This past week there were three events at the Methodist Church which involved food and community gathering. The first event was the Loggers Supper on Saturday, October 10th. Food was plentiful and delicious. What I also enjoyed was Chris and Diane who showed photographs and spoke about the Bethel Wood Bank. This Wood Bank services the towns of Bethel, Greenwood, Woodstock, Hanover, Andover, Newry, Gilead, Albany Township, and Upton. This Wood Bank provides limited, supplemental firewood heat assistance. There are Heat Assistance Applications for the 2026-2027 Heating Season available. This will be a much needed service for the upcoming winter. Folks who volunteer at the wood lot on Route 26 across from Blake’s farm are there on Wednesdays and Saturdays. This is a terrific program and blessing to our towns.
The second event was Neighbors Feeding Neighbors on Tuesday, October 13th. Guest speakers at this event were three men from the Abenaki tribe. It was great to experience the culture of this Native American tribe with Maine roots. The food that also showed was amazing! There were also about 70 people in attendance. It was a special night for everyone to enjoy.
The third event was the monthly meeting of the Bethel Senior Citizen Club. The meal prepared by Debbie St. Pierre was delicious. She is a community member who likes to cook for Senior Citizens as a way of giving back to our oldest citizens. After the meal we had a guest speaker. Rebecca Fraser Douglass spoke about sound therapy and the benefits to our health. The science behind it is very interesting indeed. After her talk folks were invited to go into the Community Annex and experience a sound bath. It was very calming and relaxing. Sound immersion is wonderful. Rebecca is gifted using the sound bowls. Her website is raphawellnessme.com, which contains lots of information on this healing practice using sound.
On Saturday, October 17, at the Rumford Point UCC Church located on Route 2 is a Community Potluck Lunch starting at 11:30 a.m. Potluck is always fun because you never know what will show up. Everyone is welcome to come and share food and conversation.
This coming Saturday, October 17, from 1-3 p.m., the Bethel Library is having an Open House to celebrate Kelcy Arciga’s accomplishments and wish her and her family well as they head to Ireland. During Kelcy’s tenure she brought many new and creative ideas for our local public library. Many thanks to Kelcy with good wishes and new adventures as her family joins her mother in Ireland.
At 3 p.m. on Saturday, following the open house for Kelcy, head to the Mason House at 14 Broad Street for “What Revolution?”, a spirited discussion of the events of 1776 and their place in history with local historians William Andrews and David Jones.
The first of the Soup’s On! Lunches will be on Wednesday, October 21st, at the Methodist Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come and enjoy some delicious soups and conversations with our many neighbors.
This digital column always welcomes news and/or events which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com