#73 February / March 2026
Bethel LIVING
Ember & The Mayville Union House
New Spaces, Familiar Faces
Inland Woods + Trails Celebrates 15 Years
The Maine Valentine Project with Dee Fournier
Chillosophy’s Sound Bath An Evening of Self Care
Hygge at Home Lighting, Mood and Comfort
Baked Winter Recipes A Message from the Chamber PLUS a Listing of Local Events
Publisher’s Note
February and March in Bethel are some of winter’s sweetest months, as daylight lingers a little longer and temperatures begin to soften. Bake up a few easy, nourishing dishes to fuel your outdoor escapades, then head out to enjoy the many adventures Inland Woods + Trails has to offer. Be sure to turn to pages 10–13 to learn about their ongoing trail work and upcoming anniversary celebrations.
This issue also invites you to celebrate the Maine Valentine Project with Dee Fournier, discover the restorative Sound Baths offered at Chillopsophy, and mark your calendar for the many events happening around Bethel in the coming months. Dig in, get outside, and savor all that winter has to offer in our beautiful Western Maine mountains.
As always, I am thankful to my support team. My production team is wonderful, as are my advertisers and readers – you make knocking together this magazine a joy, not a task.
Laurie Ann Knowles PUBLISHER
Bethel Living is trademarked and owned by Laurie Ann Knowles. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Bethel Living is made possible by the participation of our advertisers. We offer them our thanks and ask you to consider them first when patronizing businesses in the Bethel, Maine area.
Cover photo supplied by: Andy Gagne Photography www.andygagnephotography.com
Features Editor: Nate Scott
Graphic Design: Ben Bruno and Laurie Ann Knowles for Royal River Graphics www.royalrivergraphics.com laurie@royalrivergraphics.com
Ruthi e’s
BOUTIQUE
New Spaces Familiar Faces &
In Bethel the truth is, for would-be entrepreneurs with their hearts set on restaurant ownership, there aren’t many options when it comes to vacant commercial spaces. Businesses here tend to be long-standing, and when a space does open up, it quickly becomes talk of the town as people speculate about what—or who—might come next. This winter, familiar faces will be putting their own stamp on two well-established restaurant venues with Mayville Union House and Ember.
Ember
In 2023, Brian’s Bistro closed its doors on Main Street and sold its building to Mountain Social. Owner Brian Nichols moved on to work for Sunday River in a variety of roles, enjoying the benefits of shorter tourist seasons and fewer responsibilities—a stark contrast to the 24/7 demands of restaurant ownership. Still, what he gained in personal time, he missed in culinary creativity.
So when Sunday River approached him about leading a new restaurant project in the former The Last Run Room on the second floor of the Grand Summit Hotel, Nichols was intrigued. The goal: create a restaurant that would connect the hotel’s dining options into a cohesive “family” of restaurants. From that idea, Ember was born.
Think of Ember as Camp’s younger sister— fresh off a semester abroad, backpacking through Eastern Europe. The menu is more refined and decidedly old-world. Where Camp offers Mussels and Bacon or Country Meatloaf, Ember serves up Scallops with Pork Belly and Veal Schnitzel
by Merly Kelly
(a Brian specialty). Designed as a ski-in / ski-out fine dining experience, Ember caters to hotel and mountain guests seeking a more elevated take on the mountain-inspired comfort food Camp is known for.
Like any young adult newly returned from Europe, the bar program reflects a shift away from casual excess toward intentional sipping. Tommy, who spent last season behind the bar at Shipyard, has built a cocktail list centered around classics— Boulevardiers, Vespers, and Sours—alongside the obligatory Aperol Spritz, and thoughtfully chosen beers and wines to complement. To complete the transformation, Brian enlisted his wife, Jess, to redesign the space, making it theirs. Heated outdoor igloos, set to open in the coming weeks, will expand Ember’s intimate footprint and allow parties of four or more to dine outdoors throughout the winter.
Mayville Union House
While Ember settles into its opening weeks, Harding Smith—formerly of The Last Run Room—has taken a significant step forward in his own vision of hospitality. Along with his wife, Sarah, and several partners, Smith purchased the sprawling and beautifully maintained property at 174 Mayville Road, formerly the Grace Note Inn. The result is The Mayville Union House.
True to its name, The Mayville Union House represents a thoughtful marriage of Harding’s culinary journey through many of Maine’s food communities. There’s a hint of Portland polish for the diner craving a big, 45-day dry-aged steak,
balanced by approachable offerings for the local Bethelite just looking for a seat at the bar, a plate of excellent wings, and a place to watch the game. Every item on the menu is sourced thoughtfully through Smith’s long-standing relationships with farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and oyster growers across the state. The guiding idea is simple: highquality food served in a warm, adaptable space that can shift seamlessly from an upbeat ski bar with live music to a cozy date-night destination, or even a full-property event venue for weddings, reunions, and celebrations.
