Western Maine Neighborhood News, June 11, 2026
Hi, Neighbors! This week, everyone 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.
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
Well, summer seems to now be upon us. Telstar High School held their graduation ceremonies last Friday evening, the 5th. Congratulations to the Class of 2026...job well done!
The fifth grade class at Andover Elementary School had their graduation ceremony on June 8th. Best of luck to them all toward their middle school journey.
The Andover Elementary School also had its last student day today (6/9). A perfectly hot day for school to have an early dismissal. Please stay extra vigilant these next few months as the kids will be out and about enjoying their summer break. SAD #44 will be released early this Friday the 12th for their summer vacation. I hope that all my school staff friends savor these beautiful summer months and take time to recuperate!
There are 3 dates in July that AES will be offering some playdates with some fun activities: School may be over for the year but AES is still a family. Come join us for Play Dates this summer! We will be making crafts, gardening, playing in the sprinkler, and baking. All products will be for sale at the AES table at Olde Home Days. All funds raised will support the Homestead Project and the AES After School Program. We welcome all children ages 4 - 12 whether they come to our school or not. Come and be part of the fun! Please register at this link: [https://forms.gle/GMaVTV8BzVGeUrf48]
What a great way to spend a day or two, or three this summer, even for young visitors to our area.
The Lone Mountain Campground is ready for a busy summer season. A-frame cabins #3 and #4 are under construction. They will be ready for rental by Memorial Day of 2027. The campground is holding a T-shirt design contest for America’s 250th Birthday. Deadline is tomorrow June 12th...sorry for the late info! Please see the attached picture for all the details.
The second annual craft fair will be taking place on June 20th with over 20 vendors scheduled along with a food and beverage truck in attendance. Their gorgeous pool is now open and they once again will be offering public swims Monday-Thursday for $10 per person. Please contact the campground for any questions about these upcoming events: (207) 392-0019.
It seems that August is far away, however, the Andover Olde Home Days buttons are now available! You can pick yours up at Mills Market, Pete’s Hardware, and Aroma Joe’s in Bethel, with more locations coming soon. Buttons are just $1 each.
The AOHD committee is thrilled to announce this year’s grand prize, proudly donated by Clean Cut Painting. This is a truly exceptional gift: two professional painters for ten hours of labor each, plus up to $500 in materials covered. Whether you’ve been putting off a room refresh, or you have some trim that needs attention, or a bigger project in mind, this prize puts real skilled hands to work for you. All told, it’s a $2,500 value, and the committee is so very grateful for Clean Cut Painting’s generosity and support of our community. More prizes will be announced soon.
Raffles will be held at 1 PM and 2:30 PM on August 1st at the gazebo. If your number is called, you’ll need to present your winning button in person to claim your prize. These buttons usually get snapped up quite quickly so get yours soon.
I truly love attending the annual AOHD each year. Such a day of community, events, food and fun to take in. You always run into people that you don’t always get a chance to see. The committee works very hard for months to make this day amazing for everyone. Andover is a very special place and I just love that this is my hometown and that I get to reside here, the place where my heart has always called home.
The AOHD Amateur Photography Contest will be taking place again in 2026 thanks to Chad Bishop and crew. It will be held August 1st from 9 AM-1 PM downstairs at the Andover Town Hall. The six categories will be: portrait, landscape, black & white, flowers, birds/animals and the theme of this year’s AOHD, “A River Valley Playground.” There will be two age groups, adult and children, for each category. Limit of three entries per person per category. You cannot use the same photo for multiple categories. You must include your name, age group and category on each entry. Drop-off times are Wednesday, July 29th, 12-3 PM, Thursday, July 30th, 3-6 PM and Friday, July 31st, 10 AM-2 PM...this day is the deadline as judging will take place. No professionals please!
I guess I need to go through some of my Ireland pictures to see if any are worthy of entering. I always try to submit some of my photos each year. I love looking at all the pictures that are submitted; there are really some talented amateur photographers out there. Please take a look through your photographs as well and c’mon up and enter them! Thanks again to Chad for keeping this going. If you have any questions please reach out to him at chadjosephbishop@gmail.com
Keep an eye out for Andover’s own Kate’s Kones to open for the season very soon. Nothing is more refreshing on a warm summer day than a freshly scooped ice cream. Please check the Facebook page Kate’s Kones for updates. Ice cream for supper? Why not!
