Western Maine Neighborhood News, May 14, 2026
Hi, Neighbors! This week, anyone 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
Spring has certainly arrived in Andover. My hummingbirds are here! I was so excited to see them. I don’t know exactly what it is about watching them fly in to feed on the nectar, it is just so peaceful and tranquil.
Also, the Gammon Bison Farm has had 8 new bison calves born to date this spring. They have 19 adults, 18 ladies and one lucky studley guy named Henry. I stopped along the fence to watch them and take a few pictures and some of the younger adults treated me to a raucous race. They certainly were thundering about on that beautiful spring day.
In the fall the farm puts out the call for leftover, paint and wax free, Halloween pumpkins. You can drive up and stop by the fence and toss the pumpkins over. As soon as they see a car pull up alongside the fence the herd comes to inspect very quickly. This has become an early November tradition for me and let me tell you, those bison make short work of those pumpkins. Come take a nice pleasant ride to Andover to check out these majestic creatures for yourselves.
I had a great Mother’s Day. My husband, Bob, made me a delicious breakfast, then I got to spend time with my boys, Brandon and Hunter, along with Hunter’s girlfriend Amanda at the movies. I was finally able to see “Project Hail Mary.” We all really liked it. Now I need to read the book! I hope all the moms out there enjoyed their day as well.
Andover Historical Society member and author Peter Stowell will be at the Andover Historical Society building, 32 Elm Street, to update everyone on his new book. The name of the book is “The Fabric of Andover” which is due out soon. He will be speaking Thursday the 14th (tonight) at 6 pm. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy!
I received a wonderful email from Penny Percival with very kind words and also some information from the Andover Public Library and the Andover Educational Fund. On Wednesday, May 20th, there will be a cookbook swap at the library from 3-5 pm. It’s just what it sounds like - bring cookbooks you don’t use anymore to pass along to someone else and pick up new-to-you books to test out. I’m sure there will be a lot of discussions about favorite books and recipes - and you can’t beat the price, free! This is such a great idea! Looks like it’s time to go through mine as I have been known to have just a few.
Mark your calendars for June 13th. The annual plant sale will be held at the library from 9-1. The same day from 2-4 the library will be hosting an author talk with Karen Swasey.
The Andover Educational Fund has scholarship funds available for our Adult Education program. Details are at on the website, andoveredfund.org
You must be an Andover resident aged 25 or older to qualify, and the course work or training must be career-related. Other than this, the application process is very straightforward and the AEF would love to help you advance in your current job or start down a new career path. Folks can email me at adulted@andoveredfund.org with questions. I’m always happy to chat.
The Lone Mountain Campground is open for the season and they are looking for a summer pool attendant. This position runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Saturdays and Sundays from 11am- 5pm. Holiday weekends would include Friday night as well from 3pm-7pm. Perfect for a high schooler or someone looking for a summer job. Job details: Respectfully enforcing pool rules, keeping the pool complex neat and clean and daily pool complex safety checks. Please give the campground a call at 207-392-0019 if interested or stop by the campground to fill out an application.
Welcome to Donald Brann, who has been hired as the Highway 1 employee. Donnie will begin training on May 18th. He has worked at a local ski mountain for the past 10 years doing maintenance and mechanical work and plowing snow. Best of luck to you, Donnie!
This is the last weekend for the Transfer Station “Spring Clean Up.” They are accepting bulky items such as a mattress, box springs, upholstered chairs, couches, etc. All require fees to leave at the Transfer Station and they can be paid for at the Town Office and then brought the facility with a receipt of payment.
A date for your calendars is Saturday, May 23rd, for the Annual Alumni Banquet. It is being held at the Andover Town Hall beginning at 4:30 pm for social hour. Then it will be dinner and awards to follow. The newest graduates will be honored along with the class of 1976 for their 50th year. RSVP’s were due on April 30th. If you need to get in touch with the Alumni Association to see if there is seating still available please mail your request to Andover Alumni Association PO Box 64 Andover ME 04216. Please include your name, address, year of graduation, and number of people attending. The cost is $16 per person. Fingers crossed that they can accommodate you.
