Bethel Living #61, Feb / March 2024

Bethel LIVING Issue #61 February / March 2024

Acts of Kindness

During the Pre-Holiday Storm

Winter Sports in the Bethel Area Teamwork

at Steam Mill Brewing

DiCocoa’s To Go But Mostly to Stay

Maine Mineral & Gem Museum Lapidary Spheres

Romantic Dinner Recipes

Marry Me Chicken, Arugula Salad, Blueberry Crumble

PLUS A Listing of Local Events

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22 Sunday River Road, Bethel Me, 04217 • 207-824-1135

88 Hoss Hill Road Lovell, ME 04051

Exclusive highlights of the home include: • Magnificent sweeping western mountain views and sunsets located on 27.57 acres, consisting of 3 separate warranty deeded lots.

• Newly designed kitchen has Custom Cabinetry, SoapStone Countertops, Shaw Farm Sink, walk-in pantry with a 2nd sink and 2nd dishwasher, SS Blue Star 6 burner cooktop, Broan hood, double ovens with a warming drawer and large island.

• The dining room boasts a floor to ceiling fieldstone fireplace.

• The living room/great room boasts plenty of windows with direct access to the mountain facing deck, cathedral ceiling, Vermont Castings wood stove.

• The main floor also has 2 bedrooms with shared bath, large foyer and a ½ bath.

• The upper level is the primary ensuite bedroom w/separate shower, soaking tub, large walk -in closet, loft office and cathedral ceilings. The lower lever entrance is a large mudroom w/4 large storage closets, a family room w/pellet stove and direct access to the outside and the outdoor shower. There is also a bunk room with a full bath, laundry room w/sink, utility room and workout room.

• This private setting includes a 30x36 heated drive-in barn built in 1810 which was moved, and completely redone w/first floor workshop, main floor and loft are excellent for entertaining, or an ideal equestrian property!

Close to Kezar Lake, Lake Kezar Country Club, Sunday River Ski Resort, Sunday River Golf Resort, Pleasant Mountain Ski Resort, Moose Pond, Bridgton Hospital, North Conway, NH, Fryeburg Academy School District, Eastern Slopes Regional Airport, The Mountain Division Rail Trail, Snowmobiling, shopping, entertainment, restaurants and all 4 season activities. $2,459,000

Carol Chaffee REALTOR ®

C: 207.240.1641 O: 888.439.8743 ex#882 carolcmaine@gmail.com www.carolchaffee.com

Bringing People Home ™ Serving Western Maine & New Hampshire Lakes and Mountains

Publisher’s Note Welcome to the February / March issue of Bethel Living! We’re so glad you are here. In this issue: We report on a few of the many “random acts of kindness” and some of the stats on destruction and repair that occurred during the December 18-20th storm.

Meryl

Kelly

writes

about Winter

Sports in Bethel with contacts and trail network info. A Steam Mill report gets you up-to-speed on this cool hang-out, and you can see what Cathi DiCocco is cooking up. Maine Mineral & Gem Museum reports on their mineral spheres and how they are cut, and we have fab recipes for the foodie in you! Local events wrap it all up.

Laurie Ann Knowles • 207.838.4447

As always, I am thankful to my support team. My production team is wonderful, as are my advertisers and readers – you make

knocking

together

this

magazine a joy, not a task.

Laurie Ann Knowles PUBLISHER

Bethel Living is trademarked and owned by Laurie Ann Knowles. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Bethel Living is made possible by the participation of our advertisers.

We offer them our thanks and ask you to consider them first when patronizing businesses in the Bethel, Maine area.

Cover photo supplied by: M Dirk McKnight Features Editor: Nate Scott Graphic Design: Ben Bruno and Laurie Ann Knowles for Royal River Graphics www.royalrivergraphics.com

Cozy rooms, great breakfast included; Mountain Explorer stop B

Dinner at The Sudbury Inn

A Bethel Legend Since 1986 Award-winning food 29 beers on tap Open 4-9:30 Thur-Mon for lunch, dinner and late night Live Music Friday & Saturday 7-10 pm

Great food, cocktails and an all-new wine list in our gorgeous bar room, fireside or on our scenic porch.

Limited hours and days, please call to check in

151 Main Street • Bethel • (207) 824-2174 Suds Pub • (207) 824-6558 www.thesudburyinn.com Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

5

Acts of Kindness and the Resiliency of Our Community

by Laurie Ann Knowles

I

t has happened to all of us. Friends and family are slated to ar rive for the holidays. Ever yone in the household has pitched in to get ready; the clean linens are set out and the fancy dishes are waiting, spotless, for the series of meals that will cap a perfectly festive g athering. T hen it rains for 24 hour s — all the lands caping shrubs blow into the next county, the power fails, the driveway washes out to sea, the basement f loods and 3 tons of mud crashes through the front door. Welcome to December in Bethel, 2023 style.

December 18th & 19th saw Wester n Maine get slammed with over 7+ inches of rain that forcefully unleashed the snowpack, downing power lines while ripping apart roads and infrastructure. Only four days before the 2023 holiday kickof f weekend the damage to

6

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

the Sunday River Resort drainage systems, road ways and base lodges was almost beyond comprehension. When the rain finally passed it became heartbreaking ly clear that tr ying to reopen before Christmas would be a herc ulean task. T hen people beg an to show up.

