Western Maine Neighborhood News, February 5, 2026
Hello, Neighbors! How exciting is it that we’ll get to watch Bethel native Frankie Del Duca carry the flag for the U.S.A. in Friday’s opening ceremonies of the Olympics?! Go, Frankie!!
In this issue, the Andover, Bethel, East Bethel, and Gilead columns are free to all readers. Upgrade to a paid subscription to read this week’s Locke’s Mills, Newry, and Woodstock columns.
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
I am very happy to see that this big storm didn’t affect us this past weekend. Not all people would agree with me I’m sure. We are still moving snow around and cleaning roofs here at home and at my dad’s from the last one.
A couple of my friends in North Carolina really got walloped with snow. Their state is not equipped to deal with storms of this nature...one stated that she herself didn’t even own a snow shovel! No doubt they are not really necessary in most of the southern states.
The Hut was busy from start to finish this past Saturday during their lunch from 11-3. The snowmobilers are certainly enjoying all the snow that has recently fallen. They just have had to deal with super frigid temps in order to ride. The Hut will be open again for lunch from 11-3 this Saturday, 205 South Main Street. They also have their 50th anniversary celebration coming up on Saturday March 7th.
The only date in February for the Cabin Fever Reliever at the Andover Congregational Church is on the 21st from 10-2 so mark your calendars now so you don’t miss it. That is the same day as the Roxbury Radar Run being held from 12-5. If you haven’t registered to run I believe it would be just as exciting to be a spectator!
My husband gifted me a wonderful bird feeder for Christmas with a camera in it. I’ve had it set up on my front porch until I can find a more permanent placement. I love seeing the pictures of the variety of birds. I always have out suet for the woodpeckers and black sunflower seeds for all the rest.
We have had a red bellied woodpecker which is a bit rare for this area according to my bird book along with a few hairy woodpeckers. Other birds have been a tufted titmouse, Mr. and Mrs. cardinal, nuthatches, chickadees, bluejays, goldfinches, evening grosbeaks, and mourning doves.
Now that February is here Burke Hill Farm is ready to go with their blueberry deliveries. Believe me...they are delicious! The blueberry van goes to 7 different states. They will be delivering in our area on February 25 to Bethel at the Gem parking lot at 3:00 and in Rumford at the Tractor Supply parking lot at 3:50. Please visit https://www.burkehillfarm.com/orderblueberries for more information and to place an order; you won’t be disappointed.
I hope you are all staying warm and cozy. Please send any news you have my way. diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
There are many events in Bethel for folks to check out.
On Thursday, February 5th starting at 6:30 p.m. Bethel Area Arts & Music (BAAM) is offering a live performance at The Gem Theater located at 48 Cross Street in Bethel. Antonio Rocha’s The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage will be offered through voice, movement, song and mime in which Antonio tells the story of The Malaga, a ship built in Maine in 1832 that become part of the illegal transatlantic slave trade. Told largely from the ship’s perspective, this riveting performance explores history, identity, and the lasting impact of the Middle Passage, with a deeply personal connection to Antonio’s own life. Admission is pay what you can and this performance is open to everyone.
On Tuesday, February 10th is Neighbors Feeding Neighbors from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church dining room. This is a free meal where folks bring food to share with others in our Community. Open to all so come and enjoy a hot meal with other members of your Community.
The Bethel Senior Citizen Club will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 11th starting at 11 a.m. at the Methodist Church dining room. There will be a meeting prior to the luncheon meal. Guest speakers for this meeting will be Marc and Mary Ellen Montplaisir, who will present information on Chris’s Haven of Hope, which is a newly open Sober House located in Bryant Pond. Having a resource such as a Sober House is extremely beneficial for our Community. Helping others to stay on the road of recovery is awesome for many different reasons. It will be interesting to learn how this all got started and what it takes to keep this necessary Sober House up and running for others. There is good work all around us and it is important for us to take notice of this needed facility to help others.
The guest speaker for the March Bethel Senior Citizen Club meeting will be Amy Wight Chapman, who will speak about her recent book, Just Like Glass. Many locals will have a strong connection to this story.
At the April meeting will be a presentation about the North Star Program which is a mentoring program for Telstar students. Looking forward to hearing how this program is reaching Telstar students and making a difference in their lives.
The May Senior meeting will feature Rebecca Fraser Douglass who will speak about the benefits of sound healing and how it helps with folks who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This should be beneficial information for Seniors. The Bethel Senior Citizen Club meets the second Wednesday of the month at the Methodist Church and is open to all Seniors in our local areas.
Also on Wednesday, February 11th is an informational presentation on the benefits of sound healing. Certified Sound Healer Rebecca Fraser Douglass will offer this program on February 11th starting at 6 p.m. in the Community Annex. This is open to all who would like to learn about sound frequency. The science behind it is fascinating.
Friday the 13th there will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at the West Parish Congregational Church from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., 32 Church Street., Bethel. Consider donating blood to save another person’s life. Register with the American Red Cross.
