Bethel Living Aug / Sept 2021

Issue #46 August / September 2021

Bethel LIVING Coming and Going

Community Dining in Bethel with Meryl Kelly

Farm Spotlight La Ferme

Food Sovereignty in Bethel The Mahoosuc Community Broadband Initiative Mahoosuc Land Trust’s Monarch Festival Wildflowers of Western Maine Late Summer Recipes Mexican Street Corn Nachos Eggplant Parmesan Boats

PLUS A Listing of Local Events

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Publisher’s Note When people put community first by donating their most valuable asset — time — there is a multiplier effect that enhances our collective harmony beyond each individual action. Bethel is such a fine place to live and visit because of its residents. People make the place. In this issue we introduce a new feature column

by Meryl Kelly which will take us deeply into all aspects of food in the Bethel area. She will chronicle local restaurants and farmers while reflecting on our daily fascination with food and its sustaining properties, both large and small.

In other areas of public interest, we report on the forward progress of broadband expansion

in

the

Mahoosuc

region,

the upcoming Monarch Festival and Wildflowers of Western Maine. Finally, check out our fun new recipes and the

Laurie Ann Knowles • 207.838.4447

much expanded listing of events from the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. Get out and have a ton of fun!

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.

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Dinner at The Sudbury Inn

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: Mike Murphy Features Editor: Nate Scott Graphic Design: Ben Bruno and Laurie Ann Knowles for Royal River Graphics www.royalrivergraphics.com

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COMING AND GOING: Community & Dining in Bethel

by Meryl Kelly

Josep Pla once said that ‘cooking is landscape in a saucepan.” The mixing of ingredients and technique acts as a testament to the movement of people from one land to the next. A tapestry woven together by the specific traditions of a place and the vast array of peoples that move through it. Through this lens of food and farming it’s easy to see the influences of colonization and it’s intriguing to follow the passage of time through our local culinary progressions. The best cooks and restaurateurs in my mind recognize these themes and use their craft to try and gain a sense of the people and the world around them. Every dish is really a social experiment. Menu offerings need to be designed to reflect the tastes and interests of the guests ideally ordering them.

For a long time here in Bethel this meant that options were limited to your classic mom and pops or diners. Meat and potatoes, fried fish… etc. These dishes will always have a valued place here, much loved and filled to the brim with nostalgia. As the food changes so does the community.

But perhaps due to the draw of Sunday River, something started to happen here a couple decades ago and tastes began to evolve and broaden as more people came to call Bethel home. This allowed space for new restaurants to stake their claim by offering something new to the food scene.

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Since the 90’s, Bethel has been graced with many longstanding food establishments that have epitomized the breadth of our community, fulfilling their roles and bringing together diehard local regulars with tourists alike. Among these pillars stood tall, The Funky Red Barn, 22 Broad Street and Dicoccoa’s Cafe and Market.

The Funky closed a couple years ago (leaving a whiskey and Rhianna sized hole in my midnight-lovin’ heart) but the other 2 chose to close their doors within the last year.

What Covid took away from many, it offered to some, an opportunity to take a break, redefine priorities and move into retirement.

John Amann of 22 Broadstreet remarked on this very thought. “COVID-19 was the tipping point. Knowing if we closed, our employees would be taken care of through unemployment and subsidies allowed us to close when we did in good conscience.” A sentiment that falls in line with the way the Amann’s, through 22 Broadstreet, ran their business. They never shied away from contributing to their community. Over the last 20 years in business they not only made contributions to seeding the Telstar football team and the opening of various local businesses but they replaced high school basketball backboards and nets, sponsored many lunches for students, and helped local and handicapped students take advantage of our ski hills through various sponsorships. The list doesn’t even

end there. Beyond this, 22, with it’s heartfelt Italian food, became the go-to spot for celebration. I can only imagine the joy that lives in those walls after playing host to so many anniversaries, birthdays and family outings. This is the thread that truly ties these businesses together despite their very different offerings. Each one of them operated successful long standing businesses while being engaged and supportive of the community around them.

Of course it goes without saying if you are in your 30’s you’ve likely had way too much fun at the Funky.

For 15 years as the Funky (and 20 years before as the Backstage Lounge) this venue in downtown Bethel marked the only year-round restaurant and nightclub.

Barry and Brooke not only built community just by being cherished members but by giving back through various fundraisers. Most notably, they fundraised thousands of dollars to benefit the Crescent Park School music program and hosted the Veterans without Boundaries dinner on Super Bowl Sunday for 13 years straight. They also hosted a very popular ‘Locals Night’ offering an incredibly affordable Prime Rib special Thursday nights.