Despite facing power outages at their own homes, resort per sonnel from all de partments, reinforced by scores of outside contra ctor s,

Basements f looded, car s were swe pt away, and unfortunately, a few lives were lost. More than 400,000 Maine customer s were without p ower for more than 24 hour s.

Locally, most roads received damage after being submerged by large swaths of swi rling f lood water s. For two days there was no w ay to get in or out of Bethel. A boil-water restriction worked tireles sly to restore operations.

Swiftly re pairing roads, re placing culverts and clearing debris, they dug into rebuilding with Maine moxie — quickly reaching significant milestones, like the installation of a temporar y bridge for the Grand Summit Hotel in only a day and a half.

Miraculously, at 8am on December 23rd, less than four days after the stor m, the lifts were running, guests were enjoying 118 acres of open trails and the base lodges were open for business. “No words can fully convey the de pth of g ratitude and respect owed to our team, our cor porate leader ship, and our outside contractor s. It is through the passion and resiliency of this team that we can welcome guests back to our mountain so quickly,” said Sunday River Resort General Manager Brian Heon.

A wall of water surged out of the Wester n Maine hills, overf lowing streams and tributaries on their way to the Andros cog gin River. From Bethel to Hallowell the mighty Andro set cresting records and made daily life a strug g le as major road ways around the state became impassable for more than three days.

“

CAR RY O U T A R A ND O M ACT O F KIN DN E S S , W I T H N O EXP ECTAT I O N O F R E WA R D, SA F E IN T H E KN O W L E D G E T H AT O N E DAY S O M E O N E M I G H T D O T HE S AME F O R YO U.”

– P RIN C E S S DI A N A

for municipal water customer s wreaked havoc with many businesses, homes and schools.

War ming shelter s were set up, clean drinking water was eventually made available and — being a resilient bunch — with the help of friends and community, most of us made it through fairly well. T he community support was tremendous! Neighbor s ke pt in touch with each other, generator s were bor rowed and necessar y supplies were shared as ever yone pitched in to bring this community back to nor mal.

As a result of this freak weather event, thousands of “Random Acts of Kindness” magically occur red, validating our faith in community and reinforcing our belief that people have within them inherent kind ness, empathy and generosity.

Sunday River is grateful to this partial list of outside contractors: Cross Excavation, Everett Excavation, Fadden Chipping and Logging, Masterson & Son Excavation, JML Trucking, Savage Excavation, Fall Line Construction, Swallow & Sons Landscaping, J Pratt Construction, Service Master, Royal Electric, IEC Electrical, G.W. Tatro Construction, Cianbro Corp

Here is an incomplete list of local folks who jumped into action to help with the recovery: • Sharon Jackson, Bethel’s Interim Town Manager, was in constant contact with all departments, circulating important info and fulfilling state requirements • The Town of Bethel’s Rescue Service and Fire Department were out 24/7 addressing calls for help and performing water rescues, while supporting CMP with debris clearing and road access

• Countless citizens and businesses offered support by fixing damage, raising funds, finding housing, delivering water and resources, updating each other on road conditions and hacks for navigating around closures, checking in on their neighbors and in at least one case rescuing people from the river using large branches

• Public Works filled roads and worked on culverts to get Bethel’s roads safe and drivable as soon as possible

• Dara Behan of The Local Hub let both Gemini Café and Le Mu Eats use her kitchen to bypass the boil water order

• School Superintendent Mark Kenney coordinated with Sharon Jackson to open the schools as warming zones after the storm

• Jason Billings at the Pie Hole sent pizzas over to Kowloon and Toe Tappin’ Dance Studio for the cleaning crews and set up a Christmas tree with kid’s toys underneath so those in need could replace lost presents

• Wendy Hanscom set up the warming stations and stayed on site the 12+ hours a day they were open • Toby Walker, Luke Angevine and Christian Cummings worked around the clock and through the night to keep the Waste Water Plant functioning.

These gentlemen gave their all to prevent a bad situation from spiraling into disaster • Water District personnel worked through the night to locate a serious leak and made a special effort to keep citizens updated • Robin Zinchuck of the Bethel Rotary Club spearheaded a donation fund, raising at least $60,000 for community support • John Walker and Jessie Perkins worked tirelessly to address the water situation, helping those in need, while working with contacts at Maine FEMA to get immediate aid • Richard Blanco put in a phone call to the Governor, communicating the dire situation in Bethel and urging immediate action • Candice Casey from Ark of Mercy Ministries supplied food and water to those in need throughout the storm • Steam Mill Brewing, one of the few restaurants unaffected by the storm and subsequent flooding, jumped into action, donating food for many workers in and around Sunday River. Owner James Kimball also sent meals to the Water District crew 8

as they worked around the clock

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

• Beth and Frank Walker offered hot meals at no charge • Poland Spring donated a tractor trailer load of water and Western Maine Supply contributed time and forklifts to get it unloaded. Then, more than 20 volunteers showed up with about 30 minutes notice to move it into the chamber offices, people’s cars and anywhere else in town for people who were unable to come get it themselves • The Good Food Store had a team of people who cleaned out the store and retrieved items that had floated into the field across the road • The Eddy School filled with students, parents and friends ripping out damaged flooring and drywall, while the Congregational Church offered space to conduct classes during The Eddy rebuild • Frank DelDuca, who is a select board member and owns Crossroads Restaurant, served a meatloaf dinner for anyone who did not have power — over 50 people attended • Regular customers at the Sugar Shack gave pizzas, cheesecakes and more on a donation board for families in need • Our hearts go out to the crews at Butcher Burger and Kowloon Village, who were very hard hit with flooding

