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.

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Today’s column comes out on Thursday, April 2, which is Maundy Thursday. The West Parish Congregational Church UCC in Bethel will be having a Maundy Thursday Communion and Tenebrae Service starting at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend.

“Maundy” comes from a word meaning “commandment,” recalling Jesus’s words to his disciples at the Last Supper; that they love one another as he has loved them. “Tenebrae” is a Latin word meaning “darkness” or “shadows.” In this powerful service, all gather at the table to share Communion and remember Jesus’ last night with his disciples. Then the story turns toward Good Friday as the portions of the Bible story reflect on Jesus in the garden while the disciples cannot stay awake, his violent arrest, his trial, his carrying of the cross, and the events of his crucifixion.

The joyous celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ will take place on Sunday, April 5th. In our towns there will be many Easter Services available for folks to attend. The Methodist Church and the West Bethel Union Church have a Sunday morning 9 a.m. Service. Locke Mills Union Church offers a 9:30 a.m. service. At 10 a.m. the Congregational UCC Church, Bethel Alliance Church, and the Pleasant Valley Bible Church will hold Church services. The Bethel Church of the Nazarene holds a 10:30 a.m. service. The Catholic Church offers a Saturday 6:00 p.m. Mass for folks to attend. Many different denominations celebrating the risen Christ!

These next 3 events coming up involve food and are held in the dining room of the Methodist Church located at 79 Main Street.

On Wednesday, April 8^th, the Bethel Seniors will be meeting from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Region 9 technical students providing the meal. Guest speaker will be Lyndsey Smith from the North Star Program.

On Tuesday, April 14^th, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. This month’s meal will be chicken, stuffing and vegetables with folks bringing salad, bread and desserts. The focus for Neighbors Feeding Neighbors is to support our local Food Pantry. Non-perishable items may be brought to the Church which will be delivered to the Food Pantry. Some folks also like to make a monetary donation to help feed others in our Community. This free meal is open to everyone in our Community.

On Wednesday, April 15^th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. is Soup’s On! There are always new cooks coming on board so it makes for a variety and a delicious meal.

On Saturday, April 25^th, starting at 6:30 p.m. there will be a guest speaker at the Methodist Church. “My Story,” by Alexander U. Falster. Al is an American citizen but was an immigrant. The story he is going to share is his story of how he became a citizen which was not easy but it was made easier by many people, some he only met for a minute before, others he knew longer but they all had something to offer. Advice, a handshake, a kind word during the difficult years. Al was sworn in as a citizen and gave a speech for the assembled 63 other new citizens. Al will share some of those heartwarming stories, only the good and positive aspects, lest they are forgotten. He does not want to go into current situations. His story will be told without politics. His story will give hope and show others what it takes to immigrate and especially why.

Even though we live in a small town there are many among us who have a story to be told. “My Story” with Alexander is just one of many stories that folks living in our town can share that may have an impact on our lives.

There is a free year-long program starting up on April 21 at the Bethel United Methodist Church. Called “Food Is Medicine,” it is designed for people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods. See details in the flyer below.

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There are always local events taking place in our towns.

In Locke Mills on March 28th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there is a dance at the American Legion Hall on Gore Road. The Fossils will be…

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Here is a short list of upcoming events.

Church supper of soup, stew, chowder and chili will be served at the Methodist Church on Saturday, March 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. This supper is open to the public with donations to help fund a new roof for the Church.

Saturday, March 28, is the monthly dance at the American Legion Hall in Greenwood located on Gore Road. The Fossils will provide live music from 6 to 8 p.m. Donations from this dance help the Legion Hall with their finances.

On Sunday, March 22, starting at 9 a.m. Reverend Donald Coverdale will be providing pulpit supply for the Methodist Church located on Main Street. Many folks may know Don from when he was involved in the Sunday River Ministry. His message will be “Looking For Love In All the Wrong Places.” It will be interesting to see how he ties scripture into his message. This service is open to all.

I have also been reading a book titled The Women of the Bible Speak by Shannon Bream. This book tells of the Wisdom of 16 women and their lessons for today. In the month of April we will be having a book talk and sharing our thoughts on this topic. You do not have to read the book to join in or attend all the sessions. The goal is for folks to learn together and how we can apply the wisdom from the past into our lives today. This book talk is open to the Community. All are welcome!

