July
Drag Queen Tasha Tektite performs June 29 at Bethel’s first Pride Day 2023 held at the Gem Theatre. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
Bethel’s first Pride Day, featuring three drag queens and organized by Telstar senior Keaton Cummings-Chapman sold out the Gem Theater. Several young people had to sit on the floor in front of the stage to open up seats for adults. Crafters and artists selling jewelry, watercolors and more crowded lobby. Other patrons had their faces painted. The Gem staff sold pizza, popcorn and drinks.
Woodstock Town Manager Vern Maxfield said he was concerned with the sharp corner on North Main Street in front of the Bryant Pond post office where the state design called on the contractor to add more shoulder, creating a narrower street.
Bethel Foodliner and the post office were sold to Joe Christopher of Scarborough. Ben Christopher, nephew of the owner, will manage the store. Colleen McCabe, daughter of Carl and Pat Glidden, who owned the Bethel Foodliner said the store was part of their family. “We started out sorting bottles 44 years ago. We were still in high school when they bought it.” she said.
Oxford County Commissioners decided that the Albany Town House will remain the polling site for Albany residents. Jillian Burrill, Joan Kimball’s daughter, was appointed the new Albany Township Registrar. Her mother held that position for 20 years.
The National Trust for Local News purchased 5 of the state’s 6 daily papers and 17 of its weeklies in an effort to preserve local journalism.
Hailey Ryann, 16, left, of Harrison and Evan Parsons, 15, of Mason Township relax June 21 at Bethel’s Summerfest festival on the common. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
Ground penetrating radar was used to detect bodies under the soil in the Cummings Plot across from the Greenwood Town Beach. Three war veterans are buried in the plot, Joseph Cummings; Joseph Cummings Sr., and Joseph Cummings Jr. One wife named Ruth, and a baby named Wellington.
Ensign Stanley W. Allen of Bethel who was killed when Japan attacked the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor in December 1941 finally came home following positive identification and was laid to rest in Augusta.
August
Odessa Adams, 6, of Mason Township talks with a friend on the porch of the Robinson House at Mornings at the Museum, a Bethel Historical Society annual event. Rose Lincoln
Less than a year after taking the job, Bethel Town Manager Natalie Andrews submitted a letter of resignation on Aug. 8, citing a lack of cohesive support from the Select Board. The letter was presented to Chairwoman Meryl Kelly following a “chaotic” Aug. 7 board workshop.
Because of financial challenges, the owners of Howe Family Farm said they will phase out half of their cows and pigs either through sale or slaughter by next spring.
Natalie Andrews received public praise from some of the 35 residents filling the Town Office meeting room Aug. 16. Many said they were disappointed in the board and were sorry to see Andrews go.
Newry’s select board raised the property tax rate to $8.50 per $1,000, an increase of 15 cents.
New school superintendent Mark Kenney received approval of a 20′ X 40′ outdoor classroom pavilion at Telstar High School from Bethel Planning Board.
Coach Colleen Raymond, left with Annie Coombs, 11, of Albany and Teddy Crockett, 11 of Albany at Bethel Recreation’s last day of track. Rose Lincoln
Mark Kenney in his new role as superintendent of schools for MSAD-44 attends the first board meeting of the school year. On right is new chair-elect, Erin Cooley. Rose Lincoln
New SAD-44 school board members, Destiny Hughes of Greenwood; Bryan Kendall of Woodstock; and Stephanie Cayer and David Jones, both of Bethel; were introduced at a school board meeting on Aug. 21.
Contractor Mike McCauliff dismantles the giant slide Aug. 24 at the Big Adventure Center in Mayville Road in Bethel. Owners Paul and Charisa Legault plan to add batting cages, high-definition golf and a go-kart track with view of the Androscoggin River to the center’s climbing wall and laser tag features. Rose Lincoln
Parents Emily and Andrew Buck, with Natalie, 9, and Holden, 6, of Albany greet bus driver Jaime Lapham before heading to Crescent Park School. They had no bus last year, so they were especially happy to see Lapham back at the wheel. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
September
Beth Clarke is hired as the new Woodstock School Teaching Principal, replacing Jess Wilkey who had been in that role for six years. Clarke said one of her goals is to get children outside to become, “stewards of the land and to develop resiliency skills.”
Jane Rich, of Andover, stepped down as pastor of West Bethel Union Church.
The Woodstock select board approved the mil rate increase of .20 from $14.15 to of $14.35. Their overlay was $29, 961. Member Bob McQueeney said they try to keep their long-term debt down.
