Hi, Neighbors! In this week’s Western Maine Neighborhood News, the Locke’s Mills, Newry, and Woodstock 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 Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, and Gilead columns (and all the town columns every week).
Last Saturday’s Molly Ockett Day parade was an impressive one, featuring two bands, several very clever floats, and numerous tractors and antique cars.
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
Hello Folks,
It has been such a busy summer! Acting as your AFCI Community Connector I attend many community-wide events and small group gatherings. Sometimes I might visit one individual at a time. One of my missions is to become more aware of how local older citizens are faring and offer information and access to beneficial programs and services. I learn about many age-related concerns and supports by attending zoom meetings that feature agency specialists in many fields. These, along with Lifelong Maine publications and on-line courses, are very informative and provide answers to many questions you and I have. Besides this weekly column, the monthly “Events of Interest” handout (includes 2 back pages about AFCI services and contact info), the AFCI website, and Facebook are the main places to keep you informed. I do hope you use these to stay up to date.
While I love this area and would not trade it for any other place it is almost always beneficial to visit other places—a chance to move out of our comfort zones and see how others live and think. Often referred to as “culture.” My husband and I moved back to his hometown of Bethel in 1974 to raise our children. And what a wonderful place for a young family to find a great supportive community in which to thrive. As much as I love it here, I am always open to getting away.
Recently I was offered an unexpected opportunity to go with friends to Monhegan Island for a few days. The one hour ferry ride out of Port Clyde was the first step to relaxing; the briny sea air, cries of seagulls, vista of sea, sky, and islands transported us to a slower rhythm.
What a joy to spend time with friends, visiting art galleries, walking the woods and shoreline, eating fresh fish at the “Fish Shack,” preparing and sharing meals together, laughing and playing cards at night.
Not to mention the back deck of the rented old farmhouse where we sat to watch many birds across a wide expanse of meadow, the lighthouse sitting high on a hill. From the front we had a view of a small sand beach, boats bobbing on the water, and a near island.
This little rejuvenating get-away was just what I needed!
I would love to hear about any experiences you have had this summer that provided an enjoyable change of scene for you. A day out, visits with friends, a new place you discovered.
You can email me your responses and photos at melindaremington@yahoo.com or text me at 727-742-7575.
Enjoy these lovely August days,
Melinda Remington
Newry News
Amy Henley
The hot humid weather has continued although the cool mornings are a nice relief.
No baking again this past weekend as it was too humid and I didn’t want to make the house any worse than it already was. I did, however, process more beets and put up eight jars of pickled beets. The electric pressure canner that you can also water bath in has been amazing. I did learn that I should not run that and the Instant Pot at the same time as it will trip the breaker. Old houses always have quirks and ours is too much on the kitchen breaker.
Green beans have finally come in after their haircut from Betty the hen. I also used the Instant Pot to briefly cook those and they went in the freezer as well. Cucumbers are plentiful but it is kind of a hunt as the squash that is growing next to it has taken over and they are hard to locate. We’ll rethink our garden layout next year to try to avoid this.
Less than two weeks and school begins again. It sure has gone fast. The School Board has started up again after taking July off.
The Comprehensive Plan Committee met on Monday to review the Farming and Agriculture chapters. They will meet next in October and review Natural Resources. One of the things discussed was landscapes and views that we would like to remain as is such as fields. So I’m including a picture of one of my favorite views, my backyard looking up towards my farm. Many stop to take pictures from Route 26 but don’t get the chance to see it from the other direction.
The Household Hazardous Waste Event is taking place on Saturday, August 29, from 9am-12pm at Bethel Public Works, 39 Davis Road in Bethel. Check the town’s website for acceptable items.
The Planning Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, at 6pm has been cancelled and they will meet next on Wednesday, September 2, at 6pm. If you are interested in becoming an Alternate, please contact the Town Office for more details.
