“Above the Fold”
(An introduction to each week’s newsletter from the editor of WMNN)
Hi, Neighbors! In this week’s Western Maine Neighborhood News, the Andover, East Bethel, and Locke’s Mills columns are free to all subscribers, along with news from the AFCI—the Age-Friendly Community Initiative. Upgrade to a paid subscription ($5/month or $50/year) to read this week’s Bethel, Gilead, Newry, and Woodstock columns (and all the town columns every week).
Please join me in welcoming our new East Bethel correspondent, Hayli Tuttle! Hayli is the granddaughter of longtime East Bethel columnist Wally Ritz, who recently passed away. She is excited to continue the column in honor of Wally, and wrote, “I remember years of watching Oma write her column and in later years seeing the posts of her asking for ‘East Bethel News please.’”
Continuing Wally’s tradition of asking for input from her readers, this week Hayli asks, “What are your favorite fall traditions you do with your families?” She’s also eager to receive your East Bethel news! Give her a call at (207) 595-5930 or email her at haylist.laurent22@gmail.com.
Andover News
Diana Nadeau
My apologies to everyone for not having time to submit a column last week. Life just got in my way for a bit.
I hope everyone had a great Labor Day weekend. So hard to believe that September is well underway. It seems like summer just started. We need to fill our oil tank before cold weather hits us; we have kept an eye on the prices all summer, but they don’t seem to have come down too much. We have been diligently working on our firewood as well as my dad’s and still have quite a bit more to put away.
On Wednesday, August 26th, I was able to attend the hydrangea wreath-making at the Andover Public Library. Thanks to Eileen Pew for putting this together and providing the vast totes of hydrangeas! We were seated outside in the shade; it was an absolutely perfect day for crafting outdoors. All the wreaths turned out beautiful. I loved how everyone put their own personal touches on them. Big thanks go out to Christine Swain for providing the yummy snacks and beverage for all of us. It was very much appreciated. All in all, it was a wonderful day. There was talk about possibly doing a Christmas wreath. I will certainly update here if that indeed does take place.
Here is a notice from the Andover Service Circle: Our September meeting is coming up! If you’re looking for a way to give back to our community, consider joining us. You don’t have to commit right away; come to a meeting see what we’re all about. This will be held at the CEB at the Andover Congregational Church tonight, Thursday the 10th, at 6:30 pm.
The Pineland Ski and Outing Club will be holding a meeting (the second of two) tonight, the 10th, also. It will be held at the Andover Town Hall at 6:00 pm. The club is seeking input on the types of activities and events they should be offering for the local community. If you have ideas for how they should be using the club’s property in South Andover, the club would love to hear about that too. Are you an Andover resident or visitor? Do you enjoy non-motorized outdoor recreation? If you answered yes to both of these questions, they would love to hear from you!
Here are some notices from the Andover Town Office:
Fall Clean-up dates. The Andover Transfer Station will be accepting bulky items during normal business hours. A few things to be sure of: Your Andover Transfer Station sticker is visible at time of drop-off. During this time, they will be accepting couches, soft furniture, mattresses, etc. Payment options for bulky items include at the Station (exact cash or check) or pre-pay for items at the Andover Town Office. Transfer Station hours are M, T, Th – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wed from Noon – 5 p.m.
Please take note that on September 15 and 16 (next Tuesday and Wednesday) the Town Office will be closed for Election Trainings.
I was so very sorry to hear of the passing of Wally Ritz, who was the correspondent for East Bethel. Condolences go out to her family and friends and also sincere condolences go out to Linda Howe and family on the passing of their son Jonathan. I was fortunate to meet Wally once in Andover when she was there with her good friend Deb Brown. And I also got to know Linda Howe when I worked for the Bethel Citizen; she was a frequent visitor and a much welcome ray of sunshine.
Dirk MacKnight sends out this message: Thank you to the following volunteers who helped me with the topcoating and lining of the pickleball courts! Without your help this would have never happened. Christina Belinski, Pam Berry, Donnie Brann, Bill Bray, Bruce Bryant, Mary Cloutier, Rachel DeTillis, Ed Dobson, Ron Dube, Tim Learned Jr., Brian Mills, Claire Sessions, KJ Swan, Per Tripp, Nancy Wahlstrom, and Carl Wahlstrom.
On Friday, September 4th, I attended the last of the Andover Summer Concert Series. The Acoustipalians entertained the end of summer series crowd. It was a superb evening full of music and laughter. It was certainly apparent how much the time has changed; as the concert wrapped up it was already dark out. The “ber” months are upon us, September, October, November and December.
