Western Maine Neighborhood News, June 25, 2026
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
The second annual craft fair held at Lone Mountain Campground last weekend went great despite the rainy and windy weather. Be looking for it to come back next year bigger and better, if that is even possible. The two new cabin rentals are being built right now and are coming right along. The campground has a wonderful store quite nicely stocked with just about everything you would need. When I visited my friend Missy I went in to register as a visitor and noticed that they have a variety of Dan-O’s spices. I absolutely love those so I need to make a return trip to stock up. Yum Yum Get Ya Some!
I hope all the wonderful dads had a great Father’s Day. Bob and I hosted my dad, our sons Brandon and Hunter, and also Hunter’s girlfriend Amanda. Burgers on the grill and homemade French fries were on the menu along with cobbler from The Southern Spoon in Bryant Pond—please check out her Facebook page. Everything is delicious and beautifully made! I purchased a strawberry rhubarb and mixed berry cobblers. They were a perfect way to top off the meal.
The 2026 moose lottery was held last weekend and alas my name wasn’t drawn. I did see a few familiar names on the list however. Good luck and safe hunting to all that were drawn.
I was very lucky to see a doe and her skipper on my trail camera a couple of weeks ago. There have been a few small bucks and a coyote also.
There are some wonderful happenings in town for our young residents and visitors alike. The Andover Volunteer Fire Department along with Jim Adler and the J.L. Adler Carpentry crew have pooled funds and donated time to build an awesome wooden playhouse in the village. It is a work in progress but, when finished, it will be a sight to behold. This is exactly why I love this town, amazing things like this happen here.
Another good thing is once again our Main Street, and other spots around town, are festooned with the American flags thanks to Per Tripp, the Andover Highway Department and other flag crew members. It looks picturesque.
Andover Olde Home Days seems like it will be here before you know it. Let me share a bit of info that I have so far:
Mark your calendars! Andover Olde Home Days kicks off Friday, July 31st, and there is plenty to look forward to right out of the gate. Friday evening on The Common runs 3–9 PM with food trucks, live music from Brad Hooper and James Rice, a local art show, and our first annual pie eating contest — open to all ages, with registration on the a common from 5–6 PM. Raffle buttons and Olde Home Days t-shirts will also be available for purchase on site.
In case you missed it, this year’s grand raffle prize was proudly donated by Clean Cut Painting, which includes two contractors for 10 hours each, plus up to $500 in materials, all put toward a project of your choosing. That’s a real, hands-on value worth $2,500.
Raffle buttons are available now at Mills’ Market, Pete’s Hardware, and Aroma Joe’s in Bethel, with drawings held at 1PM and 2:30PM on August 1 at the Gazebo.
And that’s just Friday. Saturday, August 1, brings another full day of community and fun! The full schedule is coming soon! Thanks go out to Claire for emailing me the info on the 73rd Annual Flower Show being held on Saturday August 1, 2026 at the Andover Historical Society Building. Celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America. Categories
1. Statue of Liberty - Single Specimen, bottles provided by AHS.
2. Broad Stripes Bright Stars - Arrangement in red, white or blue container.
3. Purple Mountains Majesty - Arrangement using wooden container.
4. Amber Waves of Grain - Wildflowers, herbs, grasses.
5. National Parks - Ages 8 – under.
6. Happy Birthday America - Arrangement and container of your choice
Mountain greenery and accessories permitted. Please no artificial flowers. AHS will exercise all care, but cannot be responsible for loss or breakage. Entries need to be received between 5:30 and 7:30 PM Friday, July 31. Judging to follow.
First Place (Blue), Second Place (Red), Third Place (Yellow), Honorable Mention (White), Judge’s Award and Best in Show ribbons will be awarded.
Arrangements available for viewing all day Saturday. Please pick up arrangements Saturday between 3 and 3:30 PM (If possible, no earlier, no later.)
Just a reminder that the Town Office will be closed on Tuesday, June 30, for the Fiscal End of Year close-out.