Over the years they cultivated a tight knit staff of both family and dear friends that would further prove their commitment to building community. When I spoke with Barry about this article the one thing he kept reitorizing was his appreciation for Bartender extraordinaire Deb and his wife Brooke who both supported him through the trials and tribulations of bringing dance and late night fun to a community in desperate need of such a thing.

The Funky was a true melting pot, bringing together the many different communities within our area and offering a stage to local musicians like Monsta, TrebleMaker and the Northside Ramblers further cementing the Funky Red Barns’ place in our hearts and very hazy memory.

In the case of Dicoccoa’s Cafe, it was really a trailblazer for it’s time. With an emphasis on slow food built for a vegetarian diet this was a real departure for a community with major beef productions in town. But somehow Cathi managed to carve out her place. The Cafe provided an opportunity to taste flavors from all over the world while becoming not only a site of daily communion but a hot-bed for countless brilliant minds to practice their artistry as staff members. Dicoccoa’s staff represents a microcosm of some of Bethel’s most food passionate individuals and perhaps by Cathi’s influence, or by their own nature, many of which have gone on to kick-start their own food based dreams and contributions to the community at large. Cathi, as she put it, now gets an opportunity to “retire and rewire”. Dicoccoa’s influence within our community was strikingly obvious on their last day of operation which marked their busiest day ever

in their 26 year history. She left me with some parting thoughts, “Being at the helm of DiCocoa’s has been a blast. I am grateful for all those who have been a part of my story.”

Though these businesses are closed at the moment I can’t say they’re done with food altogether. Once 22 Broadstreet is fully converted into the Amann home they plan to have many celebratory dinners with friends, carrying on the tradition of serving great food to good people. Cathi on the other hand is offering some new lofty ideas to her space. She expounded on these ideas for the future. After some “re-tooling of the space,” she would like to, “accommodate cooking classes, small dinners, catering “to-go” and community events for folks that might need a place to teach a class, hold meetings or use the commercial space for prepping their projects.”

All of which she is hoping to move forward on by fall or early winter. Whether by service or standing each of these businesses contributed to our uniquely “Bethel’’ identity. My dream for this town is that every member of this community feels as if they have a place to dine, whether it’s Crossroads or Cho Sun, The Sugar Shack or Suds, where they can walk in and be acknowledged as family because after all Hailey Steward did teach us “We are Family”. And why should we not live by that example?

So now that the page is turning on the Bethel Restaurant scene we look forward to all that is to come while continuing to enjoy our currently operating favorite local haunts. This transition is a reflection of our growing community and the expansive feast we will all be able to partake in as our options continue to broaden and advance. It’s simple to see there is so much to look forward to. Anna and Nicole look forward to opening the doors of their very own Gemini Cafe in the old Key Bank building soon. Le Mu is inching closer and closer everyday to a Bethel brick and mortar. There are wild whispers of a farm to table smoothie truck just out of town. Farmstand Flatbreads are eyeing downtown locations for a new commercial kitchen with potential to go service. Morning Glory Farms is currently in construction of a Wood Fired Oven, which is being built with community baking days in mind, and Steam Mill Brewing is harboring some big news. Bethel’s future is looking hopeful and a whole lot more delicious. All of these innovators and entrepreneurs have already shown how deeply committed to our community they are as private citizens. I for one am so excited to watch the next generation of Bethel food options carry on the example set before them whilst pushing our tiny little mountain town into new flavor territory. v Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

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Farm Spotlight - La Ferme Tucked away off Songo Pond, up the hill at 104 Skillings Road, there is a farm bursting at the seams with excitement and delicious passion. Beth Walker, along with her husband Frank, have been diligently tending to their land, carving out space and cultivating ideas and dreams that have culminated in the brilliance that is La Ferme.

It is not only a working farm but a venue for gatherings and music, as well as the site of a bustling farm stand.

