the front of his home.  He had recently finished installing a new front walkway and also stone walls in his driveway, projects he did himself with the help of his brother, he said. He's lived in Bethel since 1991 and built his home with a contractor, he said, then added decorative touches himself such as pillars, a railing, and roof trim.

Twenty four year Redding resident Bob Heller was busy filling the gas tank of his motorcycle at a gas station on Route 58.  I imagine we will see lots of bikers out this weekend too.  Just then, two bicycles whizzed by!

What did you do today?