Gilead News, March 19, 2026

Sunday: It was kind of a dismal day, but the sun tried to show up occasionally. By noontime, the temperature had climbed up to 38 degrees. The snowstorm overnight last Friday was all gone by Saturday afternoon.

Monday: We woke up to rain. At 9:30 AM, it was about 35 degrees and the rain was fairly heavy. The good thing was that the snow was melting!

Happy Birthday wishes go out to Lise McLain on March 20^th.

There was a strange bird that stopped by for only a minute. It was brownish, had a long bill and looked something like a Woodcock. It was gone before we could really identify it.

Pete Risbara reports that his collection of sap to make maple syrup has not gone very well. The weather is not cooperating with cold nights and warm days.

Gilead Historical Society

Even though the GHS buildings have been closed this winter, there is still a lot to do to get ready for when we open up this summer. First of all, there is a meeting of area historical societies at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel, hosted by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. An email from Will Chapman included the following information: “The goal will be to discuss some of the shared challenges our organizations face and ways we might potentially collaborate. Last March about 15 historical societies from Oxford County met and all in attendance agreed that it was a great meeting and that we should pursue further collaboration. This year we want to extend the invitation to some towns from our neighboring counties in Maine and New Hampshire and to small history museums and other historical organizations as well.”

Historical Note: The Gilead Cornet Band — From the archives of the GHS

There seem to be more pictures than written records of the band. In the early 1900’s, Gilead and some of the other towns had a coronet band. They were quite popular and played in many of the neighboring towns. The Gilead band made several trips to Shelburne, NH to play at local functions. They were also the featured band in the 1904 Gilead Centennial Celebration. These are a few of the photos of Gilead’s band.

Members of the Gilead Cornet Band. Front Row: (L-R) Sol Coffin, Eben Bennett, Hartwell Coffin, Ralph Peabody. Back Row: (L-R) Winfield Newall, Milan Bennett, Bert Watson, Herbert Wheeler, Bert Harriman, Harris McKeen, Augustus Newell, Clyde Coffin

Taken in Locke Mills at their annual picnic

Len Whiting dedicated the music pouch to the GHS in memory of Herbert Wheeler, who played in the band and lived on the North Road around 1900

The Coronet currently belongs to Stephen and Lise McLain. Previously in the collection of Emeline V. Heath.

Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com