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Dinner is WED - SUN 4pm - 9pm Brunch is SAT & SUN 10am-2pm Reservations can be made online or by calling (207)824-1089.

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9

Winter Sports In Bethel

Events, Guide Services & Clubs to Help You Get Outside

by Meryl Kelly

EVENTS • Tracking & Birds with Mahoosuc Land Trust. www.mahoosuc.org/events-calendar • Annual “Becoming an Outdoors Woman Winter Skills Weekend” at Bryant Pond 4H Camp • Fishing Derbies - Check the MDIFW website

I

n Bethel, winter adventuring is often synonymous with the thrills of alpine skiing and snowboarding.

While nordic skiing is g aining popularity, this article aims to highlight some of our region’s lesser celebrated winter activities. For those of us who call this place home, wintertime’s shorter days result in reduced production of vitamin D – also known as the sunshine vitamin. Lack of vitamin D may contribute to a variety of unpleasant symptoms, from mood dysregulation to bone density loss and pain. T he “winter blues” is a real thing. For many, getting outdoor s during the colder months is an integ ral part of surviving Maine’s long dark winter s.

Once the snow is packed down, winter hiking around Bethel is sur prising ly good. Great local family-friendly hikes include Valentine Far m Trail (snowshoes available to bor row just outside the Mahoosuc Land Trust of fices), the Esker Trail Loop and the Bethel Pathway; all good walk s with minimal elevation g ain. T he most popular local trails — Buck’s Ledge Community Forest, Mag gie’s Nature Park, Long Mountain Trail and Rumford Whitecap — get pack ed down so soon after snowsto r ms that they almost always require just a pair of microspikes to get through the occasional bits of ice. Even if dee p snow war rants the use of snowshoes, you hardly ever have to break trail, which makes the jour ney more enjoyable for 10

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GUIDE SERVICES • Orion Outfitters Guide Service offers limited dates for guided ice fishing (603) 401-1802 • Bethel Adventure Tours offers guided ski touring, winter hiking + fat biking (757) 672-3542 SNOWMOBILE & RECREATION CLUBS • Wild River Riders (Bethel) wildriverriders.wixsite.com/club • Greenstock SnowSports (Greenwood) Visit on Facebook FMI • Windy Valleys Snowmobile Club (Newry) Visit on Facebook FMI • Andover Snow Valley Sno-Goers Snowmobile Club (Andover) andoversnowvalley.com • Rumford Polar Bears Snowmobile Club (Rumford) www.snowmobilerumford.com/ • Bethel Outing Club (Bethel+) bethelouting.org • 288 Mayville Rd, Bethel. (207) 824-2266

all ability levels. Other more challenging trails that don’t get packed down quite as quickly make for g reat snowshoe hikes — these include the McCoy-Gray Birch Backcountr y Trail, the Parks Bennett Trail, the Shelbur ne Riverlands area and the beautiful trails around the Ice Caves at Wheeler Brother s Inc. (kee p in mind this trail is shared use with snowmobiles, so hiker s should be mindful of rider s needing to get by).

Vetera n local hiker Amy Chapman advises, “trekking poles are your friends, especially on winter hikes—if they don’t kee p you from falling, they’ ll at least help you get back up ag ain, especially in soft snow; if it’s even remotely icy, don’t even think about hitting the trails without decent spikes (Yaktrax are for sidewalks and driveways, not trails); and if the snow on the trails is soft, or there’s a thin crust that you break through, wear snowshoes.” An added benefit to walking through fresh blank ets of snow is the uncommon opportunity to see the tracks of all our local critter s. Some trails also of fer the opportunity to participate in fat tire biking.

Inland Woods + Trails operates 10 miles of g roomed sing le track fat bike and snowshoe trails emanating from downtown Bethel. T hese trails are se parate from their extensive nordic skiing system but do of fer the winding scenic jour neys through beautiful white pine and hard wood forests that patrons have come to expect. More adventurous biker s should ride the popular Helix trail and climb for rewarding

views on F luf fer nutter. T his system of fer s easy access for beginner s with a variety of rental options available at their Winter Trail Center located at T he Bethel Inn Resort.

Using the trails can also be a motorized adventure. T he area sur rounding Bethel has a vast network of trails for snowmobile rider s, which are often, if not always, maintained by local town clubs. T hese clubs are run by tireless volunteer s who work with property owner s to kee p trails well maintained and safe. If you have your own machine, there are plenty of trails to choose from. If you need to rent a machine things get a little more limited but the starting point would be just over the state line in Gorham, NH. To become a club member and support the sustainability of these networks, rider s are encouraged to get in contact with their local clubs. If you do take to the trails it cannot be stressed enough: please stay on the marked trails and respect the land and hard work that these club s put into preserving this New Eng land pastime.