Food Sovereignty in Bethel Wherever you go in the world the influence of farming and food (eating and cooking) is undeniable. Here in Bethel it is no different, for we are an agriculture community at our core. Our history is intertwined with the heritage of all the local farms producing food for our neighbors to this day. So when Alyssa Howe started the push for Food Sovereignty it felt like a no-brainer. Essentially, Food Sovereignty rules allow a town to dictate the permitting requirements for part of its food system. In a world as divided as ours this was one thing we could accomplish on a united front. And we did. Passing almost unanimously, this vote solidified for me a long held belief that the path to true community starts the very moment a seed is placed in the ground. No matter the language, continent or culture everyone agrees that gathering 8

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Utilizing the front porch of their gorgeous farmhouse, this grab and go paradise offers hungry patrons fresh, locally sourced options that are a little different from the offerings downtown. La Ferme hosts a small licensed home kitchen where Beth whips up breads, sweet treats and a varied rotation of seasonal specialties. In addition to consistent offerings like artisanal baked breads, house churned butter, “Big Kid” Lunchables and smoked chicken spread, specials include farm fresh versions of Thai Noodle Salad and Scape Pasta Salad. Ready made products stock the shelves next to produce from the expansive gardens, and recently goat milk products from Moon Dance Farm of Andover, Maine have been added.

Throughout the summer they will be hosting a “Food on the Farm” series on Monday nights, starting July 26th.

Operating as a pop-up restaurant these themed nights offer guests a selection of items from an original menu built around ingredients grown right on the farm. Tables and chairs will be set up, but patrons are free to bring their own blanket to make a picnic of it! Visit the farm to snag some porch offerings or just gaze upon Joker, the handsome Shire horse, whenever the open flag is on the mailbox. Standard summer hours are 10am until 7pm Thursday through Tuesday!! Yes, no error there; that is a dining option on a Monday AND a Tuesday!! Le Ferme accepts cash, check or Venmo for payment and the best way to keep up to date with the ever expanding selection of offerings (both food and events) is to follow La Ferme on facebook. v

around to eat and connect with others provides our most honest sense of joy and communion. Food Sovereignty refocuses this lens, encouraging us to connect with our neighbors, trust their judgment and integrity all while stimulating our local economy through direct commerce.

No paying the middleman, no undue financial stress on growers, just the simple timeless transaction of “I’ve grown this, would you like to buy it?”

For us here in Bethel, this means we now allow the sales of home baked, cooked or grown food without the requirement of a state license. So, does your Aunt Sue make the best dang muffins in the world? Well now she can sell them freely in the light of day to strangers looking to buy a darn good muffin. This rule does exclude meat and poultry growers, who can raise freely but must send their produce to a licensed processor in order to sell it on the general market. Also, Food Sovereignty protections apply only to food sold at “the site of production.” So

yes, a grower/producer can create a farm stand on their property to sell to the public, no license necessary. But that freedom does not extend to the sale of food products sold at a Farmers’ Market. Growers that sell through Farmers’ Markets are licensed through the appropriate channels.

What’s in a permit anyway? At least for Maine, permitting at the state level is not that hard. Essentially, the only difference between a permitted farm and a nonpermitted farm is that the permitted one paid a small fee and was required to have a water test. Personally, I trust my neighbors to know the quality of their water and to act accordingly regarding its use. What I love most about food sovereignty is that it shifts the responsibility to source healthy food back to the consumer and invigorates the bond between food makers and their customers. v

Calendar of Foodie Events JULY - SEPTEMBER: • Buti Yoga - 7-8:15pm, Tuesdays (Back to Roots Farm, 199 Curtis Hill rd. Woodstock) • Farmstand Flatbreads - 5-7ish, Thursdays (True North Adventure Parking Lot, Bethel) • Greenwood Farmers’ Market - 4-6pm, Fridays (Greenwood Town Hall) • High Tide Low Tide Seafood Truck -10-4pm, Fridays & Saturdays (Bethel Beverage Parking Lot) • Bethel Farmers’ Market - 9-1pm, Saturdays (Norway Savings Bank Parking Lot, Bethel) • Music in the Beer Garden - 5-8pm, Saturdays (Steam Mill Brewing, Bethel) Drink Local Too! • Community Supper - 4:30 - 6pm,Last Wednesday every Month, except for December ( Bethel Alliance Church) JULY: 7/25 - Maine Open Farm Day (hours vary; more info at Getrealmaine.com) Participating local farms : • Birch Bog Farm, 41 Dundee Road Albany Township, ME 04217 - Offering organic cranberries • Morning Glory Farm - 343 Flat Road Bethel, ME 04217 Offering - cow dairy, eggs, organic produce • No View Farm - 855 South Rumford Rd., Rumford, ME 04276 Offering - ready made food, organic vegetables and seedlings and more 7/26 - Food on the Farm - Time TBD (104 Skillins Road, Bethel) The first “Food on the Farm” event opens up the farm as a “made to order” restaurant for a two hour window of time where guests order from a small but mighty menu of artfully crafted specialty Pizzas packed with farm fresh ingredients. Depending on the ingredients pizzas will range in cost from $10-$20

7/30 - Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain opens at The Gem A 2021 American documentary film that follows the life and career of celebrated chef and traveller Anthony Bourdain. Maybe they’ll have tissues? They’ll definitely have beer. Maybe they’ll have some type of bacon infused cocktail??

