Western Maine Neighborhood News, March 26, 2026
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Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
How are you liking spring so far? Me, not so much. It’s been a tough winter in many ways, and I am more than ready for bare ground and warmer weather. Even mud seems preferable to more snow at this time of year.
My three crow friends are still coming by for breakfast most mornings. The three of them seem to get along just fine, but when a fourth crow tried to join them on Sunday, there was a bit of a squabble. Maybe I’m not the only one who felt cranky when I saw the snow. (Here’s my first attempt at embedding a short video in my column!)
Here are some events happening in the next few weeks to help chase away the late winter (or mud season) blues:
Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. at the Norway Memorial Library, 258 Main Street, Norway: Book discussion of Angelica: For Love and Country in a Time of Revolution, by Molly Beer. This is one in a series of book discussions that are part of the special programming developed for 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country. The next book in the series, My Dear Hamilton: A Novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, will be discussed at the Rumford Library on Saturday, May 9, at 2 p.m. For a complete list of events, visit 250bethel.org
Sunday, March 29, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Sunday morning service, “A Noble Life,” led by guest speaker Marilyn Hammond, who writes, “Along with the traditional Luke account of Palm Sunday and a lighter look at the ancestry of Jesus, I want to change the focus from the death of Jesus to the life of Jesus, from the divinity of Jesus to his humanity.”
Sunday, April 5, at 9 a.m. at the First Universalist Church in West Paris: Easter Sunday Service, led by Pastor Linda Couture and the worship service committee.
Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Meditation and Music,” a unique, interactive health/wellness program presented by To Your Health. Mindfulness meditation practitioner Will Chapman will discuss the benefits of meditation, lead the group in a short, guided practice, and take questions from the audience. Then, the Oxford Hills Ukulele Group (OHUG), led by Lynette and Ray Seames, will perform their favorite tunes and lead the audience in a singalong. To Your Health, in collaboration with Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and MSAD #44 Adult Education, provides free health education and wellness programs to the Bethel area communities.
Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, from 12 to 5 p.m.: Third Annual Spring Fling at the Bethel Library. Here are the details:
Saturday, May 2, in several area towns: Green-Up Day, annual roadside clean-up. Greenwood volunteers will meet at the Legion/Town Office parking lot for road assignments at 9 a.m. Trash bags and disposable gloves are provided. If you choose to do clean-up on Greenwood roads prior to May 2, please email Lynn Cobb (cobblynn12@gmail.com) or let the town office know, so they will know which sections have already been completed before making road assignments.
It’s been a month now since we lost Eli the Wonder Pup, and every day I’m still reminded of what a wonderful companion he was, and how much I miss him. One of the hardest things for me to get used to has been hiking without him. Even though he didn’t go along on all of my hikes, now that I know he’ll never be with me on the trails again, I admit that I’m having trouble recapturing the joy hiking has always brought me.
I actually haven’t hiked in over two weeks now. Except for the first few weeks after each of my knee surgeries last year, it’s probably the longest I’ve gone without a hike in several years. Don’t worry, I haven’t broken my ridiculous exercise streak, which is approaching 14 years without a missed day—I’ve been using the exercise bike and the “dreadmill” on bad-weather days, moving firewood and shoveling snow as winter hangs on tenaciously, and enjoying some wonderful “mental health walk-and-talks” with my friend Pat—but I do want to get back to hiking soon.
Maybe I need to take a drive and hike somewhere different, on a trail I’ve never done before…one that, unlike all my favorite local trails, isn’t filled with memories of our good, good boy.
I do have some very happy canine companion news, though. After I realized that it was possible that the only thing that was going to stop me from crying every time I saw someone with a dog was to make room in my heart for another dog of our own, Will and I started looking around.
I think we both realized it might be hard to get another golden so soon after losing Eli the Wonder Pup, but before Eli came into our lives, there was Remy, a black Lab I’ve often described as “the canine love of my life.”
And there just happened to be a litter of Lab puppies not too far away, with a little girl who hadn’t yet been spoken for. Next week, Will and I will be embarking on a “puppy share” with eight-week-old Lena Belle, who will be spending her days with both of us at the historical society. It will be a long time before she’ll be hitting the hiking trails (although I’m considering investing in a backpack carrier so she can join me sooner), but I think she’ll be just the kind of heart medicine we all need.
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.