Speaking of traditional New Eng land activities, another option is to hit the hard water. On ponds and lakes that is! Once frozen over, many bodies of water provide boundless opportunities for both ice fishing and ice skating. As far as ice fishing, the Maine De partment of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is a g reat resource to find tips and info about gear, regulations and even some locations.

Locally, North Pond in Greenwood and Songo Pond in Bethel have pretty good access for ice

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

11

fishing and also make for a g reat place to skate. Both are war m and cold water fisheries providing for more action on the fishing lines. Lake Christopher in Br yant Pond is a g reat cold water fisher y for trout and salmon. T he fishing there can be slower but the likelihood of an impressive catch is a bit higher. T hink quality over quantity!

Ron Four nier, a local guide and outdoor sportsman, claims the keys to success for anyone wanting to get into ice fishing are “ war m clothes in layer s, sunscreen and hat, knowledge of the ice conditions, and food!” Food on the ice is essential, and having other things to do like snowshoeing, skating, or a frisbee to kee p busy while waiting for the fi sh to bite can make the dif ference for a lot of families tr y ing it out for the fir st time. It’s important to kee p in mind that anyone over 16 needs a license, even for a short day trip. T his can be bought online or at Sport T homa. For big ger ice, local skating enthusiast Jesse Stevens, recommends the always worth-the-jour ney Lake Umbagog which also provides for g reat ice fishing (with a NH fishing license) and access to Umbagog Lake State Park snow mobile trails. If ice over open water makes your insides clench then a low risk skate at the Community Ice Skating Rink, courtesy of the Bethel Rec De partment may be right up your alley. Situated at the end of Philbrook Street in downtown Bethel, this sweet little spot of fer s time slots for free skating and pick-up hockey.

No matter how you like to enjoy the g reat outdoor s in the winter months, what’s most important is to get outside ever y day you can. Don’t let the weather be a deter rent, there are ver y few days when you can’t dress for the cold and be comfortable, once you’re moving that is. Even if your prefer red outdoor adventure is walking around the block while sipping a latte or mak ing a snowman in the backyard some outside time is always better than none and chances are that winter’s majestic beauty will char m you into falling even more in-love with Bethel and our area’s mountains & forests.

Where to Get Gear

2ND HAND • Community Sports - Upstairs at the The Philbrook Place. 162 Main Street, Bethel.

(207) 824-0577 • The District Exchange - right door entrance at 279 Walkers Mills Rd, Bethel.

(207) 824-0369 BUY NEW • True North Adventureware - hiking boots, clothing, safety gear, spikes, hiking poles & more - 196 Walkers Mills Rd, Bethel. (207) 824-2201 • Sport Thoma - snowshoes, clothing, safety gear, ski tuning, game tagging (in hunting season) & more at 288 Mayville Rd, Bethel. (207) 824-2266 • Rob’s Bait & Tackle - ice fishing supplies and live bait 80 Hebron Rd. at Route 119, South Paris. (207) 730-3968

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15

Teamwork at Steam Mill An update for 2024

by Laurie Ann Knowles

I

n a res ort town, ever y chairlift ride with someone new is a chance to get the lowdown on some aspect of the local scene. Where’s the best place to stay? Are fir st tracks better on Jordan or Whitecap? What’s a good place for breakfast? Lunch?Dinner? And the always p opular, “Where do people go for aprés ski?” With plenty of options between the slopes and Route 2, ever y dining establishment does their best to stand out. Consistency is the key. T he kitchen worker s, bartender s and serving staf f must all mesh at the busiest of times to make sure ever y guest experience is memorable for the right reasons. T he team at Steam Mill Brewing is so consistent that they regularly pull of the hardest trick of all — making it look easy!

It’s been 2 year s and 2 months since Steam Mill opened up as a full service restaurant on the Sunday River access road. Starting from humble beginnings in downtown Bethel, they came out of the g ate with g reat beer and a

“

W E AR E NOT A T E A M BE CAU SE W E WO R K TO G E T H E R . W E A R E A T EA M BE CAU S E W E R E SP E CT, T R UST A N D CA R E FO R E ACH OT H E R .”

– VA L E A FSH A R

true Maine aesthetic: no indoor space but g reat rustic outdoor picnic tables in a tent with live music and fire pits — all winter long.

It was a cool place to hang during COVID, being both safe and chilly . . . and ver y popular with the hardy outdoor crowd. Nothing says 16

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

tough like breaking out a pair of drinking mittens! T he need to g row and find an indoor space expanded the seating options, but the enthusiastic outdoor fans still have a fire pit at the new digs. Since the move, owner s James Kimball and Koral & Scott Fraser have boosted the employee count from 2 to upwards of 45.

T he beautiful post and beam building they now own is perfect, with comfortable seating, an upstair s lounge for live entertainment and a large beer g arden out back with fire pits, cor n hole and a band stage. Brent Angevine, a for mer business partner who is no longer with us, would be so proud of how things have come along.

