I could have happily lived without Tuesday’s inch or so of wet snow, but that’s April for you. I looked back through old photos of past springs and found evidence of quite a few years with fairly significant accumulations of April snow, including this photo taken on April 28, 2010.
When I took new puppy Lena out before bedtime on Tuesday evening, she seemed very surprised to find snow on the ground. She wanted to run around and play in it, while the last thing I wanted was for her to get all wound up right before bed. But maybe the snow was actually a puppy miracle, because it turned out to be the first night since we brought her home that she slept through the night without getting me up to take her out once or twice. (Or three or four times.) I can’t remember how long it takes before puppies sleep through the night, but it can’t come soon enough!
Because it will be a long time before Lena is able to hike with me on her own—veterinarians don’t recommend taking puppies on anything but very short, easy hikes until their growth plates have fully closed, which for Labs isn’t until around 14 months—I’ve acquired two different carriers to see if I can figure out a way to bring her along. The first, a backpack made for carrying dogs up to 40 pounds, is still way too big for her, but the second, a cross-body sling type carrier made for puppies and small dogs, shows some promise. It arrived on Monday afternoon and we tried it out with a ten-minute walk around the yard.
Today, Thursday, April 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church in Bethel: “Meditation and Music,” a unique, interactive health/wellness program presented by To Your Health. Mindfulness meditation practitioner Will Chapman will discuss the benefits of meditation, lead the group in a short, guided practice, and take questions from the audience. Then, the Oxford Hills Ukulele Group (OHUG), led by Lynette and Ray Seames, will perform their favorite tunes and lead the audience in a singalong. To Your Health, in collaboration with Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and MSAD #44 Adult Education, provides free health education and wellness programs to the Bethel area communities.
Wednesday, April 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, from 12 to 5 p.m.: Third Annual Spring Fling at the Bethel Library. Come to the library to enjoy light refreshments, browse the bookshelves, visit with library staff, board members, and friends, and purchase raffle tickets. Then enter to win a wide assortment of great prizes!
Saturday, April 25, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church: Smile Fund Sale. Proceeds from this annual community yard sale go to help purchase dentures for adults in the SAD 44 region. The church is looking for donations for the sale. Items can be dropped off at the church between Friday, April 17, and Thursday, April 23. Appropriate items include toys, books, housewares, tools, gardening supplies, and small furniture. Please NO electronics, clothing, jewelry, or stuffed animals. For an application or more information about the sale, contact the church at 824-2689.
Wednesday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Opening Day for the Swap Shop at the Greenwood-Woodstock Transfer Station, a sure sign of spring, no matter what the weather has in store for us. Stop by and see what your neighbors have decided to part with during spring cleaning!
Saturday, May 2, in several area towns: Green-Up Day, annual roadside clean-up. Greenwood volunteers will meet at the Legion/Town Office parking lot for road assignments at 9 a.m. Trash bags and disposable gloves are provided. If you choose to do clean-up on Greenwood roads prior to May 2, please email Lynn Cobb (cobblynn12@gmail.com) or let the town office know, so they will know which sections have already been completed before making road assignments.
There is a free year-long program starting up on April 21 at the Bethel United Methodist Church. Called “Food Is Medicine,” it is designed for people who are at risk for Type 2 diabetes, and who have limited access to affordable, healthy foods. See the details in the flyer below.
Last Saturday afternoon I traveled to Unity, where I had the privilege of helping to celebrate the 100th birthday of former East Bethel farm girl Deborah (Farwell) Eldredge. Debbie is my second cousin, once removed (my dad’s second cousin) and she and her three sons were frequent visitors to our camp in the summers when I was growing up. I was accompanied by my brother Steve, our sister Leslie, and Marta Clements, whose sister-in-law was a close friend of Debbie’s from college. It was a wonderful celebration, and I’m sure Debbie is enjoying reading all of the cards, poems, and stories she received from the many folks who attended.
This online newsletter is intended to keep our communities informed, so if you have news, events, or photos you’d like to have included here, I hope you’ll share them with me! You can reach me by email at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or by phone or text at 207-890-4812.
“‘Snow in April is abominable,’ said Anne. ‘Like a slap in the face when you expect a kiss.’” – Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Ingleside