After the announcement that the Bethel Citizen would be published in print every other week, on Friday instead of Thursday, there was a lot of confusion about the start date of the new publication schedule. Columnists were originally told that there would be a print edition this Friday, and every two weeks thereafter, but, as it turns out, that information was incorrect, and this is the first week without a print paper. The biweekly schedule begins next week, on Friday, April 4. So, welcome to my first online-only column.
The Oxford County Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual report notes the addition of a couple of new “champions” to their register of big trees in the county. One is an Eastern Hemlock, a co-champion for the largest tree of that species, nominated and owned by Dawn Nelson of Greenwood. The Nelson property includes Far Winde-A-Way Nature Preserve, an 80-acre preserve on the shore of Mud Pond where Dawn and her dad, Gerry, maintain hiking trails that are open to the public, so you can go and visit this champion big tree. Access to the trails is on the Greenwood Road, about 9.5 miles from the fire station, and a small parking area is marked with a sign.
Thank you to everyone who has asked about my recent knee replacement surgery. It went off without a hitch. Tony and I arrived at the surgery center in Scarborough at 7 a.m. for my 9 a.m. surgery, and we were back home by 4 p.m. Before we left the center, I was up and walking, and even doing stairs, under the direction of a physical therapist. It’s pretty amazing to me that the surgeon could saw off pieces of my tibia and femur and attach new metal and plastic parts, and just a few hours later I was upright, walking, and headed home.
My new knee is now ten days old, and recovery is going well. I won’t say it’s been pain-free, but I was apparently one of the lucky ones for whom the two nerve blocks they put in my knee lasted for several days. I was told they could wear off in as little as 12 hours, or as much as five days, and mine seemed to last the full five days. I had been given an array of pain medication and I faithfully stuck to the detailed schedule for taking the two non-narcotic prescriptions, plus extra-strength Tylenol, but I was glad to only need one dose of the “serious stuff,” the night the nerve block wore off and I couldn’t get to sleep.
Last Saturday was such a beautiful day to be outside, and I took advantage of the warmth and sunshine to go for a short walk on the sidewalk along Main Street, from our house to the Bird Hill Road. Then I spent a couple of hours sitting in the sun, while Tony was up at the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s maple celebration, tapping trees and boiling sap.
I was disappointed when the weather took a definite turn for the worse with Monday’s snowstorm. At least, I think it’s worse; I know there are probably still some people who haven’t yet gotten their fill of winter, but I’m not one of them. I’m looking forward to warmer weather and some easy walks on the trails at Davis Park and the Valentine Farm while I work up to getting back to hiking, hopefully in June.
With the coming of spring, I’m hearing about many upcoming events and seasonal announcements. Here’s a list of some of them.
Thursdays, March 27 and April 3, noon to 1 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church, Bethel: Lenten Lunches, an ecumenical gathering providing a free soup and bread meal and a chance to share a thoughtful message during Lent. Contact Rev. Tim LeConey for more details at tleconey68@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 3, 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the West Parish Congregational Church, Bethel: “Music and Movement for Seniors,” with yoga instructor Lisa Davidson and singer-songwriter Jim Gallant. This program is part of the To Your Health free wellness series, sponsored by Western Mountains Senior College, the Bethel Family Health Center, and SAD44 Continuing Education. For more information, contact MSAD#44 at 207-824-2136 X1340 or email WMSC@sad44.org.
Wednesday, April 9, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Thursday, April 10, noon to 5 p.m. at the Bethel Library: Second annual Spring Fling. Come and celebrate the new season, purchase raffle tickets for an assortment of great prizes, enjoy refreshments, browse for books, get a new library card, and meet library board members, staff, and volunteers. This event was wildly successful last year, despite taking place during and after the biggest snowstorm of the year. There will be more information about prizes coming soon, but I can tell you this much: I’ll be donating a six-month “subscription” for homemade baked goods, with the lucky winner receiving a pie, bread, cookies, or whoopie pies each month from April through September.
Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. to noon, West Parish Congregational Church, Bethel: Smile Fund Sale. Proceeds from this annual community yard sale pay for dentures for adults in the SAD44 area. Please drop off the following items anytime between April 18 and 24: Books, housewares, knickknacks, tools, gardening supplies.
Wednesday, April 30: Opening day for the Swap Shop at the Greenwood/Woodstock Transfer Station. The shop will be open during regular transfer station hours. If you’d like to help, please contact Greenwood Town Manager Kim Sparks at greenwood.me.04255@gmail.com.
Saturday, May 3: Greenwood’s annual roadside cleanup day.
Saturday, May 17, at 9 a.m. at the Locke’s Mills Legion Hall: Annual Greenwood Town Meeting. Plan to attend to catch up with neighbors and friends, learn what’s happening in town, and have a voice in your municipal government.
If you have news or events you’d like included here, email me at amy.w.chapman@gmail.com or call 207-890-4812.
“Trees are as close to immortality as the rest of us ever come.” – Karen Joy Fowler
Thank you for the updated information on the Citizen's schedule and the news. Love that you will be posting your column online each week. Keep up the good work with your knee.