Bethel Living Magazine, Issue #51

Issue #51 June / July 2022

Bethel LIVING The Piehole Pizza, Sandwiches & Ice Cream with Jason Billings & Tee Isham

Edible & Medicinal Plant Guides

with Wendy Green, Jim St Germain, Troy Ryerson and Darlene Akers

The Congo Craftsmen The GraceNote Inn with Brenda Blond

The Hastings Homestead

joins the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society

Western Maine Yurts

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Publisher’s Note The summer months are on our doorstep!

Step out to welcome them. Vehicles loaded with kayaks, paddleboards and canoes crisscross town searching for the perfect watery oasis. It’s time to head out and enjoy what we love here — the Great Outdoors!

In this issue we profile locals Jason & Tee and their new dining establishment: The Pie Hole — opening soon at the Big Adventure Center. Join Meryl Kelly on her visit to some plant whisperers, rescuers and foragers. Learn about the generous and creative Congo Craftsmen, tour the all new GraceNote Inn, view the lodging options at Western Maine Yurts and help us welcome the Hastings Homestead

Laurie Ann Knowles • 207.838.4447

Museum, the newest cultural offering in our area.

As

always,

thankful

I

to

am my

support team. My production team is wonderful,

as

are

my advertisers and readers – you make knocking

together

this magazine a joy,

Cozy rooms, great breakfast included; Mountain Explorer stop B

not a task.

Dinner at The Sudbury Inn

Laurie Ann Knowles PUBLISHER

A Bethel Legend Since 1986 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: Alex Poland Features Editor: Nate Scott Graphic Design: Ben Bruno and Laurie Ann Knowles for Royal River Graphics www.royalrivergraphics.com

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

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

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S

ince childhood Jason Billings ha s been a pizza enthusiast with big dreams of running his own shop. Now, after year s of perfecting his craft at pizza places across the state of Maine, he and his partner Tee Isham are ready to roll the dice and shake the ‘Wes ter n Maine Grind’ for a business of their own. T hey talked on and of f about creating an authentic pizzeria for a long time but started seriously looking for a location just this past year. Knowing that there would be a vacancy at the Big Adventure Center, they reached out to building owner s Paul and Charisa Leg ault to see if a deal could be struck. As luck would have it the timing was perfect. Landing in a stellar location just of f the Bethel Pathway Trails they are slated to open around Memorial Day weekend of this year.

T he Piehole, named by Jason’s teenage son Reg gie, will be of fering ice cream, sand wiches, Maine classics like red snappah hot dogs, salads, Jason’s perfect pizza and Tee’s passion project: Sno Cones. T he sand wiches range from paninis to real italians packed with ham, salami and capicola to hot sand wiches such as meatball subs. Jason will be hand stretching thin crust NY style pizza to order and cooking it without a screen in a classic high temp pizza oven (read no more doughy crust). T he Piehole will be mixing their own dough daily and seeking out high quality local produce and meats to use as toppings. T hey will also be of fering pizza with caulif lower crust for the less g luten loving folks among us. Tee is already busy planning the triumphant retur n of the Sno C one! Patrons can expect all the 6

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by Meryl Kelly

traditional f lavor s with some fun ones thrown in as well.

Jason and Tee’s stor y is an inspiring and hopeful one. Not just for other locals with entre preneurial ambitions but as a reminder to themselves that life has a way of presenting opportunity when you put positive energ y out there. As long as you kee p the dream alive it will find you. T hey should be proud that they were brave enough to strike when an opportunity arose. T heir combined industr y experience gives them the perfect foundation for success. To do something of their own is not only a chance worth taking but a testament to the kind of leader s and employees they have been throughout their entire working lives.

T hey are ready to take their career s into their own hands and show their children and the rest of the town that for hard working good people childhood dreams do not have to be a fantasy.

T heir full vision doesn’t end at a successful summer season. T hey want to g row the restaurant into a year round spot of fering indoor dining and maybe even a bar. Jason and Tee are both dee ply entrenched in this community and will be of fering the ver y rare home deliver y option to essentially the entire SAD 44 school district. T his is huge! As the Piehole approaches opening day, evoking images of war m summer nights and dining on the patio with family, it’s easy to see this new spot as a lasting institution for years to come. v

Living with Nature

S tories from We ste r n Main e

Whatever draws someone into nature usually imparts an intimate g limpse into that per son’s most authentic self. T hat self is typically free of the masks we wear and the judgments we make and endure. What easier way to tap into our atavistic roots than getting back to the source? If the thumbnail profiles below ring any bells . . . listen to them.

The Herbologist Nutritional Herbologist Wendy Green has spent her life fascinated by the natural world and the way it can be har nessed to heal our most complicated physiological org an systems.

Wendy of fer s herb walks on her property.

Peeking at her well tended beds and strolling along the paths throughout the forest around her house Wendy stops frequently to point out sprouts and buds arising from their winter slumber. Well ver sed in the herbs that share her homestead, she enthusiastically lists their medicinal properties and the various combinations which inter play with the systems in our bodies. Her ten acre property is majestically alive with reneg ade strawber r y patches, babbling brooks with pools leading to waterfalls, well-wor n paths and an overg rown

pasture where her hor ses once spent their days.