On September 5th, as my belated trip around the sun present (September 2nd), my two friends Amy and Tracy and I journeyed to New Hampshire to see George Thorogood and ZZ Top. We had such a fun road trip with stops along the way for shopping and lunch. The highlight of the trip was finding out, much to our surprise, that George Thorogood was staying in our hotel! We found out when our elevator, which was heading to the lobby, stopped on the fourth floor and as the doors opened, there he was! His security guard, seeing that the elevator was full (and I may have yelled out his name in surprise) smartly stated they would catch the next one. It was a fun-filled overnight with two great friends. Memories of a lifetime.
I hope all my faithful readers are doing well. Please send any news or events my way. diananadeau@ymail.com
Bethel News
Linda Howe
An upcoming event this Saturday, September 12th, will take place on Grove Street in Bryant Pond starting at 1 p.m. Jane Chandler will be sharing a slideshow on the recent history of Buck’s Ledge. The slide show will depict the people that helped to make Buck’s Ledge Community Forest a reality. This presentation is open to everyone.
Harvest Fest will take place on the Bethel Common on Saturday, September 19th. This event ushers in the fall season. There will be local farms represented, crafters and vendors as well. Kids’ activities and wagon rides sound like fun. The hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This is an annual event that certainly brings in folks to our community.
East Bethel News
Hayli Tuttle
Hello Neighbors! I have to be very honest, I have felt a huge mix of emotions taking on this column. Excitement and joy, honor, and also anxiousness and fear I won’t do it justice.
With that being said I’ll start with something easy. Hello, I’m Hayli. I am 23 years old, I’m a momma and a wife. To the beautiful woman who wrote this column before me I was Sunshine. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to write this column after my Oma passed away.
I spent last night looking through as many old copies of the paper as I could, getting all the birthdays and anniversaries I could that my Oma always remembered without fail. Of course I would love to say that I have got everyone down, but please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have someone I missed or with any news or events that are coming in the future.
This past Saturday, September 5th, was the Saturday Market at Bethel Methodist Church. I hope all vendors had a very fulfilling day. The next Saturday Market will be on September 19th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is also the weekend of Harvest Fest. I myself hope to enter the market that weekend. I hope everyone has a fun and safe Harvest Fest and all vendors in the market have a successful day.
Tuesday, September 8th there was a Neighbors Feeding Neighbors meal at Bethel Methodist Church from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This is an event I hold very near and dear to my heart. My mother saw a need in the community and jumped in to help. My Oma helped and attended every meal she could. With my Oma’s sudden and unexpected passing, the volunteers of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors were very quick to step in and ensure the meal could still happen. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of them for this. I was in attendance, and though it was hard, it was also exactly what I feel myself and my family needed right now: Community.
My Oma seemed to always end these columns with a fun fact, a trivia question, or asking about favorite seasonal/holiday festivities of the readers. I intend to do the same. As a first-time mom I am always curious to hear of family traditions for all the seasons and holidays and fall is within reach so, what are your favorite fall traditions you do with your families? Call me at (207) 595-5930 or email me at haylist.laurent22@gmail.com. I look forward to connecting with you. Have a lovely week!
Gilead News
Lin Chapman
The nights are getting much cooler now and the days are taking a lot longer to warm up.
Fall colors are beginning to show up. This little tree is always the first one to turn on this street.
Locke’s Mills News
Amy Wight Chapman
Tomorrow marks 25 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks destroyed the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, and to commemorate the solemn anniversary, beginning last night (Wednesday, September 9) and continuing for four evenings, from 8 p.m. until midnight, twin beams of light will be projected from the summit of Mount Washington.
According to the Facebook page of The Honor Summit (honorsummitnh.org), “two pillars of light will rise from the highest peak in the Northeast as a powerful symbol of resilience, gratitude, and unity. Inspired by the dual beams that honor September 11, The Honor Summit pays tribute to the lives lost, the first responders who answered the call, and the veterans whose courage continues to protect our communities.”
The project was initiated by Renee Plummer of Granite Springs Foundation “to ensure that the 25th anniversary of 9/11 is remembered with the visibility and respect it deserves. With support from the State of New Hampshire and partners across the region, the installation offers an experience that belongs to all of us: rooted in gratitude, unity, and collective remembrance.”
