Read more

I just learned that, in Maine, only about four percent of residents attend their annual town meeting, where voters decide how money will be spent and ordinances updated. I’m hoping the stronger showing in Greenwood on Saturday means that at least some of those who attended their first-ever town meeting in 2025 were intrigued enough by the process to come back again this year, and will continue to attend each year. (And check out the calendar listing for May 28 below for a great opportunity to learn about the basics of the town meeting format!)

Vern Maxfield was chosen to moderate the meeting, at which voters approved all 33 articles in about an hour.

Incumbent Selectman Bob Oickle, running unopposed, was elected to a second three-year term, and all budget articles passed easily, with only a few questions from those present.

At the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and the Budget Committee, voters placed $234,500 in four reserve accounts, as follows: $75,000 each for the Highway Equipment Reserve and Fire Department Equipment Reserve accounts, $34,500 for the town’s upcoming 2027 revaluation, and $50,000 in the Fire Department Building Reserve account.

By a vote of 29-11, the Shoreland Zoning Ordinance was amended to include a “Special Exception” provision, which permits the construction of a single-family dwelling in the Resource Protection District under certain conditions with Planning Board approval.

Voters authorized the Board of Selectmen, acting on behalf of the town, to work towards designating the Finnish Picnic Grounds Parcel, an 18-acre lot on the West Paris Road that has been owned by the town for approximately 50 years, as a conservation and public common area to be subject to permanent conservation and public access and protected from future development. They also authorized the town to partner with the Western Foothills Land Trust to pursue grant funding and develop a Stewardship Plan for the parcel.

This weekend is Memorial Day Weekend, a time for picnics and gatherings and welcoming the start of summer (perhaps a bit prematurely, as it looks like the hot weather of this week will be long gone), but, more importantly, a time for remembering those who died in service in the U.S. Armed Forces. The information I’ve found about Memorial Day observations on Monday, May 25, is as follows:

9:00 AM—Locke’s Mills Legion.

11:00 AM—Bethel, on Main Street by the monument.

1:00 PM—Bryant Pond, by the monument on Main Street next to the library.

Here’s a list of some other upcoming events for your calendar.

Friday, May 22, from 5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Mason House barn at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society: Community Mending and Upcycle Group. The Feature Focus of this session is Shortening and Lengthening. Bring your own project (anything you’d like to fix—it doesn’t have to be the Feature Focus) and a few dollars to put into the MBHS donation box. As always, if you have a friend who may be interested, bring them along, too! (Note the new location—still at the historical society, but a new meeting space on the corner of Mason and Broad Streets.)

Sunday, May 24, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: The Rev. Scott Campbell will lead the Sunday morning service. His sermon, “Ain’t She Sweet?” tells the story of a woman who battled depression throughout much of her life, but who knew a deeper truth in the end.

Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. at the Deering Memorial Community Center in South Paris: Tuba ensemble Low Commotion will present a concert to benefit the Center’s organ restoration fund. See details in the flyer below.

Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m. at The Gem Theater, Bethel: Town Meeting Pre-Party Part 1: Town Meeting Basics and Q&A. From the organizers: “A lot of us have never been to town meeting because we find the format intimidating, we’re only just learning it exists, we don’t know what it has to do with our daily lives, the list goes on. As it turns out, town meeting is pretty important. We figured the fix is simple: get a bunch of folks together, ask the people who know how this works, and figure it out as neighbors. Over two evenings, we’ll cover the basics of the town meeting format, get our questions answered by a panel of local experts, and walk through Bethel’s town warrant in advance of the June 10 town meeting.” This event is open to anyone (from any town) who is “town meeting-curious.” (Part 2 will be held on Monday, June 8, at 6 p.m.)

Saturday, May 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 593 Gore Road, Greenwood: Live music and dancing with The Fossils.

Sunday, May 31, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: The Rev. Jodi Cohen Hayashida will lead the Sunday morning service. Her sermon, “Choosing the Land of the Blessed,” will explore how grounding ourselves in the gifts of everyday life strengthens us to meet the moments that break our hearts.

Saturday, June 6, from 9-11 a.m. at the Bethel Library, 6 Broad Street in Bethel: Annual Plant Sale. All proceeds benefit the library. The sale will be held rain or shine, and plants sell fast, so come early to avoid disappointment.

Saturday, June 6, from 9-11 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Annual Rhubarb Festival and White Elephant Sale. The Rhubarb Festival is one of the church’s traditional events, and features everything rhubarb, including homemade rhubarb and strawberry rhubarb pies, cakes, cookies, fresh rhubarb, and more, all prepared by church members and friends for this important annual fundraiser. Pies are $18 each; other rhubarb treats will be individually priced. Doors open at 9:00 a.m.; no “early birds” and no pre-orders. For more information, please contact Marta Clements, 207-674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com.

Saturday, June 6, at 2 p.m. at the Lower Meetinghouse (East Bethel Church), 1797 Intervale Road, Bethel: Celebration of the life of Dr. Stanley R. Howe. There will be special remarks by family and friends, followed by music and memories/comments from those attending.

Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m. at the Mason House, Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, at 14 Broad Street in Bethel: “Memoir of a Revolutionary Soldier: The Narrative of Joseph Plumb Martin.” Professor William Huntting Howell of Boston University will share his research and analysis of an unusual Revolutionary War memoir. Howell writes that “Joseph Plumb Martin’s Narrative of Some of the Adventures, Dangers, and Sufferings of a Revolutionary Soldier, first published in Hallowell, Maine, in 1830, offers both a counter-record of the facts of the War and a counter-method for relating them.” Howell is the author of “Starving Memory,” an article on Martin’s Narrative which appeared in Commonplace: The Journal of Early American Life.

Sunday, June 14, from 2-4 p.m. at the Lower Meetinghouse, 1797 Intervale Road, Bethel: “Meetinghouse and Church in Early Oxford County,” a program by Hastings Homestead Museum Director Randall H. Bennett. See details in the flyer below.

Sunday, June 21, from 1-4 p.m. at the Lower Meetinghouse, 1797 Intervale Road, Bethel: Antiques Appraisals, sponsored by the Hastings Homestead Museum. See details in the flyer below.