7/31, 1-6pm, 4th Annual Ride to Recovery Benefit (Mt. Abram, Greenwood) This annual charity event starts with a motorcycle ride from Naples, ME to Mt. Abram. Post ride Mt. Abram will host live music (including The Barely Dead!!) and food available from Pigpen’s BBQ Food Truck!

Tickets for the event cost $35 all proceeds donated to benefit the Larry Labonte Recovery Center.

AUGUST: 8/21, 6-9pm, Hollow Turtle and Taco’s at La Ferme (104 Skillins Road, Bethel) Live Music by Hollow Turtle, folk/bluegrass band out of Warren, RI, selection of beef, chicken & fish tacos. Pre order Tickets on Facebook or venmo “Beth-Walker-63”. $25 each SEPTEMBER: 9/12, 1-4pm, Mahoosuc Art & Agriculture Tour This self-paced tour offers participants a treasure map to top secret local farm locations that will be hosting a variety of activities for young families and adults alike. Matched with each farm will be a local artist or two leading their own activities, offering demos as well as offering an opportunity to purchase a piece of art, if your heart does so desire.

At just $20 per vehicle this is a great “pack the car full” activity for the whole family to enjoy.

PYO DATES Middle Intervale Farm: End of July - Flowers

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MAHOOSUC COMMUNITY Broadband Initiative

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Expanding High Speed Internet Service in the Mahoosuc Area When it comes to communication technologies the folks who live in the Mahoosuc region (defined as encompassing the towns of Albany, Bethel, Greenwood, Gilead, Milton Plantation, Newry and Woodstock) have not exactly embraced the cutting edge. After all, the same year that Motorola was preparing to roll out the first commercially available cell phone, the 434 customers of the Bryant Pond Telephone Company initiated a call by taking the receiver off the hook switch before speaking into the mouthpiece of their handcrank telephones. The operator on duty — in the back room of Eldin Hathaway’s house — would then make the requested connection by hand on their manual switchboard. More than half the customers were still on a party line, meaning a neighbor could pick up and listen in on any conversation taking place on the same loop circuit.

So, understandably, people in the area are reluctant to once again be last at the table when it comes to upgrading their communication technology.

In July of 2020 the Mahoosuc Community Broadband Committee (MCBC) was created as part of the Maine West Broadband Boot Camp to gain technical assistance in the local effort to

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87.6%

expand high speed internet access. Residents in more densely settled areas around the town centers usually have cable and maybe fiber, but the lack of financial incentive to expand into sparsely settled areas means more than half the population must depend on antiquated DSL technology.

of households surveyed say internet connectivity is extremely or very important for school success.

84%

of households with children use broadband for educational activities.

51%

of households access the workplace from home.

60%

of rural households value telehealth to reduce costs for speed of response and quality of health services.

Source: Strategic Networks Group (National Pre-COVID-19 data)

Mahoosuc Community Broadband Committee includes: • Mike Muir (SAD44/Bethel) • Michele Varuolo Cole (Bethel) • Jeff Martin (Bethel) • Art Marshall (Albany) • Steve Smith (Albany) • Brooks Morton (Newry) • Steve Wight (Newry) • Theresa Doherty (Greenwood) • Marcel Polak (Woodstock) • Vern Maxfield (Woodstock) • Kim Sparks (Greenwood) • Deb Walther (Gilead) • Sarah Vedella (Milton) • Michelle Conroy (Bethel) Advisors: Mia Purcell, Community Concepts Finance Corp; Mike Wilson, Northern Forest Center

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State and federal funds are available right now for enhancing broadband and will be awarded to towns that have a plan ready. Maine West Boot Camp was envisioned as a way to educate and coordinate the towns interested in advanced planning to develop infrastructure options that would qualify for funding. Because so much future economic opportunity will take online, connectivity is critical to retaining families and businesses in rural communities. A smooth collaboration between the seven Mahoosuc area towns will support acquiring the resources to support remote learning, working and telehealth services for the next thirty years.