Another date to mark down is the Andover Annual Town Meeting. It will be held upstairs at the Town Hall on Saturday, May 30th, beginning at 8 am.
My dear sweet dad, Ken Field, celebrated his 89th birthday yesterday. We are very lucky to have him and I am hopeful that we will be able to go out deer hunting together once again this fall. My husband and I are doing his firewood for him but he is still going to be gardening this summer; can’t keep a good (and stubborn) man down. Love you, dad!
Please reach out with any news or events. diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
Upcoming events that educate folks on acupuncture and also how to make your own yogurt:
On Saturday, May 16th, starting at 9 a.m. Dr. Jenny Mae Wheeler will be doing a community presentation on acupuncture, exploring how it can regulate the nervous system, reduce pain and inflammation, and support overall health, resilience, and long term well-being. She will be doing her presentation in the dining room of the Methodist Church located on Main Street in Bethel. Acupuncture is an Eastern based practice which is getting attention in the Western World.
Healing the sick was ministry work that Jesus Christ did during his short time on earth. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell firsthand accounts of what healings Jesus accomplished and it is pretty amazing to say the least. In current times it is encouraging and hopeful to have doctors who continue to have a desire to help and heal people.
How to make your own yogurt will be a class offered through the S.A.D.#44 Adult Education department. Susan Vogt Brooks will be offering this class on Thursday, May 21st, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the kitchen of the Methodist Church. To register, contact the Adult Education office at 207-824-2136 or visit their website.
The Methodist Church recently had some 9th grade students from Telstar High School come and do some yard work. They spruced up the flower beds and raked in the back of the church.
This community event was organized by the North Star adult leaders. The Telstar students were very polite and were eager workers. They did a wonderful job and were a big help for the church. North Star is a wonderful program that is changing young students’ lives. Excellent mentoring when these kids need it the most in their lives. Thank you to the North Star Program for helping and guiding our young teens in our communities. You are changing lives and it is a blessing to many!
The Bethel Senior Citizen Club held their monthly meeting on May 13th. At the meeting we discussed taking bus trips starting this fall. Lots of ideas were shared and more information will be shared in our future monthly meetings. This Senior group ALWAYS meets the second Wednesday of the month. During the meeting we introduced new members as a way to get to know each other. Folks shared some funny stories and it was an enjoyable time.
The lunch we ate was an exceptional meal. Debbie St. Pierre is an excellent cook and has a heart of gold. The menu consisted of homemade rolls, a tossed salad as well as a broccoli salad, homemade lasagna, and a chicken tetrazzini casserole for the main course. For dessert she had cherry pie, blueberry pie, upside-down pineapple cake and a chocolate cake.
Everyone enjoyed the meal and there were lots of pleasant conversations with smiles on all faces. The Bethel Senior Citizen Club is open to all seniors in the area.
This digital column always welcomes news and events, which can be sent to lhowe7273@gmail.com
East Bethel News
Wally Ritz
In Germany it’s “Spargelzeit” (asparagus season) aka “White Gold” season. The white asparagus is the preferred type in Germany. It’s only been in more recent years that some started eating the green asparagus. After over 50 years I still miss it and make do with the green variety.
The Neighbors Feeding Neighbors went very well. People were able to eat either outside or inside. Many of us older folks opted for the warmth inside. Chris’s Haven of Hope were being celebrated and they were also a tremendous help giving a hand with dishes and general clean-up. They also made friends with some of the kids playing outside. They sure are a great bunch of guys and a wonderful addition to our community. The next event is already in the planning stages for June 9th.
Call me at 207-595-0691 or email heinrichcracker@gmail.com
A warming trend is supposedly starting this weekend. Please, let it be true and let the outside planting begin.