The Select Board meets next on Tuesday, August 18, at 4:30pm. The agenda will be posted on the town’s website.
That’s all for this week. If you have news to add, please email me at newrynews24@gmail.com and I’ll add it to next week’s news.
Woodstock News
Linda Stowell
I want to turn the calendar back to July! It’s crazy how we are now in mid-August! I just know that time is going by way too quickly for my liking.
I remember, as a child, how summers seemed to go on and on, with all those days to swim, bike, read, and do all the things that kids do (or did!).
I was fairly young when my parents acquired a lot on Lake Christopher. I do remember that summers were when the camp was built, many years in the process. I can remember when the posts for camp were put in, then the two by fours, and the walls, etc. For many years we had an outhouse. Getting power was a big step, and a bathroom inside was another big improvement.
I think we always had a phone, and even though the camp is in Greenwood, the telephone exchange has always been Bryant Pond. We had a wall phone until it was stolen one year.
Anyway, camp (the camp name is officially Hathaway’s Hideaway), has been the scene of many, events, including a wedding. Lobster feeds of many years ago, and so many grilled meals. It’s the favorite place of several family members, and with good reason. So many improvements have been made, like a metal roof, new septic and leach field, the building of a fancy path and stairway to the lake, new windows, and other things. We’ve gone from an Ashley woodstove and Franklin fireplace, to a real working furnace!! The women of the family did a purge at camp last fall, and got rid of lots of stuff! There is a puzzle table which usually has a work in progress. There is TV, though it’s not used regularly. Wifi makes it convenient if anyone should have to do any work from camp.
This month is seeing a revolving door of family members who are enjoying these gorgeous days. My niece Brenda, and husband Marc, are there currently. I got in a great floating afternoon last week, on one of those wicked hot days. Being in and on the water is a great way to beat the heat, and we also get lots of visiting done.
While in the water, we saw a motor boat heading directly toward us. As we waited it for it to change course, I could then see who was in the boat! Walt and Sue Staples, along with Dave, stopped by and offered a ride around the lake. Brenda and I hopped in and off we went. We passed one adult and one young loon along the way. At the far end of the lake we idled for a few minutes to watch a camper use a zipline. The reward was a landing in the lake! The Staples know every place on the lake—or close to it!—and I love their commentary as we go by each dwelling. Many camps have been converted into year round homes. There is a lot of history in Bryant Pond, and it used to be quite a happening town.
It’s a very busy weekend ahead! Read about all the events below.
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
Last week’s Greenwood Historical Society program was a lot of fun, and drew a great crowd. It featured a panel of five “older folks” who all grew up in Greenwood—siblings Ray, Steve, and Karen Hakala, who grew up in Greenwood City; and Jim Bennett and Butch Fuller, who grew up in Locke’s Mills. It was fun to hear the similarities and differences between life in “the city” and life in “the village.”
The next GHS program will be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 7 p.m. and will feature the history of the Howe Hill neighborhood. Howe Hill is the third book in the series based on Blaine Mills’ research of the history of Greenwood’s many neighborhoods. It is currently at the printer and should be here in time for the program.
Here are some other upcoming programs and events (starting with a fun one this afternoon):
Thursday, August 13, at 1:00 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Twitchell Education Building: Rug Braiding with Karen Bean and Lida Iles. This program is part of the annual Mill Brook Craft Series and is free and open to the public.
Friday, August 14, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the West Bethel Makerspace, 10 Ferry Road, Bethel: Community Mending Group monthly meeting. From the organizers: “Join us drop-in style. Yes, we’re starting earlier than usual, and yes, at the West Bethel Makerspace! Altering our usual “Feature Focus” (one specific topic and/or skill) format just a bit, we’re suggesting several possibilities of what to bring to work on. Any furniture needing repair? There will be expertise along with different glues, sanders, veneer, clamps etc. Or maybe there’s a small appliance sitting dormant in your closet. With the range of skills circulating, it could be revived! Or…get it done with 3d printing, perfect for small missing plastic parts that are holding up progress. We are thrilled with all the opportunities the Makerspace presents! The Makerspace team has created a fantastic working environment, and they look forward to making new connections that support our community. As always, rally up a friend, and a few dollars to put into the donation box so that our group can continue to grow and thrive.”
