Western Maine Neighborhood News, August 6, 2026
Hi, Neighbors! In this week’s Western Maine Neighborhood News, the Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, and Gilead columns are free to all subscribers, along with news from the AFCI—the Age-Friendly Community Initiative. Upgrade to a paid subscription ($5/month or $50/year) to read this week’s Locke’s Mills, Newry, and Woodstock columns (and all the town columns every week).
The annual Mill Brook Craft Series kicks off today, August 6, at 1:00 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. The first program in the series is Floral Arrangements, with Margaret Manbeck of Alden & Co., who will offer a demonstration and instruction in the art of flower arranging.
Programs in the Mill Brook Craft Series take place each Thursday afternoon in August and are free to attend, sponsored by the Hastings Craft Fund, which was established in memory of accomplished local crafter Florence Hastings.
The schedule for the rest of the series is as follows, with all programs beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the Twitchell Education Building, located between the Mason House and the Robinson House:
Thursday, August 13: Rug Braiding with Karen Bean and Lida Iles. This early American craft dates back at least two centuries; braided rugs were first displayed at an agricultural fair in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1822.
Thursday, August 20: Mending Clothes with Sophie Drew. Mending clothes is fun, reduces waste, and lengthens the life of your clothes. Come learn some mending techniques for common types of damage. Have an item you’d like to mend? Bring it in and we’ll take a look together!
Thursday, August 27: Charcoal Drawing with Sara Hemeon. Discover the expressive beauty of charcoal drawing in this beginner-friendly class. Sara will provide a brief history of charcoal as an artistic medium, as well as instruction in fundamental techniques. No drawing experience needed!
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
August 2026/Events of Interest to Older Folks & their Families
Recurring Weekly or Monthly Events:
Western Maine Hikes for All Ages (Free walks and hikes throughout our region, for a variety of ability levels, ages, a different trail- 5 days a week) Updated schedule is posted each week on the Bethel Outing Club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/betheloutingclub/ Also look there for any weather updates or cancellations.
Davis Park, Mondays, 9:30-10:30 am.
Buck’s Ledge Trail for All, Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00 am.
Both trails are easy, handicapped-accessible; scenic with benches and/or picnic tables.
MLT Valentine Farm, Thursdays, 1:00-2: 00pm. Look at the Garden!
Games On! Thursdays (August 6,13,20,27) 12:00-2:00 P.M. Whitman Memorial Library, 28 S. Main St., Bryant Pond (Free, All Ages, sponsored by AFCI & Library) A good time playing games, puzzles, conversations, snacks.
Coffee and Conversation, Thursdays (August 6,13,20,27) 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 group offers coffee, donuts, smiles, and conversation
Village Makers, Tuesdays, (August 4,11,18,25)5:30-7:30 P.M. (Free, All Ages) Bring your favorite craft to work on while you socialize and meet your neighbors. Learn a new craft. Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond.
Seniors’ Social Time at Bethel Library, Tuesdays (August 4,11,18,25) 12:00-1:00 pm (Free, 50+, sponsored by the library)
Rosie’s Boots & Beats Line Dance Classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Tuesdays at the Bethel United Methodist Church Community Annex, Main St., Bethel; Thursdays at the Locke Mills Union Church, Rt 26, Locke Mills, (All ages, $5 cash per session)
July 2-August 29. “Connected by a Thread: 250 Years of Stitching Community,” Quilt Exhibit. Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-4:00 P.M.; Saturdays, 9:00 A.M.-Noon. Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, Moses Mason House Howe Exhibit Hall, 14 Broad St., Bethel. (All Ages, donations, members free.) Read more about this outstanding exhibit at Museums of the Bethel Historical Society https://bethelhistorical.org/exhibits
Gilead Historical Society Buildings Tours, each Saturday, 12:00-3:00 P.M. Coffee and snacks available. (All Ages, Donations welcome). Route 2, Gilead
Tech Help at Bethel Library 1st Monday of each Month, 11:00am-1:00pm, (All Ages, Free)
Thursday afternoons in August, 1:00 PM at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, Broad Street, Bethel: Mill Brook Craft Series. Each week a different artisan or craftsperson will present a demonstration. See the full schedule at the top of this newsletter. Free and open to all.
