The end of public school vacation is this week with teachers and students heading back into the classroom. Wishing everyone a productive and fun 26/27 school year!

I have been doing a lot of camping up in the Rangeley area. The drive up through Grafton Notch never gets old. Seeing a lot of thru hikers near the trails. This time of year you also see them in town stocking up on supplies.

Another town you drive through is Upton, Maine. If you blink, you will miss it. However a new Country Store opened in Upton.

They serve breakfast sandwiches and lunch/dinner items. They also have a small room for folks to sit down and eat in-house. I tried the breakfast sandwich and also their chicken quesadilla for lunch. Both were very good. The ladies that work there are friendly. They are closed Sunday and Monday. Open hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday and Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is a beautiful drive which makes for a great outing not far from home. Carol is the new owner so I hope they can make a go out of this new business. There are not many year-round residents so the travelers on the road will be a big plus. Hope folks stop in to support their efforts.

News from the Bethel Outing Club: The 46th Annual Bethel Outing Club Ski and Snowboard Sale is only 2 months away!! It will be held Friday, October 23, from 6-9 pm, and Saturday, October 24, from 9 til noon this year, which is a week earlier than usual - so mark your calendars. And get that unused gear ready to sell! As well as the opportunity to buy from multiple shops in the same place (the Gould Academy Field House, 74 Church St. Bethel), you have the opportunity to sell winter/outdoor gear and clothing you no longer use or have outgrown (gear should be in safe and good condition). The club takes a 20% commission on sales. More information can be found at bethelouting.org

News and events are always welcome by sending to lhowe7273@gmail.com

Molly Ockett Day, which is now the second Saturday of August, brought many folks into Bethel. T…

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The Mason Lodge on Chapman Street is serving a pancake breakfast that starts at 7 a.m. and goes until 10 a.m.

On Main Street the Methodist Church will be having their monthly Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indoor yard sale and the grills will be out on the front lawn. Lunch will be $6.00 Hot dog, chips and drink. Hamburger, chips and drink for $7.00. Chili dogs, sausage sandwiches, and ice cream are also on the menu. Revenue from the Church sale will go into our building project funds.

Saturday, August 8, is also Molly Ockett Day! There will be a parade coming to Main Street at 10:30 a.m. Up on the Bethel Common starting at 10:30 a.m. you will find vendors and food trucks as well. Going back to tradition from past Molly Ockett Days will be kids’ activities from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dunk tank, face painting, bounce house, hula hoops, frog jumping contest, and 3-legged races are some of the activities taking place on the Common. The evening will hold live music on the Bethel Common with fireworks scheduled to be set off at 9 p.m.

The Bethel Library located on Broad Street will also be holding their annual book sale starting on Friday, August 7, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and also on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 9th is a self-service day at the book sale: pay what you can for any of the books at the sale.

The Bethel Rotary Club will also be holding their yard sale under the tent near the Gem Theater. This sale takes place August 6, 7, 8, and 9 for folks to stop by and check out the items up for sale.

The upcoming weekend will be a busy one in our small town. I hope all the local businesses are ready for the abundance of people who will be in town.

Two events taking place the following week include Neighbors Feeding Neighbors on Tuesday, August 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church. Free meal which is open to the public.

The second event is the monthly meeting of the Bethel Seniors Club on Wednesday, August 12, starting at 11 a.m. which will be held at the Square Restaurant in South Paris, ME.

Last weekend Bob and I attended Camp Mechuwana’s Middle/High School Music-theater Camp. The camp is located in Winthrop, Maine, and our great-niece Emilie Kelley was on stage. She has a terrific singing voice and had her first solo in Act 2. The production they put on was Godspell. The show is about a small group of people who help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance, and love came vibrantly to life! Music theater at Mechuwana has been a tradition for more than 55 years and the number of campers is growing. The show was very professionally done and amazing! These young students learned so much in only six days!

After the morning show we ventured over to Honey Run Campground located in Peru, Maine near Worthley Pond to attend the 85th Fontaine/Prevost Family Reunion. We are up to five generations and it was great seeing young children in attendance. My first cousins still consist of a good number today and it is always great to catch up on an annual basis. My father was so right when he would always tell me, “If you do not go to family reunions, you will never know your first cousins.” There were 40 first cousins so there were lots to meet over the years.

Mother Nature continues to provide in our vegetable gardens. This week I made zucchini relish. On Monday evening I prepared the cut vegetables and placed them in a big bowl.

