MAY 2026 / Events of Interest to Older Folks and their Families
Reminder: This season’s last session for Walk the Gym is Thursday April 30th 1:00-2:00 P.M. Gould Academy Fieldhouse, (Free, Age 60+, sponsored by AFCI & Gould)
Games On! Thursdays (May 7,14,21,28) 12:00-2:00 P.M. Whitman Memorial Library, 28 S. Main St., Bryant Pond (Free, Age 60+, sponsored by AFCI & Library) Come and have a good time playing games, connecting puzzles, or just enjoy conversation and a snack.
Coffee and Conversation Thursdays (May 7,14,21,28) 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26, (Free, All Ages, sponsored by the church) Welcoming, supportive group, drop in for coffee, donuts, smiles, and conversation.
Yarn Hub Tuesdays, 10:00A.M.-12:00 P.M., (May 5,12,19,26) Bethel Library (Free, All Ages) Bring your Knitting and crochet projects or just drop in to learn more about getting started. This creative and friendly group will assist you. Donated needles, hooks and yarns are available at no cost.
Village Makers Tuesdays, (May 5,12,19,26)5:30-7:30 P.M. (Free, All Ages) Bring your favorite craft to work on while you socialize and meet your neighbors. Bring a friend. Learn a new craft. Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond
Seniors’ Social Time at Bethel Library Tuesdays (May 5,12,19,26) 12:00-1:00 P.M. (Free, 50+)
Tech Help at Bethel Library, May 4, 1st Monday of each Month, 11:00A.M.-1:00 P.M. (Free, All Ages)
May 2, Annual Green-Up Day Saturday, 9-11:30 Sponsored by Area Conservation Commissions. Bethel meet at Davis Park, Newry at Newry Town Office, Greenwood at Greenwood Town Office and Woodstock at the Bryant Pond Ballfield. (Clean-up materials and lunch provided.)
May 2, Jane’s Walk, Saturday, at Noon “Along the Andro: History and Habitat in Our Community.” Meet at Davis Park, Bethel with 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.
May 10, The Mahoosuc Community Band Spring Concert, Sunday ,4:00 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium, Bethel. 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.
May 12, Tuesday, 4:30-6:30 P.M. Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, United Methodist Church, 75 Main St. Bring a friend or the whole family. (Free, All Ages, Donation to Food Pantry welcomed)
May 13, Wednesday,11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Bethel Senior Citizens Club Meeting/ Lunch Methodist Church, 75 Main St. Bethel. Delicious Meal prepared by Debbie St. Pierre. Program is ‘Meet and Greet of Newest Club Members’ (Meal $15 or donation, Annual Club Membership $10, Age50+)
May 17, Maine Country Music Hall of Fame 49th Induction Ceremony and Show, Sunday, 1:00-4:00 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. Listen to a great variety of country music artists and bands! All Ages. Entry Fee charged. Food concession available.
May 19, Food is Medicine Program (This is a rescheduled start date.) Yearlong program starts April 21st 12:00-1:00 P.M. Meets weekly at the same time and location for 4 months and then 2 X a month for the rest of the year. Support and activities for people at risk for Type-2 Diabetes and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods (Free, All Ages) United Methodist Church, Main St., Bethel. For more information contact: allison.kelly@mainehealth.org
May 27,4:30-6:00 P.M. Community Supper Wednesday Hosted by Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26. (Free, All Ages, Donations) *Drive around to back of church to park, ‘To Go’ meals available
May 30, Saturday 6:00-8: 00, The Fossils/ Music and Dance This is a fun intergenerational, 50’s-90’s rewind of your favorite songs. Local musicians and vocalists lead us down memory lane as we groove to the music. (Free, All Ages, donations suggested to support the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion) 593 Gore Rd., Lock Mills
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Reminder: AFCI’s Neighbor2Neighbor volunteer program offers free rides within 30-mile radius of Bethel (ages 60+). We are always looking for volunteer drivers. Would you like to help your neighbors? This is an enjoyable service and a great way to meet folks. Call and leave a message to apply as a rider or a driver: 207-824-4444
***UPDATE: We are excited to share that the AFCI monthly list of events will now be available online in the Western Maine Neighborhood News (WMNN) publication. You may opt to buy a full subscription to receive news from all 7 area towns. However, you also have the option of receiving half the publication each week for free. (3 towns one week, 4 towns the next week)
Contact me at melindaremington@yahoo.com
What is the Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative (AFCI)???
AFCI is a non-profit that helps local older adults remain in their homes as they age. Programs help older citizens (age 60+) to thrive physically, mentally and emotionally.
FREE PROGRAMS_
Neighbor2Neighbor Rides (N2N rides within 30 miles of Bethel for medical, shopping, social engagements)
HandyNeighbor (Spring and Fall yard & garden chores completed by high school students & supervisors)
Walk the Gym (November through April, Tuesdays and Thursdays ,1:00-2:00 P.M at Gould Academy)
‘Games-On’ (Thursdays, Noon -2:00P.M., at Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond (Fun social time.)
Home Safety Assessment by certified O.T. (Personal safety & fall prevention)
Used Medical Equipment Lending Closet (Donations accepted. Canes, Walkers etc. (For All Ages.)
AFCI is supported by 6 towns: Bethel-Gilead-Greenwood-Hanover-Newry-Woodstock
Board Members: President Julie Hart, Eileen Broderick, Katina Columbotos, Marilyn DiFillipo, Wendy Hanscom, Tim LeConey, Moriah McDonough, Charlie Raymond, Charlie Reiss, Brie Weisman, Maryvonne Wheeler, Paula Wheeler,
Community Connector, Melinda
Email: agefriendlybethel@gmail.com
For current information visit our Facebook Page. Please click Favorites at the top of our page, comment or message us at: www.facebook.com/agefriendlybethel/
Western Maine Hikes for All Ages
Announcing Western Maine Hikes for All Ages, a new collaboration of several individuals from the region!
This intergenerational program is designed to encourage and support people to get outside and walk or hike on a regular basis.
There is a variety of times, locations, and skill levels offered Monday through Friday. We are looking for more volunteers to be Greeters for a walk/hike.
Note: Be prepared for walking/hiking conditions, including appropriate footwear, clothing, water, and a snack. Participants knowingly assume risks, both known and unknown, associated with hiking.
The schedule will be posted on The Bethel Outing Club (BOC) and Bethel Fun for Kids Facebook Pages.
(The BOC FB page will be the first place people should check for any updates and changes.)