Puppy Lena is growing like a weed—21.6 pounds at her last vet appointment, two weeks ago. She has another appointment later today, and I’ll bet she’s edging up on 25 pounds by now. Here she is in a rare calm moment:

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

May 20 would have been Eli the Wonder Pup’s ninth birthday, and, as summer approaches, I am still missing him so much, remembering all of our swims at camp and our summer hiking adventures that usually ended with ice cream at the Sugar Shack.

“All dogs go to heaven because, unlike people, dogs are naturally good and loyal and kind.” – “All Dogs Go To Heaven” (1989 film)

Read more

On a GoFundMe page organized by Simon’s music student and friend Lee Urban (who in 2009 lost his wife to the same devastating disease), Simon’s wife, Tennessee, wrote:

“Many of you know Simon as a musician, music teacher, and conductor. In late 2025, Simon noticed conducting was becoming harder. His right shoulder was weak…In November, Simon received an EMG and we were told he had ALS, a terminal disease that doctors overlooked because of Simon’s young age…We were told he could have anywhere from 2 to 5 years, on average, to live. There is no cure and there are very few treatments to slow progression.”

Simon has had to curtail his work schedule, and Tennessee, who is currently completing her degree at USM, is his caretaker. Donations to the GoFundMe campaign will go toward Simon’s uncovered medical expenses, transportation to appointments, and the couple’s day-to-day expenses.

On a personal note, I have known Simon’s family all of my life. His grandparents (his dad Jonathan’s parents) were among my mother’s dearest friends, and I grew up spending time with his Aunt Deb in both Connecticut and Maine.

If you are able to donate to the GoFundMe in support of Simon and Tennessee, thank you, but if you are not in a position to donate, you can make a big difference just by helping to spread the word, whether through word of mouth or social media. Thank you. The link is here: https://gofund.me/100e678de

Here’s a calendar of (some) local events taking place in the next few weeks:

Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or until sold out), at the American Legion Hall on the Gore Road in Locke’s Mills: Mother’s Day Cookie Walk. Purchase a decorative Mother’s Day container and fill it with homemade cookies of your choice for $8. (I’ll be making some cookies to donate!)

Sunday, May 10, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: “Who is this?” The Rev. Scott Campbell will explore the question, “Who is Jesus and what does he have to do with us?”

Sunday, May 10 (Mother’s Day), at 4 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium in Bethel: The Mahoosuc Community Band will perform its Spring Concert. Ed Ryan is conducting the band, consisting of adults and Gould students. The concert is full of familiar favorites. Donations are welcome at the door to defray the cost of music.

Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m. at the American Legion on the Gore Road: Annual Greenwood Town Meeting. Enjoy coffee and breakfast goodies with your neighbors, and take the opportunity to have a say in the government of your town! Copies of the Town Report, including the Town Meeting warrant, will be available at the Town Office and at the meeting.

Sunday, May 17, at 9:30 a.m. at the South Paris Universalist Church: The First Universalist Church of West Paris will join the South Paris congregation for their Sunday service, which will start at 9:30 a.m.

Sunday, May 24, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: The Rev. Scott Campbell will lead the Sunday morning service. His sermon, “Ain’t She Sweet?” tells the story of a woman who battled depression throughout much of her life, but who knew a deeper truth in the end.

Saturday, June 6, from 9-11 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Annual Rhubarb Festival. Pies and “everything rhubarb” will be for sale.

The free year-long program, “Food Is Medicine,” designed for people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods, has been postponed to a start date of May 19. It will be held at the Bethel United Methodist Church and is sponsored by MaineHealth. See the details in the flyer below.

Two of Bethel’s most remarkable women celebrated birthdays this week. Arlene Harrington turned 103 on May 3, and Amy Davis reached the milestone of 100 years on May 4.

Chris Dunham posted on the “Greenwood as It Was” Facebook page on May 4:

“Amy Davis, for many years a teacher in Locke Mills, celebrates her 100th birthday today. When I saw her at the Greenwood Bicentennial, I shared my memory of a time she reprimanded me for throwing a puppet in class. Her firm hand steered me away from a life of crime, and for that I will be forever grateful.

“It was reported in the spring of 1966 that Mrs. Margaret A. Davis had ‘been employed to do special reading work at the Locke Mills School.’ That fall she was hired to teach at Ethel Bisbee in Bethel, but in 1968, when the school in Locke Mills shrank to three grades, she returned to become its kindergarten teacher. A decade later she was principal as well and teaching a second class each afternoon in Woodstock. She would continue to teach in Woodstock after the Locke Mills school closed at the end of the 1980–81 school year and until her retirement in 1986.

Happy birthday, Mrs. Davis!”

Greenwood town officials recently received some great news from Western Foothills Land Trust Executive Director Korey Morgan (who just happens to be a Greenwood native). I’m sharing the WFLT press release in its entirety here:

Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT) has announced it has purchased nearly 70 acres of forestland abutting Noyes Mountain Preserve, expanding one of the region’s most popular outdoor destinations and protecting a significant block of contiguous forest critical to the water quality of Lake Pennesseewassee and the Androscoggin River.

The newly acquired parcel strengthens the ecological integrity of the preserve, helping to safeguard forest health, wildlife habitat, and water quality in a landscape long valued by the community.

Located off Richardson Hollow Road and the Greenwood Road in Greenwood, Noyes Mountain sits within a mineral-rich area with deep ties to Greenwood’s history. The Noyes Mountain Preserve includes historic gem and mineral mining sites. WFLT continues to offer artisanal mining opportunities that connect visitors to this unique heritage. The newly conserved land also includes one of the region’s “keyhole” mines, where workers once extracted feldspar.

The expansion builds on the existing recreational opportunities available at Noyes Mountain Preserve, including hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, foraging, artisanal mining, and backcountry exploration. WFLT is currently developing updated recreation plans and policies to thoughtfully integrate the new parcel into the existing trail network and visitor experience.

“Noyes Mountain is a special place,” said Korey Morgan, Executive Director of WFLT. “With this expansion, visitors can experience the intersection of history, geology, and the Maine woods in a way that is unique to our region.”

The conservation of this property was made possible through support from the Land for Maine’s Future program, the Maine Community Foundation, other private donors, and the longstanding efforts of local conservationist and WFLT board member Rich Sousa, who has worked for nearly a decade to see this land conserved.

