Western Maine Neighborhood News, February 19, 2026
Hi, Neighbors! 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.
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
Sunday morning looked bright and beautiful. At least, it did when looking out the window. The sun was shining and the sky was a beautiful blue. The thermometer registered 28 degrees at 10:00AM.
Happy Birthday wishes to our son, Chris Chapman, on February 21st. Happy Belated Birthday to Mike Stowell.
We still have plenty of Blue Jays, small birds and squirrels at the feeder. The Hawk shows up every few days to check things out. The little birds still do not mind his presence but the other ones head for cover.
Our granddaughter, Sidney Chapman, called and chatted with us last Saturday. She has another big track meet coming up this next weekend. This is her last semester at Franklin Pierce University and graduation is in May.
Our granddog, Chloe, spent last Friday night with us. Sadly, it was for the last time. Tim and Michele picked her up Saturday afternoon and she passed away at home that evening. She had 16 wonderful years with many, many people who loved her.
Gilead Historical Society
Sharon Leighton stopped by last Saturday to drop off a book that her husband, Alfred Leighton, wanted to donate to the GHS. Alfred worked for the railroad for about forty years. The book is called Standard Practice Circulars. It will become part of the display in the station this summer. Many thanks to Alfred for the book and to Sharon for dropping it off and staying to visit for a while.
Historical Note: Photos from the Collection of Millie McLain. Currently in the GHS Archives.
Elmer “Bo” Bean, Sr. was a local character from Gilead’s past. He and his wife, Bessie, ran a small store on Route 2 in Gilead. The US Post Office was located in the back of the store. One of Bo’s jobs was to hang up the mail bag for the train to pick up as it went through and to get the mail it left off.
A little background on the process is as follows:
“A railway mail catcher pouch was hung on a trackside “mail crane” to be snagged by a passing train without stopping, a method known as “mail on the fly.” The specialized, durable canvas bag was attached to the crane, and a clerk on the train used a metal catcher arm to retrieve it while simultaneously throwing off incoming mail.
The Process: The mail pouch, often tied in the middle to form an hourglass shape, was hung by top and bottom metal rings on the station crane.
The Pickup: As the train passed at high speed, a postal clerk inside the Railway Post Office (RPO) car would extend a steel catcher arm to snatch the pouch.
Safety & Design: The bags had to be tough to withstand the force and were limited to roughly 50 pounds. If the crane was not properly positioned or the bag hung incorrectly, the pickup could fail, sometimes resulting in the mail being destroyed by the train wheels.
Purpose: This system allowed fast, non-stop mail service to smaller towns that the train did not stop at, keeping the mail moving efficiently.
This method was phased out as train speeds increased, diesel locomotives allowed for easier stopping, and highway transport improved.”
The building is no longer there but it was located across from the entrance to Bridge Street. I remember spending time at the store as a child and picking up our mail from the box and buying the occasional popsicle or comic book.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
I attended the “Raise the Roof” get together at the Methodist Church where much of the discussion centered on the need for more fundraising and/or better ways to accomplish the goals.
I ask all of you to take a moment to think about how much the Methodist Church is involved in various community events. We have become so accustomed to it just being there. Neighbors feeding Neighbors, Bethel Seniors Group, Soup’s On, yoga classes etc. all call the Church their home.
In the Summer it’s also the place for local artists to show and sell their wares and their indoor yard sale.
Yet, the Church is struggling with funding for all the needed repairs whilst fulfilling our need for community. Let’s all be more mindful when we attend events there and show our support. We need to protect this precious gift of a safe space for events, gatherings and yes, worship, as this Church satisfies all the various needs of the community.
Call me at 595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com
Have a great week!
Bethel News
Linda Howe
There will be an Ecumenical Lenten lunch on Wednesday, February 25th, from noon to 1 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church located on Church Street in Bethel. This is a free luncheon which is open to all folks in our communities. Lent is a time for repentance, self-examination and spiritual renewal. It is a time to prepare believers for the joy of Easter which is on April 5th.
On February 25th there will also be a Community Meal at the Bethel Alliance Church located across from Telstar High School from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The menu will be meatloaf, rice, vegetables and desserts. This is a free meal open to all.
If you like to dance or listen to live music, the Legion Hall on the Gore Road in Greenwood is the place to enjoy an evening of entertainment. Local musicians, The Fossils, will be playing from 6 pm. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 28th. Live music played by our own local, talented musicians is always a hit!
