AFCI News, October 1, 2026

Hello Folks,

Please find below the October calendar of all the kinds of local activities you can enjoy with family and friends. Or you can attend by yourself and meet your neighbor and make new friends. All are welcome! My family all met up at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine this past Sunday.

It turned out to be pretty nice weather and we all had a good time. It sure has grown and changed since I attended over 30 years ago! The grandchildren especially liked the children’s craft area. The older girls loved the hula hoops. And the pigs! Actually, 10-year-old Kathryn reported to me that was her favorite part of the day.

I hope everyone gets a chance to get out to their favorite farm or agriculture fair. Or a nice long ride to look at the foliage.

I hope to see you at some of these events listed. Reach out if you would like me to email you a copy that you can download. Or you can pick up a printed copy in the front of Mainely Provisions.

Have a good week!

Melinda Remington

AFCI

Community Connector

melindaremington@yahoo. com

October 2026/ Events of Interest to Older Folks & their Families

Recurring Weekly or Monthly Events:

Western Maine Hikes for All Ages (Free walks and hikes throughout our region, for a variety of ability levels, ages, a different trail- 5 days a week) Updated schedule is posted each week on the Bethel Outing Club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/betheloutingclub/ Also look there for any weather updates or cancellations. Davis Park, Monday mornings 9:30-10:30. ‘Buck’s Ledge Trail for All ‘ Tuesday mornings 9:00-10:00. Both trails are easy, handicapped-accessible; scenic with benches and/or picnic tables. MLT Valentine Farm Thursday afternoons1:00-2:00

***AFCI’s Walk the Gym program starts in November, Tuesday & Thursday 1:00- 2:00pm. (Free, Age 60+) Gould Academy Fieldhouse, Church St., Bethel Look for future information in next month’s November’s Events Calendar***

Games On! Thursday afternoons,12:00-2:00, Whitman Memorial Library, 28 S. Main St., Bryant Pond (Free, All Ages, sponsored by AFCI & Library) A good time playing games, puzzles, conversations, snacks.

Coffee and Conversation Thursdays mornings, 9:00-12:00, Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26, (Free, All Ages, sponsored by the church) Welcoming group offers coffee, donuts, smiles, and conversation

Village Makers Tuesday evenings, 5:30-7:30, Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond (Free, All Ages) Bring your favorite craft to work on while you socialize and meet your neighbors. Learn a new craft.

Knitting and Crochet Circle at the Bethel Library, Tuesday mornings, 10:00-12;00, 6 Broad St, Bethel (Free, All Ages) Knit, crochet, chat and have a good time while creating and learning from each other.

Rosie’s Boots & Beats Line Dance Classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Tuesdays at the Bethel United Methodist Church Community Annex, Main St., Bethel, Thursdays at the Locke Mills Union Church, Rt 26, Locke Mills, (All ages, $5 cash per session)

Gilead Historical Society Buildings Tours, Open each Saturday,12:00-3:00pm during warmer months. Coffee and snacks available. (All Ages, Donations welcome,). Rt 2, Gilead

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Oct.2, Friday,12:30-2:30 pm, Tech Talk; Iphone/Ipad Playdate,

Adult Ed at Telstar HS. Reserve your seat in this FREE session to practice using your device with friends and a facilitator by calling Tel# 207-824-2136 Ext#1340 (All ages, limit 10 people. Also, Check with the Adult Ed office for future fun Tech Talk Playdates.

Oct. 4, Sunday, 2:00 pm, Tour of Woodland Cemetery, Route 5 (about one mile south of Bethel village). Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) Executive Director Will Chapman will discuss people buried in the cemetery, with special attention to Revolutionary War veterans.

Oct 4, Sunday, 5:00pm The Painter’s Fire, at MBHS Robinson House, Broad St., Bethel. A special Independence 250 talk by author Zara Anishanslin, Professor of History and Art History at the University of Delaware. She will discuss her book The Painter’s Fire: A Forgotten History of the Artists Who Championed the American Revolution.

Oct.10, Saturday, 1:00-2:00 pm Buck’s Ledge Community Forest Day. Rt 26, Bryant Pond/Woodstock. This annual celebration, held at the Scenic Overlook, features special guest speakers and festivities. Enjoy Peak Foliage with views of Mt. Abram, the Presidential Mountains, and Mahoosuc Range. Fantastic views of the ledges and local lakes and ponds. Handicapped parking is available at the upper parking lot.

Oct. 10, Saturday, 4:30-6:30pm Loggers Public Supper, Methodist Church dining hall, 75 Main St., Bethel Menu: ham, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, chop Suey, coleslaw, rolls, homemade pies. (All ages welcome, donations appreciated) A guest speaker from the Bethel Area Community Wood Bank will be featured. Come and learn about how you can apply for free firewood to heat your home this winter.

Oct. 11, Sunday 2:00pm, Tour of Riverside Cemetery, North Rd, Bethel (across from the airport) Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) Executive Director Will Chapman will discuss people buried in the cemetery, with special attention to Revolutionary War veterans.