It sets overnight and the next morning you cook it all up and store in jars. Homemade relish is the best and I enjoy the whole process of making it work. Those huge zucchinis serve a purpose and relishing it is just one way to find use for them.

Folks with news and events are always welcomed to send them to lhowe7273@gmail.com

In Bethel on Saturday, August 8^th, is Molly Ockett Day. This event is shaping up to be a good one as well. There will be activities and vendors on the B…

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I’m planning on attending the Friday morning 8 a.m. class at the Community Annex on the subject of breathwork. T.J. Farnum is the instructor so I am looking forward to learning about more practices for self-care.

This Saturday, on lower Main Street at the Philbrook Place you will find Randy Bennett signing his White Mountain books from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Talking with a Maine historian always provides a treasure trove of information. Stop by and visit Randy as well as check out the offerings inside the Philbrook Place. (This book signing was rescheduled from July 18 to this Saturday, July 25.)

Events next week include the monthly Community Supper at the Bethel Alliance Church on Wednesday, July 29, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. The church is located across from Telstar on the Walkers Mills Road. This meal is free and open to the public.

On the topic of meals, the recent Neighbors Feeding Neighbors in July provided free meals and donated provisions for our local food pantry. The hamburger that was grilled came from Blake’s Farm which is supporting our local farms in our area.

Folks also donated salads, which is always a blessing. The next Neighbors Feeding Neighbors will take place on Tuesday, August 11, at the Methodist Church.

I graduated from Mexico High School in 1972 and over the decades I still get together with some of my classmates/friends. Joanie Dawson and I have been friends for decades. Joanie lives in rural Maine with her husband. She worked for over 40 years with juveniles who got into some legal troubles. Upon retirement, she took up watercolor painting and still continues with that art. Joanie then decided to try her hand at writing short stories and recently had her first book published.

Her book, Something For Everyone: Three Short Stories From Maine, features three stories. “Starting Over” is a love story. “The Old Seaman’s Chest” is a mystery. “Finding A Home” is written for middle grades, ages eight to 12, but adults enjoy the story, too. What makes this book unique is she is not only the author but the illustrator as well. It’s unusual to see the same person as author and illustrator, but Joanie is very talented along with being humble as well. I hope she continues to paint and write, for these gifts to make life more enjoyable for us all.

Please send any news or events to lhowe7273@gmail.com

For events in Bethel this Saturday, July 18, on Main Street in Bethel is the Summer Market on the front lawn of the Methodist Church with an indoor yard sale set up in the dining room of the c…

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Upcoming next week on Tuesday, July 14, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors at the Methodist Church on Main Street in Bethel. The grill is coming out and hot dogs and hamburgers, side dishes and dessert will be on the menu. There is no charge for the meal. Food magically appears and everyone shares what they bring. Part of this event is focused on our local food pantry. A box is set out so folks can bring nonperishable items to the church and the donated items are delivered to the food pantry on Wednesday morning. Also at Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is a featured community group. The July event will feature the Bethel Recreational Committee. This will give community members an opportunity to learn more about this organization and what they provide in our town. Come out and meet your neighbors and have a wonderful “suppah.” Everyone is welcome!

On Saturday, July 18, there are two events taking place on Main Street in Bethel. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Saturday Market on Main Street at the Methodist Church. Local crafters and artisans will be set up on the front lawn. Inside the dining room the church will be having its yard sale. All are welcome to attend.

The second event will take place on lower Main Street at the Philbrook Place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Randall H. Bennett will be doing a book signing of his White Mountain history books. Also available are copies of Stan Howe’s book, Bethel Maine: A Brief History. Books will be selling for $20 plus tax. Meeting an author is a rare opportunity. All are welcome and Randy would love to meet you!

On Friday mornings at 8:00, beginning on July 24, TJ Farnum will offer a guided breathwork session at the Methodist Church Community Annex. See the details in the flyer below.

What a wonderful time out at Morning Glory Farm for the Bethel Senior Citizens Club. The hospitality was first class and very accommodating. The meeting started at 11 a.m. with reports, updates, and new events.

Guest speaker was Will Chapman, Executive Director of the Bethel Historical Society. His talk consisted of history from the past in our area. Really interesting information. We also learned of programs/events happening at our local Historical Society. They are very active! Learn more from their website, bethelhistorical.org

The Seniors also participated in a Sing Along. Many Patriotic songs were sung. God was given reference in many of the songs! The meal of homemade, wood-fired oven pizza was fabulous. It melted in your mouth. Great meal with dessert being cake and ice cream. Great time for our local Senior Citizens.