At present the Committee is working with a consultant to map addresses in the seven town region that have high speed internet service and those that don’t. The consultant’s findings are expected in August and will include recommended strategies for expanding broadband service to all residents of the participating towns.

Area residents and visitors who are staying in the area can contribute to this work by going to the Maine Broadband Coalition website and testing their internet speeds at their residence or other area location… www.mainebroadbandcoalition.org/speedtesting-link.

Additional information about the Maine West Broadband Boot Camp and Maine West’s efforts to expand high speed broadband can be found here: www.mainewest.org/broadband-access.html – and is available by contacting Mia Purcell, mpurcell@community-concepts.org. v

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Monarch Festival and Open House TIME: Sunday, August 15 1:00 – 4:00pm LOCATION: Valentine Farm Conservation Center, 162 North Road, Bethel DESCRIPTION: Come and get to know your local Land Trust. Valentine Farm will be alive with fun and food for you and your family to enjoy. Enter the pollinator garden and get your gardening questions answered by guides on hand or try to find monarch butterflies - maybe even help tag one! Take a walk along the Birding Trail which just opened in May, and see if you can spot all 25 handpainted bird signs situated along the trail in their natural habitats. Visit with local craft vendors and purchase Maine Made items for yourself and for gifts.

Enter the Explorer’s Village and build a house for the Pollinator Protectors.

Kids can scavenger hunt for natural items or a monarch chrysalis, decorate a wooden cookie to keep as a memento, or have their faces painted. There will also be educational displays, information on Mahoosuc Land Trust and our properties, and food and drink for all to enjoy.

This is the first Annual Monarch Festival, however monarch tagging in the pollinator garden last summer resulted in one monarch being tracked to Mexico. Data from Monarch Watch shows that a monarch butterfly that was tagged at the Valentine Farm Pollinator Garden made it to El Rosario Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Mexico, a distance of 3,000 miles. Imagine, something that weighs the same as one-half of a dollar bill surviving this flight. v Extra info on how monarchs are tagged found here: monarchwatch.org/tagging/

www.mahoosuc.org • info@mahoosuc.org • 207-824-3806

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Wildflowers of Wes

Purple Trillium, Trillium erectum Lily family, blooms May to June on wooded hills, sides of roads Single red berry

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stern Maine

Photos by Honey Cronin, who has a life-long interest in nature and the great outdoors

Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris Also called “Cowslip” Blooms April to June along steams, swamps or ditches

Bloodroot, Sanguinaria canadensis Poppy family, rich woods, blooms March to May. The root is used as a dye

British Soldiers, Cladonia cristatella A Lichen, grows in poor soil or on wood

Canada Lily, Lilium canadense Lily family, blooms June to August Woods, meadows

Yarrow, Achillea millefolium Aster family, blooms June to September Fields and roadsides, dries well for flower arrangements

Purple clematis, Clematis occidentalis Beautiful climbing vine.

Listed on the endangered list of flowers in Maine

Painted Trillium, Trillium undulatum Lily family, blooms in May Woods and road sides Shiny red berries

Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus Arum family, blooms in swamp, wet woods and meadows March to April Gives off a foul order to attract flies for pollination

Coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara Aster family, blooms March to June Waste places, roadsides

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Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis Buttercup family, blooms April to June Rocky woods and ledges

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Late Summer Recipes Mexican Street Corn Nachos All of the flavors of Mexican style street corn in nacho form with grilled or charred corn, mayo, feta, cilantro, cayenne and lime juice along with the nachos and a creamy melted Monterey Jack cheese sauce!

INGREDIENTS • 2 Tbs butter • 4 cups corn, fresh or frozen • 2 Tbs mayonnaise • 1 Tb cornstarch • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream, half and half or milk

• 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded • 1 (14 ounce) bag tortilla chips • 1/4 cup cotija or feta, crumbled • 2 Tbs crema or sour cream • 2 Tbs cilantro, chopped • cayenne to taste • 1 lime, cut into wedges

PREPARATION 1. Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed pan over medium high heat, add the corn and let it sit until it starts to char a bit, mix it up and let it start to char a bit again before removing from heat and mixing in the mayo.

2. Mix the cornstarch into the cream, bring just to a simmer, reduce the heat and mix in the cheese until it melts.

3. Place the nachos on a serving dish, pour on the cheese, top with the corn, cotija, creme, cilantro and cayenne and hit everything with a few squirts of lime juice!

