Western Maine Neighborhood News, April 30, 2026
Hi, Neighbors! This week, anyone can read the news from Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, and Gilead for free. Upgrade to a paid subscription to read this week’s Locke’s Mills, Newry, and Woodstock columns. News from the AFCI—the Age-Friendly Community Initiative—is always free to all—be sure to check out the busy schedule of May programs and events!
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
The annual birthday supper that was held last weekend was very well attended, and very festive as well as delicious. I’ve included a picture of the May table, taken by Ross Swain, which was Wizard of Oz themed seeing as it is the author Frank L. Baum’s birthday month.
We have been very busy in the Nadeau household doing firewood when time permits. My husband is making the most of his mud season days by running the wood splitter while I stack when I have downtime. We are doing my dad’s wood for his house as well and he has helped with stacking a bit. I for one can say I will be happy when this chore is behind us. I just keep reminding myself that firewood warms you twice, once when you are getting it ready in the spring and summer, then again in the fall and winter when it’s burning.
We have lost one of our buff Orpington hens to a crafty fox and had a close call with another this past Sunday. I was able to scare it off and it only got away with a mouthful of tail feathers. No more free-range time for the remaining 12 for the time being.
I am happy to report that the Andover Summer Concert Series lineup for 2026 has been announced. It all kicks off its 13th season on May 29 at 6 p.m. with the Acoustipalians. Nothing says summer has arrived like gathering on the Town Common and listening to music wafting in the evening air from the Bandstand. I will update each performer as the summer commences. All concerts are free but donations are greatly appreciated. Thanks again to Pete Coolidge for bringing this much loved series back to us for another year. Please try to make the trip up to Andover this season to partake of our wonderful summer tradition.
There will be a “Clean Up the Common” day at the Andover Common this Saturday May 2, starting at 10 a.m. Needed are volunteers with rakes, shovels for scooping up acorns, and disposable containers to put the acorns in. Please share this event with your family and friends. “Many hands make light work.”
If any high school student needs community service hours, this is a great opportunity. So many events take place on our beautiful town common throughout the year, so lending a hand to make it more beautiful is a no brainer.
One of the major annual events that is held is Andover Olde Home Days. The theme this year is “River Valley Playground.” Buttons and T-shirts will be available for purchase soon. I’m sure I will have an update when they hit the local businesses.
The Andover Elementary School has a “Paint & Snack” fifth grade fundraiser coming up on May 9. I will gather more info to add in next week’s column.
There is also still time to enroll your child in the early childhood, pre-k or kindergarten programs for the upcoming school year. Please call the Andover Elementary School for more information (207) 392-4381.
My husband, Bob, and I attended the Public Informational Meeting held at the Andover Town Hall on the evening of the 28th. Quite a few topics were discussed; among them were FEMA road work updates and an alternative town government. I wish I could have seen more people in the seats.
As a former secretary to the Andover Select Board I can certainly tell you that a lot of hard work and many hours go into running the town, by select board members as well as the employees in the town office and all the other good folks that work in all the different departments in town. It is really important to be present and vote at the annual town meeting. This year it will be held on Saturday, May 30, at the Town Hall beginning at 8 a.m. Please come and make your voice heard about the important articles that will be presented.
I hope you all have enjoyed the warm temperatures and sunshine; we do have some much needed rain coming. That should certainly green things up and put the fire danger down a bit. I have many buds on my 3 lilac bushes this year, I can’t wait for that heavenly scent!
Please send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
For upcoming events in Bethel folks can find the following:
On Saturday, May 9, there will be a Sound Bath session in the Community Annex located at the Methodist Church on Main Street. It will start at 10 a.m. and everyone is welcome. Rebecca Fraser Douglass is a certified sound healer. Sound Baths are very effective for promoting peace, calm and wellness. I have experienced Sound Baths and find them very beneficial for my own personal wellness.
Also taking place at the Methodist Church is the monthly meeting for the Bethel Senior Citizen Club on Wednesday, May 13, starting at 11 a.m. After the meeting folks will be treated to a delicious meal prepared by Debbie St. Pierre. She is planning a fantastic lunch along with homemade pies which will be a surprise. Debbie has cooked for the Seniors in the past and everyone is looking forward to this meal on the 13th. Debbie has a soft spot for Seniors and graciously prepares a meal out of generosity and kindness to Bethel’s oldest citizens. There are good people in our Community and Debbie St. Pierre is one of them.
On Saturday, May 16, starting at 9 a.m. there will be a guest speaker at the Methodist Church. The Church is located at 79 Main Street in Bethel. Dr. Jenny Mae Wheeler, MD, is a board certified family medicine physician and founder of Bluebird Wellness, an integrative medical practice in Bethel offering personalized, root-cause-focused care.