Please send news and events to lhowe7273@gmail./com

On High Street in Bethel is the 22nd annual Shy, Novice and Closeted Art …

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Janet Willie will be holding her Shy, Novice & Closeted Art Show at her home from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Fourth. Janet lives at 18 High Street, behind the grocery store in Bethel. This is a unique art show with a variety of mediums on display and some for purchase—always an interesting show that will delight many in attendance. This show is open to the public.

The BAAM (Bethel Area Arts & Music) Summer Market will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on lower Main Street in Bethel at the Philbrook Place. This is another show and market with local artisans selling their creations. There will be a variety of exhibitors set up and this is a popular annual show that folks like to attend every year.

On the middle of Main Street, you will find the Saturday Market on Main Street at the Methodist Church. There will be a yard sale going on inside the church. The church will also be selling homemade donuts and coffee with a lunch menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage sandwiches. Proceeds raised by the church go into our capital account to help us maintain our historic building. There will also be community members set up on the front lawn who have an assortment of hand crafted items for sale.

The Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, located on Broad Street, will also have a variety of activities for folks to enjoy on the Fourth of July. New this year will be a Fourth of July Parade on Main Street. This has not happened in a long time so it is great that we have a parade to celebrate our Nation’s 250th birthday. Find the full schedule of Fourth of July events online at 250bethel.org . The Fourth of July is turning out to be a busy day in the town of Bethel!

The Bethel Senior Citizen Club will be meeting on Wednesday, July 8, at 11 a.m. This monthly meeting will take place at Morning Glory Farm located at 343 Flat Road in West Bethel. We will also be celebrating America’s 250th birthday which will be a fun meeting for our community’s oldest citizen. New members are always welcome!

There are two local businesses that are now open. The first one is Chapman Brook Farm Stand located on the North Road, at the corner of Daisy Bryant Road. This farm is one of the few farms that is certified by MOFGA as truly 100% organic. They have a self-service stand and folks can pay with cash or Venmo. They are open on Fridays and Saturdays only. This seasonal business is owned by Vernon and Tammy Davis and they can grow some wonderful vegetables!

The second business is also owned by another local person. Dawn Eliot-Johnson has opened up a dog grooming business called Local Barkin’ Spot Salon located at 279 Walkers Mills Road in Bethel, which is across from Telstar by our local Food Pantry building. For services, Dawn offers grooming, cleaning ears, trimming nails, and teeth cleaning. Dawn also raises Dalmatian dogs. For more information or to book an appointment call or text Dawn at 207-381-0122. This is a service that has a great need in our community. Good luck to Dawn in this newest dog grooming business.

This column always welcomes news and events that can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com

For events in Bethel, June 20th is Saturday Market on Main Street at the Methodist Church on Main Street. Local artisans will be joining church members on the front lawn. The church will be holding a …

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The Club is planning a fall trip. The turkey train is being organized and planned for the month of October. More details will follow.

The Seniors are holding their July 8th meeting at Morning Glory Farm out on the flat road in Bethel. It will be a patriotic themed gathering and everyone is looking forward to visiting one of our local farms. Museums of the Bethel Historical Society Executive Director Will Chapman will tell us about past centennial celebrations in Bethel and special exhibits and programs being held at the historical society this year to commemorate America’s 250^th birthday.

This Senior Club, which began in 1962, welcomes Seniors to join its membership. Club dues are $10.00 for the year. All are welcome!

The June gathering for Neighbors Feeding Neighbors was a hit! In recognition of the upcoming Juneteenth federal holiday, Donald Coverdale prepared ribs, fried chicken, and potato salad, which were delicious.

The Bethel Library also provided books which were very helpful educating people on the topic of slavery. This monthly community event is growing and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the food and get to know your neighbors.

This column welcomes news and events that can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com

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On the topic of plants, please mark your calendars for the Bethel Library’s annual plant sale on Saturday, June 6th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Library is located on Broad Street and this annual fundraiser is a rain or shine event. Community support is appreciated!

Neighbors Feeding Neighbors will take place on Tuesday, June 9th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church located on Main Street. This is a free community meal with a focus on our local food pantry. Folks can bring nonperishable items to the church and all food collected will be brought to the food pantry on Wednesday morning. The meal this month will be side salads, beef ribs, chicken, and desserts. Come and have a great meal and meet some of our neighbors who live in our communities.

The first Saturday Market on Main Street took place over the Memorial Day weekend. The Re-Pant gals were at the Market and did a brisk business selling their Re-Pant bags. Proceeds from this group helps out our local food pantry.