WFLT is planning a community celebration at Noyes Mountain Preserve, tentatively scheduled for June 27, to mark this addition and welcome the public to the expanded Preserve. The event will offer an opportunity to explore Noyes Mountain Preserve, learn more about its history and conservation values, and connect with others who care about this special place. Additional details will be shared this summer. In the meantime, those interested in supporting ongoing stewardship and management of Noyes Mountain Preserve can learn more and get involved by visiting www.wfltmaine.org.

About the Western Foothills Land Trust
Western Foothills Land Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization based in Norway, Maine. Founded in 1987, WFLT is dedicated to protecting forests, farms, and waters of western Maine for the benefit of current and future generations. Through land conservation,
stewardship, and community engagement, WFLT works to sustain the region’s ecological integrity, rural character, and access to the outdoors. To date, WFLT has conserved over 10,000 acres and manages more than 40 miles of public recreational trails.

We enjoyed a visit from our granddaughter, Lila, and her mom on Sunday afternoon. I think they were both surprised to see how much Lena had grown since they were last here, just two weeks ago.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“The secret to longevity is ice cream.” – Paul Marcus, centenarian

Read more

It occurs to me that many of the things the town correspondents who contribute to this weekly newsletter focus on most—and, in fact, Western Maine Neighborhood News itself—are things that increase our communities’ civic capital.

Whether it’s the monthly Neighbors Feeding Neighbors dinners at the Bethel Methodist Church; Andover’s Annual Birthday Supper tradition and the volunteer efforts of the Andover Common Folk to beautify and maintain the town common; the annual Smile Fund sale at the West Parish Congregational Church; Chris’s Haven of Hope sober living house in Bryant Pond, created with the help of many volunteer community members; or the work of the Age-Friendly Community Initiative to create, enhance, and spread the word about supportive programs for seniors, our towns are rich in those important networks and relationships that enable us to thrive.

Here in Greenwood and Woodstock, our Conservation Commissions, which have taken the lead on the maintenance of hiking trails, the Swap Shop at the Transfer Station, and the upcoming Green-Up Day in several communities are a great example of these networks.

Another is the Bethel Wood Bank, which receives donations of wood, processes it into firewood, and donates it to those in need. They can also use monetary donations and volunteers to help at their “processing parties,” held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9 to noon at the wood bank site, 343 Walkers Mills Road in Bethel. Visit their Facebook page, Bethel Wood Bank, to learn more.

Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church: Smile Fund Sale. Proceeds from this annual community yard sale go to help purchase dentures for adults in the SAD 44 region. The church is looking for donations for the sale. Items can be dropped off at the church between Friday, April 17, and Thursday, April 23. Appropriate items include toys, books, housewares, tools, gardening supplies, and small furniture. Please NO electronics, clothing, jewelry, or stuffed animals. For an application or more information about the sale, contact the church at 824-2689.

Saturday, April 25, at 9 a.m. at Maggie’s Nature Park, 290 Greenwood Road: The Greenwood Conservation Commission will host a light trail maintenance day on the hiking trails in the park. Bring loppers if you have them. Paint and supplies for freshening up the trail blazes will be provided.

Wednesday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Opening Day for the Swap Shop at the Greenwood-Woodstock Transfer Station, a sure sign of spring, no matter what the weather has in store for us. Stop by and see what your neighbors have decided to part with during spring cleaning!

Saturday, May 2, in several area towns: Green-Up Day, annual roadside clean-up. Greenwood volunteers will meet at the Legion/Town Office parking lot for road assignments at 9 a.m. Trash bags and disposable gloves are provided. If you choose to do clean-up on Greenwood roads prior to May 2, please email Lynn Cobb (cobblynn12@gmail.com) or let the town office know, so they will know which sections have already been completed before making road assignments.

Saturday, May, 2, at noon: “Along the Andro: History and Habitat in Our Community.” Meet at Davis Park at noon to join Will Chapman of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society and an ecologist from the Mahoosuc Land Trust 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.

Sunday, May 10 (Mother’s Day), at 4 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium in Bethel: The Mahoosuc Community Band will perform its Spring Concert. Ed Ryan is conducting the band, consisting of adults and Gould students. The concert is full of familiar favorites. Donations are welcome at the door to defray the cost of music.

Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m. at the American Legion on the Gore Road: Annual Greenwood Town Meeting. Enjoy coffee and breakfast goodies with your neighbors, and take the opportunity to have a say in the government of your town! Copies of the Town Report, including the Town Meeting warrant, will be available at the Town Office and at the meeting.

Sunday, May 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Silver Spur in Mechanic Falls: Per Hanson and Robin Right will be inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame at the 49^th Annual Induction Ceremony and Show.

The First Universalist Church of West Paris has provided the following information about their May services, held on Sundays at 9 a.m. at the church at 208 Main Street in West Paris. Music is provided by guitarist Davy Sturtevant, and refreshments follow the service.

The May 3 service will be led by Bob Neal, whose sermon is titled “My Father’s House Has Many Rooms.” There are many paths to heaven or rewarding life here.

May 10: “Who is this?” The Rev. Scott Campbell will explore the question, “Who is Jesus and what does he have to do with us?”

On May 17, the First Universalist Church will join the congregation of the South Paris Universalist Church for a service in South Paris, which will start at 9:30 a.m.

May 24: “Ain’t She Sweet?” The Rev. Scott Campbell will tell the story of a woman who battled depression throughout most of her life, but who knew a deeper inner truth in the end.

May 31: “Choosing the Land of the Blessed,” led by the Rev. Jodi Cohan Hayashida, who will explore how grounding ourselves in the gifts of everyday life strengthens us to meet the moments that break our hearts.

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com.

I’m writing this on Wednesday, which is Earth Day. The very first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, as a nationwide environmental teach-in. I actually remember it—partly because yes, I am That Old, but also because that spring I had, at the tender age of 11, been shipped off on a Greyhound bus to spend my April vacation with my brother Steve’s family in Virginia, where he was stationed with the Air Force, while my mom got our house in Milford, Conn. ready to sell (we were only moving a couple of miles away, to a smaller house). Peggy took me, along with Keith and Eric, who were toddlers, to some kind of Earth Day celebration that I seem to remember involved arts and crafts and music and maybe planting a tree.

This year on Earth Day, I called in to the Maine Calling program (which was all about the “Reuse” part of the “Reduce—Reuse—Recycle” mantra) to share that my mom was legendary for her reuse of plastic Ziploc bags. I joked that it might be possible that when she passed away in 2004, she still had the first box of Ziploc bags she had ever bought, when they came out in 1968, in her kitchen cupboard.