The Town of Andover has a 1990 International 2554 single axle plow/dump truck, with 137,260 miles, for sale. The truck is being sold AS IS, WHERE IS using the bidding process. The truck sale includes the sander and wing plow but NO front plow. The Select Board has set a $5,000 minimum bid. Any questions about the unit can be directed to Per Tripp, Road Commissioner, at arc@andovermaine.gov or by calling the highway cell phone: 207-392-5063. Please submit bids to selectboard@andovermaine.gov
The Andover Food Pantry is open on Tuesdays and has just changed its hours to 8-10 am. They will be closed this coming Tuesday the 30th for the upcoming 4th of July holiday. This is such a wonderful resource for Andover and the surrounding towns of Upton, Byron, Roxbury and Hanover. Quite a bit of hard work is put in by the many volunteers. They are always looking for extra hands. Please stop by during open hours on a Tuesday if you have any questions about volunteering.
If you have any news or events to share please send them my way diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
There are lots of events happening in Bethel on Saturday, July 4th.
Janet Willie will be holding her Shy, Novice & Closeted Art Show at her home from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the Fourth. Janet lives at 18 High Street, behind the grocery store in Bethel. This is a unique art show with a variety of mediums on display and some for purchase—always an interesting show that will delight many in attendance. This show is open to the public.
The BAAM (Bethel Area Arts & Music) Summer Market will take place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on lower Main Street in Bethel at the Philbrook Place. This is another show and market with local artisans selling their creations. There will be a variety of exhibitors set up and this is a popular annual show that folks like to attend every year.
On the middle of Main Street, you will find the Saturday Market on Main Street at the Methodist Church. There will be a yard sale going on inside the church. The church will also be selling homemade donuts and coffee with a lunch menu of hot dogs, hamburgers and sausage sandwiches. Proceeds raised by the church go into our capital account to help us maintain our historic building. There will also be community members set up on the front lawn who have an assortment of hand crafted items for sale.
The Museums of the Bethel Historical Society, located on Broad Street, will also have a variety of activities for folks to enjoy on the Fourth of July. New this year will be a Fourth of July Parade on Main Street. This has not happened in a long time so it is great that we have a parade to celebrate our Nation’s 250th birthday. Find the full schedule of Fourth of July events online at 250bethel.org . The Fourth of July is turning out to be a busy day in the town of Bethel!
The Bethel Senior Citizen Club will be meeting on Wednesday, July 8, at 11 a.m. This monthly meeting will take place at Morning Glory Farm located at 343 Flat Road in West Bethel. We will also be celebrating America’s 250th birthday which will be a fun meeting for our community’s oldest citizen. New members are always welcome!
There are two local businesses that are now open. The first one is Chapman Brook Farm Stand located on the North Road, at the corner of Daisy Bryant Road. This farm is one of the few farms that is certified by MOFGA as truly 100% organic. They have a self-service stand and folks can pay with cash or Venmo. They are open on Fridays and Saturdays only. This seasonal business is owned by Vernon and Tammy Davis and they can grow some wonderful vegetables!
The second business is also owned by another local person. Dawn Eliot-Johnson has opened up a dog grooming business called Local Barkin’ Spot Salon located at 279 Walkers Mills Road in Bethel, which is across from Telstar by our local Food Pantry building. For services, Dawn offers grooming, cleaning ears, trimming nails, and teeth cleaning. Dawn also raises Dalmatian dogs. For more information or to book an appointment call or text Dawn at 207-381-0122. This is a service that has a great need in our community. Good luck to Dawn in this newest dog grooming business.
This column always welcomes news and events that can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
I hope all the Dads had a nice Father’s Day and were able to spend some quality time.
Saturday was a bit on the windy side which made things difficult for the vendors at the Saturday Market. It is such an enjoyable event each time. I found a really nice cutting board at their indoor yard sale. Many may not realize that there is also always some fresh brewed coffee waiting for visitors.
On Saturday, June 27th, The Fossils will be at the American Legion on 593 Gore Rd from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Come by and kick up those dancing shoes—the Legion has just refinished the dance floor! Refreshments will be served and donations are appreciated to help Legion Post #68. The Fossils will also be playing for the car show at Tyler Concrete and Construction (the old mill in Locke’s Mills) on the Fourth of July.
Here now the answer to the Trivia: The East Bethel Book by Eva Bean was first published in 1959 and the second edition in 1984 after the original copyright was transferred to the Bethel Historical Society.