She is certified through the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture and integrates acupuncture with a Western understanding of physiology, nutrition, and the body’s innate healing systems.
As part of Bluebird Wellness Foundations’s nonprofit work, Dr. Wheeler is helping expand access to whole-person preventive health across Western Maine Communities. She is offering this community presentation on acupuncture, exploring how it can help regulate the nervous system, reduce pain and inflammation, and support overall health, resilience and long-term wellbeing. Acupuncture is an Eastern practice that seems to have healing benefits. I have never experienced it first-hand but know others who have found great success in this ancient practice. It will be interesting to listen to a medical doctor explain how acupuncture can help one’s wellbeing.
Dr. Wheeler also grew up in Bethel so her roots run deep in our community. This educational presentation is free and open to everyone.
I recently had my car detailed and what a difference it made to my vehicle. Having someone give it a deep clean really spruces it up and makes the vehicle seem like new. M & M Detailing did an excellent job. They are located at 3 Annis Road, which is across from Eddie Swain’s family farm on Route 2. The number to call is 207-583-5624. They were very friendly and efficient which made the whole experience enjoyable. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. When small businesses thrive, our community also benefits!
Please send any news or events for this digital column to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel
Wally Ritz
The last few days have been so amazing. Doors and windows open, birds chirping and trees sprouting. So far the only thing showing signs of life in my flower containers is the bleeding heart I planted last season. Hopefully more of the perennials will come back; keeping my fingers crossed.
The volunteers of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors had a productive meeting on April 28th. The brainstorming was just plain amazing and new ideas moving forward will keep making this a great monthly event. Mark your calendar for May 12th.
Call me at 595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com
Have a great week!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
Sunday started out quite chilly, but the sun warmed things up fairly quickly. By 11:00 a.m. the temperature was 62 degrees.
Not too much happening to write about. It seems nice to look out and not see any snow. People have gotten out and started their spring cleanup. Got to rake up all those leaves and dead grass.
I talked to Judy Bishop from Yarmouth the other day. We were discussing the upcoming GHS planning meeting. She said that she had recently seen Phil House. I would like to send out a big Howdy to Phil.
Town of Gilead
Work in the cemeteries has begun. Ivan Tilton, the town’s buildings and grounds man, has started getting the four cemeteries ready for Memorial Day at the end of May. Once he finishes with them, he turns to other areas in town, such as between the railroad and Route 2. Keeping this area mowed makes the town look so much better during the summer. He also keeps the National Forest Picnic Area cleaned up and mowed, too. He does an excellent job getting things all cleaned up for summer. Ivan also does other projects for the town like doing minor repairs and building maintenance.
Gilead Historical Society
Reminder: The GHS will meet Saturday, May 2, at the Gilead Town Office at 1:00 p.m. to make plans for the summer events and projects.
Since the 1883 Gilead Town Hall is getting some much needed work done, we thought it would be nice to include some photos of the building through the years. First of all, the foundation needs to be fixed and then the windows can be replaced.
The hall was used a lot for social events. There were weekly dances that several people from Hastings came down to attend. At one point, it was rented out to be used as a roller skating rink. Now there are a few people in town that use the Hall but it is mostly used for voting and town meetings. The GHS uses it for events held during the year.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
MAY 2026 / Events of Interest to Older Folks and their Families
Reminder: This season’s last session for Walk the Gym is Thursday April 30th 1:00-2:00 P.M. Gould Academy Fieldhouse, (Free, Age 60+, sponsored by AFCI & Gould)
Games On! Thursdays (May 7,14,21,28) 12:00-2:00 P.M. Whitman Memorial Library, 28 S. Main St., Bryant Pond (Free, Age 60+, sponsored by AFCI & Library) Come and have a good time playing games, connecting puzzles, or just enjoy conversation and a snack.
Coffee and Conversation Thursdays (May 7,14,21,28) 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26, (Free, All Ages, sponsored by the church) Welcoming, supportive group, drop in for coffee, donuts, smiles, and conversation.
Yarn Hub Tuesdays, 10:00A.M.-12:00 P.M., (May 5,12,19,26) Bethel Library (Free, All Ages) Bring your Knitting and crochet projects or just drop in to learn more about getting started. This creative and friendly group will assist you. Donated needles, hooks and yarns are available at no cost.
Village Makers Tuesdays, (May 5,12,19,26)5:30-7:30 P.M. (Free, All Ages) Bring your favorite craft to work on while you socialize and meet your neighbors. Bring a friend. Learn a new craft. Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond
Seniors’ Social Time at Bethel Library Tuesdays (May 5,12,19,26) 12:00-1:00 P.M. (Free, 50+)
Tech Help at Bethel Library, May 4, 1st Monday of each Month, 11:00A.M.-1:00 P.M. (Free, All Ages)
May 2, Annual Green-Up Day Saturday, 9-11:30 Sponsored by Area Conservation Commissions. Bethel meet at Davis Park, Newry at Newry Town Office, Greenwood at Greenwood Town Office and Woodstock at the Bryant Pond Ballfield. (Clean-up materials and lunch provided.)