What was once s pace appropriated from nature is now space of fered back, and nature will do what it does best: reclaim and reg row. T his, in essence, is the context in which Wendy uses native medicinal plants. Cleanse. Nourish.

Vitalize. She works ever y day of fering helping hands to make the plant life thrive wherever it sprouts up. She guides water and ar ranges ste pping stones all while allowing the plants to talk to her, to tell her what they need. In retur n they of fer their extra buds and limbs for her nourishment and vitality. T his sacred exchange of energ y reminds us all to pay attention when plants come to us; they often bring something we need to lear n or use.

The Preservationist For Jim St. Ger main of Greenwood nature delivered a welcome escape. He ar rived to his small plot of land over 20 year s ago, after serving in the Vietnam War and spending time as a manual laborer in shipyards across the American South. His life experiences before settling in Maine were impactful in a way that challenged him to sort out what did and did not feel right in his soul. In Greenwood, over time, he found that subsuming himself to the demands of the most delicate and g raceful f lower species in our midst car ries a healing power beyond knowledge. For year s, Jim has scoured forest environments slated for development in search of lady slipper s, a

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Photo Credit: Matt Stagliano for Stonetree Creative

Ever yone connects to the world through a medium of their own making. In our overnetworked under-connected society that fundamental link occur s less and less through direct time in our natural world.

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rare native wildf lower in the orchid family.

T hes e search and rescue missions mandated the cultivation of a perfect environment for transplanting. In his wildf lower sanctuar y there are white, pink and yellow lady slipper s; some naturally appearing and other s transplanted from the wild, an undertaking which is extremely technically dif ficult. It takes real know-how and patience. Luckily, Jim has both these attributes and his ef forts have awarded him upwards of 100 blooms. As he speaks of his lady slipper s and the times in the woods searching for them he will circle back to lessons lear ned in war. T he hunt, the rescue, the sanctuar y, the thriving blooms and the sharing with other s, all of it enriching his life and providing healing for wounds rarely acknowledged.

The Forager For other s the woods provide a bridge to the past. Since he was old enough to walk, Troy Ryer son has foraged in the woods of Maine.

He comes from a long line of g reat forager s and g ardener s including his per sonal mentor, his Aunt Maude Alice Hadley. When the season comes he treks into the forest, car r ying with him the heritage of skills and places used by the many people who lived of f these lands before him. He skillfully harvests from thes e treasured secret spots to ensure their survival for year s to come. His year round business, Ryer son Gone Wilds!, provides a variety of Chag a and Japanese Knotweed products.

T hen, as more species come into season he expands to of fer wild ramps, fiddleheads and various mushrooms. T hes e plants each hold a rich tradition in Maine for their culinar y and/or medicinal properties. It is hard work to forage responsibly. To seek out these areas and pull from them responsibly takes not only g rit but a dee p under standing of the fragile ecosystems that sustain life on woodland f loor s. Harvesting is an act of self restraint and respect for what the forest provides and will continue to provide if managed properly.

For Troy, kee ping these traditions alive and these places safe is a life goal passed down from lives before his own.

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The Healer For Darlene Aker s, Community Herbalist, exploration of the innate healing properties of fered by the plant world has transfor med her life. A natural teacher, she seeks not only to protect and under stand the world around her but to of fer plant medicine and spiritual eng agement with the natural world to her fellow humans. She cur rently has two outlets for this work. At Dragonf ly Healing Nest she of fer s an ar ray of healing modalities in addition to occasional workshops. More intensive education reg arding plant medicine can be attained by attending one of the many hands-on workshops at her home: Betula Botanical Sanctuar y in Andover, Maine.

Located on the West Branch of the Ellis River, her sanctuar y is cur rently listed by United Plants Saver s, a nationwide non-profit working to protect medicinal plants and their habitats.

Her classes guide open hearted participants around her magical thirteen acre pro perty where they lear n to identify, appropriately harvest and safely proces s plants and trees into medicine. Her guidance and gentle nature act as a beacon for all who desire true communion with the natural world. v

Will Work for Donuts

Building Community Spaces with the Congo Craftsmen

by Meryl Kelly

C

ommunity building appear s in many dif ferent shapes and for ms.

For some of us, this comes with the requirement of shouting from the rooftops what we are doing. T his “look at me” aspect, especially if working within the context of a g rant award, is a necessar y albeit unappealing side of community work. For other s their community guardianship is gover ned by their own discer nment and for this they enjoy a special freedom in their quieter for m of service. Wandering around the g reater Bethel area you might be sur prised to lear n that one g roup of retired professionals are responsible for many of our communities most beautiful and functional structures. From infor mational

kiosks, to riser s for the community band to shelving for the librar y, the Congo Craftsmen’s list of contributions is seeming ly endless.