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August 6-9, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Bethel Rotary Yard Sale, Starts Thursday 12:00-5:00 pm (No Early Birds, please!) Friday, Saturday, & Sunday 8:00am-5:00pm. Lawn outside the Gem Theater and Bethel Chamber of Commerce, Cross St., Bethel (furniture, housewares, toys, athletic equipment, and collectables) Proceeds fund local scholarships, programs
August 8, Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday Market on Main Steet. Buy Crafts, food, and inside yard sale at the United Methodist Church, Main St., Bethel (All Ages)
August 8, Saturday,10:30 am Molly Ockett Day, Festivities, Music, Food, Bethel Common, Broad St., Organizer: Bethel Area Business Association- BABA
Parade starts at 10:30 am. Route: Railroad St., up Main St. to the Common
For Schedule of Events:
https://www.facebook.com/bethelareabusinessassociation/posts/molly-ockett-day-event-schedule-if-you-would-like-to-sign-up-for-any-eventscompe/122157103244466894/
August 11, 2nd Tuesday of month, 4:30-6:30 P.M. Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, United Methodist Church, 75 Main St., Bethel. Bring a friend or the family to share a meal (All Ages, Free, Donations of non-perishable food or $)
Weather permitting, there will be outdoor activities on the front lawn.
August 12, 2nd Wednesday of month, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Bethel Senior Citizens Club Meeting/ Lunch at The Square, South Paris (aka Market Square Restaurant, (Age 50+, individuals order from menu and pay)
August 13-16, Friday-Sunday, Annual New England Trappers Weekend, 760 East Bethel Rd., Bethel. Hunting and trapping demos, gear vendors, live music, public auction and camping (All Ages, $10 per person admission fee at the gate, Camping available for a fee.)
August 15, Saturday, 9:00am-2:00pm, Locke Mills Union Church Annual Craft and Yard Sale, 286 N. Main St, Locke Mills
August 16, Sunday, 5:00pm Mahoosuc Community Band at the Gazebo on the Bethel Common. Bring a lawn chair. (All Ages, Free, Donations Accepted)
August 26, Last Wednesday of month,4:30-6:00 P.M. Community Supper Hosted by Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26. Menu: BBQ Baked Chicken Legs, Potato Salad, Broccoli, Desserts and Drinks (All Ages, Free, Donations Accepted) *Drive around to back of church to park, “To Go” meals available.
August 29, Last Saturday of month, 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. (All Ages, Free, Donations suggested to support the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion) 593 Gore Rd., Locke Mills.
August 29&30, Saturday 6:00-7:00 pm at Telstar High School, Sunday, 12:00-4:00 pm, Annual Habitat for All Monarch Festival at the Mahoosuc Land Trust Valentine Farm Conservation Center, 162 North Rd., Bethel (All Ages, Free) Please note: Keynote Address ‘What We Have learned from the Garden’ by Mike and Barbara Murphy at Telstar High School Auditorium, August 29, Saturday, 6:00-7:00 pm, MLT Annual Meeting, August 30, Sunday, 11:00am and Monarch Festival August 30, Sunday, 12:00-4:00 pm
For more info and schedule of events:
https://www.mahoosuc.org/monarch-festival
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, a driver, or for other questions and concerns: 207-824-4444
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/
***UPDATE: We are excited to share that the AFCI monthly list of events will now be available on-line in the Western Maine Neighborhood News (WMNN) publication. Each week go to the AFCI news to read more about healthy aging in our communities.
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)
Email Community Connector : melindaremington@yahoo.com
If you have missed reading your neighborhood news that used to be in the Bethel Citizen, then send me your email address and the free subscription will be sent to your mail inbox weekly from WMNN (on Thursdays)
Your same neighbors/writers are now writing for WMNN. They are not limited by column length and can submit numerous photos.
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 socially.