May 2, Jane’s Walk, Saturday, at Noon “Along the Andro: History and Habitat in Our Community.” Meet at Davis Park, Bethel with Will Chapman of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society and an ecologist from the Mahoosuc Land Trust to explore the history and ecology of the Androscoggin River, including indigenous people, the importance of the river to agriculture and early industries, the pollution of the river and subsequent efforts to clean it up, river ferries, bridges, floods, and the flora and fauna of the riverside. This program is part of Jane’s Walk, a global festival of free, volunteer-led walking conversations inspired by community activist Jane Jacobs. Jane’s Walks combine the simple act of exploring a place with personal observations, local history, and civic engagement.
May 10, The Mahoosuc Community Band Spring Concert, Sunday ,4:00 p.m. at Gould Academy’s Bingham Auditorium, Bethel. Ed Ryan is conducting the band, consisting of adults and Gould students. The concert is full of familiar favorites. Donations are welcome at the door to defray the cost of music.
May 12, Tuesday, 4:30-6:30 P.M. Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, United Methodist Church, 75 Main St. Bring a friend or the whole family. (Free, All Ages, Donation to Food Pantry welcomed)
May 13, Wednesday,11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Bethel Senior Citizens Club Meeting/ Lunch Methodist Church, 75 Main St. Bethel. Delicious Meal prepared by Debbie St. Pierre. Program is ‘Meet and Greet of Newest Club Members’ (Meal $15 or donation, Annual Club Membership $10, Age50+)
May 17, Maine Country Music Hall of Fame 49th Induction Ceremony and Show, Sunday, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Silver Spur in Mechanic Falls: Per Hanson and Robin Right will be inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame. Listen to a great variety of country music artists and bands! All Ages. Entry Fee charged. Food concession available.
May 19, Food is Medicine Program (This is a rescheduled start date.) Yearlong program starts April 21st 12:00-1:00 P.M. Meets weekly at the same time and location for 4 months and then 2 X a month for the rest of the year. Support and activities for people at risk for Type-2 Diabetes and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods (Free, All Ages) United Methodist Church, Main St., Bethel. For more information contact: allison.kelly@mainehealth.org
May 27,4:30-6:00 P.M. Community Supper Wednesday Hosted by Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26. (Free, All Ages, Donations) *Drive around to back of church to park, ‘To Go’ meals available
May 30, Saturday 6:00-8: 00, The Fossils/ Music and Dance This is 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. (Free, All Ages, donations suggested to support the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion) 593 Gore Rd., Locke Mills
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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 or a driver: 207-824-4444
***UPDATE: We are excited to share that the AFCI monthly list of events will now be available online in the Western Maine Neighborhood News (WMNN) publication. You may opt to buy a full subscription to receive news from all 7 area towns. However, you also have the option of receiving half the publication each week for free. (3 towns one week, 4 towns the next week)
Contact me at 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 emotionally.
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.)
AFCI is supported by 6 towns: Bethel-Gilead-Greenwood-Hanover-Newry-Woodstock
Board Members: President Julie Hart, Eileen Broderick, Katina Columbotos, Marilyn DiFillipo, Wendy Hanscom, Tim LeConey, Moriah McDonough, Charlie Raymond, Charlie Reiss, Brie Weisman, Maryvonne Wheeler, Paula Wheeler,
Community Connector, Melinda
Email: agefriendlybethel@gmail.com
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/
Western Maine Hikes for All Ages
Announcing Western Maine Hikes for All Ages, a new collaboration of several individuals from the region!
This intergenerational program is designed to encourage and support people to get outside and walk or hike on a regular basis.
There is a variety of times, locations, and skill levels offered Monday through Friday. We are looking for more volunteers to be Greeters for a walk/hike.
Note: Be prepared for walking/hiking conditions, including appropriate footwear, clothing, water, and a snack. Participants knowingly assume risks, both known and unknown, associated with hiking.
The schedule will be posted on The Bethel Outing Club (BOC) and Bethel Fun for Kids Facebook Pages.
(The BOC FB page will be the first place people should check for any updates and changes.)
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
It must finally be spring, because a few days ago I hung my laundry on the line to dry for the first time this year. I love the way the clothes, and especially the sheets and towels, smell after air-drying in the spring sunshine. I usually get an earlier start—I’ve been known to shovel a foot of snow out from beneath the clothesline—but I was delayed this year by the fact that all eight of the brand new lines I had strung on the wooden structure Tony built years ago for my clothesline had snapped in an ice-and-wind storm early in the winter.