But, on a more serious note, I added that the reuse of plastic bags was just one of my mom’s environmentally friendly (and frugal!) practices, and the example she set had far-reaching effects, as she raised five kids, who in turn raised 14 grandkids, who are raising a raft of great-grandkids, and I don’t think any of us would dare to toss out a perfectly good Ziploc bag (or piece of aluminum foil, or yogurt container) after just one use. Several years ago I wrote a blog post called “Rinsing out baggies (and other ways Mom was ahead of her time),” which you can read by clicking here.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

Obligatory weekly pupdate: Lena weighed 15.2 pounds at her vet visit on Wednesday—just about exactly double her weight when she came home 3.5 weeks ago! She’s discovered the joys of digging holes in her pen and started going for very short trail walks in Maggie’s Nature Park. And she still has extremely sharp puppy teeth!

“Puppies are constantly inventing new ways to be bad. It’s fascinating. You come into a room they’ve been in and see pieces of debris and try to figure out what you had that was made from wicker or what had been stuffed with fluff.” – Julie Klam, You Had Me at Woof: How Dogs Taught Me the Secrets of Happiness

Read more

When I took new puppy Lena out before bedtime on Tuesday evening, she seemed very surprised to find snow on the ground. She wanted to run around and play in it, while the last thing I wanted was for her to get all wound up right before bed. But maybe the snow was actually a puppy miracle, because it turned out to be the first night since we brought her home that she slept through the night without getting me up to take her out once or twice. (Or three or four times.) I can’t remember how long it takes before puppies sleep through the night, but it can’t come soon enough!

Because it will be a long time before Lena is able to hike with me on her own—veterinarians don’t recommend taking puppies on anything but very short, easy hikes until their growth plates have fully closed, which for Labs isn’t until around 14 months—I’ve acquired two different carriers to see if I can figure out a way to bring her along. The first, a backpack made for carrying dogs up to 40 pounds, is still way too big for her, but the second, a cross-body sling type carrier made for puppies and small dogs, shows some promise. It arrived on Monday afternoon and we tried it out with a ten-minute walk around the yard.

Today, Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Meditation and Music,” a unique, interactive health/wellness program presented by To Your Health. Mindfulness meditation practitioner Will Chapman will discuss the benefits of meditation, lead the group in a short, guided practice, and take questions from the audience. Then, the Oxford Hills Ukulele Group (OHUG), led by Lynette and Ray Seames, will perform their favorite tunes and lead the audience in a singalong. To Your Health, in collaboration with Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and MSAD #44 Adult Education, provides free health education and wellness programs to the Bethel area communities.

Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, from 12 to 5 p.m.: Third Annual Spring Fling at the Bethel Library. Come to the library to enjoy light refreshments, browse the bookshelves, visit with library staff, board members, and friends, and purchase raffle tickets. Then enter to win a wide assortment of great prizes!

Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church: Smile Fund Sale. Proceeds from this annual community yard sale go to help purchase dentures for adults in the SAD 44 region. The church is looking for donations for the sale. Items can be dropped off at the church between Friday, April 17, and Thursday, April 23. Appropriate items include toys, books, housewares, tools, gardening supplies, and small furniture. Please NO electronics, clothing, jewelry, or stuffed animals. For an application or more information about the sale, contact the church at 824-2689.

Wednesday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Opening Day for the Swap Shop at the Greenwood-Woodstock Transfer Station, a sure sign of spring, no matter what the weather has in store for us. Stop by and see what your neighbors have decided to part with during spring cleaning!

Saturday, May 2, in several area towns: Green-Up Day, annual roadside clean-up. Greenwood volunteers will meet at the Legion/Town Office parking lot for road assignments at 9 a.m. Trash bags and disposable gloves are provided. If you choose to do clean-up on Greenwood roads prior to May 2, please email Lynn Cobb (cobblynn12@gmail.com) or let the town office know, so they will know which sections have already been completed before making road assignments.

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 the details in the flyer below.

Last Saturday afternoon I traveled to Unity, where I had the privilege of helping to celebrate the 100^th birthday of former East Bethel farm girl Deborah (Farwell) Eldredge. Debbie is my second cousin, once removed (my dad’s second cousin) and she and her three sons were frequent visitors to our camp in the summers when I was growing up. I was accompanied by my brother Steve, our sister Leslie, and Marta Clements, whose sister-in-law was a close friend of Debbie’s from college. It was a wonderful celebration, and I’m sure Debbie is enjoying reading all of the cards, poems, and stories she received from the many folks who attended.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“‘Snow in April is abominable,’ said Anne. ‘Like a slap in the face when you expect a kiss.’” – Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day than Monday to bring home a new puppy. It was 60 degre…

Read more

My three crow friends are still coming by for breakfast most mornings. The three of them seem to get along just fine, but when a fourth crow tried to join them on Sunday, there was a bit of a squabble. Maybe I’m not the only one who felt cranky when I saw the snow. (Here’s my first attempt at embedding a short video in my column!)

Here are some events happening in the next few weeks to help chase away the late winter (or mud season) blues:

Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at the Norway Memorial Library, 258 Main Street, Norway: Book discussion of Angelica: For Love and Country in a Time of Revolution, by Molly Beer. This is one in a series of book discussions that are part of the special programming developed for 2026 to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the founding of our country. The next book in the series, My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, will be discussed at the Rumford Library on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. For a complete list of events, visit 250bethel.org

Sunday, March 29, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Sunday morning service, “A Noble Life,” led by guest speaker Marilyn Hammond, who writes, “Along with the traditional Luke account of Palm Sunday and a lighter look at the ancestry of Jesus, I want to change the focus from the death of Jesus to the life of Jesus, from the divinity of Jesus to his humanity.”

Sunday, April 5, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Easter Sunday Service, led by Pastor Linda Couture and the worship service committee.

Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Meditation and Music,” a unique, interactive health/wellness program presented by To Your Health. Mindfulness meditation practitioner Will Chapman will discuss the benefits of meditation, lead the group in a short, guided practice, and take questions from the audience. Then, the Oxford Hills Ukulele Group (OHUG), led by Lynette and Ray Seames, will perform their favorite tunes and lead the audience in a singalong. To Your Health, in collaboration with Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and MSAD #44 Adult Education, provides free health education and wellness programs to the Bethel area communities.

Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, from 12 to 5 p.m.: Third Annual Spring Fling at the Bethel Library. Here are the details:

Saturday, May 2, in several area towns: Green-Up Day, annual roadside clean-up. Greenwood volunteers will meet at the Legion/Town Office parking lot for road assignments at 9 a.m. Trash bags and disposable gloves are provided. If you choose to do clean-up on Greenwood roads prior to May 2, please email Lynn Cobb (cobblynn12@gmail.com) or let the town office know, so they will know which sections have already been completed before making road assignments.

It’s been a month now since we lost Eli the Wonder Pup, and every day I’m still reminded of what a wonderful companion he was, and how much I miss him. One of the hardest things for me to get used to has been hiking without him. Even though he didn’t go along on all of my hikes, now that I know he’ll never be with me on the trails again, I admit that I’m having trouble recapturing the joy hiking has always brought me.

I actually haven’t hiked in over two weeks now. Except for the first few weeks after each of my knee surgeries last year, it’s probably the longest I’ve gone without a hike in several years. Don’t worry, I haven’t broken my ridiculous exercise streak, which is approaching 14 years without a missed day—I’ve been using the exercise bike and the “dreadmill” on bad-weather days, moving firewood and shoveling snow as winter hangs on tenaciously, and enjoying some wonderful “mental health walk-and-talks” with my friend Pat—but I do want to get back to hiking soon.

Maybe I need to take a drive and hike somewhere different, on a trail I’ve never done before…one that, unlike all my favorite local trails, isn’t filled with memories of our good, good boy.

I do have some very happy canine companion news, though. After I realized that it was possible that the only thing that was going to stop me from crying every time I saw someone with a dog was to make room in my heart for another dog of our own, Will and I started looking around.

I think we both realized it might be hard to get another golden so soon after losing Eli the Wonder Pup, but before Eli came into our lives, there was Remy, a black Lab I’ve often described as “the canine love of my life.”

And there just happened to be a litter of Lab puppies not too far away, with a little girl who hadn’t yet been spoken for. Next week, Will and I will be embarking on a “puppy share” with eight-week-old Lena Belle, who will be spending her days with both of us at the historical society. It will be a long time before she’ll be hitting the hiking trails (although I’m considering investing in a backpack carrier so she can join me sooner), but I think she’ll be just the kind of heart medicine we all need.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart.” – Judy Desmond

No mid-March local column would be complete without a few observations (and complaints) about the weather. I know I said I wasn’t going to let March fool me—again—but I a…

Read more

Although I’d be perfectly happy not to see any more snow this year, I’m not counting on it, and as for unseasonably cold temperatures, it looks like we’ll have a couple of days next week with overnight lows in the single digits. At least those cold nights might help to extend the maple sugaring season, as long as it warms up enough during the day to get the sap flowing.

Here are some upcoming community events:

Sunday, March 15, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: The theme of the Sunday service will be “Kindness,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. What motivates people to care for each other?

Wednesday, March 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bethel Methodist Church: Soup’s On! Community lunch of soup, bread, and dessert.

Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at Gould Academy: Author Colin Woodard, whose books include American Nations, American Character, Union, and Nations Apart, will present “The Last Best Hope: The 250-Year Struggle for the American Experiment in a Divided Federation,” a talk and signing. Woodard’s presentation and book signing at Gould Academy will be free. Following the presentation there will be a special author reception at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. The reception will feature the opportunity to chat more with the author, enjoy some light refreshments, and socialize in the museum galleries. Special behind-the-scenes tours will also be offered with the Museums’ Executive Director. Tickets to the reception are $25, or $20 for MBHS members. Space is limited for the reception; please click here to reserve tickets.

Saturday, March 21, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bethel Methodist Church: Church Supper—soup, chowder, stew, chili, bread, and desserts. Donations will be accepted for the church’s new roof fund.

Sunday, March 22, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: “Americans Who Tell the Truth: The Spirituality of Activism,” led by Ellen Gibson. Robert Shetterly, an artist from Brooksville, Maine, has spent the last twenty years working on a project called “Americans Who Tell the Truth.” Shetterly believes that truth is at the foundation of a functioning democracy. To date, he has painted 280 portraits of Americans who exemplify moral courage and civic engagement, including many Mainers. For more information on this project, go to https://americanswhotellthetruth.org/ This service was rescheduled from January.

Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at the Norway Memorial Library, 258 Main Street, Norway: Book discussion of Angelica: For Love and Country in a Time of Revolution, by Molly Beer. Few women of the American Revolution have come through 250 years of US history with such clarity and color as Angelica Schuyler Church. She was Alexander Hamilton’s “saucy” sister-in-law, and the heart of Thomas Jefferson’s “charming coterie” of artists and salonnières in Paris. Her transatlantic network of important friends spanned the political spectrum of her time and place, and her astute eye and brilliant letters kept them well informed. Copies of the book are available for the special price of $10 from the Norway and Bethel libraries and the Museum Shop of the Bethel Historical Society.

I want to give a shout-out to the great folks at Bennett’s Automotive. My car had been making a slight scraping sound for a couple of weeks, which I attributed to having bent something underneath when I got stuck in a friend’s driveway and had to be pushed out. It wasn’t very noticeable, so I didn’t worry too much about it until, when Tony and I were on our way to Scarborough for a medical appointment last Wednesday, it rather suddenly got a whole lot worse. We realized it wasn’t just a bit of bent metal rubbing against a tire, but the front brakes needing immediate attention.

By the time we got home, I was feeling both stressed out over the safety issue and mortified by the noise issue. I drove it up to Bennett’s the next morning and told them my sad tale. I believe what I actually said, in response to JJ’s cheerful greeting, was “We lost our dog, my husband has cancer, my brakes are making a god-awful noise, and I have a headlight out.”

Honestly, I was expecting to hear that it would be at least a week or two before they could get to it. But—possibly because he didn’t want to see me start crying in his waiting room, but more likely because he’s just a really good guy—JJ immediately offered to drive me home to get the truck and said he’d get the car fixed up and back on the road before the weekend. In fact, it was less than four hours later when they called and said it was ready to go. I’m really grateful for this busy, efficient, and thriving business that still makes kindness and small-town values a priority.