Oct. 12, Monday, 9-10 am Geology Walk at Buck’s Ledge Community Forest with Myle Felch. Meet at the RT 26 trailhead parking, Bryant Pond/Woodstock

Oct. 13, 2^nd Tuesday of month, 4:30-6:30 P.M. Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, United Methodist Church, 75 Main St., Bethel. Hearty meal, menu varies. Bring friends or the family. Meet your neighbors. (All Ages, Free, Donations of non-perishable food or $ for the food pantry welcomed)

Oct.14, 2^nd Wednesday of month,11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Bethel Senior Citizens Club Meeting/ Lunch at Methodist Church dining room. 75 Main St., Bethel Menu: salad, main entrée, rolls, dessert. (Club membership annual dues are $10. Residents from any town who are age 50 + are welcome to join. This month’s hearty homemade lunch will be provided for $10) After the meal, guest speaker Rebecca Fraser Douglas will present information about Sound Therapy and how it benefits those living with Alzheimer’s disease. Also, final details will be provided about the cost and transportation for the Friday. Oct 16th club outing to Meredith NH and the ‘Turkey Train’.

Oct14, Wednesday, 4:00 pm Ghosts of Mt Washington talk by author Marianne O’Connor. Bethel Library, 6 Broad St., Bethel. She will discuss memorials /death markers on Mt. Washington and some mysterious events. The goal of program is to share individual incidences, raise awareness and provide strategies to help the public prevent future fatalities.

Oct. 17, Saturday, 2:00pm What Revolution? How revolutionary was the American Revolution? A spirited discussion of this topic by two local historians, David Jones and William Andrews. MBHS Howe Exhibit Hall at the Moses Mason House, Broad St., Bethel.

Oct.18, Sunday 2:00pm Pine Grove Cemetery Tour, Rt 2, West Bethel. Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) Executive Director Will Chapman will discuss people buried in the cemetery, with special attention to Revolutionary War veterans.

Oct 21, third Wednesday of month, 11:00am-1:00pm Soups On (for Seniors)

Methodist Church dining room, Main St., Bethel

Oct 21, Wednesday,4:30-6:30 Public Chili and Chowder Supper at Locke Mills Union Church, 286 N Main St, Locke Mills. Menu: variety of homemade chilis and chowders, breads, desserts and drinks (All ages, Donations welcomed.)

Oct. 23&24, Friday 6:00-9:00 pm and Saturday morning 9:00-NoonBethel Outing Club 46th Annual Ski and Snowboard Sale, Gould Academy Fieldhouse, Church St, Bethel

Oct 25, Sunday, 2:00pm, Middle Intervale Cemetery Tour. Middle Intervale Rd., Bethel (located 4 miles from Bethel village) Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) Executive Director Will Chapman will discuss people buried in the cemetery, with special attention to Revolutionary War veterans.

Oct. 28, Last Wednesday of month, 4:30-6:00 P.M. Community Supper: Harvest Meal Hosted by the Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26. Menu: turkey, gravy, stuffing, local mashed potatoes & squash, rolls, cranberry sauce & desserts (All Ages, Free, Donations welcomed) Drive around to back of church to park, ‘To Go’ meals available

Please Note: This is the last supper of 2026. Meals resume in January 2027

Oct.31, Last Saturday of month,6:00-8: 00, The Fossils/ Music and Halloween Dance 593 Gore Rd., Lock Mills, 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. Join in the fun. Cash prizes for 3 categories of costumes: Funniest, Scariest & Most Original. Contest starts a 6:00 and ends at 7:00 break (All Ages, Donations suggested to support the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion)

In addition to these local events, explore SAD 44 Adult Education offerings, Western Mountains Senior College classes, and new creative opportunities at the West Bethel Makerspace.

http://maineadulted.org

(or call 207-824-2136 ext.1340)

http://westbethelmakerspace.org

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*Resources Available for the Serious Challenges of Life or Aging*

If someone is in immediate physical danger call 911

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (press1 for Veteran Crisis Line)

Maine Crisis Hotline 1-888-568-1112 available 24/7

http://namimaine.org

SeniorsPlus, designated Area Agency on Aging for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. Mission is to enrich lives of older adults, individuals with disabilities and their families by supporting independent living and proactive choice

http://seniorsplus.org

Check out their many core services and specialties. A satellite office is located at 9 Marston St., Norway. Tel# 207-795-4010

A walk-in caregiver peer support group meets on the 4^th Thursday of each month 2:30-4:00pm (no appointment required)

Adult Protective Services (APS) to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an incapacitated or dependent adult

24-hour hotline 1-800-624-8404 http://maine.gov/dhhs/oads

Legal Services for Maine Elders1-800-750-5353

http://mainelse.org

General Community Resources Dial 211or

http://211maine.org

Bethel Area District Exchange(clothing) and Food Pantry, 281 Walkers Mills Rd., Bethel Open 9:00-11:00am every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Tel# 207-890-4022 email:info@bethelareafoodpantry.org

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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, a driver, or for other questions and concerns: 207-824-4444

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/

Or Email Community Connector : 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 socially.

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)

Alexa Echo Dot and Smart Plugs assistive technology to enhance safety in the home

AFCI receives support from Bethel-Gilead-Greenwood-Hanover-Newry-Woodstock

AFCI serves these 6 towns and the residents of Albany and Mason Townships

Board Members: President Julie Hart, Eileen Broderick, Katina Columbotos, Marilyn DiFillipo, Amy George, Moriah McDonough, Charlie Raymond, Charlie Reiss, Brie Weisman, Maryvonne Wheeler, Paula Wheeler

Community Connector: Melinda Remington

Email: melindaremington@yahoo.com