Organizers say that if the weather is clear, as it is expected to be during the last three nights of the display, the twin beams may be visible from a distance of as much as 135 miles. As the highest peak in the northeastern U.S. at 6,288 feet, Mount Washington can be seen from many places in our area, including the Height of Land on Route 17 in Roxbury and, closer to home, the scenic overlook in the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest.
Upcoming events:
Saturday, September 12, at 2:00 p.m. at the Waterford Public Library: Book discussion of The Radicalism of the American Revolution. Prize-winning historian Gordon S. Wood offers a graAnd and immensely readable synthesis of historical, political, cultural, and economic analysis to describe the events that made the American Revolution. Wood depicts a revolution that was about much more than a break from England–rather it transformed an almost feudal society into a democratic one, whose emerging realities sometimes baffled and disappointed its founding fathers. This is the fourth in a series of book discussions sponsored by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society and the Independence 250 committee to commemorate America’s 250th birthday. The book is available at the MBHS Museum Shop.
Saturday, September 12, at 1:00 p.m. at the former UU Church on Grove Street in Bryant Pond: Jane Chandler will share the recent history of Buck’s Ledge for the Woodstock Historical Society. The slide show will depict the people who helped to make Buck’s Ledge Community Forest a reality, forever preserved for the public.
Wednesday, September 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.: Baked Bean Supper at the Locke’s Mills Union Church. See details below.
Monday, September 21, at 10:00 a.m.: Mushroom hike at Lapham Ledge, led by Amanda Moran. Meet at the Buck’s Ledge Community Forest trailhead parking lot on Route 26.
Friday, September 25, from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. at West Bethel Makerspace, 10 Ferry Road, Bethel: Community Mending Group monthly meeting. Feature Focus: All Things Adhesive with Susan Barras. Susan will cover the basics of how adhesives work, the range of options when choosing an adhesive, and tips for getting the best adherence. Join us drop-in style. The Makerspace team has created a fantastic working environment, and they look forward to making new connections that support our community. As always, rally up a friend, and bring your own project (it doesn’t need to be the Feature Focus) along with some donation money so our group can continue to grow and thrive.
Monday, October 12, at 9:00 a.m.: Geology hike at Buck’s Ledge Community Forest with Myles Felch. Meet at the Route 26 trailhead parking lot.
Friday, October 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Gould Academy fieldhouse: 46th Annual Bethel Outing Club Ski and Snowboard Sale. Get that unused gear ready to sell! As well as the opportunity to buy from multiple shops in the same place, you have the opportunity to sell winter/outdoor gear and clothing you no longer use or have outgrown (gear should be in safe and good condition). The club takes a 20% commission on sales. More information can be found at bethelouting.org
News from the First Universalist Church of West Paris:
September worship services start back up after our summer break on September 13 - and we hope everyone had a good, peaceful and safe summer! Service dates and info about an upcoming Death Cafe are below.
September 13, Joan Beal
“Waterways”
This is our re-gathering service, marking the beginning of the church year. It has traditionally been celebrated with a “water communion”. Members and visitors are asked to bring a small vial of water from a place that has been important to you over the summer. We will combine our waters into a common pool with a short description of their significance. If you somehow neglected to collect water from that favorite location, bring any water to accompany your statement. We will also have small containers of water available for those who need “substitute” water.
September 20, Bob Neal, information to come.
September 27, The Rev. Scott Campbell
“It Is Enough”
The sermon will focus on what Rev. Campbell has learned in the pulpit over 57 years of preaching. Here is an excerpt:
“My dad, who was a preacher himself, told me when I began my ministry something that has remained with me throughout the years. He said:
Love your people. If you don’t love them, it won’t matter what you preach. And if you do love them, it won’t matter what you preach.
So, I hope that even when I haven’t gotten it exactly right from the pulpit, my people have known that I loved them. That, in the end, is what this gospel business is all about.”
The Greenwood Board of Selectmen, which usually meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5 p.m., will be altering their meeting schedule for the next few months. The board will meet twice more this month, on September 15 and 29, then will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays in October (the 13th and 27th), November (the 10th and 24th), and December (the 8th and 22nd).
The improvements to the Bryant Pond roadside spring are complete, thanks to the Town of Woodstock and Bruce Korhonen and crew, and the new steps, grate, and handrails have greatly improved the experience of stopping there for water.
We moved back home from camp on Monday, and since I’ve been too busy this week to put everything back where it belongs, we’ve been living in chaos for the past few days. I’m hoping for some time this weekend to put things to rights! Lena has discovered, to her dismay, that over the summer she grew too big to be able to squeeze through the cat doors in the three dog gates we’ve put up in various doorways to keep her out of trouble when we can’t watch her every minute. Our orange bobtail cat, Roman, likes to sit on the other side of the gates and tease her, and much whining ensues.