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Friday, March 20th is the official first day of Spring. As we enter our Spring season the continent of Australia is entering the fall season. Jeff and Doreen Johnson continue to love living down under. Bob and I enjoy hearing from the…

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These next two events take place at the West Parish Congregational Church on 32 Church Street in Bethel.

Thursday, March 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is a free health wellness program titled Caring For Your Heart. Guest Speaker is cardiologist Dr. Daniel vanBuren who will provide valuable information on heart health.

The second event at the Congregational Church you will find Janet Willie on Friday, March 6, sharing information on treating soldiers in Ukraine with scars. It starts off with a potluck meal at 5 p.m. with the speaker, Janet Willie, starting at 6 p.m. These two events are open to the public with a theme of heart health and touching the scars of War.

The following week the Methodist Church on Main Street in Bethel will have three events.

On Tuesday, March 10, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors. This is a free event where community comes together to feed one another and also bring awareness to the Bethel Food Pantry. Folks can bring non-perishables to the Church which will be brought to our local food pantry.

On Wednesday, March 11, the Bethel Senior Citizen Club will meet at 11 a.m. for their local monthly meeting. Guest speaker for this meeting is local author Amy Chapman who will discuss her recent book, Just Like Glass. This book has a lot of local names which many of our members have connections with as long time locals. The shepherd’s pie meal will be provided by Annette Roy from No View Farm. This will be a great meeting with an interesting book talk along with a delicious luncheon.

On Friday, March 13, starting at 6:00 p.m. Rebecca Fraser Douglass will present a talk on the benefits of sound healing. This will take place in the Community Annex at the Methodist Church. Fascinating topic for wellness.

This past week I went to Polished Dental located at 44 Mayville Road in Bethel. Tara Lunney Savage cleaned my teeth. She has a fancy camera and TV screen so you can see how your teeth look up close and personal. It was very beneficial and helpful. This is a great dental service where she can send the results of your cleaning to a dentist of your choice. Booking an appointment is easy and she can accommodate folks in a more timely manner. Recommend Polished Dental for dental cleanings, dental x-rays, dental sealants, in-office whitening, fluoride treatments, scaling/root planing, periodontal maintenance and full mouth debridement. Good to have dental services in our hometown.

The Bethel Library has several regularly occurring programs to keep in mind:

This upcoming weekend we will need to set clocks ahead one hour. Spring is on our doorstep. Mother Nature will begin to wake up from her winter slumber. Four seasons in Maine. You just gotta love it!

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

The first event is the monthly dance at the American Legion Hall located on the Gore Road in Locke Mills. This will take place on Saturday, February 28th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Local musicians The Fossils will be providing the live music and this event is open to all. Donations will go to the Legion Hall to…

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On February 25th there will also be a Community Meal at the Bethel Alliance Church located across from Telstar High School from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The menu will be meatloaf, rice, vegetables and desserts. This is a free meal open to all.

If you like to dance or listen to live music, the Legion Hall on the Gore Road in Greenwood is the place to enjoy an evening of entertainment. Local musicians, The Fossils, will be playing from 6 pm. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th. Live music played by our own local, talented musicians is always a hit!

This past Monday was a treat! Bob and I took a drive to Reid State Park in Georgetown and got to walk in the beach sand, smell the salt air and see the waves going out to low tide. It was a beautiful day and being at the ocean is always a treat. It made an ordinary day very special.

My first visit to Reid State Park was back in the late 60’s with my Uncle Paul and family. Over the decades we always brought our family and did a lot of summer camping near the park. Maine is unique because we have the mountains and the ocean. It truly is a vacation land!

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On Thursday, February 5th starting at 6:30 p.m. Bethel Area Arts & Music (BAAM) is offering a live performance at The Gem Theater located at 48 Cross Street in Bethel. Antonio Rocha’s The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage will be offered through voice, movement, song and mime in which Antonio tells the story of The Malaga, a ship built in Maine in 1832 that become part of the illegal transatlantic slave trade. Told largely from the ship’s perspective, this riveting performance explores history, identity, and the lasting impact of the Middle Passage, with a deeply personal connection to Antonio’s own life. Admission is pay what you can and this performance is open to everyone.

On Tuesday, February 10th is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church dining room. This is a free meal where folks bring food to share with others in our Community. Open to all so come and enjoy a hot meal with other members of your Community.