Saturday, August 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Paris Historical Society, 221 Main Street in West Paris: Indoor Yard Sale. Items include books, home decor, dishes, tools, games, and other treasures! Proceeds benefit the West Paris Historical Society. Parking available behind the West Paris Library.
Saturday, August 15, at 2 p.m. at the Locke’s Mills Legion Hall, 595 Gore Road: Silent Auction to benefit “Sunshine for Sugarsnap,” raising funds for Michelle “Sugarsnap” Roberts’ fight to save her leg through a rare two-stage joint reconstruction surgery. From Harry Orcutt, Commander of American Legion Jackson Silver Post 68 in Locke’s Mills: “In a continuing community outreach program, the Executive Committee of American Legion Jackson Silver Post 68 is providing their spacious facility to help her raise funds with a Silent Auction. Donations of items for the auction are being sought; a donation jar will be available at the event. Free admission and parking. We are trying to get the word out, to make this effort as successful as possible.”
Please see the flyer below for additional information and more ways to help.
Saturday, August 15, at 6:30 p.m. at the West Paris Library: I’ll be reading from and discussing my family memoir. Published by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, Just Like Glass is the story of an indomitable family and how a strong matriarch, the stillness of a small pond in western Maine, and one unexpected addition set them on a path to healing from tragedy and redefining themselves as a family unit.
Thursday, August 20, at 1:00 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Twitchell Education Building: The annual Mill Brook Craft Series continues with Mending Clothes with Sophie Drew. Learn mending techniques for common types of damage, and if you have a clothing item you’d like to repair, bring it along! All programs in the series are free and open to the public.
Thursday, August 27, at 1:00 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Twitchell Education Building: Charcoal Drawing with Sara Hemeon, the final program in this year’s Mill Brook Craft Series. 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, and the program is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, September 2, at 7:00 p.m. at the Locke’s Mills Legion Hall on the Gore Road: Greenwood Historical Society program featuring the history of the Howe Hill neighborhood.
Thursday, September 3, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Mason House, 10 Broad Street, Bethel: Annual potluck supper and meeting, featuring “Meet John Adams: A Lively and Revolutionary Conversation with America’s Second President,” with George Baker. Potluck supper at 5:30, followed by the program.
Saturday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the former UU Church on Grove Street in Bryant Pond: Jane Chandler will share the recent history of Buck’s Ledge for the Woodstock Historical Society. The slide show will depict the people who helped to make Buck’s Ledge Community Forest a reality, forever preserved for the public.
Lena turned six months old on August 6, which would seem hard to believe if she hadn’t grown so big! She weighed about eight pounds when we brought her home four months ago; now she tips the scales at about 50 pounds. And she’s a beautiful girl!
Between last Friday and Monday, she had three play dates in four days, two with her bestie, Puck, and one with Maybelle, a sweet mixed breed pup who visited camp with her people, Jack and Caryl Beth, on Sunday.
This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
It is hard to believe that August is going by fast. The Back to School sales are in full swing, but they started just shortly after the school year ended.
Route 113 through Evans Notch has not been kind to motorcycles this year. There was one involving a motorcycle a while back and then another this past Friday. There was also a two vehicle accident last month.
Hugh and I celebrated our 60th anniversary recently. We had a party at the end of June because we could get everyone together. The actual date was last week on August 6th. We received a beautiful card and note from Judy Bishop from Yarmouth. Also, another card arrived at the same time from one of my favorite “Judy Bishop friends,” Phil House. It was very thoughtful of him to acknowledge our 60 years together. Thanks to both Judy and Phil.