Since 2005, T he Congo Craftsmen have worked as a shining example of a service led initiative. Yes, the g roup is a social one too but with 17 year s of community projects under their tool belts it’s safe to say they mean more to the community than they themselves even know. T heir association with the Cong reg ational (Congo) Church is indicative of the g roup’s roots; originally for ming in response to some general maintenance needs for the Church itself. T hey then branched out to larger scale projects for the church’s af filiate summer camp Pilg rim Lodge, located

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in Gardiner, Maine. T heir fir st project for the Congo Church was building card holder s for the back of each pew. Since their initial job they have been an integ ral part of the church’s stewardship, addressing a variety of re pair s and beautification projects over the year s. For Pilg rim Lodge they enlisted more help and got to work on a variety of projects ranging from 200 custom c abin screens, to gorgeous 6ft wide wooden Chandelier s. T hey made benches and tables including fifteen pride-inducing 10ft octagonal conference tables. Somehow the word got out and soon their ef forts spilled from within the church walls to all cor ner s of our community. T heir faith seamlessly translated into service for the common good and with that their g roup has g rown to include men who are not church member s.

Ever y Monday mor ning the Congo Craftsmen assemble at Bob Iles’ g arage to hear the plan for the day and divy up tasks.

After that they work. T hey take a cof fee and donut break around 10am and after that it’s back to work until the early after noon.

T hey are as thoughtful in their project choices as they are in the craftsmanship. T hey don’t do anything that takes away from local tradesmen. T his means the majority of their work is done for non-profit org anizations who would otherwise not be able to af ford the cost of labor. T hey of fer their labor for free with

the under standing that the materials are to be provided by the partnering org ani zation/ business. In our community it doesn’t take long to find examples of their work; the podium at the Gem, the kiosks at the boat

landings, Trailheads and infor mational signs throughout Mahoosuc Land Trust properties, seeming ly ever ything in Br yant Pond 4H’s Dining Halls, Edible Bethel’s F lower Boxes, Ramps and Locker s for Maine Adaptive and the list continues. Cur rently they are working with Age-Friendly Community Initiative to gift each of the six member towns with tables and benches. T hese pieces will be painted by area students led by Bethel Area Arts and Music and will be placed in public spaces for all to enjoy. T he benches and tables will make their debut in each town on election day, June 14th 2022.

T he camaraderie felt daily works to combat the frustrations of dif ficult projects and un-squared edges. As I spoke with the men it was clear to see, as they g lanc ed at each other across the table speaking in half told inside jokes, that their commitment to this work retur ned to them in spades a host of memories of a life well lived. On its own the structures constructed are impressive but the real magic is in this fellowship of men choosing to show up for each other and for the community week after week.

If you would like to recruit the talents of these fine gentlemen for your next community enter prise, requests can be sent to the g roups appointed “foreman” Bob Iles for consideration. v

Coffee or Donut Donations & Project Requests should be directed to: Bob Iles • Bethel, Maine • biles@megalink.net 10

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Some, but not all of the Congo Craftmen’s projects include: 2005-2009 They worked exclusively with the Congo Church and Pilgrim Lodge. SINCE 2010 they have continued to complete countless interior and exterior repairs, structures and beautification projects 2010 MLT/ Trail Work - Kiosks for Whitecap and Newt’s Landing Bryant Pond 4H Camp (BP4H) - 8-ft benches for dining hall 2011 MLT/ Trail Work - Kiosk for Mt. Will 2012-2013 BP4H Camp - 6ft benches, 6 new table tops for new dining hall & 10 foot lockers 2014 Edible Bethel - Planter boxes for local businesses Woodstock Elementary School - 6 benches + a redemption bin for nature area.

2015 Albany Town House - Restored 6 benches Edible Bethel - More planter boxes for local businesses Mahoosuc Community Band - Stage Risers MLT/ Trail Work - Two benches and painted room in old MLT office 2016 MLT/ Trail Work - Kiosk for Hastings Landing, Refinished 4 doors and Painted lower level of new MLT office and a Handicapped picnic table The Gem Theater - Stage Risers 2017 Age-Friendly Community Initiative (AFCI) - Display Rack BP4H - Cabinets and countertops Maine Adaptive Sports - Cubbies MLT/ Trail Work - Repaired boat ramp at Newt’s Landing, built bench for Gateway Path, Built 2 benches, shelves, cabinets & countertop for the Nature Center room The Gem Theater - Coat rack for entryway

2018 MLT/ Trail Work - Kiosks for Glassface Mt. Trail and Greenwood/Woodstock Lakes Association at Lake Christopher Landing, Trail signs and boxes, Bat houses and 2 benches for MLT properties and benches for pathway at Ken Bohr’s memorial stone and window screens for the Valentine house Maine Adaptive Sports - Built bicycle racks and handicap ramps The Gem Theater - Built speaker podium for future events Woodstock Elementary School - Built benches Bethel Library - Built shelf risers 2019 MLT/ Trail Work - Built 2 benches for McCoy/Chapman forest, 2 benches for pollinator garden and a handicapped picnic table for Ellis River Trail as well as many trail signs and sign boards for Lapham and Buck’s Ledge.