T he phenomenal sense of team at Steam Mill is felt immediately upon ar rival. Low employee tur nover in the front and back of the house means seeing the same faces ever y visit.

Dan, Jeb, Amanda, Lacy, Brian, James and the rest all work together, chur ning like an old mill to pre p and serve the food and drink. All employees work 4 days per week with 2 weeks vacation at each shoulder season before and after the winter madness. Full-time worker s get a 401K, health care with dental and vision, and are consistently shown appreciation for their hard work. All tips are pooled, emphasizing teamwork so that customer s can get coverage from any server easily. T he small yellow f lag on each table quickly summons any available server to whet the palette, tickle the taste buds and please the tummy.

T heir rotating menu features super tasty selections chosen by Dan Boyd, with input from

the rest of the crew. T he regularly renewed bill-of-fare may have delights such as Crispy Pork Belly Bao Buns, Lobster Arancici, Braised Short Ribs, Oxtail Tacos, Bison Burger s, Crispy Pork Tacos, Korean Chicken, Cedar Salmon or Bison Bolognese. Delicious beer, wines, cocktails and many nonalcoholic options are available — something to please any taste. Steam Mill works to source ing redients from local provider s as often as possible and pre pares each plate from scratch.

Team Steam is a close-knit bunch that works and plays together. T hey ski and bike as a throng, have an org anized bowling team at River Lanes and f loat/paddle the Androscog gin multiple times each summer in g roups of 20+. T hey play in golf tour naments, have Lake Days and motivate each other in a familial way. In fact, James’s parents Joanne & John are p art of the g ang, often ste pping in to bar-back or spread cheer and support when the crowds are at their height.

During ski season there is live music on Friday and Saturday evenings, with A pré Ski

Steam Mill Brewing is perfect for your own private function.

on Saturdays from 2-5pm. T his year’s Drag Brunch will take place on Sunday River’s White Out Weekend, Feb 2nd-4th. Steam Mill will host the Friday Night Welcome Party for White Out with a rowdy themed kickof f. Live music ever y day during Februar y Vacation and plans for a verdant St. Patrick’s Day Party will bring cheer through the winter. T hen it will be A pril, when the staf f will take their 2 week break before retur ning to welcome spring and summer and all the fun of another season in the beer g arden. T here are mountain bike trails acces sible from the parking lot with Gabe Perkins staying in touch with James to kee p all the info up-to-date on the Inland Woods + Trails website.

Also, Steam Mill participates in the Harvest Hosts Prog ram, accommodating over 270 camping parties in 2023. All Harvest Host camper s must be member s of the prog ram and ar rive in a self-contained RV or the like. T hey are encouraged to spend at least $20/per son at any host establishment.

If you’ve not yet been to Steam Mill, or if it’s been a while, stop in and catch the fun vibe, delicious beverages and bold menu options . . . you won’t be sor r y!

FMI visit Steam Mill Brewing at 96 Sunday River Road in Bethel, view steammillbrew.com, call 207.824.11.49 or see them on Facebook at Steam Mill Brewing

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

17

Exciting News: Grand Opening of Mountain Glow Skincare Studio!

Mark your calendars for February 1st as Mountain Glow Skincare Studio prepares to welcome you at its downtown Bethel location, 14 Main Street #3. Leann Caruso invites you to experience her exclusive Mountain Glow Signature Facial, priced at just $80 throughout the month of February. Treat yourself or a loved one during this perfect month of indulgence. Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the gift of glowing skin and discover the magic of clean skincare products. Call or email now to book your appointment or purchase gift certificates.

Embrace the essence of self-care and relaxation at Mountain Glow Skincare Studio!

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MOUNTAINGLOWBETHEL@GMAIL.COM • 207-601-2300

Watershed WOOD-FIRED KITCHEN

At Watershed, we believe in crafting a unique dining experience where tradition meets innovation. Our intimate restaurant is nestled in the heart of Bethel, Maine, housed in the town’s historic water district building. We offer healthy Italian cuisine and wood-fired sourdough pizza. Experience the essence of this special place. Come and enjoy our delicious food in a cozy, welcoming and casual atmosphere.

11 Philbrook St., Bethel, Maine • Thurs - Sunday 4-8pm NO RESERVATIONS • www.watershedwfk.com Check availability by text only during business hours 207-357-9257

18

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

88 Main Street Bethel, Maine 04217 Ruth Grover, Owner 207.824.3341

Rut hie’s

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Clean Cut Painting Company is striving to be the best employer in the Western Maine! To us, our employees are more than employees, they are family and the essential piece to providing hundreds of yearly customers the best contracting experience they can possibly have!

cleancutpaintingcompany@gmail.com • 207.416.6400 • www.cleancutpaintingcompany.com

DiCocoa’s To Go but Mostly to Stay

by Meryl Kelly

T

homas Keller, celebrated chef and restaurateur,

measures

success

in the food industr y not by fame,

fortune or awards but through the creation of memories. Memories collected throughout our lives mark those small sensor y downloads that harken back to the moments each us hold dear. Nostalgia sustains these memories of

places

and

people

while

of fering

a

springboard of familiarity for innovation.