Cecilia Crooker, daughter of Sparrowhawk Orchard owners, Nate and Katy, and sister of Abe contemplates how to get an apple from a tree. Rose Lincoln
A one-mile portion of Greenwood Road will be repaired by All States Construction at a cost of $31,000 to Greenwood. Rose Lincoln
Bethel hires Sharon Jackson as interim town manager, replacing Natalie Andrrews who resigned in August.
Bethel Town Office was burglarized when an intruder entered a water-covered, bulkhead at the back of the building. Nothing appeared to be stolen from anywhere in The Cole Building which also houses the Bethel Citizen.
Telstar girls soccer players warm up with a dance before a recent home game. Rose Lincoln
October
Colleen Raymond of Bethel asked for, “a more transparent hiring process for coaches at Telstar Middle/high School.. The current system is neither consistent nor transparent,” said Raymond.
With a nod to the past, Vicky Fimiani, of Hanover, and Kate Goldberg, of Bethel, have named their new restaurant on Philbrick Street in Bethel, Watershed Wood-Fired Kitchen.
Hanover residents voted 38 to 4 to leave South Shore Road off the town’s winter maintenance schedule again this year.
Seating was limited at a special Hanover Town Meeting. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
A hiker had fallen in the rain and injured his back in Newry when he slid into a tree. He refused treatment and went to a New Hampshire hotel. Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue, rangers, Bethel Rescue and Newry Fire personnel all contributed to the rescue. “They [Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue] are a lifesaver for all of our towns with these hiking trails,” said Fire Chief Alan Fleet. “If it wasn’t for them all the areas would be in trouble. Our little Fire Department just cannot handle this.”
Bethel library offers dimentia kits on loan.
Everyone was on stage for the final song, Shake It Off, at Youth Open Stage: Taylor’s Version at the Gem Theater. Rose Lincoln
After about two dozen break-ins at the Bethel Transfer Station during the summer and fall, two New Hampshire men have been arrested.
Gilead voted at town office because of black mold in town hall. A leaking roof was repaired but water had gotten into the room and led to the mold.
Hanover select board heard a request for posted meeting minutes. Resident Mike Robin suggests the town take advantage of digital services.
Bethel Historic Society Director, Will Chapman, right, and Rosemary Wisner wait for trick or treaters Tuesday at the Bethel Historic Society’s Robinson House on Broad Street. Rose Lincoln/Bethel Citizen
The Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce awarded Business of the Year to Bennett Automotive & Power Equipment; The Henry H. Hastings Award for Citizenship to Missy Wakefield; Arlynn Hale to receive the Education Professional of the Year; Employee of the Year Award to Akayla Curtis of Gneiss Spice; and Special Recognition goes to The Congo Craftsmen. The winners will be feted at Sunday River’s Grand Summit Hotel Ballroom on Nov. 3.
November
Bethel select board asks Sharon Jackson to fill Town Manager role until June, 2024.
Hanover approves 35 articles at Town Meeting with 27 voters in attendance.
Woodstock bought land for school access to Buck’s Ledge.
Meganne Radway, left, and others from Bethel’s Maine Passive House donated their labor to build a walk-in refrigerated space on the back of the Bethel Area Food Pantry on Walkers Hill Rd Rose Lincoln
Woodstock’s new deputy clerk is Libby Eldred.
SAD-44 school board to hear book challenge of “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” from former school board member Stephanie Erickson.
Rusty Lantern replaces Mallard Mart on Mayville Road.
Oxford County Administrator Donald “Donnie” Durrah, Jr., 50, of Lewiston died unexpectedly, having worked for the county since 2019. He initially came to Oxford County to head up the Oxford County Regional Communications Center in June of 2019, becoming administrator in July of 2021, after serving six months as the interim.
December
Community volunteers helped erect a 25-foot diameter yurt on the playground at the Woodstock School.
Hanover’s mil rate dropped to 14.45 from 14. 70. The total taxable value of real estate and personal property in Hanover is $50,508,030.
After months of dismantling and installation, the new Barker 6 lift at Sunday River opened.
On Mayville Road, three motorists head back to their cars after deciding flooding by Irving gas station is too deep to chance. Rose Lincoln
A devastating storm knocked out power in Bethel for three days: Dec. 18-20. Roads were torn apart, basements were flooded and trees came down. Bethel’s firefighters rescued over two dozen people.
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