“A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart.” – Judy Desmond
Newry News
Amy Henley
While we did see a touch of spring, winter doesn’t want to let go just yet. The boys had a good time riding the four wheeler and eventually getting the side by side out and getting stuck in the snow and pulling each other out. They only had to call for reinforcements twice. Four wheeling one day and snowmobiling the next. Maine weather truly does change from day to day.
Baking consisted of an ice cream cake, requested for the birthday boy.
With the snow on Sunday, we decided to stay home and relax; although I really wanted to go to Maine Maple Sunday in Berlin, NH to Patry’s Sugarhouse. Maybe next year or it sounds like they may have some other events which might work out. I sure would like to try their maple butter on some freshly baked bread.
The next couple of weekends have more birthday parties on the books. It sure makes the weekend go quick when there is a plan. I guess I better make good use of my Fridays off. I still have yet to tackle that crazy closet as before it gets better it is definitely going to get worse as everything has to be removed. I have to be in the mood to take on a project like that or I will either keep everything or throw things out that I probably should keep. So for now, until the mood strikes, it will stay as is.
My hens have been enjoying the warmer days and laying steady and eggs just keep rolling in. Thankfully I have a bunch of neighbors who contact me and buy dozens at a time. It is nice to see them and visit. Sometimes we chat about baking or even getting our gardens started and what we plan to plant. Speaking of that, I better getting ordering my carrots and onions soon but I better add it to my to-do list as the days get busy and things get forgotten.
That’s it for this week as it’s time to do some laundry, go to work and then a meeting. Life sure is busy lately.
Send me your news to newrynews24@gmail.com and I’ll add your news to my column.
Woodstock News
Linda Stowell
Editor’s Note: Since the Woodstock column for March 12 that Linda wrote before she left for her Aruba vacation got lost somewhere in cyberspace and only made its way to me today, this week’s column is a combo of the March 12 and March 26 columns—a two-fer!
There’s a lot in the works at the Whitman Memorial Library. Coming up: Community Narcan Training, visit by author Jack Montgomery, a joint event with the Norway Library with a presentation by Maine author Rivera Sun, early summer craft fair, and Cookbook Club. I will get details out as the events get near.
Some of us (who have lived here forever and are on the old side) have been reminiscing about Bryant Pond in the good old days. Just the fact that we had two grocery stores (an A & P, and MacKillop’s store—later Ken’s Market), is quite remarkable! I remember these places. There was a pay phone outside the market—a nickel for local calls. Inside was probably about anything you could want. There was also Dudley’s Store and Cole’s Hardware. The buildings for those still stand, though rather shabby looking. The Wildlife Den, run by Gil and Liz Whitman was right beside where the Buck’s Ledge Trailhead is now. That was a very interesting place, with different creatures on exhibit it. This town was really a happening place back in the day.
Coming up at the Locke Mills Union Church: there will be a Maundy Thursday service on April 2, at 4:00pm, followed by a potluck meal. On Friday, April 3, Sondra will conduct a Good Friday service, also at 4:00. On Easter Sunday, we will have a sunrise service, followed by breakfast, and then regular church at 9:30.
I hope everyone adjusted to the time change. It seems that every year it’s discussed on whether to change the clocks or not. It makes me think of the year I turned 50. My birthday was actually the same day as the time change that year (before the earlier date change in March). My mother and sister threw me a surprise party! I really was surprised, and was rather annoyed that no one made any plans to celebrate with me. Well, my friend Joey told me a good story that I believed, and next thing I knew….surprise! It was a really fun party, and just as we were sitting down to eat, Jayden and Ken Irons showed up! Apparently they didn’t get the memo for the time change, so showed up an hour later. We got a good laugh out of that.
Woodstock’s town meeting will be Monday, March 30, at 6:00 p.m. at the fire station.
Happy Spring! It arrived shortly after my return from a very warm place. It’s a difficult thing to switch climates like that. One moment you’re in the sun, 80’s, and warmth, then POW!
Our return flight last Thursday was pretty routine, except for a rather bumpy trip to Boston. It was a bonus to go through customs in Aruba, but, it took the longest time for luggage to show up! We had tickets for the 8:10 C & J bus to Portsmouth, though we hoped to maybe get on an earlier bus if possible. We did manage to score seats on a bus which was 15-20 minutes earlier, and that eventually got us home about midnight. We had no issues with TSA on either flight, which was a relief. I was glad I left my boots in the car.