Another event taking place at the Congregational Church on Thursday, March 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is a free wellness program sponsored by “To Your Health”. Caring for your heart will be the topic presented by Dr. Daniel van Buren. Dr. van Buren will explore how diet, exercise, lifestyle, hereditary factors, preventative care, routine screening and other factors may contribute to your heart health. There will also be a question and answer period following the presentation.
Pilates classes are going strong in the Community Annex at the Methodist Church. Pilates instructor Lauren Wallin is now offering a Tuesday afternoon class. Chair Pilates on Monday and Thursday mornings starting at 10 a.m. is a favorite for Seniors who are looking to improve their posture and strengthen their muscles. Self-care is important as we age and work at keeping our bodies healthy.
Valentine’s Day is on Saturday, February 14th, and there will be a Valentine’s Tea at the Methodist Church from 1 to 3 p.m. Please stop to say hello and have a cup of tea or coffee and enjoy pleasant conversations with our many neighbors from different towns.
Please send news events and items to this digital column at lhowe7273@gmail.
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
Hello February!!! We have made it through the brutal cold of January, so this short month, bringing us so much closer to spring, is refreshing. Seed catalogs should be arriving soon for the gardeners among us. Though I can’t have a vegetable garden, I do enjoy seeing what’s new out there in both the flower and vegetable world.
I need to apologize to Neil Olson for being one day off on his birthday. Made the same mistake with my cousin, who shares a mutual birthday with Neil.
Some of you may recall how years back we did the mock elections for East Bethel and Neil was voted the governor? Well, one of his daughters crowned him a Viking king for his birthday on Facebook this year. It made me think about how much fun we had with those mock elections…should we do it again this summer? Call or text me at 595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Bettyann Hastings is celebrating her birthday on February 8th. Happy Birthday from the whole neighborhood, Bettyann.
Todd Malley’s birthday is on February 5. Happy Birthday from the whole neighborhood, Todd.
The next Neighbors feeding Neighbors Community Dinner will be on February 10th from 4:30 till 6:30 at the Bethel Methodist Church. Besides a free dinner this event does so much for the community by donations of food and money for the Food Pantry. It’s a joy to watch folks socializing and kids playing the whole time. Come and join us, please.
The Bethel Seniors Group will meet February 11th from 11:00 to 1:00 at the Bethel Methodist Church. It’s another great opportunity to socialize with friends and neighbors.
Stay warm and have a great week.
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
I was certainly pleased that the big storm that was lurking offshore last Sunday decided to bypass us. Sunday was cold but bright and beautiful with sunshine and blue sky. The temperature hovered in the teens throughout the morning.
There were a few days that the wind was really blowing the snow from the last storm around. Hugh had to get out the snowblower to get rid of some of the drifts in the pathways. My brother, Steve McLain, has a driveway that is mostly open at the end and drifts in quite a bit, so he was dealing with that, too.
I spoke to Judy Bishop from Yarmouth the other day. She had a chance to catch up with Phil House. She got to hear him play one of her favorite pieces on the organ, “There is a Balm in Gilead.” The following is a few lines from the lyrics-
“There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul
Sometimes I feel discouraged
And deep I feel the pain
In prayers the holy spirit
Revives my soul again”
I try to update the visitors at the birdfeeder each week. The only excitement until Sunday was the Red-bellied Woodpecker stopped by for lunch. On Sunday, the Hawk showed up. The little birds like the Chickadees seem to pay no attention to him other than the occasional sideways glance. The bigger birds like the Blue Jays are much more wary and try to hide out in the nearby bushes. Not sure if the hawk had any luck but he disappeared and the birds returned for their breakfast.
We received word that on January 31st our granddaughter, Sidney Chapman, participated in a Track and Field event for Franklin Pierce University. The team broke the University’s record for the women’s 4x200m relay.
Gilead Historical Society
Pete and Claudia Risbara donated a 1913 Grand Trunk Railway System Time Table that they found in their house. They own the former Ed and Maude Gillander house and Ed worked for the railroad for many years. The chart gives information on westbound and eastbound trains such as the names of the crew, the train and engine numbers and the names of the towns on the route. A few years ago, they graciously donated a conductor’s hat that belonged to Ed. The hat is on display in the 1851 Railroad Station, and the chart will join it when the buildings are opened this summer.
Historical Note: Photos from the Collection of Emeline V. Heath. Currently in the GHS archives.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
I was so excited to hear that Bethel’s very own Olympic bobsledder, Frankie Del Duca, will carry the flag for the U.S.A. in Friday’s Opening Ceremonies, alongside long track speedskater Erin Jackson. Frankie graduated from Telstar in 2009 with my son, Will, and, in addition to being an incredibly talented athlete, he’s always been one of the most all-around nice kids you could ever hope to meet. (And I know I probably shouldn’t call him a kid, but they’ll always be kids to me.)
The Gem Theater will be hosting a free event on Friday from 8-10 p.m., showing the Opening Ceremony on the big screen. Go Frankie!