T hese powerful emotions of fer to wistfully transport us back to examine the paradigm of

our

values

and

ideals,

an

essential

precur sor to moving forward.

Few business owner s under stand this quite

like

Cathi

DiCocco.

Since

1995,

DiCocco has g raced Main Street Bethel with countless iterations of food based businesses.

Most notably she ran DiCocoa’s Caf e & Market for nearly two decades, hosting far mer s

markets

and

“Gentle

Dining”

dinner s to celebrate the g reat cuisines of the world. Over the year s the cafe stitched itself into the fabric of Bethel as “the” spot to g rab a cup of cof fee, a fresh baked pastr y and meet up with friends & neighbor s. When the pandemic hit, Cathi’s life coalesced into a tr ying era of readjustment. T he timing to move on to the next thing felt opportune.

DiCocoa’s Cafe and Market shut down in July 2021 and later that year Cathi sold the cafe building (now the home of Le Mu Eats). As she pivoted her daily routine into retirement she decided to kee p hold of her 20

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commercial kitchen, you know, just in case.

the menu is simple cof fee, hot cocoa and apple

have

cider. DiCocoa’s To Go is open each Saturday

predicted, retirement suited her for a short

and Sunday, 8am to 1pm (or until sold out). For

time but eventually she got the itch to once

added convenience you can preorder bagels in

more open her door s to the community and

quantities of 6 or more.

As

all

who

know

Cathi

could

create something new. In the summer of

In recent months Bethel has been noted

2022 she and her son Graham re-opened as

as the home of a Foodie Renaissance, so to

“DiCocoa’s To Go”, transfor ming her porch

speak. Around our community many new spots

at 125 Main Street into a little g rab-and-go

are popping up, each adding their own unique

gelato shop. It was ver y evident that nostalgia

spin to the scene. As a slow food pioneer for

was on their side as the community f locked

over 20 year s DiCocco’s inf luence is not only

to their open door s to g reet old friends.

evident in some of the new restaurants and

T his winter, after many requests from loyal

cafes but also in the memories of generations

patrons and supporter s, Cathi decided to take

of guests.

the venture one ste p further by expanding

In

this

new

restaurant

landscape,

her of ferings to accommodate the crowds

DiCocoa’s To Go is an anchor point marking

of people in search of a quick and simple

both our past and our movement into the

breakfast. In addition to gelato, DiCocoa’s

future. It’s a place where the children who

To Go has brought back Cathi’s famed bagels

g rew up sipping vanilla steamer s at DiCocoa’s

and f lavored cream cheeses, as well as favorite

Cafe with their g randparents can smile back

sweet treats like banana bread, blueber r y

at those cherished moments while bringing

cardamom cake and chocolate chunk cookies.

their own children in to indulge the s imple

Guests can either g rab-and-go, or dine in

pleasures of g rabbing a snack and building

her small but beautifully sun-kissed, plant-

core memories around the comforting smells

filled dining room. Ever the innovator, she

of fresh baked banana bread and the friendly

has added satisfying bowls of steel cut oats to

hello of a familiar face.

the mix, with a selection of sweet and savor y toppings to suit anyone’s taste. At just $5, this quick and filling breakfast is a steal. Also on

DiCocoa’s To Go 125 Main Street • Bethel, Maine 04217 (207) 824-5282 • dicocoasbakery@gmail.com

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21

The Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s

Lapidary Spheres

Equatorial bulge is not just a post-holiday development many of us strive to avoid, it is also the main reason that the earth is not a perfect sphere — a solid shape where ever y point on the surface is equidistant from the center. T his sounds like a fairly easy object to produce but it is actually dif ficult and expensive. Scientists in Australia spent over $3 million to fabricate a four-inch perfectly round object out of a sing le cr ystal of silicon-28 atoms.

Closer to home, the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum uses spheres as a defining visual motif across their g alleries. In 2014, as the exhibits were being planned, Maine lapidar y and MMGM founding director and trustee emeritus Robert F. Ritchie, MD, of Free port donated more than 800 stone spheres and the lapidar y equipment that he used to cut and polish them . His sphere g rinding machine and a video of Ritchie making a sphere are

22

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a prominent part of the museum’s lapidar y exhibit.

Cur rently, the Robert F. Ritchie Lapidar y Studio at the MMGM is over seen by Martin Roberts, a display/exhibit specialist who used to work for the company which over saw the fir st phase of the museum’s construction. Now working at the MMGM as the Studio Manager, Martin brings over 40 year s of experience in custom cabinetr y, museum installations and fabrication to the role. Based for many year s in Mar yland, West Virginia and Tennessee, Martin’s work took him to China and dee p into the unique per spectives of many dif ferent cultures.

When not constructing displays, exhibits or special wood working projects for the museum, Martin can be found in the Lapidar y Studio where he has been perfecting his skills at making spheres from metamor phic, sedimentar y and igneous rocks. Martin also

works with meteorite material. He has ste pped up his abilities in slicing and polishing specimens while researching new ways to improve those processes, including obtaining new equipment and machiner y to streamline and refine his work.

You can see Martin’s spheres and all his other fine work by visiting the Museum and the Museum Store. When you c ome in to take a look, kee p Martin’s life motto in mind: “You’ve got one time around; put value in the day.”