Chamber of Commerce - Created 3 Brochure Racks Bethel Library - Installed railing for handicap ramp, 3 cellar window panels, Basement Window Covers and Magazine Shelf Fronts Maine Adaptive Sports - Built more cubbies and benches Bethel Historical Society - Created donation Boxes 2020 MLT/ Trail Work - Built 2 benches and sandwich board signs for pollinator garden, boundary sign stands, black and white trail markers and Kiosks for Ellis River Trail and Concord Pond Gould Academy - Work project with students Bethel Library - 2 bulletin boards, Barrier plexiglass shield & Roof cover for Library veggie stand 2021 Bethel Library - 9 sets of 4-ft shelves MLT/ Trail Work - Picnic table for MLT lower field, Kiosk for Round Pond and Buck’s Ledge trails AFCI - 4 benches with backs and 3 picnic tables

By Partnering Organization: West Parish Congregational Church completed countless interior and exterior repairs, structures and beautification projects throughout the years Mahoosuc Land Trust (MLT), Lakes Associations and other Trail Work - Repaired boat ramp at Newt’s Landing, Built Kiosks for MLT’s Round Pond, Bucks and Lapham Ledge, Hastings Landing, Ellis River, Concord Pond, Glassface Mt., Whitecap, Newt’s Landing, Mt. Will and for the Greenwood/Woodstock Lakes Association at Lake Christopher Landing. Built bat houses, many trail signs, black and white trail markers, boundary signs and boxes, 12+ benches and several handicapped accessible picnic tables placed throughout MLT and Lakes Association properties, Painted room in old MLT office, Refinished 4 doors and Painted lower level of new MLT office, Built and installed shelves, cabinets and countertops for MLT Nature Center room and window screens for Valentine house Bryant Pond 4H Camp (BP4H) - 8-ft benches for old dining hall, 6ft benches and 6 new table tops, cabinets and countertops for new dining hall, 10 foot lockers Woodstock Elementary School - Benches + a redemption bin for nature area.

Edible Bethel - 18 Planter boxes for local businesses Mahoosuc Community Band - Stage Risers Albany Town House - Restored 6 benches The Gem Theater - Stage Risers, Coat Rack for Entryway and Speaker Podium Age-Friendly Community Initiative (AFCI) - Display Rack, 4 benches with backs and 3 picnic tables Maine Adaptive Sports - Cubbies, Benches, Bicycle Rack, Handicap ramps The Bethel Memorial Library - Built Shelf Risers, Railings for the Handicap Ramp, 3 Cellar Window Panels, Magazine Shelf Fronts, Basement Window Covers, 2 bulletin boards, Barrier plexiglass shield & Roof cover for Library veggie stand, 9 sets of 4-ft shelves, Chamber of Commerce - 3 Brochure Racks Bethel Historical Society - Donation Boxes Gould Academy - Work project with students

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The GraceNote Inn & Spa with Brenda Blond

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xactly 100 year s ago William Roger s Chapman, a musical maestro whose winter residence was a suite in the original Waldorf Astoria in New York City, would be ar riving in the Mayville section of Bethel accompanied by his entourage of liveried servants and ready to open his home for the summer season. His appearance in the spring — with a virtual wagon train of hor s es, Shetland po nies, car riages and dog carts — was much anticipated in the usually quiet

town. Chapman, who g rew up in Bethel and attended Gould Academy, entertained g uests from around the world in the hous e that has now been refurbished and re pur posed as T he Grace Note Inn; the name a nod to its famous prior owner.

A g race note is an embellishment to a principal note — an or namental note that the perfor mer or composer adds to enhance a piece of music. Brenda Blond, the visionar y and owner of Bethel’s newest lodging house,

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Photography by Fair Haven Photographs

FMI on the Grace Note Inn visit www.gracenoteinn.com, email is brendablond@gracenoteinn.com, tel number is 207-530-4365, address is 174 Mayville Rd, Bethel, ME 04217 has taken her cue from the world of music by transfor ming the maestro’s old residence into a g loriously war m and welcoming countr y inn with embellishments g alore. Bor n and raised in New Hampshire, Brenda visited Bethel abou t seven year s ago to participate in the Trek Across Maine bike fundraiser.

She had attended nur sing school in Maine and enjoyed several Gentle Dining dinner s at Cafe DiCocoa, but something clicked on that retur n visit — she fell in love with Bet hel and beg an to envision a future here.

T hat future appear s now in the for m of an inn with six spacious suites, a full commercial kitchen and room for up to seventy diner s, as well as a relaxed and comfortable common space. T here is a two-night minimum stay with breakfast provided. Bethel Rotar y meets there

“

ever y Tuesday and several fundraising events for local charities are already on the books.

T he property is sur rounded by an attractive white fence which bur sts forth with col orful blooms for much of the spring and summer.

Brenda g rows the f lower s and g reener y she needs for her window boxes and table tops in the small g reenhouse and potting s hed on site. A new spa area, which will be comp leted this autumn, will initially be available only to guests for facials, manicures, pedicures and massage. Spa services will eventually be open to the public. T here is a small salt water pool, an infrared sauna and the opportunity for more service suites on the large second stor y.