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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

Eggplant Parmesan Boats Eggplant parmesan served stuffing in an eggplant with tasty Italian sausage!

INGREDIENTS • 2 medium eggplants (~6 inches in length), cut in half lengthwise

• 1/2 tablespoon olive oil • 1/2 pound Italian sausage, casings removed • 1 small onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, chopped • 2 cups marinara sauce • salt and pepper to taste • 1 cup mozzarella, shredded • 1/4 cup parmesan, grated • basil for garnish

PREPARATION 1. Scoop the middle of the eggplant out leaving about 1/2 inch around the sides and chop and reserve the scooped out eggplant.

2. Brush the inside of the eggplant shells with oil and roast in a preheated 400F/200C oven, with the inside facing up, until just tender, about 10-15 minutes, before setting aside.

3. Meanwhile, cook the sausage and onion in a pan over medium heat, breaking the sausage up as you go, until the sausage is cooked, about 10 minutes.

4. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about a minute.

5. Add the chopped reserved eggplant and cook until tender, about 5-8 minutes.

6. Add 1 cup of the marinara sauce, season

Tip: Cut cross hatches into the eggplant and cut 1/4 inch around the outside to make scooping out the inside easier.

with salt and pepper to taste and cook to heat, about 3-5 minutes, before removing from heat.

7. Spread the remaining marinara sauce over

Tip: If the eggplant shells won’t stand upright, cut a small slice

the bottom of a baking dish, place the

from the bottom to give them a small flat area to stabilize

eggplant shells in with the fleshy hollowed

them.

out sides up, fill them with the sauce, top with the cheeses and bake in a preheated

Note: You can skip pre-baking the eggplant shells and fill the

400F/200C oven until the cheese has melt-

raw eggplant with the sauce and bake at 350F, covered in foil,

ed and the sauce is bubbling, about 10-15

until the eggplant shells are tender and the cheese has melted but this will require about 40-50 minutes of baking time.

minutes, before serving garnished with fresh basil.

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

27

Local Events

Deanne Bodemer

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

by Deanne Bodemer

Aug. 1: 3rd Eddy School Golf Classic

your home or business or participate in the parade - feel free to get

The Bethel Inn Resort. 1pm shotgun

creative! FMI, 207-595-2841.

start. Have fun while supporting the Scholarship Fund! theeddyschool.com Aug. 7: 40th Andover Olde Home Days Andover Town Common. This year’s theme is “Home of the Mow-Ta Speedway.” Live music Friday evening on the gazebo, with festivities Saturday morning with a cookie walk, craft vendors, a parade, the famous lawn mower races, antique tractor pull, a photo contest, classic car display, and food vendors all day long. Live music Saturday evening with Fishbowl Band. Ellis River Riders hosts a Night Gymkhana Horse Show Saturday at 3pm, and an NBHA Horse Show on Sunday. 207-357-2647 Aug. 7: Bethel Area Arts & Music Art Market The Philbrook Place, 162 Main Street, Bethel. 10am - 4pm. Local artists, crafters, & artisans will be set up to showcase and sell their handmade creations. bethelareaartsandmusic.com, coordinator@bethelareaartsandmusic. com Aug. 7: Par 3 Party Hosted by The River Fund, the fun begins at The Bethel Inn Resort complete with a nine hole shotgun scramble golf event and an after party with live entertainment, dinner, raffles and prizes. bethelinn.com, 800-654-0125

Aug. 15: Monarch Festival & Open House Valentine Farm Conservation Center, 162 North Rd, Bethel. Get to know your local Mahoosuc Land Trust. You and your family can enjoy the food and fun: Enter the pollinator garden and get your gardening questions answered or try to find monarch butterflies - maybe even help tag one! Take a walk the Birding Trail and see if you can spot all 25 hand-painted bird signs.