One amazing thing about Aruba is its water supply. Tap water is exceptionally pure and safe, produced by advanced high-quality distillation. It’s unusual to visit an island and not worry about drinking the water!
On our last full day there, we went to the Aruba Aloe Factory, where there was a big sale. The store there was packed, and there were festivities outside—play area for children, a stage for music, and lots of food! We finally got to taste a pastechi, which is a hand pie, and filled with cheese, or different seasoned meat. Ours were with beef, and they were delicious! We also tried some Dutch pancakes—tiny ones, with many choices of toppings.
After that, we made our way to the downtown shopping area. We found a good jewelry store, where we were able to get some larimar earrings. Larimar is found exclusively in the Dominican Republic, but of course, sells well anywhere. We followed up with lunch at the Sexy Shrimp. Because it was their Anthem and Flag Day (like our 4th of July), there was a lot happening all over the island. The restaurants were not busy, so we enjoyed a last lunch out (chicken tenders for me, while everyone else got shrimp!!).
On St. Patrick’s Day, we were prepared with our “green” shirts. We went out that evening on the KuKu Kunuku bus. What a hoot that was! We were the first to be picked up. We climbed aboard an old school bus—no windows, brightly painted, and maracas stationed nearby so that everyone could participate. Music blasted as we drove on, stopping to pick up passengers.
We were given a cup with a rum punch (not our favorite), and made stops at three different bars. At each stop, we exited the bus and went in, where we could buy a drink if we wanted, or just hang out and dance. Dancing was the best part! We were the last to get off the bus, and it was close to midnight, I think. It was a fun evening, and the party atmosphere just increased as the night went on.
First Universalist Church of West Paris April Worship Services:
While ‘spring’ (astronomically speaking) officially arrived on March 20, April
brings the real signs of spring, which symbolize renewal, growth and hope. Our services for this month in many ways convey the transformative nature of spring. Please join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. Music by Davy Sturtevant. Refreshments following the service. All are welcome.
April 5, Easter Sunday Service, led by Pastor Linda Couture and the worship service committee.
April 12, “The story of the Road to Emmaus” led by The Rev. Scott Campbell. Here’s an excerpt: “Ordinary events that become sacred moments in the midst of our lives…That is what happens on the road to Emmaus. The choice to walk the road of faith together, brothers and sisters, in conversation with each other about the things that truly matter, to allow one another to enter into our stories and to willingly enter into another’s—keeps us alive and engaged throughout our days.”
April 19, Earth Day, led by guest Maryli Tiemann. “What do Maine’s own Senator Muskie, pink toilet paper, The Hobbit, and blade-less windmills have in common?” Our Earth Day service will include a reflection from Maryli Tiemann and music by Davy Sturtevant. Maryli will share recent innovations which promise cost effective solutions to our global energy needs, including a pocketful of small ideas we can use to create our own positive changes.
April 26, The Good Shepherd and whose voice deserves our allegiance. Here’s an excerpt: “Beloved, we hear a thousand voices calling for us to follow every day. Advertisers hawk their wares, image vendors would make us over into their desired likeness, culture tells us what success looks like, and politicians offer the promised land. Beware of all their claims. Make room in your quiet times to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd—the One to whom you are a sacred trust, the One who will lead you to places that will sustain you, the One who will protect you in the face of danger and the One whose heart is tender and merciful. This is the voice to listen for. Let all others fall on deaf ears.”
For more information about the church and services, please contact Marta Clements, 674-2143, mclements96894@roadrunner.com, or Suzanne Dunham, 665-2967, dunhamfarm@msn.com. To learn more about the Unitarian-Universalist Association, visit http://www.uua.org/
The First Universalist Church of West Paris is located at 208 Main St., W. Paris 04289
Have a great week, everyone! Send me your news: lstowell@roadrunner.com
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
Sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Norma Farrington. I was very sad to hear about her passing. I have some fun memories from Marilyn Morton’s kitchen table while gathering for coffee with Norma present. I could usually say something silly to get her giggling.
The Town of Andover Highway Department has an immediate opening for a full-time Highway Employee. Successful candidates will have experience with the operation of light & heavy trucks and construction equipment, but training is available. Experience in snow plowing operations a plus. Mechanical experience is also a plus.