From a g lorious dream to an impressive undertaking the end result will be a ver y wellthought out and attractive establishment. v

A GR AC E N OT E I S A N E MBELLISHM ENT TO A PRINCIPAL NO TE — AN O R N AME N TA L N OT E T H AT THE PERFO RM ER O R CO M PO SER ADDS TO E N HAN C E A P I E C E OF MU S IC

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Date May 20

www.androscogginwatershed.org Event Anniversary Kick Off Celebration

Place Place Rumford Falls Paddle 11 Rumford ParkFalls Park Magalloway Paddle Wilson Mills to June 11 Magalloway Paddle Wilson Mills to June 11 Umbagog Umbagog Headquarters Headquarters June 17— Lewiston Auburn River Fest and Regatta Simard-Payne June Lewiston Auburn River Fest and Regatta 19 17— Simard-Payne June Lewiston Auburn River Fest and Regatta Park, Lewiston 19 17— Park, Lewiston 19 June Lewiston Auburn (ALT Family Simard-Payne June 25 25 Lewiston Auburn Brewfest (ALTBrewfest Family Simard-Payne June 25 Lewiston Auburn Brewfest (ALT Family Park, leisure) Lewiston Race or paddle or downtown at downtown your leisure) paddleat Park, Lewiston Race or Race paddle downtown your leisure) at your Pine Island, Jay July 23 Jay-Livermore Falls Picnic and Paddle Pine Jay July 23 23 Jay-Livermore Falls Picnic and Paddle July Jay-Livermore Falls Picnic andIsland, Paddle Androscoggin Land Trust Androscoggin Land Trust Androscoggin Land Trust Hanover to July 30 Water & Land Conservation Celebration Hanover July 30 Water &—Mahoosuc Land Conservation Celebration Rumfordto Land Trust Rumford —Mahoosuc Land Trust July 30 Water & Land Conservation Celebration Canton Lake July 31 Canton Lake —Mahoosuc Land Trust Canton Lake July 31 Canton Lake Park—Canton Canton Historical Society Park—Canton Historical Society LakeCanton Anasagunticook Association Little August July 13 31 Little Androscoggin Picnic and Paddle Canton Lake Little August 13 Little Androscoggin Picnic and Paddle Androscoggin (tentative) (Celebrating the Little Androscoggin and Canton Historical Society Androscoggin (tentative) (Celebrating the Little Androscoggin and River Park, Paris Land Conservation—Town of Paris and River Park, Paris LandWestern Conservation—Town Paris and Foothills LandofTrust) Western Foothills Land Trust) August 13 Little Androscoggin Picnic and Paddle Rumford River August 27 Androscoggin River Adventure (tentative) Rumford River August 27 (Celebrating the Little Androscoggin and Androscoggin River Adventure Access, Rt 2 Chisholm Ski Club Access, Rt 2 Chisholm Ski Club Land Conservation—Town of Paris and Simard-Payne Western Foothills Land Trust) Simard-Payne Park Lewiston Sept 29 50th Anniversary Finale Park Lewiston Sept 29 50th Anniversary Finale Date Date May 20 June May 20

August 27

Event Event Anniversary Kick Off Celebration Anniversary Kick Magalloway Off Celebration

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Place

Rumford Falls Park Wilson Mills to Umbagog Headquarters Simard-Payne Park, Lewiston Thanks to our major Simard-Payne sponsors for their support Park, Lewiston of this summer’s events and our work throughout Island, Jay thePine year. Kleinschmidt Associates, Brookfield Renewable Energy, Pixelle Hanover Specialty Papers, to Norway Rumford Savings Bank, EPI, Patriot Renewables, Otis Federal Canton Lake Credit Union and Nine Dragons Paper Park—Canton FMI Contact: Little Becky Secrest 207-754-8158 or 207-824-3813 Androscoggin or River 207-318-4217 Park, Paris Email: beckys@oxfordnetworks.net or arwc@androscogginwaterRumford River shed.org

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The Hastings Homestead Museum: Five Generations in the Making

by Randall Bennett

T

he Broad Street National Register Historic District, established in 1977, is the setting for many iconic buildings which grace the Bethel Common and extend down both Church and Park Streets. Soon, one of the oldest and largest houses in that district will be transformed into the Hastings Homestead Museum, a unique historical cache that will be managed by a newly created nonprofit organization.

Standing at the corner of Broad and Mason streets, directly across from the Bethel Inn and adjacent to the Dr. Moses Mason House, the Hastings Homestead has been continuously occupied by five generations of the same family since its construction began in 1819. On the outside, the imposing structure provides an intriguing example of changing architectural tastes by combining elements from the Federal, Greek Revival, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival styles. A classic example of the “big house, little house, back house, barn” configuration — the house and all service buildings are connected — the Homestead and all of its contents were recently

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donated to the new undertaking by Stanley R. Howe, a descendant of the home’s first occupants: John and Abigail (Straw) Hastings.