Below is a flyer describing two upcoming June events at the Lower Meetinghouse (East Bethel Church), sponsored by the Hastings Homestead Museum.
Have a great week.
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
The weather on Sunday couldn’t seem to make up its mind. It rained for a while and then the sun came out. This was repeated most of the day. I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day despite the weather.
We were saddened to hear of the passing of our neighbor, Alfred Leighton. He worked as a foreman for the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad for many years. After retiring, he served on the Board of Selectmen for the Town of Gilead and when his term was up this year and he decided not to run again, his wife, Sharon, stepped in and filled the position. Condolences to the whole family.
One day last week, it was windy and rainy. It was so loud, we could hear the wind and downpour coming down our street. The wind made a left turn between the Town Hall and our house and into our backyard. Which would have been no problem if it had not lifted up our metal storage shed and put it on its roof. Luckily, there was nothing of great value in there.
Hugh and I went to Tim and Michele’s to celebrate both Mother’s Day and Sidney’s graduation from Franklin Pierce University the day before. Sidney graduated with high honors in the health science degree. Of course, proud parents, Tim and Michele, attended graduation along with William Chapman and Ajay Landry and Jenna Edwards.
The hummingbirds came to our feeder on Mother’s Day like they have for the past few years. There were at least two of them fighting over the feeder. There was a hummingbird at Pete and Claudia Risbara’s a few days earlier and Tedd Brown spotted one about the same time as they did.
There are not too many different birds at the feeder, but there was a Rose-breasted Grosbeak out looking for some sunflower seeds the other day. The lone turkey has come back, too.
Gilead Historical Society
While some of the stages and then the railroad went through Gilead, the only large facility in Gilead with 50-60 rooms for visitors was the Bennett Tavern on Route 2, not far from the railroad depot. The Tavern at the head of the Androscoggin Bridge Road was built in 1898 and burned in 1909 with complete loss of the tavern, livery stable, and “tenement.” The Peabody Tavern predated Bennett’s by almost 100 years and was a major stopping place for the stage travelers for many years. It is still standing and is being used as an antique shop.
Quite a few of the Gilead farmers rented rooms to hunters and fishermen. Many of them returned and built their own small camps. An 1880 map shows camps on almost every one of the brooks in Gilead.
Early on, these people arrived by train and were driven to their camp or room by a farmer and his team. One camp built in 1901 had fish and game tallies written on its doors and inside walls. Regardless of the season of the year, many weeks they totaled 70-80 trout, a moose, usually a bear and a number of deer, partridge, and other small game!
Got any news? Email chapmal@hotmail.com
AFCI News
Melinda Remington
A visit to Buck’s Ledge Trail for All
Melinda Remington, wearing her “Melinda Hat,” will be greeting walkers each Tuesday morning from 9-11 a.m. for an amble around this beautiful trail. People can drive up the road from the main parking lot and park in an upper parking lot. There are also two handicapped parking spaces at the outlook.
A chart of all of the scheduled hikes will be put up on Bethel Outing Club Facebook page each week. Some will be the same schedule each week such as at the Trail for All, 9-10 am on Tuesdays.
Hope to see some of your there next Tuesday morning!
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
I learned from the “Greenwood as It Was” Facebook page (created three years ago by Chris Dunham, and a source of unending delight and information for anyone interested in our town’s history) that we have yet another amazing centenarian to celebrate. Helen Tamlander Heath turned 100 on Sunday and was celebrated at a party given in her honor by her family and friends.
Chris wrote:
Helen was born May 10, 1926, in Kingfield, north of Farmington. The Tamlanders sold their house there in September 1929, stayed until winter, but by spring were living among the Finns of Quincy, Mass. Father Toivo was working then at “odd yops” (as the Finnish-born census taker recorded his occupation). The family came to the Richardson Hollow district within a year or so, and in 1938 they settled in Greenwood City.