This Friday, June 12th, the Andover Summer Concert Series continues with the band “Drunk in Public.” It runs from 6-8 PM on the town common, rain or shine. All concerts are free with donations gladly accepted. I regretfully have other plans this weekend or I would be there in my lawn chair listening to the music. Big thanks to Pete Coolidge and his cohorts for bringing us another season of wonderful concerts.
The Andover Public Library, 46 Church Street, will be holding a few events this Saturday, June 13th. From 10 AM-1 PM will be the annual plant sale. There will be seedlings, flowers, perennials and house plants available. There will also be a tag sale taking place during those same hours. The final event of the day will be held from 2-4 PM, an Author Talk with local author Karen Swasey.
I decided to plant a “patio garden” this year. Just one Roma tomato plant and one pickling cucumber plant. They both are in plant pots on the back deck with tomato cages in place; hopefully this will deter my pets from letting their curiosity get the best of them.
My son Brandon gifted me two blueberry bushes for Mother’s Day this year. I’m hoping they will continue to grow and provide some delicious blueberries. I received a rhubarb plant from a neighbor last year and that is doing very well this year. Growing up we had two very large rhubarb patches at home. I remember my sister and I putting some sugar in a Dixie cup and each of us getting a piece of rhubarb to snack on. A dip in the sugar then a bite, a dip in the sugar and a bite and so on. Ahhh, the simple times of childhood. I hope you all have a very good week and as always, please send me any new or events.
Bethel News
Linda Howe
The Bethel Senior Citizen Club held their June meeting and folks met at Kowloon Restaurant. In the summer months we gather at local restaurants to support the local businesses and we take a pause planning the monthly meals. Kowloon’s hospitality was very accommodating for us to meet and also hold a meeting. Thank you Sue and your wonderful staff!
The Club is planning a fall trip. The turkey train is being organized and planned for the month of October. More details will follow.
The Seniors are holding their July 8th meeting at Morning Glory Farm out on the flat road in Bethel. It will be a patriotic themed gathering and everyone is looking forward to visiting one of our local farms. Museums of the Bethel Historical Society Executive Director Will Chapman will tell us about past centennial celebrations in Bethel and special exhibits and programs being held at the historical society this year to commemorate America’s 250th birthday.
This Senior Club, which began in 1962, welcomes Seniors to join its membership. Club dues are $10.00 for the year. All are welcome!
The June gathering for Neighbors Feeding Neighbors was a hit! In recognition of the upcoming Juneteenth federal holiday, Donald Coverdale prepared ribs, fried chicken, and potato salad, which were delicious.
The Bethel Library also provided books which were very helpful educating people on the topic of slavery. This monthly community event is growing and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the food and get to know your neighbors.
This column welcomes news and events that can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
It was nice to see many familiar faces at the Bethel Library Plant Sale. Both my daughter and I found some nice plants again. I keep hoping to see a bay leaf plant again.
Eva and John Coolidge will celebrate their anniversary on June 22. Happy Anniversary from the whole neighborhood, Eva and John.
Those of you who know Jane Hathaway, please wish her a speedy recovery for her most recent hip replacement.
In memory of Stan Howe, here is a trivia question: When were the two editions of the East Bethel Road book published?
This should be an easy one, so call me at 595-0691 or e-mail heinrichcracker@gmail.com I would love to know if folks would like to see the Trivia come back?
Have a great week!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
It has been nice to have a few days of bright sunshine and 80 degrees. The breeze coming in the open windows is refreshing and keeps the house from getting too warm.
Not much to report on the bird population around here. The Catbirds are still around. We know where the nest is but do not know if they have any family yet because we do not want to disturb them. We have been noticing quite a few Swallowtail Butterflies. Claudia Risbara took a picture of a swarm of them when she was taking a walk. The shadows on the ground make it a little hard to see some of them, but thought it was interesting.
