Hello, everyone!
It’s hard to believe we’re already approaching the middle of October—time certainly flies!
Our community has so much to enjoy. This year’s brilliant fall foliage and pleasant weather have made the season especially uplifting. The natural beauty right outside our doors brings an added sense of joy and richness to everyday life.
Today I attended the Bethel Senior Citizens Club’s monthly meeting and luncheon, held on the second Wednesday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on Main Street in Bethel. The club welcomes adults age 50 and older from nearby communities, including Norway and Rumford. Annual dues are only $10, and visitors—including vacationers and anyone interested in learning more—are always welcome. Lunch generally costs $10, though donations in any amount are accepted. I enjoy this opportunity to reconnect with neighbors and make new friends. As the AFCI Community Connector, I am honored to share useful information that supports and enriches the lives of older residents. Members also have time to ask questions and discuss concerns in a welcoming environment. The club’s current core leaders—Kathy Bartlet, Sandra Gunther, Linda Howe, Nancy Staudinger, Lillian Williamson—do a wonderful job. The business meeting includes the Pledge of Allegiance, secretary’s and treasurer’s reports, updates on future programs, and important contact information. Members also sing a lively rendition of Happy Birthday to the month’s honorees; October birthdays are Eileen Broderick, Eileen Ring, Frank Shaw, Donna Washburn, Maryvonne Wheeler, and Steve Wight. If you see them around town, be sure to wish them a happy birthday!
An important part of the meeting was confirming plans for those who reserved tickets and meals for the Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad’s popular Turkey Dinner Train. We will depart from the Bethel Family Health Center at 8:00 a.m. this Friday and travel by van and cars to the station in Meredith, New Hampshire. The two-hour train excursion will include a homestyle turkey dinner catered by the renowned Hart’s Turkey Farm Restaurant in Meredith. To round out the day—no pun intended—we will stop for delicious cider doughnuts and cider. Our group of 34 is hoping for good weather and beautiful foliage, but rain or shine, this hearty group is sure to have fun!
Debbie St. Pierre of Bethel lovingly prepared a homemade lunch of lasagna, chicken tetrazzini, tossed salad, rolls, and desserts. It was delicious!!! Thank you, Debbie!
Our guest speaker was Rebecca Fraser Douglass, LMS, CMLDT, a licensed massage therapist and sound healer with Mountain View Massage in Hanover, Maine.
I personally knew Rebecca’s parents when she was a wee child, growing up in Newry. Greg Fraser (now deceased) and Robin Fraser. Rebecca explained how sound-frequency therapy may benefit people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Its calming effects may be especially helpful for those who experience “sundowning.”
Afterward, those interested in experiencing a sound bath moved to chairs arranged in the Church Annex. Nearby, a table held Tibetan singing bowls and other instruments that produced soothing sounds reminiscent of ocean waves, falling water, and chimes. You may be wondering, “What exactly is a sound bath?” I had the same question. If you would like to know more reach out to Rebecca at 207-370-8580 or mtviewmassage@gmail.com
The next Senior Citizens Club meeting is Nov. 11, 11:00 am. at the Methodist Church People are signing up to share a Potluck Turkey Dinner. If you missed Wednesday’s meeting, please reach out to Nancy Staudinger (240-925-4172) or Sandra Gunther (207-824-2516) to let someone know what you would like to contribute.
Next week also marks the season’s kickoff of Soups On for Seniors, a popular program founded by Bonnie Pooley and Linda Howe. No identification or proof of age is required at the door. Bonnie envisioned a welcoming place where older adults could gather during the colder months, enjoy hot soup and bread, and share meaningful conversation in the warm dining room of the Methodist Church on Main Street. The idea was simple—nothing elaborate or fancy—and, with support from the Local Food Connection of Bethel and the church’s lay members, it became a reality. Today, the lunch is held on the third Wednesday of each month during the cooler season, when people may be more likely to stay home and become isolated. If you would like to help with this gathering that nourishes both body and spirit, please contact Bonnie at 207-381-7944. We typically serve 50 to 70 people, so additional cooks are always welcome. I look forward to making fish chowder—what is your specialty?
Have a great week!
Melinda
AFCI Community Connector