Buy Maine Made items from local craft vendors or build a house for the Pollinator Protectors. Kids can scavenger hunt for natural items or a monarch chrysalis, decorate a wooden cookie to keep as a memento, and have their faces painted. mahoosuc.org Aug. 23: 32nd Annual Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Bethel Area Chamber Golf Classic The Bethel Inn Resort. Come together for a day of networking, contests, raffles, auction, prizes, and 18 holes of fun against a backdrop of the western Maine mountains. Pre-registration required. Your support will benefit the Bethel Area Chamber and its efforts to showcase the Bethel area as a premier four-season destination. Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. bethelmaine.com, 207-824-2282 Sept. 4: Maine Goes Gold for Childhood Cancer Bethel Town Common. Always on Labor Day weekend, come enjoy this fun event from 5pm-9pm this year with kid-friendly games, food vendors, music, and the live calendar draw. Rain or Shine. Proceeds to benefit families affected by childhood cancer. haileyhugs.org, 281-917-5331 Sept. 12: Mahoosuc Art & Agriculture Tour 1-4pm. Enjoy an outing with friends and family to explore the bounty of Western Maine. Join

Aug. 7: “Historic Taverns and Tea Rooms of Maine” Book Signing

us Sunday afternoon to tour family farms and enjoy the Mahoosuc’s

Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. 1:00pm. Authors Kathy

rich agricultural and artistic offerings. Meet local artists, support local

and Bill Kenny will discuss and sign their newly released book which

food producers, and enjoy tasty specialties of the region. The $20 per

includes several local landmarks.

vehicle ticket includes a map to the open house sites, descriptions

Aug. 10-17: Bethel Rotary Yard Sale The grassy lot next to The Gem Theater. This multi-day event starts Tuesday, the 10th through Monday, the 17th. Shoppers are welcomed at any time from dawn to dusk.

of the activities, and a range of special offers, discounts and promo codes from Mahoosuc businesses. Learn more and purchase tickets at tinyurl.com/maat2021

You’re in for a treat and lots of treasures - all while helping out the

Sept. 13: The Inaugural Community Concepts Golf Tournament The

community! bethelrotary.org

Bethel Inn Resort. Join us for our first golf tournament scramble with

Aug. 14: Festival of Hope Bethel Town Common. 1pm-6pm. It’s time for hope, happiness, fun, and laughter so join the afternoon festivities with crazy games, activities, a small parade, entertainment, music, a street dance, food, and more! All are welcome to join: decorate

28

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

a 9am shotgun start. Community Concepts fosters opportunities for individuals, families, and communities. All funds raised support our work in Androscoggin, Oxford and Franklin counties. ccimaine.org, 800-866-5588

Sept. 18: Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff Bethel Town Common. An old-fashioned fall festival with arts/crafts, chowder cook-off of local restaurants, Maine baked potatoes, apple pie contest, live music, wagon rides, fireworks and kids’ activities. Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. bethelharvestfest.com, 800-442-5826 Sept. 18: Maine Brew Fest Sunday River. A craft beer event in the mountains, featuring as many as 100 beer selections from around Maine, plus live music, food trucks, and scenic chairlift rides. sundayriver.com. 800-543-2754.

Sept. 19: Bethel Rotary 5k Hosted by Rotary Club of Bethel, come join the 5k run/walk and a 1-mile fun run/walk I in-person or virtually.

Ongoing Summer Events

Presented by Bethel Family Health Center. All proceeds help K-12

Mobius Active Summer Programming for 5th – 9th graders

kids with scholarships for after-school enrichment activities. bethelro-

The Eddy Middle School, Newry, Maine

tary.org

Enroll soon, space is limited, and financial aid is available. theeddy-

Sept. 19: Bethel West Parish CROP Walk (Communities Respond to Overcome Poverty) A 5k walk around Bethel village to raise money for Church World Service (75%) and the local Food Backpack program (25%) to help reduce poverty and hunger worldwide. Bring a lunch for the picnic at 11:30am with the CROP Walk beginning at 12noon at the West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church St., Bethel. FMI: 207256-9516, email hlist@roadrunner.com, crophungerwalk.org

school.com, 207-381-7716 Aug. 2-6: Escape Rooms: Explore and Experience Aug. 9-13: Build an Escape Room (Aug 2-6 is a prerequisite) Aug. 16-20: Daily Excursions Aug. 23-27: Vigorous Hikes Trail Work Parties!