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.
Newry News
Amy Henley
We’re already over a week into September. It sure is amazing how quickly it goes.
The weekend was spent working on the barn some more and putting up over 50 quart bags of corn to freeze. While picking the corn, I noticed more beans so I picked those and being quite big, I put them through the frencher and they came out great.
Woodstock
Linda Stowell
Greetings! Labor Day weekend has come and gone and it’s definitely feeling fallish.
From the West Paris Universalist Church:
September worship services start back up after our summer break on September 13 - and we hope everyone had a good, peaceful, and safe summer! Service dates and info about an upcoming Death Cafe are below.
AFCI
Melinda Remington
September 2026/ Events of Interest to Older Folks & their Families
Recurring Weekly or Monthly Events:
Western Maine Hikes for All Ages (Free walks and hikes throughout our region, for a variety of ability levels, ages, a different trail- 5 days a week) Updated schedule is posted each week on the Bethel Outing Club Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/betheloutingclub/ Also look there for any weather updates or cancellations.
Davis Park, Mondays, 9:30-10:30 am. “Buck’s Ledge Trail for All” Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00 am. Both trails are easy, handicapped-accessible; scenic with benches and/or picnic tables. MLT Valentine Farm Thursdays, 1:00-2: 00pm. Look at the Garden!
Games On! Thursdays (Sept. 3 & 24) Please note: No Games on 10th& 17th this month) 12:00-2:00 P.M. Whitman Memorial Library, 28 S. Main St., Bryant Pond (Free, All Ages, sponsored by AFCI & Library) A good time playing games, puzzles, conversations, snacks.
Coffee and Conversation Thursdays (Sept.3,10,17, 24) 9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M., Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26, (Free, All Ages, sponsored by the church) Welcoming group offers coffee, donuts, smiles, and conversation
Village Makers Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 P.M. (Free, All Ages) Bring your favorite craft to work on while you socialize and meet your neighbors. Learn a new craft. Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond
Seniors’ Social Time at Bethel Library Tuesdays (Sept.1,8,15,22,29)
12:00-1:00 pm (Free, sponsored by the library, bring snacks, crafts &games)
Rosie’s Boots & Beats Line Dance Classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:00-7:30 pm. Tuesdays at the Bethel United Methodist Church Community Annex, Main St., Bethel, Thursdays at the Locke Mills Union Church, Rt 26, Locke Mills, (All ages, $5 cash per session)
Gilead Historical Society Buildings Tours, each Saturday,12:00-3:00pm. Coffee and snacks available. (All Ages, Donations welcome,). Rt 2, Gilead
Tech Help at Bethel Library 1st Monday of each Month, 11:00am-1:00pm, (All Ages, Free)
----------------------------------------------------------------------Sept 2, Wednesday, 7:00pm, Presentation by the Greenwood Historical Society: History of Howe Hill Neighborhood, Locke Mills Legion Hall, 595 Gore Rd, Greenwood
Sept. 3, Thursday, 5:30-7:30, Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) Annual Meeting and Potluck, Moses Mason Barn /Howe Exhibit Hall, 10 Broad St., Bethel. Program: Meet John Adams: A Lively and Revolutionary Conversation with America’s 2nd President
Sept. 4 Friday, 4:30-6:30 pm. Accoustapalians play the last concert of the Andover Summer Concert Series, Rain or shine at the Gazebo on the Common, intersection of RT 5&120, Andover (Free, Donations accepted, Bring chair).
Sept 5, Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday Market on Main Steet. Buy Crafts, food, and inside yard sale at the United Methodist Church, Main St., Bethel (All Ages)
Sept 8, 2nd Tuesday of month, 4:30-6:30 P.M. Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, United Methodist Church, 75 Main St., Bethel. Bring a friend or the family to share a meal of Lasagna, salads, bread, and desserts (All Ages, Free, Donations of non-perishable food or $ for the food pantry)
Weather permitting, there will be outdoor activities on the front lawn.
Sept 9, 2nd Wednesday of month, 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M. Bethel Senior Citizens Club Meeting/ Lunch at Kowloon Village Restaurant, 190 Main St., Mountain View Mall, Bethel (Age 50+, individuals order from menu and pay) Come early to order food at 10:30am!