I had two very enjoyable opportunities to talk about my book, Just Like Glass, this week. On Monday, I was the guest at the monthly meeting of the Farmington Rotary Book Club, which had chosen Just Like Glass as their March read, thanks to the recommendation of my college friend Pauline. They were a wonderful group of folks who had thoughtful observations and asked interesting questions, and it was great to hear how much they had enjoyed the book, even without being familiar with my family or the Bethel area.

On Wednesday, I attended the monthly meeting of the Bethel Senior Citizens at the Methodist Church, where I read a short excerpt from the book, talked a bit about how I came to write it, and answered a few questions before enjoying a delicious lunch prepared with many local ingredients by Annette Roy of No View Farm. Thank you so much for inviting me!

Next Tuesday, March 17, is St. Patrick’s Day. I never thought I had any Irish blood, but my Ancestry DNA results do show that I have a bit—enough to explain my love of corned beef and cabbage, which might just be my favorite meal. Actually, when I cook corned beef, I always make a New England boiled dinner, with not only cabbage, but plenty of carrots, potatoes, onions, parsnips, and turnip. I like the leftovers, in the form of a second and third dinner, Reuben sandwiches, and corned beef hash, just as much as the first round. I even make a delicious corned beef soup with the cooking broth and leftover meat and veggies.

March 17 is also the day my new right knee turns one year old. I think my surgeon would be happy to know that this knee has done 92 hikes since being replaced last March, and the new left knee, which was replaced on October 8, has gone along on the last 41 of them. My longest hike between surgeries was Puzzle Mountain, at about 7.5 miles, and the longest since the second surgery is about 4.5 miles. I’m hoping to tackle a few more in the seven- to eight-mile range this summer.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“March is the month God created to show people who don’t drink what a hangover is like.” –Garrison Keillor

Here are some March programs and events to add to your own calendar:

Thursday, March 5, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational…

Read more

I believe I first met Stan 50 years ago, during Bethel’s celebration of America’s bicentennial. I have an image in my mind of him dressed in Revolutionary War garb at the Mason House. I’ll have to ask Will to comb the archives and see if there’s a photo, or if I’m imagining it.

Stan had many relatives and long-time friends with whom he kept in touch over the decades, and in recent years he enjoyed sitting on his front porch in warm weather and chatting with drop-in guests and passersby; he was very much a fixture on Broad Street. His absence will be sharply felt, and my heart goes out to Randy Bennett, his friend and caregiver, and to all his friends and family, for whom his passing means the end of an era.

Margaret Mills passed away on February 17 in New Hampshire, where she had been staying with Blaine’s son, Sean. Sean called Kim at the town office to let her know. He hopes to be able to have a memorial service here in Locke’s Mills this summer to give everyone a chance to remember and honor Blaine and Margie and their many contributions to our town.

If you pick up your mail at the Greenwood post office, as I do, you already know that after many months of temporary and substitute fill-ins behind the desk, we have a new permanent postal clerk, Greenwood resident Samantha Mills. If you get your mail delivered and don’t frequent the post office, stop by to introduce yourself and welcome her. Window hours are 8 to 10 a.m. and 2:15 to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Here are some events for your calendar:

Saturday, February 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Locke’s Mills American Legion on the Gore Road: Live music for listening and dancing, performed by The Fossils. Admission is by donation, and light refreshments will be available.

Wednesday, March 4, from 1-3 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of West Paris: Cabin Fever Fun Day. Cribbage boards, playing cards, and a jigsaw puzzle will be available, or bring your own games or crafts for a social afternoon. Snow day is Thursday, March 5.

Thursday, March 5, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Caring for Your Heart,” a free wellness program sponsored by To Your Health and presented by Dr. Daniel van Buren, a resident of Bethel and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m.: “Healing Scars of War” at West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel. Janet Willie will speak about her recent trip to Ukraine to work with healthcare workers on how to heal scars on Ukrainian soldiers. A community potluck supper begins at 5 (bring a dish to share) and Janet’s talk will follow the meal.

Tuesday, March 10, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church on Main Street in Bethel: Neighbors Feeding Neighbors community meal.

Wednesday, March 11, at 11 a.m. at the Methodist Church: Monthly meeting of the Bethel Senior Citizen Club. Amy Wight Chapman (hey, that’s me!) will speak about her family memoir, Just Like Glass, with lunch to follow. New members are always welcome, and annual dues are just $10.

Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. at Gould Academy: Author Colin Woodard, whose books include American Nations, American Character, Union, and Nations Apart, will present “The Last Best Hope: The 250-Year Struggle for the American Experiment in a Divided Federation,” a talk and signing. This will be followed by a special reception at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. The presentation and signing are free. Tickets for the reception are $25 ($20 for MHBS members). Space is limited for both events; please reserve your free presentation tickets and reception tickets at 250bethel.org/Woodard or by using the QR code in the flyer below.

The following is a list of speakers for March at the First Universalist Church of West Paris. Sunday services begin at 9 a.m., with music by Davy Sturtevant and refreshments following the service. All are welcome.

March 1, “Listening,” led by the Rev. Scott Campbell, who will explore what it means to truly pay attention to one another.

March 8, Bob Neal will be the speaker. His topic is “The Mustard Seed and the Pullman Porters,” based on the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13), using the example of how the Black middle class arose from the occupation of sleeping-car porter. It was the best job most Black men could get, and the pay and tips were enough to create a middle class in a still-segregated country.

March 15, “Kindness,” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. What motivates people to care for each other?

March 22, “Americans Who Tell the Truth: The Spirituality of Activism,” led by Ellen Gibson. Robert Shetterly, an artist from Brooksville, Maine, has spent the last twenty years working on a project called “Americans Who Tell the Truth.” Shetterly believes that truth is at the foundation of a functioning democracy. To date, he has painted 280 portraits of Americans who exemplify moral courage and civic engagement, from Abraham Lincoln to Stacey Abrams, Margaret Chase Smith to Samantha Smith, Pete Seeger to Richard Blanco. We will investigate how activism intersects with the seven UU principles. For more information on this project, go to https://americanswhotellthetruth.org/

This service was rescheduled from January.

March 29, “A Noble Life,” led by guest speaker Marilyn Hammond. “Along with the traditional Luke account of Palm Sunday and a lighter look at the ancestry of Jesus, I want to change the focus from the death of Jesus to the life of Jesus, from the divinity of Jesus to his humanity.”

