Western Maine Neighborhood News, May 28, 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
This past week seems to have flown by. I attended the “Cookbook Swap” at the Andover Public Library last Wednesday. A nice cozy group gathered with goodies to share (I didn’t get the memo on that...my bad) and everything we sampled was delicious. We sat and talked about cooking, our go-to meals to make, favorite recipes and who was instrumental in getting us started with cooking and baking. It was noted that most people like to do one or the other, I however love to do both. It was my Grandmother Howard and my mother that I learned from. Those are some of my fondest memories being in the kitchen with them. We all left with “new to us” cookbooks. I hope that we will be able to do this again, it was a fun time for all.
While I was at the library I was able to take out the book “Project Hail Mary” which I had seen with my family on Mother’s Day. I am really enjoying it. Now I’m on the wait list for the book “Remarkably Bright Creatures” which I watched recently on Netflix. I’m excited to read that one as well. People say the book is much more detailed; time will tell!
I just love visiting the library. It is such a wonderful old building with so many books full of stories to tell. There is also a beautiful cardinal puzzle being built at the moment by those who want to take a few minutes away from the shelves of books.
On Friday I travelled with one of my former Bethel Citizen sales team coworkers to Portland. We started off the evening with an amazing meal at The Corner Room. Then we went to a venue called Aura to see the front man of one of my favorite ‘80s hair bands, Cinderella, Tom Keifer. Seeing as it was general admission, Jenn and I actually found room on the floor in front of the stage to enjoy the music. The show didn’t start until 9 pm and ended about 11:30. That didn’t count the time that we stood outside waiting for the doors to open. My feet and knees paid for it the next day but it was 100% worth it. I finally crawled into bed at 2 am and fell asleep almost immediately. Such a great night out...thanks Jenn!
On Monday my dad and I attended the Andover Memorial Day Service on the Common. Despite the pouring rain there was a very good turnout. It started with an opening prayer along with the Pledge of Allegiance. Hannah Thacker once again graced us with her beautiful, powerful voice by singing the National Anthem. A bell was tolled 28 times for the Andover men who died in service to our country during the Civil War, World War I and World War II. Christine Swain then read “Flander’s Field” and “We Shall Keep the Faith.” A placing of the Memorial wreaths, lowering of the flag and “Taps” followed by a closing benediction finished the ceremony.
After that a small group of gentlemen gathered at the Andover Historical Society Building to meet with reporter Rose Lincoln. The group had one thing in common, that they had all worked at one time at the Andover Earth Station in some capacity. I had reached out to Rose to see if she would be interested to hear some stories and history of the “Bubble.” My dear dad was one of them, and seeing as that he just celebrated his 89th birthday, it seemed important to gather these gentlemen before all these times and stories are forgotten. Please be on the lookout for this article to be published in a future Bethel Citizen. Thanks go out to my dad Ken Field, Dan Clark, David White, Danny White, Steve Hall and Rose Lincoln for indulging me to make this gathering happen. A huge thanks go out to Claire Sessions for taking time out of her day and letting us use the AHS building. Thank you Claire!
The Acoustipalians will kick off the Andover Summer Concert Series this Friday night, the 29th, on the Common. Concerts are held from 6-8 rain or shine, and are free to the public with donations gratefully accepted. Let’s all hope for great weather for the start of the 13th season; music always seems a bit better under clear skies.
The family of Edith “Joanne” Palmer wanted me to put in a reminder that she will be laid to rest this Friday the 29th. It will take place at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Andover at 2 pm.
Goat cuddling is taking place this weekend, Saturday May 30th at Moon Dance Farm. Reservations are required. Reserve your 30-minute session to cuddle the adorable goat kids. $9 per person or a family for $25 (children under 2 years old are free). Currently booking from 9am to noon, rain or shine. Please wear long pants and closed toed shoes for safety. And bring your camera! 660 South Main St., Andover. Also booking limited private sessions; inquire by text 357-8909.
Also taking place this Saturday, May 30th, is the annual Andover Town Meeting. It will be held upstairs at the Andover Town Hall beginning at 8 am. Absentee Ballots are now available at the Andover Town Office for the June 9, 2026 election.
Please share any news or events with me. I like to wrap things up by Tuesday evening for publication on Thursday. diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
Today’s column comes out on May 28th! The month of May just flew by at record speed. The next full moon is this Sunday, May 31st. Planting season is in full throttle. Greenhouse (hoop house) has spinach, leaf lettuce, beets, Swiss chard, and cucumber seeds planted. For seedling plants there are tomatoes, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage making themselves at home. In the outside garden there are asparagus, rhubarb, Norland Red potatoes, Kennebec potatoes and string beans in the ground.
On the topic of plants, please mark your calendars for the Bethel Library’s annual plant sale on Saturday, June 6th from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Library is located on Broad Street and this annual fundraiser is a rain or shine event. Community support is appreciated!
Neighbors Feeding Neighbors will take place on Tuesday, June 9th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Methodist Church located on Main Street. This is a free community meal with a focus on our local food pantry. Folks can bring nonperishable items to the church and all food collected will be brought to the food pantry on Wednesday morning. The meal this month will be side salads, beef ribs, chicken, and desserts. Come and have a great meal and meet some of our neighbors who live in our communities.