The Bethel Senior Citizen Club will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 11th starting at 11 a.m. at the Methodist Church dining room. There will be a meeting prior to the luncheon meal. Guest speakers for this meeting will be Marc and Mary Ellen Montplaisir, who will present information on Chris’s Haven of Hope, which is a newly open Sober House located in Bryant Pond. Having a resource such as a Sober House is extremely beneficial for our Community. Helping others to stay on the road of recovery is awesome for many different reasons. It will be interesting to learn how this all got started and what it takes to keep this necessary Sober House up and running for others. There is good work all around us and it is important for us to take notice of this needed facility to help others.

The guest speaker for the March Bethel Senior Citizen Club meeting will be Amy Wight Chapman, who will speak about her recent book, Just Like Glass. Many locals will have a strong connection to this story.

At the April meeting will be a presentation about the North Star Program which is a mentoring program for Telstar students. Looking forward to hearing how this program is reaching Telstar students and making a difference in their lives.

The May Senior meeting will feature Rebecca Fraser Douglass who will speak about the benefits of sound healing and how it helps with folks who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This should be beneficial information for Seniors. The Bethel Senior Citizen Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Methodist Church and is open to all Seniors in our local areas.

Also on Wednesday, February 11th is an informational presentation on the benefits of sound healing. Certified Sound Healer Rebecca Fraser Douglass will offer this program on February 11th starting at 6 p.m. in the Community Annex. This is open to all who would like to learn about sound frequency. The science behind it is fascinating.

Friday the 13th there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at the West Parish Congregational Church from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 32 Church Street., Bethel. Consider donating blood to save another person’s life. Register with the American Red Cross.

Another event taking place at the Congregational Church on Thursday, March 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is a free wellness program sponsored by “To Your Health”. Caring for your heart will be the topic presented by Dr. Daniel van Buren. Dr. van Buren will explore how diet, exercise, lifestyle, hereditary factors, preventative care, routine screening and other factors may contribute to your heart health. There will also be a question and answer period following the presentation.

Pilates classes are going strong in the Community Annex at the Methodist Church. Pilates instructor Lauren Wallin is now offering a Tuesday afternoon class. Chair Pilates on Monday and Thursday mornings starting at 10 a.m. is a favorite for Seniors who are looking to improve their posture and strengthen their muscles. Self-care is important as we age and work at keeping our bodies healthy.

Valentine’s Day is on Saturday, February 14^th, and there will be a Valentine’s Tea at the Methodist Church from 1 to 3 p.m. Please stop to say hello and have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy pleasant conversations with our many neighbors from different towns.

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On the topic of cold temperatures, I have a friend who is a Catholic nun who spent 50 years living among the Northern Cree Community of John D’or Prairie in Alberta, Canada. During her time there she remembers temperatures at 70 degrees below zero. It was so cold that the wild horses living on the prairie would die because their lungs froze from the extreme temperatures. Now that is cold!

When winter is here there is nothing finer than a hot bowl of soup. The January 21st Soup’s On! at the Methodist Church was well attended with many fine soups, bread and dessert to enjoy! Bonnie Pooley brought to the church soup spoons that were donated by Greg and Elba Bove and they certainly came in handy. These additional spoons will be put to good use and I am so thankful to Greg and Elba. Such a kind and thoughtful gift to the church.

Back in May of 2025 Bob and I adopted a puppy from the Greater Portland Refuge Center. She was born in February and her mother and pups were surrendered to the animal shelter. We saw her on Channel 8 on a Saturday morning and drove down and made her part of our family. We named her Lady and she is a mixed breed.

Having a dog in your house makes life very lively. It keeps you moving and active which has been good for both of us. The challenge with a young dog is getting all the energy out of them. I recently got together with my friend Marilyn Swan and her two dogs, Mollie and Charlie. We took them for a walk on Marilyn’s property off the Sunday River Road. Those three dogs had a great time and it was an awesome walk. Spending time with a good friend and having those three dogs run their tails off was just perfect! Life’s simple pleasures are always the best!

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

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On Tuesday, January 13^th, is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church dining room. This is a Community event where folks are able to enjoy a hot meal. Donations are accepted to help our local food pantry. There is always plenty of food so come and meet your neighbors!