Apple Shade Woodworks are two local folks, Kathryn Young and John Marzilli, who make beautiful wooden creations. Bowls, platters, and other hand crafted items are part of their local business. Such unique, hand-crafted items that make wonderful gifts.

Another local crafter is Rosie McArthur who is a talented seamstress, knitter, and can also crochet to make unique, handmade items. Another talent that Rosie has is a line dancing instructor. She will be offering classes on Tuesdays at the Community Annex at the Methodist Church and on Thursdays at the Locke Mills Union Church. These classes are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

There was recently a yogurt making class in the Methodist Church kitchen. Susan Vogt Brooks was the instructor and she did a great job teaching the steps in making homemade yogurt. Susan has goats so her yogurt was made with goat’s milk. I make yogurt at home as well and it is an easy process. The trick is to keep track of the milk temperature. Looking forward to more cooking classes in the church kitchen.

This column always welcomes news and events which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com

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On Saturday, May 16^th, starting at 9 a.m. Dr. Jenny Mae Wheeler will be doing a community presentation on acupuncture, exploring how it can regulate the nervous system, reduce pain and inflammation, and support overall health, resilience, and long term well-being. She will be doing her presentation in the dining room of the Methodist Church located on Main Street in Bethel. Acupuncture is an Eastern based practice which is getting attention in the Western World.

Healing the sick was ministry work that Jesus Christ did during his short time on earth. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell firsthand accounts of what healings Jesus accomplished and it is pretty amazing to say the least. In current times it is encouraging and hopeful to have doctors who continue to have a desire to help and heal people.

How to make your own yogurt will be a class offered through the S.A.D.#44 Adult Education department. Susan Vogt Brooks will be offering this class on Thursday, May 21^st, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the kitchen of the Methodist Church. To register, contact the Adult Education office at 207-824-2136 or visit their website.

The Methodist Church recently had some 9th grade students from Telstar High School come and do some yard work. They spruced up the flower beds and raked in the back of the church.

This community event was organized by the North Star adult leaders. The Telstar students were very polite and were eager workers. They did a wonderful job and were a big help for the church. North Star is a wonderful program that is changing young students’ lives. Excellent mentoring when these kids need it the most in their lives. Thank you to the North Star Program for helping and guiding our young teens in our communities. You are changing lives and it is a blessing to many!

The Bethel Senior Citizen Club held their monthly meeting on May 13th. At the meeting we discussed taking bus trips starting this fall. Lots of ideas were shared and more information will be shared in our future monthly meetings. This Senior group ALWAYS meets the second Wednesday of the month. During the meeting we introduced new members as a way to get to know each other. Folks shared some funny stories and it was an enjoyable time.

The lunch we ate was an exceptional meal. Debbie St. Pierre is an excellent cook and has a heart of gold. The menu consisted of homemade rolls, a tossed salad as well as a broccoli salad, homemade lasagna, and a chicken tetrazzini casserole for the main course. For dessert she had cherry pie, blueberry pie, upside-down pineapple cake and a chocolate cake.

Everyone enjoyed the meal and there were lots of pleasant conversations with smiles on all faces. The Bethel Senior Citizen Club is open to all seniors in the area.

This digital column always welcomes news and events, which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com

On Tuesday, May 12, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors at the Methodist Church located on Main Street in Bethel. The grill will be fired up on the front lawn and folks can enjoy a free meal with their neighbors and friends.

On Wednesday, May 13, starting at 11 a.m., the Bethel Senior Cit…

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On Saturday, May 9, there will be a Sound Bath session in the Community Annex located at the Methodist Church on Main Street. It will start at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome. Rebecca Fraser Douglass is a certified sound healer. Sound Baths are very effective for promoting peace, calm and wellness. I have experienced Sound Baths and find them very beneficial for my own personal wellness.

Also taking place at the Methodist Church is the monthly meeting for the Bethel Senior Citizen Club on Wednesday, May 13, starting at 11 a.m. After the meeting folks will be treated to a delicious meal prepared by Debbie St. Pierre. She is planning a fantastic lunch along with homemade pies which will be a surprise. Debbie has cooked for the Seniors in the past and everyone is looking forward to this meal on the 13th. Debbie has a soft spot for Seniors and graciously prepares a meal out of generosity and kindness to Bethel’s oldest citizens. There are good people in our Community and Debbie St. Pierre is one of them.