Showcasing over two centuries of occupancy by a prominent western Maine family, the interior of the Hastings Homestead tells a story of change over time as residents redecorated and updated the house but left unchanged many furnishings and interior arrangements.

Of particular note are the numerous nineteenth century wallpapers, floor coverings and furnishings that exist throughout the home. A treasure trove of local and regional history, the Homestead will remain closed to the public while a complete inventory of its contents — including eighteen fully furnished rooms and the contents of the attached 36-by-64-foot timber-framed barn, full of wagons, carriages, sleighs, farm equipment and the accumulated relics of multiple generations — is undertaken by board members and other volunteers.

Plans for “Phase I” of the renovation include a complete updating of the farming and logging exhibit that was

Abigail and John Hastings

Den (Relic Room)

Hastings Homestead 1874

Hastings Homestead

Front Parlor Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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created in the barn for “Sudbury Canada Days” by the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society (MBHS) in the 1990s. Next, the rooms of the main residence will be outfitted with UV-blocking window films to protect the fragile fabrics and works of art, which are many and varied. Finally, the Board of Trustees plans to clear undergrowth from the sugar maple orchard, opening the view from Mason Street to the barn and its attached “salt-box shed.”

When fully operational the 1819 Hastings Homestead will present programs, exhibits and guided tours, affording extraordinary opportunities for learning about everyday life in Maine and northern New England as it was lived over the past 200 years. The attached carriage house will provide space for rotating exhibits relating to the Hastings family and their ties to local and regional historic themes. The Homestead

and its neighboring MBHS museum houses will be the foundation of Bethel’s “Museum Row,” an unparalleled assembly of exceptional facilities which will rank as the area’s largest and most authentic museum complex.

Over the coming days and months, the new nonprofit will share information and images (historic and contemporary) about the Hastings Homestead on its Facebook page and website as a way of encouraging interest and support from individuals, businesses and grant-funding agencies for the future preservation and development of the property. At this time, donations may be directed to either the “Hastings Fund,” which will pay for the Museum’s general operations, or the “Endowment Fund,” which has been established to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the Homestead and its collections as a teaching tool for scholars, students and the general public. v

Victorian Bedroom

Barn Interior

Donations to the Hastings Homestead Museum, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Anyone interested in learning more about this exciting project may contact the Museum at info@hastingshomestead.org or by writing to P.O. Box 1642, Bethel, ME 04217

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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

Mrs. Hastings Best Carriage

Mention this ad and get 15% off any Hydro Flask insulated bottle 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

NEW AUTOMATIC WASH

CASH & CREDIT CARDS Accepted

14 Cross St. Bethel www.MacsCarWashME.com

207-418-3109

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

OFFERING Botox / Fillers / Threads

PREVENTION AND CORRECTION

Welcome Caitlin Behr, RN!

Sagging Skin / Double Chin Fat Removal Body Contouring

ENERGY DEVICES FOR TREATMENT Superficial Wrinkles / Acne Scars / Crepey Skin Skin Tightening / Skin Resurfacing Skin Rejuvenation / Hair Removal Age Related Pigmentation / Photo-Facials

Alastin Skin Care Line

Dr. Edwin Giron

#ruthiesboutique

18 Park Street • Gorham , NH 03581 (603) 466-2323 • freshfacestudio.com

88 Main Street • Bethel, Maine 04217 Ruth Grover, Owner 207.824.3341 or 207.824.2989 ruthiesboutique1975@hotmail.com

Four season yurt rentals Online booking, self check-in Solar powered Heated bathhouse Dog Friendly

westernmaineyurts.com stay@westernmaineyurts.com

Rut hie’s

BOUTIQUE

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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Western Maine Yurts with Alex Poland, Derick Poland and Tricia Young

W

estern Maine Yurts is a locally owned, family-friendly yurt rental business providing one-of-a-kind lodging options that meld into their surroundings like bird’s nests. The yurts are nicely spaced around a 128 acre parcel graced with towering stands of maples and evergreens. Chandler Brook runs through the grounds, meandering quietly toward a large marshland. Each yurt has a kitchenette complete with a draining sink, an insulated water jug, a propane camp cook stove, an enameled dinnerware set, a small pot and pan, a coffee percolator, silverware and serving utensils.

They are fully furnished with a bar table, six barstools, a couch, two arm chairs, a coffee table and a timber frame loft area with an upper and lower queen bed. Bedding is not provided, so plan on bringing your favorite blanket from home. Up to two dogs are welcome to join, with a pet fee of $20 per night per dog. Doggy bags, located at the front door, are provided for pet clean up. Ample

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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

hooks have been placed throughout each yurt for hanging jackets and drying wet gloves and hats near the fire. Yurts are equipped with a small solar power system to run the 12v LED lights and USB outlets for charging phones, laptops and iPads. Outside, there are four Adirondack chairs situated under light strings.

While some sites have their own outhouse, all guests have access to the centrally located bathhouse featuring a lady’s and gent’s side, each with two private hot showers and two toilet stalls, one of which is handicap accessible.