The Bethel Senior Citizen Club will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, January 14^th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Folks will gather in the dining room at the Methodist Church located on Main Street. The free meal will be provided by a local farmer. No View Farm located in Rumford will be the featured farm for January. Annette Roy is a great cook and I am sure our local Seniors are in for a culinary treat. There will also be a guest speaker to educate folks about a voucher program from Seniors Plus. All area Seniors are welcomed to attend. This Senior Club has been meeting in Bethel since 1962!

Don’t forget the Sound Matters Session that is happening on Wednesday evening, January 14^th, in the Community Annex at the Methodist Church. This is an opportunity to educate oneself on the health benefits of sound healing. Rebecca Fraser Douglass is a certified sound healer who will lead this educational session. It starts at 6 p.m and is open to the public.

Bob and I still remain in contact with Jeff and Doreen Johnson, who live in Australia. Jeff grew up in Locke Mills and Doreen grew up in Berlin, New Hampshire. In Australia a pack of cigarettes costs $65.00 and a quart of vodka cost $75.00. At those prices I think people would want to quit! Prices are high because so much of the merchandise has to be flown into Australia which drives the prices up. There are a lot of sheep in Australia so lamb is reasonable and abundant. How interesting to see how other countries operate and what is available.

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As we begin the New Year many folks will choose …

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The recent Christmas Concert at the Methodist Church was very enjoyable with many folks in attendance. The Mo…

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The recent Bethel Senior Citizen Club meeting held in the dining room of the Methodist Church was complete with delicious food and holiday songs. After a brief meeting we had a holiday sing-along led by Merry York Childs and Janet Coverdale. Students from Region 9 joined the Seniors in singing voices for an intergenerational activity.

The meal was prepared and served by the Regional 9 Technical School Culinary Arts students. We were served a fresh green salad with roasted vegetables and a homemade vinaigrette dressing. The main dish was a Chicken Moroccan stew with homemade naan bread. The dessert was a spiced pear cake with homemade whipped cream. It was truly fine dining.

These young students are getting a first class education at our local Regional Technical School and they received a standing ovation from the Bethel Seniors for their effort and skill in providing our lunchtime meal. These students will be coming back to Bethel in April 2026 as we continue to have a relationship between Bethel Seniors and Culinary Arts Students.

The next meeting for the Bethel Senior Citizen Club will be on Wednesday, January 14th at 11 a.m. We will meet in the dining room of the Methodist Church and the lunchtime meal will be provided by a local farmer. This local Senior Citizen Club was first formed in 1963 and we meet on the second Wednesday of every month. New folks are always welcome to join and club dues are ten dollars for the year.

As we enter into the New Year folks will make resolutions for self-care. There are three instructors in the Community Annex at the Methodist Church that I like to take classes from to stay fit and active. Lauren Wallin teaches Pilates on Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. She is very good at keeping the class moving along with plenty of encouragement and clear instructions. Pilates really focuses on the core which keeps us strong. Lauren also offers Chair Pilates on Monday and Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. that many folks like because all the movements are done from a chair. She is certified and highly trained and does an excellent job motivating her students.

The second instructor I enjoy taking classes from is Kristin Otten who teaches a Slow Tone class on Tuesday mornings from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. Slow Tone is a combination of 3 disciplines—yoga, barre, and Pilates. Kristin is very creative coming up with movements that are beneficial to the human body. Her music is uplifting and her instructions are precise, clear and motivating. Kristin also offers a Slow Flow Yoga class on Wednesday mornings from 8:15 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. which is great for folks new to yoga. Her instructions are easy to follow with lots of modifications and the pace of the class is slow. Excellent class for folks wanting to explore the health benefits of yoga which are balance, strength, and flexibility.

The third instructor that I enjoy taking classes from is Harriet Langley who offers an Early Riser Yoga class on Monday and Thursday mornings from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Harriet is in amazing shape and super flexible and strong. Harriet is a registered nurse and that knowledge comes through in her instruction as well. The flow of the class moves right along and you are stretched out from head to toe by the time the class is done. For folks who like to hit the trails at Sunday River by 9 a.m. this class would be excellent prior to getting on your skis.

I am very thankful for Lauren Wallin, Kristin Otten, and Harriet Langley because they are keeping me out of a nursing home. I am not one to exercise by myself and I do not have the knowledge of the movements. Having an instructor guide me gets the job done. There are also other instructors and classes that folks can attend at Chillosophy Yoga Studio and Peak MTN Fitness located on Parkway Road in Bethel which have a website for more information.

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