Hello again. Some of the readers out there may remember that I used to write the Gilead column a few years ago. Why I stopped is a whole other story. Now the Bethel Citizen (the local paper) is eliminating the town columns that contain so much of the local news. What is written in these weekly columns is an excellent way to preserve the history of the towns. Preserving the local town happenings is very important and this new online delivery of the columns sounds very promising. Thanks to Amy Chapman and Will Chapman of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society for setting this up. Thanks, also, to the authors of their columns and the subscribers to the new format.
We have quite a few birds at the feeder. There are, of course the usual, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves and the busy little Chickadees. There was a hawk the other day and he was receiving quite a scolding from the little Chickadee on the branch in the bush above him. We have also had quite a few Evening Grosbeaks, and then there was a lone Robin, who stopped by to visit.
Gilead Historical Society
The GHS has just completed 20 years of existence. It was formed as a result of the 2004 Gilead Bicentennial. Throughout these 20 years, the GHS has published 7 books and moved two buildings onto the corner lot on Depot Street. During the winter, there is very little activity. Most of it is behind the scenes. The buildings are closed for the season, but they will open up on Memorial Day weekend and stay open until October. We can still be reached by email. The official email address is gileadhistsoc@gmail.com and Claudia Risbara, Secretary, will answer any emails. The Treasurer, Lin Chapman, can also be reached at chapmal@hotmail.com.
The GHS sign that was on the corner of the lot has been removed for repairs. Thanks to the GHS president Tedd Brown II for coordinating the effort. Seventh Street Graphics in Berlin, NH has redone the sign and David Brown of Bethel has refurbished the frame for the sign. It will be back in the Spring.
Historical Note: Excerpt from the GHS publication, “The Smile of Providence, A History of Gilead, Maine, by Howard C. Reiche, Jr. and Hugh G. Chapman, 2004”.-“The history of the town of Gilead, Maine is a miniature version of the history of the State of Maine. Those forces, which reacted on the Province of Maine, were the same forces that reacted on Gilead, or Peabody’s Patent, as it was called until 1804. The desire to own your own land, commerce, the onrush of settlers, politics, wars, and finances, produce major changes in the Province of Maine. Therefore, assembling the history of Gilead, it is viewed as a piece of the history of Maine. It is a history of both of them.”
Gilead Town Office
I am planning on including any upcoming deadlines that come up during the year. These might include when the tax deadline is to avoid paying interest or receiving a tax lien. Also, the books close for the year on December 31st and unpaid taxes are always listed in the annual report. Other information might be when to license a dog or how to obtain a building permit.
Got any news? Email me at chapmal@hotmail.com
Lin, nice first entry! We all look forward to your updates and observations as to activity here in Gilead. Len Whiting, formally of the North Road, labeled Gilead as- Maine's Best kept Secret. Len made this observation well before the internet was available. Now you can share a little bit of Gilead with others who will read your column- Tedd Brown II