The interior of this rustic, farmhouse style structure

feels warm and inviting. Stained concrete floors with radiant heat make getting out of the shower a pleasure to the feet. Amenities include sinks for washing dishes and filling the water jug as well as a large rustic tub to scrub larger items.

With names like The Bear, The Androscoggin and The Pleasant each yurt reflects the local roots of this enterprise and its creator Alex Poland. He dreamed up the vision for Western Maine Yurts and personally designed and built the property from the ground up — from excavation and site work to raising the yurts and furnishing the interiors. Born and raised in Oxford County, he first fell in love with the Bethel area while snowboarding at Sunday River as a teenager. Alex can be found on site doing everything from property maintenance to cleaning. When he isn’t working he enjoys spending time with his wife, two children and a pair of gigantic Great Danes.

But of course Alex cannot run this eden in the woods alone. Derick Poland, Alex’s cousin and right-hand man attended Telstar High School in Bethel and has spent his life living and recreating in the area. He handles property management, maintenance and anything and everything that needs to be

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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FMI Contact us Email: stay@westernmaineyurts.com Website: westernmaineyurts.com

fixed. He was a mechanic for many years and still works on motorcycles and trucks for fun. He lives nearby with his wife and golden-doodle where he also makes some really cool chainsaw carvings!

Another team member — Tricia Young also attended Telstar High School and is a life long family

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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

friend. She manages the website and online presence and is usually the one connecting with guests during the booking process. She also takes care of the finances and housekeeping. Tricia and her husband have three young children and a little French bulldog that all regularly tag along to “help” take care of the yurts. v

ARCADE

32 Cross Street, Bethel ME

207-705-9500

www.riverlanesbethel.com Like Us on Facebook! @RiverLanesBethel

BEER & COCKTAILS

BILLIARDS

LEAGUES MUSIC

Whittemore Pool & Spa

MANAGEMENT

SPORTS BAR

RESTAURANT

CORN HOLE

DARTS

TEN PIN BOWLING

PUB FOOD

Sushi Bar & Grill

Sushi & Noodle Bar

141 Main Street

South Ridge Lodge Sunday River

Installation, Service & Repair Property Management Snow blowing, lawn care & caretaking

(207) 491-7713 hottub1@roadrunner.com

!

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

207-824-7370

lanechosun@hotmail.com

www.westernmainesupply.com Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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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

Local Events June and July Events

and sell their handmade creations. FMI: coordinator@bethelareaartsandmusic.com, bethelareaartsandmusic.com

June 13: Mahoosuc Community Band Spring Concert Bethel Town Common. Come listen to uplifting music at 6:30pm.

July 4: The 4th of July Picnic & Concert Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. Celebrate our nation’s independence with an outdoor concert

June 20: 34th Annual Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Bethel Area

by the fabulous Portland Brass Quintet. 11:30am-1pm. Bring your picnic

Chamber Golf Classic Sunday River Golf Club. Come together for a

lunch, and after the presentation of colors and the National Anthem,

day of networking, contests, raffles, auction, prizes, and 18 holes of fun

enjoy the concert. bethelhistorical.org, 207-824-2908

against a backdrop of the western Maine mountains. Pre-registration required. Your support will benefit the Bethel Area Chamber and its efforts

July 8: Artist Reception with Craig Altobello and Mary Graham.

to showcase the Bethel area as a premier four-season destination. Bethel

5-7pm. Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. Welcome visiting artists

Area Chamber of Commerce. bethelmaine.com, 207-824-2282

Craig Altobello and Mary Graham for a reception and brief talk. An exhibition of Altobello’s marquetry and Graham’s oil paintings will run

June 25: Library Plant Sale Bethel Library. Get there early for the best

throughout July and August, Thursdays-Saturdays,1-4pm. bethelhistori-

selection on perennials and more! 9-10 am. 5 Broad St., Bethel. bethelli-

cal.org, 207-824-2908

braryassociation.org, 207-824-2520 July 1: 18th Annual Shy, Novice & Closeted Art Show This art show provides the opportunity and the encouragement for any person who considers themselves to be a shy, novice and/or a closeted artist to show their work(s) of art. All mediums, all levels of proficiency or not, from all ages welcomed. Show is from 9am-4pm and located at 18 High Street, Bethel. FMI: contact Janet Willie at 207-824-3889 July 1-2: River Rock Music Festival Sunday River. This Christian music celebration has some of the top artists in Christian music coming to perform in the mountains. riverrockfestival.com, 401-680-2420

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July 9-10: Annual Western Maine Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show Telstar High School, 284 Walkers Mills Road (Rt. 26), Bethel. Gems, minerals, crystals, books, magazines, fossils, jewelry, door prizes, museum-quality displays, gem raffle, and much more. Entrance fee $3, under 12 is FREE. 10am-4pm. mincoll@megalink.net, 207-665-2759 July 15: Picturing an American Tragedy Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. 2pm. Please join us for this program sponsored by the Hastings Homestead Museum. Nationally-renowned artist Erik Koeppel will explain how he was able to re-create Thomas Cole’s lost painting, “Distant View of the Slides that Destroyed the Willey Family,” one of the

July 2: BAAM Art Market The Philbrook Place, 162 Main Street, Bethel.

earliest (1828) publicly available images of this White Mountain tragedy.