This past Monday was a treat! Bob and I took a drive to Reid State Park in Georgetown and got to walk in the beach sand, smell the salt air and see the waves going out to low tide. It was a beautiful day and being at the ocean is always a treat. It made an ordinary day very special.
My first visit to Reid State Park was back in the late 60’s with my Uncle Paul and family. Over the decades we always brought our family and did a lot of summer camping near the park. Maine is unique because we have the mountains and the ocean. It truly is a vacation land!
This digital column always welcomes news and events which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
The warmer temps the past few days have been most welcome. It’s crazy when anything above freezing seems like a balmy day. I let my flock of hens out for a bit to stretch their wings. They seemed to enjoy scratching around the yard in the warm sun for a bit.
The school kids and staff alike have had a very enjoyable week off. At the moment I am awaiting a visit from my friend Amy from Standish who is on her school break.
I have been told that there was an amazing turnout at the 47th annual Ice Fishing Derby last weekend. First prize for brook trout went to Todd Mckellick, 18.5 inches and 2.14 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Piper Landscaping. First place in bass was John Hubacz, 21.25 inches and 4.11 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Operation Outdoors Reboot. First place in crappie was Doug Brown, 12.25 inches and 0.15 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Badlands Outfitter.
First place in pickerel was Ella Waugh, 22.5 inches and 2.15 pounds/ounces, sponsored by A. Chartier Logging and Trucking. First place for white perch was Nathan Ventura, 13.75 inches and 1.04 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Nick’s Skidsteer and Land Service. First place for yellow perch was Andrew Skrzypek, 10.0 inches and 0.07 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Coos Canyon Campground.
First place for hornpout was Andrew Skrzypek, 12.75 inches and 1.01 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Knotty Moose Tavern. First place for sunfish was Jill Patenaude, 7.25 inches and 0.04 pounds/ounces sponsored by Blue Moose Farm. First place for fallfish was Robert Worthly, 13.75 inches and 1.00 pounds/ounces, sponsored by Kale’s Snack Shack. First place for the kids category with a pickerel was Ella Waugh. It was a beautiful day out on the pond for all the anglers.
The Roxbury Radar Run is going to be held this weekend, Saturday the 21st, from 12-5. The Slippery Sliders Snowmobile Club will be providing concessions so please come hungry and support the club. I won’t be in attendance, but I look forward to hearing all about it. I’m hoping that there will be some videos posted. It should be a very exciting event.
I know that the town of Andover has been very busy with snowmobilers. Any time I drive by Grimaldi Field there are always multiple trailers parked, meaning folks are out and about enjoying the trails.
Here is a reminder that the Cabin Fever Reliever will be taking place at the CEB building this Saturday, the 21st from 10-2. Bring any craft you would like to work on and a snack. Coffee and tea are provided.
And now let’s look forward to those warmer spring and summer days. The Ellis River Riders has put out their show dates for 2026. The season starts on May 23rd with a spring fling show and then on May 30th with a driving game show.
There will be 3 shows in June and then 2 shows each month up until October. Spectators are always welcome and there’s seating, picnic tables under the pavilion, and FOOD! You can always check out the website for more info ellisriverriders.com
Andover is a perfect place for horse lovers and riders with the abundance of trails. I am lucky to live between the Ellis River Riders show grounds and Memory Lane Vacations, where Deb caters to all the wonderful horse people that frequent our town. Lone Mountain Campground also welcomes campers with horses to stay at their beautiful riverfront campground.
I have a feeling that I am not the only one looking forward to winter coming to an end, though it really hasn’t been a terrible one, having warmer temps, longer evenings and hearing those peepers will be most welcome. We still have a couple months left to go so let’s all hope for the best!
If you have any news to share please send it my way diananadeau@ymail.com
Woodstock News
Linda Stowell
February is going at a pretty fast clip, and in just a couple of weeks we change the clocks! I’ve noticed a big difference in heating the house when the outside temps are in the 30’s, and the wind isn’t blowing! I don’t have a lot of wood left, though a small pile remains outside, undercover.
The birds have been voracious lately. A large flock of goldfinches are regulars, along with the usuals: chickadees, nuthatches, titmice, blue jays, cardinals, and purple finches. In another month, the red-winged blackbirds should be arriving.