The first Saturday Market on Main Street took place over the Memorial Day weekend. The Re-Pant gals were at the Market and did a brisk business selling their Re-Pant bags. Proceeds from this group helps out our local food pantry.
Apple Shade Woodworks are two local folks, Kathryn Young and John Marzilli, who make beautiful wooden creations. Bowls, platters, and other hand crafted items are part of their local business. Such unique, hand-crafted items that make wonderful gifts.
Another local crafter is Rosie McArthur who is a talented seamstress, knitter, and can also crochet to make unique, handmade items. Another talent that Rosie has is a line dancing instructor. She will be offering classes on Tuesdays at the Community Annex at the Methodist Church and on Thursdays at the Locke Mills Union Church. These classes are from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There was recently a yogurt making class in the Methodist Church kitchen. Susan Vogt Brooks was the instructor and she did a great job teaching the steps in making homemade yogurt. Susan has goats so her yogurt was made with goat’s milk. I make yogurt at home as well and it is an easy process. The trick is to keep track of the milk temperature. Looking forward to more cooking classes in the church kitchen.
This column always welcomes news and events which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
Here we are and it’s the end of May already. Many of you are busy putting your gardens in as after this weekend we should be safe of frost.
The first Saturday Market of the season went quite well and it was nice to see many familiar faces. Rosie was there with all her beautiful creations. Plus her line dance lessons started up again also.
There seems to be a new business in the neighborhood. It’s called EBC V-Twin and according to their post on Team Bethel, they will take care of all your 2 and 4 wheel needs.
Tammy and Bill Hinckley will celebrate their 33rd anniversary May 29th. Happy Anniversary from the whole neighborhood, Tammy and Bill.
All you Fossils friends, they will be at the Locke Mills Legion this Saturday, May 30th from 6-8; donations are welcome.
Call me at 207-595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com
Have a great week!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
Hopefully everyone had a nice Memorial Day. The weather was not very cooperative. The rain on Sunday continued into Monday morning, but mid-day the weather cleared. Of course, by then, area celebrations were moved inside.
Not much to write about this week. Evidently, the neighbors are just enjoying some of the beautiful days or they are just keeping to themselves.
The Gilead Fire Department has been called out this past week with a couple of accidents on Rt. 113. Bethel Rescue responded to both scenes. They transported a couple of patients to the hospital from one of them.
Gilead Historical Society
The GHS opened up the buildings last Saturday, May 23rd, for the summer. They will be open on Saturdays from noon to 3pm. There were nine people (from Maine—Rumford Point and Bethel, from NH—Nashua and Shelburne), who stopped by to check out the buildings. There is coffee available and usually a snack, such as brownies.
Christopher Stewart, a Peabody descendent, stopped by a couple of weeks ago and dropped off some items for the GHS collections. He had a couple of school desks and some chairs. The chairs, which were made in the early 1800s, have been handed down through the Peabody family through the years. He said that they were made at the Peabody Tavern in the wintertime when the people had more time on their hands and could be more creative. During the summer, they were much busier with farming and maintaining the homestead.
On one wall of the schoolhouse, there is a Peabody Family display with photos of the family and the “Old Red House” throughout the years. There used to be a big barn and some other outbuildings.
There is also an original painting by John Francis Richardson, a member of the Peabody family who resided in Gilead from 1838-1849. John was the eldest son of Henry and Eunice “Thurston” Richardson. Henry was the Congregational minister for both Gilead and Shelburne, NH. It was donated to the GHS in 2007 from Robert and Joanne “Peabody” Stewart.
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
If you missed last week’s column, you can click here to read it.
Often, for a more peaceful walk and a time for reflection and admiring nature, I walk on the spur of the Davis Park trail that takes you across the Alder River and across Middle Intervale Road (stay inside the guardrails on Route 26).
This leads to the trail on the Gateway of the Mahoosuc Land Trust. It is hard-packed gravel and offers beautiful views to the mountains.
I am sure many of you recognize this scene as you drive by. Those are interpretive signs that depict the mountains that you see from this vantage point.
Thanks to the Mahoosuc Land Trust, for the signs and to the hard working volunteers for trimming this iconic apple tree and giving it new life.
Also thank you for mowing areas of the land. It looks so inviting!
As you walk toward the end of this spur where you can turn around and retrace your steps you will see and hear an abundance of birds. The sound of distant traffic is amazingly subtle and I can guarantee that you will feel rejuvenated. Exercise and Nature right at your doorstep!
Inside fun and social time continues each Thursday afternoon, 12:00-2:00 pm, at the Whitman Memorial Library in Bryant Pond. Local folks and visitors from out of town are welcome. Please join us!
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
Summer is coming! My lifelong best friend and favorite taskmaster, Donna, came up last weekend to help me get camp open for the summer. Without her, we’d be living with a lot more dust, dirt, and grime at camp (some of it probably having accumulated over a period of years), but she insists on doing a thorough cleaning at both the beginning and end of the season.