10am - 4pm. Local artists, crafters, & artisans will be set up to showcase

bethelhistorical.org, 207-824-2908

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

July 15-16: New England Forest Rally Sunday River & surrounding area.

Regional and national rally racing pros take on the back roads of western Maine and northern New Hampshire. newenglandforestrally.com July 15-16: Used Book Sale Bethel Library. Friday 12-5pm and all day Saturday, 5 Broad St., Bethel. bethellibraryassociation.org, 207-824-2520 July 16: Bethel Summerfest Bethel Town Common. THE big summer party! Artists, craft, and food vendors, live music, kids’ entertainment, frog jumping contest, fireworks, & more. bethelsummerfest.com, 207824-2282 July 16: Book Talk & Signing: William Andrews, Finishing the Puzzles

Bethel Outing Club/Gould

Museums of the Bethel Historical Society.

Summer Mountain Bike Series

Join as at Bethel SummerFest (Time TBD) for the launch of William

This is a free low-key mountain bike time trial series on Monday evenings

Andrews’ latest historical society-inspired mystery novel, Finishing the

June 27-August 22, (NOT July 4th) Come any time between 4 and 6pm

Puzzles. bethelhistorical.org, 207-824-2908

to Pine Hill – Gould Academy’s trails on Grover Hill Road. There is a short course, (approximately 1 ½ miles), and a longer course, (approximately

July 21: Dana Duxbury-Fox on William Brewster Museums of the Beth-

3 miles), and a 0.3 mile mini course as well! Open to riders of all ages

el Historical Society. Veteran birder Dana Duxbury-Fox will speak about

and abilities. Riders have individual starts. Come one week or all 10. See

her research on famed Massachusetts ornithologist William Brewster

how you do week to week, and have fun! There will be an end of season

(1851-1919). Brewster made many expeditions to the Bethel region and

celebration on the last night, (August 22), after riding. Any donations are

authored a book, Birds of the Lake Umbagog Region of Maine. bethel-

welcome and will go toward BOC programming.

historical.org, 207-824-2908 July 22-24: 22nd Annual New England Couples Golf Championship The Bethel Inn Resort. The perfect weekend for couples who love the game. Two day tournament, entertainment & great prizes. bethelinn. com, 207-824-2175 July 23: Tough Mountain Challenge Sunday River. Thrill-seeking competitors face natural and man-made obstacles on a 5k alpine terrain course. toughmountain.com, 800-543-2754

Ongoing Summer Events Andover Summer Concert Series Every other Friday evening June - August Andover Town Common Bandstand, 6pm rain or shine. Family-friendly music series featuring local musicians. Free admission (donations appreciated). FMI: 392-1028 June 3: Acoustipalians June 17: Cobblestones July 1: Sandy River Ramblers

Performance Massage Becca Duclos, LMT 207.318.0629

July 15: Salty Dog July 29: Randy Messineo Mornings at the Museum Thursdays - July 7, 14, 21, 28 Museums of the Bethel Historical Society,

Sportsmassage • Deep Tissue • NMT Post Injury / Post Surgery Recovery Stress Relief

9:30am-11:30am Free activities for children ages 5-10 - exploring, touring, arts & crafts, hands-on history. 9:30-11:30am. FMI: contact Rosemary Laban

16 Parkway, Unit 4, Bethel, ME 04216 Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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Davis Mountain Builders

Carpentry Mountain & General Contracting Davis Build 150 Mayville Rd • Bethel, ME 04217 LunaBluLodge.com

Jason@LunaBlu.me

833-OFF-2SKI

Carpentry & General Contra Kevin LaRue ~ OWNER MIL-TBP-41 compliant (207) 357-6160

Kevin LaRue

MIL-TBP-41 compliant

(207) 665-2348 (207) 357-6160 Cell

Florist, Garden Center & Gift Shop Located west of Bethel, 2.5 miles off Rt. 2

FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1984

207.836.3276 | poohfarm.com

Emily Delamater Photography

FLORIST & GREENHOUSES

ESTATE PLANNING | ELDER LAW | PROBATE MAINE CARE PLANNING LLC & CORPORATE SET UPS AND MORE

306 Main St. | Norway, ME | 207-370-2317 marthamcleanlaw.com 30

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

Wine–Paired Dinner TO BENEFIT

Mahoosuc Land Trust

5 course • slow–dining • locally sourced foods • wine from around the world

July 22, 2022

For more information and to purchase tickets, see our website.

All proceeds of the event go to The Mahoosuc Land Trust because we care about the future of Western Maine.

GraceNote Inn 174 Mayville Rd. • Bethel, ME 04217 WWW.GRACENOTEINN.COM

207-530-4365

Making our happy place your home.

Visit CassieMason.com