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)
Alexa Echo Dot and Smart Plugs assistive technology to enhance safety in the home
AFCI receives support from Bethel-Gilead-Greenwood-Hanover-Newry-Woodstock
AFCI serves these 6 towns and the residents of Albany and Mason Townships
Board Members: President Julie Hart, Eileen Broderick, Katina Columbotos, Marilyn DiFillipo, Amy George, Moriah McDonough, Charlie Raymond, Charlie Reiss, Brie Weisman, Maryvonne Wheeler, Paula Wheeler
Community Connector: Melinda Remington
Email: melindaremington@yahoo.com
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
Well, the 2026 Andover Olde Home Days has come and gone and the calendar has changed to August.
My friend Amy traveled up from Standish and took in all the events with me last weekend.
Friday evening the weather was absolutely perfect to take in the two music acts, Brad Hooper and James Rice, on the common. Lots of talent between those two gentlemen. In between those performers was the hilarious blueberry pie eating contest. The winner of that contest was Andover native Robin Palmer.
Saturday morning dawned bright and beautiful so we headed up early to get a good parking spot; if you wait they are hard to come by. Coffee and breakfast from Mills Market was first on the agenda, followed by a stroll on the common to check out all the vendors. Then a visit to the photography contest. I had one Honorable Mention on a picture from Ireland that I had entered. There were a lot of beautiful pictures this year. A big thanks to Chad and his crew to keep this tradition going.
Sharon Hutchins was the Parade Marshal this year. The parade entered town a bit after 10 am with Mr. Larry Costa’s assorted military equipment, area fire trucks and ambulances, a few horseback riders, atv’s, political candidates and floats. Quite a few participants were throwing candy much to the children’s delight. I may have snagged a Tootsie Roll or two myself.
We then strolled to the antique, classic, and hot rod car show. That is always a favorite of mine, and judging from the amount of people, it was a favorite of theirs too. The food trucks on and around the common made it very hard to choose what to have for lunch!
We stayed until the prize button drawings were complete, sitting comfortably in the shade with our camping chairs, then it was home to enjoy the ac and cool down.
Here are the winners of the 73rd annual flower show:
SINGLE SPECIMEN:
1st: Patty Flaherty
2nd: Claire Sessions
3rd: Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi
BROAD STRIPES BRIGHT STARS
1st: Sy Littlehale
2nd: Jan Peaslee
3rd: Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi
PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY
1st: Sy Littlehale
2nd: Jan Peaslee
3rd: Jordan Chase
AMBER WAVES OF GRAIN
1st: Sy Littlehale
2nd: Joan Faulkner
3rd: Joan Faulkner
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA
1st: Jeremy Bourque
2nd: Mark Lewis
3rd: Sy Littlehale
BEST IN SHOW
Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi
Judges Award
Sy Littlehale
The society had 11 participants and 25 arrangements, five more arrangements since the 2025 show.
The photography contest winners were: Overall Grand Prize/Best in show was Ice Cream Dog by Dawn Grondin. Most Creative/Unique-Angelo Kaltsos award was Daisies by Dawn Grondin. Top Honorable Mention was Black Blobs by Katie Chambers.
The winners of the floats in the parade were: 1st place Jeff Wardwell with Camping Through the Years and 2nd place was the Ellis Pond Sidekicks with their fun and funny beach themed float...congrats to all!
On Sunday, August 9, 2026 From 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM at the (Frye Cross Over Bridge Roxbury Maine) Roxbury Community Historical Society will be hosting a Bridge renaming / Dedication to “Roxbury / Frye Veterans Memorial Bridge.” The location is the Frye Cross Over Road Roxbury, Maine. Sounds like a wonderful event to attend and remember, just for a moment, those brave veterans and their service to our country.
The Andover Summer Concert Series continues this week with the Cobblestones performing this Friday evening August 7th at 6 pm on the Andover Common. These folks are always a crowd pleaser. Bring a lawn chair, a blanket or even a picnic and enjoy some music in the most beautiful location.
A reminder that the Town Office will be closed on August 10, due to elections at the Town Hall from 2 – 6 p.m. that day. The election is for the empty selectman’s seat.