For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com or visit the church’s Facebook page. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/

The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main St., W. Paris 04289

As many of you already know, if you read my blog or follow me on Facebook, my family experienced a heartbreaking loss this week with the unexpected passing of Eli the Wonder Pup. We are all devastated, but the outpouring of condolences from so many of Eli’s fans has been a comfort, confirming what we already knew, that while his time with us was too short, he had the best life a dog could ever ask for. If you haven’t read my blog post about our good boy, and you’d like to, you can find it by clicking here.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” – Roger Caras

Read more

I’ve attended the first two Sunday afternoon live readings of The Age of Homespun, by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to slow down, sit down, and work on a knitting project for a couple of hours while learning something new.

Ulrich’s book is organized around detailed descriptions of 14 domestic items from pre-industrial America and how the objects, which range from a spinning wheel to an unfinished stocking, fit into the culture and history of the ordinary people who made or used them.

Last Sunday, we heard about Molly Ockett and her life and times from the chapter that describes a pocketbook created more than 200 years ago from fabric she wove and decorated with dyed moose hairs. It was given to her friend Eli Twitchell of Bethel (who, incidentally, was the brother of my fourth great-grandfather, Eleazer Twitchell, making Eli—I think—my fourth great-grand-uncle) and it is now in the collection of the Maine Historical Society.

The reading and discussion, led by Jessica Jolly, continues each Sunday in February, from 3-5 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Robinson House at MBHS. Please join us! Bring along a handcraft to work on, or just come and listen.

Some other upcoming events to chase away the late-winter doldrums:

Saturday, February 21, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Mason House of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society: “Ghosts of Centennials Past.” MBHS Executive Director Will Chapman will present a program on how the American Centennial of 1876 and Bicentennial of 1976 were celebrated in the Bethel area. (Having been in on some of the planning of his program, I can guarantee that it’s going to be both engaging and fun.) This program is just one of many events taking place in 2026 to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of American independence. Click here to visit the website 250bethel.org to learn more and see the full list of events, exhibits, and book discussions.

Wednesdays, February 25, March 4, and March 11, from noon to 1 p.m. at West Parish Congregational Church: Lenten Lunches. This simple meal of soup and bread is an opportunity for people of different faiths to gather and reflect together on the journey to Easter. The meal is free. Each church is invited to bring the food for the three lenten lunches.

Thursday, March 5, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Caring for Your Heart,” a free wellness program sponsored by To Your Health and presented by Dr. Daniel van Buren, a resident of Bethel and a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Each month, the Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative (AFCI) creates a calendar of community-wide events and activities that older people can attend to stay healthy. All are social activities that are mostly free and address emotional, mental, physical, and sometimes spiritual needs. Here’s February’s.

I made a late-afternoon solo trek up to Buck’s Ledge, and Eli the Wonder Pup and I enjoyed a couple more hikes in the McCoy-Chapman Forest this past week. On Saturday afternoon we hiked the Chapman Brook/Sam’s Trail loop in the still-falling snow, and had the place to ourselves after meeting one cross-country skier with his dog, also a Golden, near the start of our hike. Then on Monday we set off to hike to the scenic overlook on the McCoy-Gray Birch Trail. Most of the trail was pretty firmly packed, but we turned around about three-quarters of the way up, as soon as we got beyond the better-traveled sections, when my boots threatened to poke holes in the trail. As I’m sure you’ll agree if you’ve ever been on a snowy trail that someone hiked in bare boots when they should have used snowshoes, there’s a special place in hell reserved for “post-holers.”

While Eli was hiking with me on Saturday, Will and Rosemary were hiking the Flume Gorge in Lincoln, N.H. I’ve only been there once myself, and even though I was a sulky teenager at the time, it has always had a special significance for me. My mom took me there one summer, because she and my dad had hiked it on their honeymoon, in early April of 1942, and she wanted me to see it. I’ve always planned to go back again, and someday I will.

My mom was almost a Valentine’s Day baby, having been born on February 13, 1920. The 13th fell on a Friday that year; she always said that the 13th was her lucky day, especially when her birthday happened to fall on a Friday. This year, in her honor, I’ll donate blood on her birthday at the Red Cross Blood Drive, which is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel. As of Wednesday evening, there were still a few appointment spots left, in case you’d like to join me!

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“Winter is not a season, it’s an occupation.” – Sinclair Lewis

Read more

Saturday morning’s short hike to Lapham Ledge in the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest really was chilly. Even though we waited until late morning to head out, the temperature was only one degree above zero, and there was a strong wind. Needless to say, we didn’t linger long on the open ledges.

I had planned to take Eli to Maggie’s Nature Park on Sunday, but then Will called to say that he and Rosemary were on their way to Portland and couldn’t remember for sure if they had unplugged the waffle iron after making waffles for breakfast—could I go and check? So I decided to head for the McCoy-Chapman Forest on the North Road (after stopping at their apartment in Bethel to ascertain that yes, the waffle iron was unplugged). The temperature was about five degrees warmer than the day before, but the real difference was the lack of wind—six degrees feels positively balmy when you’re dressed for it and the wind isn’t threatening every inch of exposed skin with frostbite.

I was glad to have gotten a couple more hikes in before hitting the trails without snowshoes became out of the question for a while. I did put my snowshoes on to get to the bird feeder on Monday afternoon, though, and then I stomped down some paths in the dog pen for Eli. The snow was so deep and powdery that I’m hoping a few other people will put on snowshoes and pack down my favorite trails before I get back out there.

I didn’t have to think about what to do for a workout on Tuesday morning—it was back to the “snow gym” to get the paths and ramp at the Bethel Library cleared off before it opened at noon. I enjoy snow-shoveling—really!—but I was glad this big snow was light and easy to handle…and I’m kind of hoping the storm that may be coming our way on Sunday misses us.

Here are some upcoming meetings and events for your calendar:

Saturday, January 31, at 2 p.m. at the Bethel Library on Broad Street: Book discussion of American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence, by Pauline Maier. This is the first of several book discussions relating to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution to be held during 2026 as part of the celebration of America’s 250^th birthday. A remote participation option will be available for those who can’t attend the discussion in person.

Saturday, January 31, from 2:30-5:30 p.m. at the West Paris Library: Communication Workshop. Facilitators Robin Dunn and Stephanie Frykholm will lead this workshop on “How to Talk With Somebody Who Sees It Differently.” This program is free, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, call the library at 207-674-2004 or email librarian@westparislibrary.org.