Call or text me at 207-595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com.
Happy Summer!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
This is the last column for the month of June. It has been a busy month and went by quickly.
Our son and family, Tim, Michele and Sidney Chapman and our Granddog Charlie from Gorham, NH, attended the Community Friends and Family Day on Saturday, June 20th. Our grandson, Ajay Landry and Jenna Edwards from Shelburne, NH, along with our Granddog Ollie, were there also.
My brother, Steve McLain, will be celebrating a birthday this weekend on June 27th. Happy Birthday! Pete and Claudia Risbara celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary last Sunday, June 21st. Happy Anniversary! They are only 5 years behind us.
Gilead Historical Society
There were approximately 40 people who attended the Community Friends and Family Day on June 20th. There were even some Daniels relatives that came from Connecticut. Most of the rest were Maine and New Hampshire. We would have loved to see more Gilead people stop by for a free lunch and meet some of their neighbors. Maybe next time.
There were two new members who signed up. Cynthia Ouillette from South Paris, Maine, and Kerrie Daniels from Gorham, NH. Welcome to GHS.
Everyone had a great time. The celebration is much smaller than years past. We never did have a big celebration like the Gilead Centennial in 1904. We came close at the Bicentennial in 2004. We try to celebrate with the Community Friends and Family Day as close to June 26th as possible.
From Gilead’s Past:
Gilead was incorporated on June 26, 1804. There were noted speakers and a big parade. The following except is from information from newspapers and some McLain writings. Dad is referring to my father, Stephen McLain.
In 1904, the Town of Gilead celebrated its hundredth year as a town. Everybody came out to celebrate. Grandfather took the whole family, and Dad participated in the foot races that were held. Early in the morning the guests began to arrive. The train brought people from both directions into town. Many people came by team from the surrounding towns. The reception committee was kept busy seeing to it that everyone felt that they were among friends.
The exercises in the morning began with the formation of a parade after the arrival of the Portland train at 11 o’clock. President R. D. Hastings was master of ceremonies and acted as Marshal of the Day. He was in uniform and mounted and did honors with military precision. On account of the sparsely settled community, no attempt was made to form a big parade. First in the parade came the Gilead Cornet Band, which was led by Milan Bennett. They were followed by all of the school children of the town. There were some 70-75 in line dressed up in white. The invited guests were next in line, and these were quite numerous. Old residents of the town were there in numbers and marched as proudly as their sons and grandchildren did.
The Indian rangers and cowboys who were led by Possum Jack made up one of the big features of the day. They were all mounted and armed. The march led to Hastings’ Store. A platform was set up there and tables were arranged. After everyone was settled, Chairman Hastings called for order, and a blessing was given by Rev. Mr. Bosworth. Dinner followed this. The large crowd was fed baked beans, cold meats, and many other home-cooked foods. During the meal, the crowd began to reminisce. Old time stories and anecdotes were brought out. It was a full hour before the banquet was over and then another hour of social chat and games followed. The band played fine music and all were merry. In the afternoon a speech was given by President Hastings. Field sports, ball games, wheelbarrow and leg races were numerous and interesting. Many of the people visited the home of Mr. J. W. Bennett. There were 3,000 acres on the Mr. Bennett place. The greater part of the land was wooded. His house was like a museum. There were some old rare linens that were woven by his mother on a hand loam. There was old china, pewter ware and many other objects of interest to be seen there at his house.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
Hello Friends of the Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative.
June is certainly flying by! Recently, the beginning of a poem I had to memorize for my 9th grade (1966) English class popped into my head. “What is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days.” Now this is a long poem by American poet James Russell Lowell so I don’t believe we had to remember all of it, but I am sure we spent days analyzing it!
I am thankful for such an assortment of weather this June. Varying levels of sunshine and temperatures and enough rain that I do not have to hand water my gardens. They seem to be flourishing despite my neglect. Just yesterday I found the time and energy to weed my patio and bordering garden. Yes, even the stone patio is fertile ground for wild strawberries, violets and Big Bad Weeds. I feel very satisfied.