Try and stay cool in the warm weather that is upon us and send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com
PS I was fortunate enough to meet another Western Maine Neighborhood News columnist Wally Ritz at AOHD. She was there with my friend Tracy’s mom Debbie. So nice to have seen you in person Wally!
Bethel News
Linda Howe
Saturday, August 8, will be a full day of activities in Bethel starting at 7 a.m. with a grand finale of Fireworks at 9 p.m.
The Mason Lodge on Chapman Street is serving a pancake breakfast that starts at 7 a.m. and goes until 10 a.m.
On Main Street the Methodist Church will be having their monthly Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Indoor yard sale and the grills will be out on the front lawn. Lunch will be $6.00 Hot dog, chips and drink. Hamburger, chips and drink for $7.00. Chili dogs, sausage sandwiches, and ice cream are also on the menu. Revenue from the Church sale will go into our building project funds.
Saturday, August 8, is also Molly Ockett Day! There will be a parade coming to Main Street at 10:30 a.m. Up on the Bethel Common starting at 10:30 a.m. you will find vendors and food trucks as well. Going back to tradition from past Molly Ockett Days will be kids’ activities from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dunk tank, face painting, bounce house, hula hoops, frog jumping contest, and 3-legged races are some of the activities taking place on the Common. The evening will hold live music on the Bethel Common with fireworks scheduled to be set off at 9 p.m.
The Bethel Library located on Broad Street will also be holding their annual book sale starting on Friday, August 7, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and also on Saturday, August 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, August 9th is a self-service day at the book sale: pay what you can for any of the books at the sale.
The Bethel Rotary Club will also be holding their yard sale under the tent near the Gem Theater. This sale takes place August 6, 7, 8, and 9 for folks to stop by and check out the items up for sale.
The upcoming weekend will be a busy one in our small town. I hope all the local businesses are ready for the abundance of people who will be in town.
Two events taking place the following week include Neighbors Feeding Neighbors on Tuesday, August 11, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church. Free meal which is open to the public.
The second event is the monthly meeting of the Bethel Seniors Club on Wednesday, August 12, starting at 11 a.m. which will be held at the Square Restaurant in South Paris, ME.
Last weekend Bob and I attended Camp Mechuwana’s Middle/High School Music-theater Camp. The camp is located in Winthrop, Maine, and our great-niece Emilie Kelley was on stage. She has a terrific singing voice and had her first solo in Act 2. The production they put on was Godspell. The show is about a small group of people who help Jesus Christ tell different parables by using a wide variety of games, storytelling techniques and a hefty dose of comic timing. An eclectic blend of songs, ranging in style from pop to vaudeville, is employed as the story of Jesus’ life dances across the stage. Dissolving hauntingly into the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, Jesus’ messages of kindness, tolerance, and love came vibrantly to life! Music theater at Mechuwana has been a tradition for more than 55 years and the number of campers is growing. The show was very professionally done and amazing! These young students learned so much in only six days!
After the morning show we ventured over to Honey Run Campground located in Peru, Maine near Worthley Pond to attend the 85th Fontaine/Prevost Family Reunion. We are up to five generations and it was great seeing young children in attendance. My first cousins still consist of a good number today and it is always great to catch up on an annual basis. My father was so right when he would always tell me, “If you do not go to family reunions, you will never know your first cousins.” There were 40 first cousins so there were lots to meet over the years.
Mother Nature continues to provide in our vegetable gardens. This week I made zucchini relish. On Monday evening I prepared the cut vegetables and placed them in a big bowl.
It sets overnight and the next morning you cook it all up and store in jars. Homemade relish is the best and I enjoy the whole process of making it work. Those huge zucchinis serve a purpose and relishing it is just one way to find use for them.
Folks with news and events are always welcomed to send them to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
Happy August, and an event filled month it will be.
The Rotary yard sale is starting this Thursday through Sunday. There are always many treasures to be found there.
The Saturday Market is on August 8 at the Bethel Methodist Church from 9 a.m. till 1:00 p.m. while the Summer Fest is also happening. Yes, I do call it Summer Fest as I respect and accept the wishes of our fellow Native citizens. The name change hadn’t altered the event rather than the changes made by organizers over the years. Aho.