Hugh and I took a ride last Tuesday on Rt. 113 up to Hastings Campground. Besides the host, there were only a couple of campsites that were occupied but several had reserved signs on them for the weekend.
There are a couple of trees beside Route 2 across from the town buildings. The Town mows this area to keep things looking nice between Route 2 and the railroad tracks. A branch from one of the trees broke off over the weekend, so Ivan Tilton, who does mowing and repair jobs for the Town, tackled the downed limb and got most of it picked up. Next comes the big branch that broke off.
Town of Gilead
Today is Election Day. It looks like the Town Hall has been fairly busy with several voters coming in to cast their ballot. It is a long day to have to show up early to be there when the polls open at 10:00 AM until they close at 8:00 PM. Then there is still more paperwork after that before they are sealed up and locked in a safe place. Of course, if there is a recount, the ballots will have to be picked up by a secure messenger and taken to the Secretary of State in Augusta. Whenever this has happened in the past, Gilead has always come out with the same number of cast ballots as was originally reported.
Gilead Historical Society
The GHS is getting ready for the annual Community Friends and Family Day. This will be held on June 20th at the Gilead Town Hall. People can start gathering around 11:00 AM and lunch will be at noon. We hope to have a good turnout again this year. Everyone is welcome. Lunch is free, so stop by for a hamburger or hot dog. The desserts and other items will be in the Town Hall. There will be a couple of people who can take your order and bring lunch into the hall if walking back and forth is a problem.
Pete and Claudia Risbara have been busy moving the plants from Diane ‘Dupont’ Bean’s Memorial Garden from the location behind the school to in front of the school between the steps by the flagpole.
After a while the plants will spread and fill in the area. The garden will be more noticeable as a focal point in the new location. The plaque is attached to the school.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
Hello Folks.
This week I would like to thank Mariann Goff of East Bethel for her many years of service to the Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative. In her volunteer roles as an AFCI Board member, a Driver, and Rides Coordinator she has dedicated herself to the well-being of our older citizens. You may know her through her active community involvement in the Bethel Rotary Club and WMSC Senior Players. She is the one that plays her characters so well and makes us all laugh out loud! She is certainly a local treasure, and we will miss her as she retires from serving as a Rides Coordinator.
You may have questions about the Neighbor2Neighbor Rides Program
People age 60+ can have free rides to neighboring towns such as: South Paris/Norway, Rumford/Mexico, and Gorham/Berlin, NH. Or they may request rides around the Bethel area and other places within a 30-mile radius.
Volunteer drivers can take you to a variety of places: medical appointments, stores, social events and engagements.
The steps to follow are:
1.If you are a first-time rider, you must first call the AFCI 824-4444 number and leave a name, phone number and message. Someone will call you back and provide an application.
2. At least 3 days before your ride is needed, call the 824-4444 number to leave your name, telephone number, and message requesting the ride. Someone will return your call.
All Rides are free and every effort will be made to fulfil your request. While priority is given to medical appointments, please note that no rides are guaranteed.
We need more volunteer Drivers and Rides Coordinators. Please spread the word to friends and family—this is a rewarding way to serve the community and get to know neighbors. If interested, call 824-4444.
Western Maine Weekly Hikes for All Ages
Hello—A look ahead to next week’s hiking calendar. It’s a busy time of year and greeters may also have other plans. Reach out to others at the trailhead to gather the group. This week at Buck’s Ledge our outreach had us, including visitors from York. They were visiting for the first time, as part of Downeast Magazine’s summer Great Maine Scavenger Hunt, featuring 28 excursions to explore across the state. Buck’s Ledge is one of this year’s excursions. The list changes every year; click this link to learn more: The Great Maine Scavenger Hunt | Down East Magazine
Happy hiking and exploring.
Sue Radway
Woodstock News
Linda Stowell
Here’s to the last week of school! I sure do remember those days. Graduation week went very well. I enjoyed seeing the seniors and trying to figure out who everyone was. There were several students I had never had, since they moved into the district later. Some seniors received an incredible amount of scholarships. It was a packed house at graduation, which lasted no more than an hour. I make a point of parking behind the school, so that I can exit through the back doors and get out quickly!