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To keep informed of news and events at the MMGM, please go to our website and sign up for our newsletter, or email: info@mainemineralmuseum.org and we’ll add you to our list.

Hours at the MMGM are: Monday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tuesday - closed Wednesday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Final Admission Time to full galleries is 4 p.m.

Admission to the full Museum can be purchased online or at the door: Adults $15 Seniors $12 Veteran/Active Military $12 Students $10 Children (12 and under) Free Memberships can be purchased in person or online at mainemineralmuseum.org/membership/ Visit us at: 99 Main Street, Bethel, Maine 04217 Info@mainemineralmuseum.org. 207.824.3036

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23

A Romantic Dinner for February & March Marry Me Chicken INGREDIENTS • 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes • 3/4 c. low-sodium chicken broth • 1/2 c. heavy cream • 1/2 c. chopped sun-dried tomatoes • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan • Freshly torn basil, for serving

DIRECTIONS

Recipe courtesy of Delish.com

1. Preheat oven to 375°. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Season chicken generously with salt and pepper and sear until golden, 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate.

2. Return skillet to medium heat and add remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Stir in garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes, and cook until

fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in broth, heavy cream, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan and season with more salt. Bring to a simmer, then return chicken

24

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Arugula Salad INGREDIENTS • 6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp. lemon juice • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 4 c. arugula • Shaved Parmesan, for garnish DIRECTIONS

1. Make dressing: In a medium bowl,

whisk together olive oil and lemon juice, then season with salt and pepper.

2. In a large bowl, lightly dress arugula, then top with Parmesan.

Recipe courtesy of Delish.com

Blueberry Crumble

INGREDIENTS • 6 c. fresh blueberries (2 lb.)

• 1 tbsp. lemon juice • 1/3 c. all-purpose flour • 1/4 c. granulated sugar • 1/4 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed • 1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon • Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

CRUMBLE TOPPING • 1 c. all-purpose flour • 1/2 c. light brown sugar, lightly packed • 2 tsp. lemon zest • 1 tsp. baking powder • Kosher salt • 1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, cut into ½” cubes • 1/2 c. sliced almonds, toasted • Ice cream or whipped cream, for serving (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Make the filling: In a large bowl, mix the blueberries, lemon juice, flour, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon salt. Transfer to a 2-quart baking dish or 9” pie dish.

2. Make the crumble: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, brown sugar, lemon zest, baking Recipe courtesy of Delish.com

powder, and ½ teaspoon salt.

3. Use your fingers to work the butter into the flour mixture, flattening the pieces

and continuing until mixture is crumbly. Stir in almonds. Sprinkle crumble topping on top of the blueberries.

4. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the crumble topping is

golden brown and crisp and the berries are bubbling and thick, 30 to 35 minutes.

5. Let cool 30 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

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25

Whittemore Pool & Spa

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• Fire/Soot/Smoke Damage • Mold Remediation

• Tile and Grout

• Odor Removal

• Post Construction Cleaning

29 Brickyard Cir. Auburn, ME 04210

26

• Hard Surface Floors

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33 Cross Street • PO Box 69 • Bethel, ME 04217 (207) 824-2139 • 1-800-858-2139 Fax: (207) 824-3554 This ad brought to you by John Anderson

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27

LOCAL Events

Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 1247, 8 Station Place Bethel, ME 04217 Tel: 207.824.2282 • Fax: 207.824.7123 Toll-free: 800.442.5826 info@bethelmaine.com www.bethelmaine.com www.facebook.com/bethelarea

February & March Events EVERYDAY this WINTER!!!

Free Community XC Ski Days for kids from SAD #17 and SAD #44 and

available, bring a headlamp. After our guided tour we will enjoy a bonfire and Wild River Kitchen food truck will be Open until 8pm. RSVP by

RSU #10 and RSU #56 Carter’s XC Ski Center FREE trail passes for all

emailing us Cartersxcski@gmail.com 786 Intervale Road, 207-824-3880

March 10 we will have a family-friendly celebration on the last date.

Feb. 11: 32nd Annual Flying Moose Classic Half-Marathon The Bethel

students from these districts with rentals available at various rates. On Scavenger hunt, food truck, fire pit, and Free entry to win prizes. 786

Outing Club, Nonstop Nordic, and NENSA. Part of both the Zak Cup

Intervale Road, Bethel 207-824-3880

and NENSA Marathon Series, this fun and exciting event starts at the

Feb. 2-4: Pride Weekend Sunday River. Our LGBTQ weekend features

lands of the Bethel Resort & Suites and Inland Woods and Trail’s Bethel

specifics! sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754

adventure. Skiers can select from either the 12.5KM or 25KM course,

Feb. 10: Full Moon Guided Ski or Snowshoe Tour Carter’s XC Ski

Race (grades 6-8) that will take them over fun little obstacles and zig-

stellar skiing and riding and special events. Please check online for

Bethel Resort & Suites and takes you through the rolling hills and forest Village Trails in Bethel, Maine, providing you with a wonderful scenic and there is a 1KM kids race (grades K-5) and a 3KM Middle School