Wednesday, February 4, from 1-3 p.m. at the First Universalist Church of West Paris: Cabin Fever Fun. There will be a puzzle to work on and cribbage boards and cards. Bring your own game or craft and come and enjoy a social afternoon. There will be light refreshments. The snow date will be Feb. 5, at the same time.

Friday, February 13, from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Robinson House: Community Mending/Repair Group meeting. This newly-formed group meets monthly to share knowledge and other resources for fixing things that might otherwise go to waste. At their first two meetings, repairs included hemming pants, darning socks, sharpening kitchen knives, and putting shoes back in service. The Feature Focus of the February meeting will be repairing snowshoes, nordic ski bindings and poles. Bring your own project (anything you’d like to fix - it doesn’t have to be the Feature Focus) and a few dollars to put into the MBHS donation box. And if you have a friend that may be interested, bring them along too! If you’d like more information on how to become involved, contact Betsey Cooper at (207) 381-0713 or email awoodenhouse100@gmail.com or Robin Nesbeda at (978) 895 2320 or email RNesbead@gmail.com

Valentine’s Day is coming, and the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society is holding its third annual Haven’s Candies Valentine Fundraiser. Chocolate speaks louder than words—tell someone how much you love them with an I Love You Box from Haven’s Candies! Order online at bethelhistorical.org/shop or call 207-824-2908.

The selectmen and town managers of Greenwood and Woodstock met this week to finalize the transfer station budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. After bids for hauling waste and recycling were opened, a three-year contract was awarded to our current provider, Casella.

The Greenwood Board of Selectmen and Budget Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, and at 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, at the Town Office on the Gore Road to develop the municipal budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026. Like all regular selectmen’s meetings, budget meetings are always open to the public.

If you’ve been reading this column for a while, you know that I celebrate the arrival of Groundhog Day each year. Even though I know perfectly well that we’ll always have at least six more weeks of winter (whether or not that prognosticating rodent sees his shadow), Groundhog Day always means the end of winter is in sight.

According to Wikipedia, “The first documented American reference to Groundhog Day can be found in a diary entry, dated February 4, 1841, by Morgantown, Penn. storekeeper James Morris: ‘Last Tuesday, the 2nd, was Candlemas Day, the day on which, according to the Germans, the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back in for another six weeks nap, but if the day be cloudy he remains out, as the weather is to be moderate.’”

An old rhyme goes: “February second, Candlemas Day: half your wood, and half your hay. Half the winter has passed away; we’ll eat our supper by the light of day.”

Actually, I’ve read that January 20 is statistically the midpoint of the heating season, with an average of half the degree days occurring prior to that date, and half after. If that’s the case, we’re almost two weeks closer to spring than the old rhyme indicates, so if you’ve already gone through half your wood, it may not be cause for panic. And with any luck, the second half of winter will be at least a bit milder than the past couple of weeks.

“January is the worst month. You are fat and broke from the holidays, paler than ever, and you can’t feel your own face when you walk outside.” – Anonymous

Read more

I always feel encouraged when the days grow noticeably longer. Since I can dress for the weather, it’s really not the cold temperatures, snow, and ice that I find hardest about winter (well, maybe the ice), it’s the lack of daylight. It’s much easier now that I work part-time and have generally flexible hours so I can take advantage of what light there is on the shortest days. I remember many years when I drove to and from work in the near-dark, and winter seemed so long!

Tony and I enjoyed a visit from our Colorado girls, Annie and Cait, last weekend. They arrived on Thursday, left on Sunday, and managed to pack a lot into a long weekend—a delayed celebration of Christmas, visits with family and friends, walks with Eli the Wonder Pup, and Cait even joined Katie and Lila at Mt. Abram on Saturday afternoon for Lila’s first ski lesson of the year. She and Katie skied during the lesson, then had time enough afterward for a couple of runs with Lila.

The Greenwood selectmen joined with selectmen and town managers from Bethel, Newry, and Woodstock on Monday for a meeting (and delicious meal) hosted at the Woodstock town office. We have had several of these joint meetings, facilitated by the Northern Forest Center, to discuss regional issues that affect all of our towns. Agenda items this time included an update from First Light on the progress of the broadband project, information from Campbell Environmental Group on grants to assess possible hazardous waste sites, and steps for updating municipal Comprehensive Plans.

Greenwood plans to begin the process of updating our Comprehensive Plan and will soon be seeking members to serve on a Comprehensive Planning Committee. Please let Town Manager Kim Sparks know if you are interested—call 875-2773 or stop by the town office.

Wednesday, January 21, at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society: The Bethel Library Book Club will discuss Mad Honey, co-written by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. (I just finished reading this book in four days; I couldn’t put it down, and probably would have read it in a day or two if only I could have put everything else in my life on hold.) The Reading Room is located in the back of the building, with access through the rear door on the driveway side, and plenty of parking behind the building or on Broad Street.

Saturday, January 31, at 2 p.m. at the Bethel Library on Broad Street: Book discussion of American Scripture: Making the Declaration of Independence, by Pauline Maier. This is the first of several book discussions relating to the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution to be held during 2026 as part of the celebration of America’s 250^th birthday. Copies of American Scripture are available for purchase at cost from both the library and the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society.

The Yarn Hub Drop-In knitting group at the Bethel Library meets on Tuesday mornings from 10-noon.

The Village Makers meet year-round on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Whitman Library in Bryant Pond to enjoy crafting and community. Organizer Liz Hatch calls herself “an obsessed knitter,” but crafters of all kinds are welcome.

Age-Friendly Community Initiative sponsors a drop-in indoor walking program at the Gould Academy Fieldhouse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. through April.

AFCI also creates a monthly calendar to let people know what other opportunities and services are available for older citizens in our area. Here’s the schedule for January. Although we’re halfway through the month, and some of these events have already taken place, this should give you an idea of how many great programs are taking place throughout our communities.

I’m overdue for an eye exam, and my cat Carl would agree that it’s time. The other morning I dropped a pair of black shorts on the floor at the top of the stairs so I’d remember to take them down to add to the laundry, and before I got around to going downstairs, I had walked by, glanced at them, and said, “Hi, Carl!” to them…not once, but twice.

This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.

“Don’t stress about your eyesight failing as you get older. It’s nature’s way of protecting you from shock as you walk past the mirror.” -- Anonymous