After spending quite a bit of time sitting on an old sheet so I would not have to bend so much I had to resort to the bending and stretching to really do the job properly. I am happy about the results but now must tackle the adjacent “woodland” perennial garden that is extremely overgrown with “Farmers Sunflowers.” If anyone would like some of these extras, please reach out to me. I will have lots to give away. This bright yellow, daisy-like plant likes lots of sunshine, easily spreads, and makes a nice tall hedge in August and September. The birds and bees love them!
As June ends, I want to remind everyone about two music programs you may enjoy. Both are free and open to all ages, from infants to very senior adults. I have attended both and can say they are equally enjoyable. You can sit quietly and listen, or you may feel inspired to get up and dance. On Friday, June 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., the Andover Summer Concert Series will feature Tim Dion with the Acoustapalians. The concert will be held rain or shine at the Andover Common Bandstand. Bring a chair and some friends for a fun evening. If you need dinner, you can order takeout from Mills’ Market. Arrive early because there is usually a line for Italian subs, fried clams, shrimp, chicken dinners, and other tempting foods (French fries and onion rings) that may not be the healthiest but are so hard to resist.
The last Saturday of each month you will find the popular Fossils playing and singing 50’s-90’s music at the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion Hall, 593 Gore Road, Locke Mills/Greenwood. These are local musicians who give of their time and talent to entertain the community. There is no cost but donations to support improvements to the Legion Hall are welcomed. Again, this is very much an intergenerational event where you will see 90-year-olds dancing alongside 5-year-olds. Often you will see groups line-dancing together or just free-spirited individuals displaying their own signature moves. I often hear people remarking how they had not seen their neighbors in a dog’s age; glad for the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and catch up with each other. So, if you like to dance or just “people watch,” please come out.
Another great way to stay physically active while finding peace and mental clarity is to enjoy a short walk or a longer hike. I appreciate both for different reasons. Western Maine Hikes for All Ages is a new effort that is thriving thanks to several dedicated individuals. Some walks are on flat, accessible surfaces for older adults, people using canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, and families with strollers. Sarah Southam and Beth Hodgdon of the Bethel Outing Club greet walkers on the Davis Park Trail on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. I greet people on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the upper parking lot of the new Buck’s Ledge Trail for All. Bev Harris is your greeter at Valentine Farm Trails on Thursdays 1:00-2:00 p.m. Make sure to check out the Habitat for All Garden while there. All walks offer valuable time in nature. At Davis Park, I have seen and heard many songbirds, including my favorite red-winged blackbirds. At Buck’s Ledge, I was recently startled to see a turkey and then a rabbit within the same minute. To learn more about the walks and hikes, please come to a potluck this Friday at 5:00 p.m. in the basement dining hall of West Parish Congregational Church. Sue Radway, who leads a variety of longer hikes, will present. I am sure there will be delightful food and photos to enjoy. Weekly hikes are also posted on the Bethel Outing Club Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/betheloutingclub/
The last social event I must mention is the weekly Thursday Game’s On session 12:00-2:00 p.m. at the Whitman Memorial Library in Bryant Pond. All ages, abilities and cognitive levels are welcome. What a fun time! What started as just a few participants has grown so that we now need three tables to sit around. And an additional table to spread out our shared snacks! All are welcome and I hope to see you there sometime. Bring a friend.
You may want to explore the library’s inviting and fascinating Maine Room. Check out a book or two. Also, inquire about their Monday morning Chair Pilates class.
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at melindaremington@yahoo.com or call and leave a message with your name and phone number at AFCI’s Tel. # 207-824-4444.
Enjoy the last days of June!
Melinda Remington
AFCI Community Connector
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
The Greenwood Roads Committee met with Rob Prue of Pine Tree Engineering on Wednesday to discuss future plans for both the Greenwood Road and Johnny’s Bridge.
A nearly 2.5-mile section of the Greenwood Road, from the Rowe Hill Road intersection to the Howe Hill Road, is in need of major rebuilding, including digging up and removing and replacing at least two feet of underlying material, and as much as four feet in some areas. Due to the high cost involved, the town plans to tackle the project in three phases, and hopes to complete the first phase next year. Mr. Prue will be submitting an engineering plan for the first phase in September, and the committee will meet again on September 16 to review it.