Center. 4:30pm – 8pm Join us for a Full Moon guided tour of our trails

zag pathways. Kids race starts at 9:00 a.m. (mass start); Middle School

After our guided tour we will enjoy a bonfire and Wild River Kitchen

a.m. (mass start). Awards and cookies to follow at ~12:30 p.m. with a

with either skis or snowshoes. Rentals available, bring a headlamp.

food truck will be Open until 8pm. 10 per person. RSVP cartersxcski.

starts at 9:30 a.m. (mass start); 12.5KM & 25KM races start at 10:00 special after party event at Carter’s XC Ski Center with a food truck and

com, 207-824-3880

beverages (12:00-5:00 p.m.). Cost: 25KM = $35; 12.5KM = $35; 3KM =

Feb. 10: Moonlight Ski & Snowshoe Tour in collaboration w/ NEN-

https://nensa.net/event/flying-moose-classic-2/

SA Carter’s XC Ski Center 4:30pm-8:00pm

$10/person with rentals available. Food Truck OPEN! Join us for a Full Moon guided tour of our trails with either skis or snowshoes. Rentals

28

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

$15; 1KM = $10 (FREE for Bethel Outing Club Members & MSAD 44)

Feb. 11: Apres Flying Moose Ski Party Carter’s XC Ski Center Try out

our xc ski trails, FREE for any Flying Moose race registrant! Also all race

registrants can enjoy 20% off all Swix products that day at our ski shop, in which we carry an extensive inventory of classic, skate, touring, and backcountry equipment. We will also be holding our annual Winterkids day with information about the Winterkids program, kids activities, and free swag. Additionally folks can demo fat tire bikes for only $20. Our food truck, Wild River Kitchen, will be serving our full menu including hot cocoa and smores kits. We invite you to experience our family-friendly and dog-friendly atmosphere complete with a central fire pit, picnic tables, and indoor lodge seating too. FMI check out cartersxcski. com. 786 Intervale Road, 207-824-3880 Feb. 11:Carter’s XC Ski Center

Winter Kids Family Day- Extra savings for everyone the Winterkids app with family oriented activities, giveaways, & learn about the Winterkids program. Join us on Sunday, February 11, 9am to 4:30pm, for a WinterKids App Family Day at Carter’s XC Ski Center! Family Day Deal: 1

One free junior trail ticket

2

1/2 priced sibling trail tickets

3

1/2 priced parent trail tickets

cartersxcski.com. 786 Intervale Road, 207-824-3880 Feb. 12-16 Telstar High School Winter Carnival Feb. 17: Telstar High School Winter Carnival Dance – 7pm to 10pm 284 Walkers Mills Road, 207-824-2136

Feb. 17 – 25: Family Scavenger Hunt Carter’s XC Ski Center at 786 In-

tervale Road in Bethel. Ski or snowshoe and hunt on our trails searching for Maine animal tracks signs with a chance to win prizes! Every participant will receive a FREE Animal Tracks card and a small prize. Trail pass required, rentals available. Free entry for kids to win prizes for the Scavenger Hunt. 9am to 4pm cartersxcski.com, 207-824-3880 Feb. 23: 40th Birthday Celebration for Carter’s XC Ski!! Join us in

celebrating 40 years of our family-run business!

{ONE DAY SALE!} Spin the wheel for up to 40% off! 40% OFF ALL Carter’s XC Ski LOGO merch!!! 40% OFF ALL Ski passes after 2pm.

Outdoor Music Afternoon at 4:00pm with music, bonfire, & food truck! cartersxcski.com, 207-824-3880

Mention this ad and get 15% off any Hydro Flask insulated bottle Gift Certificates • Snowshoe Rentals Ice Skate Sales True North Adventureware Inc. 196 Walkers Mills Rd. PO Box 973 • Bethel Maine 04217

207 824 2201

www.truenorthadventureware.com One mile South of Bethel Village on Route 26 Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

29

◦Flower◦Edibles◦Concentrates◦Prerolls◦

Sunday River “If we don’t have it... you don’t need it!”

ONE STOP SHOPPING

Beer. Wine. Liquor.

Groceries and Produce.

Pizza and Boar’s Head Sandwiches.

Great Hot Food.

Online Ordering Available.

Hot Sandwiches

bs Belly Buster

$12.50

cheese, 30

Grilled Cheese

$5.00

Now open year&round!

Grilled Cheese Tomato

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

$6.00

WE DELIVER!

PURVEYORS OF FINE FOOD, WINE & BEER

MENU

207-824-NYNY (6969)

Supplied by Hannaford Bros. Co.

GET YOUR GROCERIES DELIVERED 15 mile Delivery Radius $10 convenience fee $1/mile away from our store Available 7 days a week

29 Sunday River Road Bethel ME 04217

207-824-4253 (4ALE) SundayRiverBrewingCompany.com

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP.

Same great food, same great beer, same great service!

A Maine microbrewery & restaurant, the Sunday River Brewing Company combines classic New England fare with contemporary styles. Outdoor dining in the warmer months or fireside in the winter.

6 days/week – lunch & dinner – closed Tuesdays SEE THE CURRENT MENU ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE

SundayRiverBrewingCompany.com

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