Sept 16, Wednesday,4:30-6:30 Baked Bean Supper at Locke Mills Union Church. 286 N Main St, Locke Mills You may enter your homemade beans into a contest, for prizes! Dinner is free with donations appreciated. Menu: Beans, Cole slaw, Hot Dogs, Dinner Rolls, Corn Bread and Desserts.
Sept.19, Saturday, 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday Market on Main Steet. Buy Crafts, food, and inside yard sale at the United Methodist Church, Main St., Bethel (All Ages)
Sept 19, Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm Bethel Area Chamber Harvestfest on The Town Common, 21 Broad St., Bethel. Crafts, Games, Festivities, Food, Wagon Rides, Pie Baking and Pie Eating Contests Live Music!
Sept. 21, Monday 12:30-2:30 pm, Tech Talk; Iphone/Ipad Playdate,
Adult Ed at Telstar HS on Monday, 9/21/26, 12:30-2:30. Reserve your seat in this FREE session to practice using your device with friends and a facilitator by calling Tel# 207-824-2136 Ext#1340 Limit 10, call soon.
Sept 26, Last Saturday of month,6:00-8: 00, The Fossils/ Music and Dance This is a fun intergenerational, 50’s-90’s rewind of your favorite songs. Local musicians and vocalists lead us down memory lane as we groove to the music. (All Ages, Free, Donations suggested to support the Jackson Silver Post of the American Legion) 593 Gore Rd., Lock Mills
Sept.30, Last Wednesday of month, 4:30-6:00 P.M. Community Supper Hosted by Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walkers Mills Rd/Rt 26. Menu: Pasta Bake (pasta, meat sauce & cheese) Garlic Bread, Desserts, Drinks (All Ages, Free, Donations Accepted) Drive around to back of church to park, ‘To Go’ meals available
In addition to these local events, explore SAD 44 Adult Education offerings, Western Mountains Senior College classes, and new creative opportunities at the West Bethel Makerspace.
http://maineadulted.org
(or call 207-824-2136 ext.1340)
http://westbethelmakerspace.org
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*Resources Available for the Serious Challenges of Life or Aging*
If someone is in immediate physical danger call 911
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (press1 for Veteran Crisis Line)
Maine Crisis Hotline 1-888-568-1112 available 24/7
http://namimaine.org
SeniorsPlus, designated Area Agency on Aging for Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. Mission is to enrich lives of older adults, individuals with disabilities and their families by supporting independent living and proactive choice
http://seniorsplus.org
Check out their many core services and specialties. A satellite office is located at 9 Marston St., Norway. Tel# 207-795-4010
A walk-in caregiver peer support group meets on the 4th Thursday of each month 2:30-4:00pm (no appointment required)
Adult Protective Services (APS) to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an incapacitated or dependent adult
24-hour hotline 1-800-624-8404 http://maine.gov/dhhs/oads
Legal Services for Maine Elders1-800-750-5353
http://mainelse.org
General Community Resources Dial 211or
http://211maine.org
Bethel Area District Exchange(clothing) and Food Pantry, 281 Walkers Mills Rd., Bethel Open 9:00-11:00am every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Tel# 207-890-4022 email:info@bethelareafoodpantry.org
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Reminder: AFCI’s Neighbor2Neighbor volunteer program offers free rides within 30-mile radius of Bethel (ages 60+). We are always looking for volunteer drivers. Would you like to help your neighbors? This is an enjoyable service and a great way to meet folks. Call and leave a message to apply as a rider, a driver, or for other questions and concerns: 207-824-4444
For current information visit our Facebook Page. Please click Favorites at the top of our page, comment or message us at: www.facebook.com/agefriendlybethel/
Or Email Community Connector : melindaremington@yahoo.com
What is the Bethel Area Age-Friendly Community Initiative (AFCI)???
AFCI is a non-profit that helps local older adults remain in their homes as they age. Programs help older citizens (age 60+) to thrive physically, mentally and socially.
FREE PROGRAMS
Neighbor2Neighbor Rides (N2N rides within 30 miles of Bethel for medical, shopping, social engagements)
HandyNeighbor (Spring and Fall yard & garden chores completed by high school students & supervisors)
Walk the Gym (November through April, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00-2:00 P.M at Gould Academy)
“Games-On” (Thursdays, Noon -2:00P.M., at Whitman Memorial Library, Bryant Pond (Fun social time.)
Home Safety Assessment by certified O.T. (Personal safety & fall prevention)
Used Medical Equipment Lending Closet (Donations accepted. Canes, Walkers etc. (For All Ages)
Alexa Echo Dot and Smart Plugs assistive technology to enhance safety in the home