On Saturday, May 16, starting at 9 a.m. there will be a guest speaker at the Methodist Church. The Church is located at 79 Main Street in Bethel. Dr. Jenny Mae Wheeler, MD, is a board certified family medicine physician and founder of Bluebird Wellness, an integrative medical practice in Bethel offering personalized, root-cause-focused care.

She is certified through the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and integrates acupuncture with a Western understanding of physiology, nutrition, and the body’s innate healing systems.

As part of Bluebird Wellness Foundations’s nonprofit work, Dr. Wheeler is helping expand access to whole-person preventive health across Western Maine Communities. She is offering this community presentation on acupuncture, exploring how it can help regulate the nervous system, reduce pain and inflammation, and support overall health, resilience and long-term wellbeing. Acupuncture is an Eastern practice that seems to have healing benefits. I have never experienced it first-hand but know others who have found great success in this ancient practice. It will be interesting to listen to a medical doctor explain how acupuncture can help one’s wellbeing.

Dr. Wheeler also grew up in Bethel so her roots run deep in our community. This educational presentation is free and open to everyone.

I recently had my car detailed and what a difference it made to my vehicle. Having someone give it a deep clean really spruces it up and makes the vehicle seem like new. M & M Detailing did an excellent job. They are located at 3 Annis Road, which is across from Eddie Swain’s family farm on Route 2. The number to call is 207-583-5624. They were very friendly and efficient which made the whole experience enjoyable. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. When small businesses thrive, our community also benefits!

Please send any news or events for this digital column to lhowe7273@gmail.com

At the Congregational Church on Church Street is the Smile Fund lawn sale from 9 to 11 a.m. The Church dining room will have many items for folks to check out. Proceeds from the sales go into the Smile Fund account. This is church ministry work to help folks purchase dentures. New dentures can change lives. This sale is open to the public.

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Next Saturday, April 25th, there will be a church supper at the Methodist Church on Main Street from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This supper will have an Italian theme on the menu. Funds raised from this supper will be going into the capital account to help with efforts for a new church roof. After the supper starts at 6:30 p.m. there will be a guest speaker. “My Story” by Al Falster will be a first-hand account on how he came to America as an immigrant to become a U.S. citizen. His story will give us hope and show us what it takes to immigrate and especially why.

Another event on Saturday, April 25^th, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is an inside yard sale at the Congregational Church on Church Street. Funds raised from this sale go into the Smile Fund which is ministry work to help community members who need assistance to purchase dentures. This is a much needed program that can be a game changer for an individual. Community support for this program would be appreciated very much.

On Saturday, May 2nd, at noon there will be an informative walk beside the Androscoggin River with Will Chapman of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society and an ecologist from the Mahoosuc Land Trust, called “Along the Andro: History and Habitat in Our Community.” Meet at Davis Park at noon to explore the history and ecology of the Androscoggin River, including indigenous people, the importance of the river to agriculture and early industries, the pollution of the river and subsequent efforts to clean it up, river ferries, bridges, floods, and the flora and fauna of the riverside. This program is part of Jane’s Walk, a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement. Click here for more details.

On Tuesday, April 14^th, was the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors event at the Methodist Church. This event has turned into a community effort in a variety of ways. To start with, the team that plans the meal knows how to cook! The meal on the 14th was a turkey dinner with turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, and green bean casserole as well as a veggie platter, fruit platter and a bowl of fresh fruit.

There were a variety of folks who showed up at this free meal—young families with small children and locals of different ages.

The intent of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is two-fold. One purpose is to bring community together to share food and feed one another. Second, is to bring attention to our local Food Pantry. Folks coming may bring non-perishable items which are transported over to the Food Pantry, which is near Telstar High School. Donations are always accepted with gratitude.

The next Neighbors Feeding Neighbors will take place on Tuesday, May 12th (always the second Tuesday of the month), and I am hearing talk of grilling outside now that the weather is warmer.

Wednesday, April 15^th, was the last Soup’s On! for the 25/26 season. The next Soup’s On! will be on October 14th. As always there were some amazing soups. The shrimp bisque seems to be a big hit. Many fine soups for folks to enjoy. Not to be outdone, the desserts were excellent as well. Maryvonne Wheeler made these coconut chocolate chip squares that didn’t last long. What has always impressed me with this event is seeing the true nature of folks wanting to share their soup or deserts with others. We were expecting 7 soups but ended up with 10 soups! There never is a shortage of food, with the excess packaged up and delivered to senior citizen homes. Soup is certainly on and what a blessing it has been to many.

This digital column is always ready to receive news and or events which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com

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