Aug. 15 & Sept. 12, 19, 22: Carter’s XC Ski Center. Earn Season

Sept. 25: 3rd Mahoosuc Ridge to The River Challenge Trail Race

Passes or Day Passes by volunteering! Have fun outside and meet

Sunday River. Bethel & Sunday River offer a good balance of climbing

new people while cleaning trails, trimming brush, and other jobs to

feet and incredible views. While your heart is pounding and you are

get ready for the upcoming ski season. Bring loppers if you have

cursing their choice of course, which may differ each year, the beauty

them, water, and a cold lunch. cartersxcski.com, 207-824-3880

around you will keep you moving forward. All runners will see logging roads, beautiful views, forests, rough trails, stunning mountain peaks,

Andover Summer Concert Series

and the infamous Aftershock. Half marathoners will get an additional

Family-friendly music series featuring local musicians. Free admission

5 mountain peaks with incredible vistas and a few thousand (give or

(donations appreciated). FMI: 392-1028

take) feet of elevation, and we have something very special for you

6pm, rain or shine at the bandstand on the Andover Town Common.

marathoners: you get to run the course twice! True to its backcountry

Aug. 13: Acoustipalians

nature, this event offers approximate distances. This is not your typical

Aug. 27: Tim Winchester Trio

10k or 13.1...or 26.2. Hosted by The River Fund, Mahoosuc Land Trust, Mahoosuc Pathways, three local non-profits working together to promote trails, healthy lifestyles, conservation, and community. ridge2river.me Sept. 25: 13th Mt. Abram Ski Club Golf Scramble The Bethel Inn Resort. Bring a friend to participate in this annual fund raiser to play golf, enjoy a BBQ, contests, prizes, and more. All abilities welcome.

Support the Mt. Abram Ski Club, a non-profit organization providing

August 5-26: “Mill Brook Crafts Series.” Twitchell Education Center at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society. Every Thursday 1pm3pm a different New England craft will be highlighted with historical background and demonstrations. Free and open to the public. bethelhistorical.org, 207-824-2908 Aug. 5: The Ancient Art of Indigo Dyeing Techniques with Rebecca Zicarelli

education and scholarships related to snow sports for the youth in

Aug. 12: Traditional Rug Hooking with Elizabeth Miller, owner of Par-

Western Maine. skiclub@mtabram.com

ris House Wool Works/author of Heritage Skills for Contemporary Life.

Sept. 30-Oct. 2: 31st Maine Mountains Jeep Jamboree. Our

Aug. 17 & Aug. 26: TBA

challenging trails, the beautiful New England fall setting, and the

Aug. 14 & Aug. 28: Walking Tours of Bethel Hill Village Meet on the

awesome trail guides are just a few of the reasons why this event is

Town Common near the Bell Tower close to the Chapman Inn. Join

so popular. On Saturday at 9am, come see over 180 Jeeps parade

local Bethel Historian David Jones for a guided architectural tour of

through the town of Bethel. Information at jeepjamboreeusa.com/

Bethel Hill Village. Tours last approximately one hour. bethelhistorical.

trip/maine-mountains, 530-333-4002

org, 207-824-2908

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

29

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

DEEPWOOD FARM

Come visit us for CBD and THC products such as: LOTION • SALVE • LIP BALM CAPSULES • TINCTURES • VAPE CARTRIDGES PRE-ROLLS • FLOWER • EDIBLES

Open Everyday 10am-6pm at 2 Post Office Drive, Newry Visit jarcannabis.com or call 207-824-1326

The Local Hub HEAT AND EAT FOODS, GENERAL PROVISIONS, ESPRESSO DRINKS, BREAKFAST, LUNCH, LITE FARE DINNER

NEW HOURS

Deepwood Farm is a family run barn nestled in the white mountains of Maine offering lessons, trail rides, and boarding.

207.824.2595 • deepwoodfarm.com 30

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

THURS-Sat 7am - 8pm SUNDAY 7am-3pm No indoor dining right now but will in the future.

207-875-0011 • localhubmaine.com

Sandwiches, Soups & Salads Heat & Eat Meals Natural & Gourmet Foods Beer & Wine Catering All Occasions

207-824-3754

212 Mayville Rd. (Rt. 2) Bethel, ME www.goodfoodbethel.com

TAKE OUT & OUTDOOR DINING ONLY

Wed-Sunday 5-9

Sushi Bar & Grill

Sushi & Noodle Bar

141 Main Street

South Ridge Lodge Sunday River

207-824-7370

lanechosun@hotmail.com

!

150 Mayville Rd • Bethel, ME 04217 LunaBluLodge.com

Jason@LunaBlu.me

833-OFF-2SKI

Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com

31

Life should always taste this good.

• Specialty Haus Cocktails • COVID Compliant Dining and Service • Large wrap-around deck with breathtaking views of Sunday River

Great Views

Full Menu: Comfort Foods, Appetizers, Tacos, Burgers, Sandwiches, Entrees, and Desserts

Maine Craft Beers on Draft

227 Skiway Road Newry, ME 04261

207-824-2222 www.riverhaus.me