On Tuesday, August 11, the Neighbors Feeding Neighbors community dinner is from 4:30 till 6:30 p.m. at the Bethel Methodist Church. Bring your appetite and some non-perishable food donations. What a great way to socialize and support our community.
If I am not mistaken, the Bethel Seniors Group will meet on August 12 at the Square in South Paris. Am looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Call me at 207-595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com
Have a great week and keep smiling!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
Quiet week in Gilead.
Our granddaughter, Sidney Chapman, came to visit before she left for New York to get ready for college this upcoming year. She will be working on her Masters.
Gilead Historical Society
This is the second letter that May wrote and sent home to her family. A continuation of last week’s Letter #1
Letter #2
June 15, 1905
My dearest Family,
I can hardly realize that we have been in sunny Italy only five days, so much has been crowded into the time since we left the Prinz Adalbert Tuesday morning. Our rooms are delightful, large, cool, with elegant mahogany furniture, two single beds in each, a tiled floor, and best of all each has a balcony. The view is grand! a good bit of the city just below us, bay of Naples in the middle distance, and the lovely island of Capri in the background; just a little to our left but plainly visible from our balconies is Vesuvius. Just think of it! The wonderful burning mountain in sight from my window. Last night “our view” was wonderfully beautiful because of the moonlight; little sail boats moved slowly across the moonlight path on the bay, and Vesuvius showed a jagged line of fire on its slope. Today the mountain looked as we so often see it pictured; a column of smoke seeming to rise from its summit, but last night it seemed like a long line of fires on the slope. I think we may have had the best part of our trip. I feel certain we can have nothing we shall enjoy more.
The first thing we had to do on Tuesday was to get some Italian money and make arrangements for our trip to Capri etc.
Consequently, we went to the Cook office and the whole thing was arranged in a very short time. First the guide came to the hotel, put us in carriages and we drove to the pier; small row boats to a little steamer which took us down the bay to near Capri, then row boats again to go into the Blue Grotto. The water there is a most beautiful lapis lazuli; I’ve heard of its wonderful blue but never dreamed how beautiful it was. Next the little steamer took us to the port of Capri, and again we had to land in row boats. The boatmen are picturesque like everything and everybody here; they stand to row, wear neither shoes nor stockings and always have some bright color, either a handkerchief tied around their heads or a band on their hats.
Again we boarded the small steamer and this time Sorrento was our goal. We had fine large rooms at the Hotel Syrene, connecting, each had a balcony and we could hear the waves lap the shore at the foot of the staircase which we climbed.
Wednesday [May must mean Thursday] morning we started on our 45 mile drive for Cava. The road is a fine one, built some ten years ago. It winds up and down between vineyards, olive orchards, poppies growing everywhere, poppies growing everywhere among the vines, out of the crannies in the walls and besides the road. Time and again we would see some distant point only to lose it again at the next turn in the road. The road is walled on the side next to the sea. I’ll tell you more about it when I show you my picture postals.
Saturday we went to Pompeii. We had to start very early because there are so few trains. I will not attempt to describe what I saw there, I could not do it. I thought I knew something about Pompeii before but I realize now that I did not. It is wonderful that these excavations can be made and everything shown in such perfect condition.
June 19.
We rested Sunday and I began this letter. That evening Mr. Stark, our St. Louis acquaintance, who seems much interested in Miss Lester, called and took us all for a drive. Think of seeing Naples by moonlight! And so our visit in Naples ends. We have not been on Vesuvius and have seen only one of the 420 churches, but we feel that we have got many lasting impressions of life here, now and what it used to be. Have received letters from Mother, Lily, Frank and Ethel. It did seem so good to hear from you.
Tomorrow night we shall be in Rome.
Much love to you all
May
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
I survived my week of “vacation”—just barely. I’ve been joking that I had to go back to work this week to get some rest, but actually, as most anyone who has ever taken time off from a busy job knows, going back to play catch-up after a vacation can be stressful, and can make one wonder if taking the time off was worth it.