The restaurant seats nearly 70 guests, with a layout that offers a range of experiences— from intimate alcoves to lively gathering spots. The dining room opens into the bar, framed by a stunning custom mahogany counter and a long community table designed to foster a classic local tavern atmosphere. Upstairs, beautifully designed guest rooms—each with a private bath—round out the property’s all-in-one hospitality appeal.
Joining the team as General Manager is another familiar figure in Bethel dining: John Hicinbothem, whose decades of local restaurant experience will help guide the Union House as it evolves alongside its’ patrons. Other recognizable names include Steve Flint as Chef de Cuisine and Tara Pocock on the floor. Perhaps most exciting is the strong presence of local farms on the menu. For Smith, supporting local agriculture isn’t a marketing angle—it’s simply “the way to cook.”
His early-season investment has already provided a welcome January boost to area farmers (and local food enthusiasts alike).
In a town where change is becoming less rare and memory runs deep, these two openings feel less like a disruption and more like a continuation. There’s comfort in seeing familiar hands reimagine spaces that hold our shared memories, watching them stretch, refine, and take creative risks shaped by years of experience and connection. This marks an exciting time in Bethel Dining. Ember and The Mayville Union House aren’t arriving as strangers—they’re unfolding as the next chapters in stories written by the people who have already fed us, celebrated with us, and weathered long winters alongside us.
Together, these restaurants signal to the locals and return visitors of Bethel something unique about the people who choose Bethel as a personal or professional home. We are an adaptive bunch, unafraid to reinvent, evolve, and bring our neighbors along with us. Bethel’s dining scene isn’t trying to be bigger or trendier than it is— it’s becoming more itself. Rooted in local farms, informed by broader influences, and built around community rather than novelty, these spaces reflect a town growing thoughtfully, not hurriedly. New spaces, familiar faces, and the understanding that good food—like good towns—is at its best when it honors where it’s been while making room for where it’s going.
Celebrates 15 Years
by Laurie Ann Knowles
Inland Woods + Trails (IWT) was founded in July 2011 by a group of local citizens committed to creating and maintaining an interconnected, multi-use trail system. Originally known as Mahoosuc Pathways, the organization hired its first Executive Director, Landon Fake, who helped launch the Bethelowned Bingham Forest. From the beginning, IWT’s mission emphasized trails as year-round economic drivers and encouraged future land stewards to value resource care as highly as trail development.
These principles led to major early achievements, including advocacy for the Bingham Forest and the creation of the Bethel Conservation Corps, a paid youth trail crew that restored Mt. Will and the Woodsum Spur on the Stewart Preserve. When Landon departed in 2013, Gabe Perkins
was hired as Executive Director in March 2014, a role he continues to hold today.
The Bethel Conservation Corps evolved into the Oxford County Conservation Corps, employing 50 Oxford County students over five years and building or maintaining 18 public trail systems. IWT assumed management of the Bethel Village Trails at the Bethel Resort, maintaining 25 km of groomed Nordic trails and building 10 miles of mountain and fatbike trails. The organization also acquired the Bethel Community Forest, now over 1,500 acres, and expanded into Rumford, Albany, and Greenwood, developing more than 30 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails while employing local teenage crews. In 2020, the organization rebranded as Inland Woods + Trails to better reflect its growing reach.
Today, IWT owns more than 2,000 acres in Bethel and Rumford and maintains trails on an additional 10,000 publicly and privately accessible acres. The organization employs five full-time staff and up to 12 seasonal staff and interns, and is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors. Its values center on being welcoming, pursuing excellence, embracing innovation, working with joy, and acting with respect.
Core Focus
IWT promotes economic growth, healthy lifestyles, and community connection through inclusive, multiuse trail networks and thoughtfully managed natural environments.
Niche
Exceptional trail design and management, strategic long-term investment, and responsible stewardship that balances environmental and community needs is the focus.
Five-Year Vision
IWT will complete the Community Access Trail System (CATS), connecting Mt. Abram, Bethel, and Sunday River, and add 35 miles of new trails in the Bethel Community Forest and Bingham Forest—advancing more than 55% of the International Mountain Bike Association’s “Main Street to the Mountains Plan.”
Additional goals include expanding winter trail experiences, building a headquarters and visitor facility in Alpine Meadows, growing the Rumford trail network from 4 to 20 miles, generating over 50% of operating revenue from non-grant sources, and building a $500,000 Resilience Fund endowment. Volunteers will contribute more than 2,500 hours annually and remain central to IWT’s success.
In 2026, Inland Woods + Trails will celebrate its 15th anniversary with a yearlong lineup of events, including a “Find the 15” Scavenger Hunt which will have a summer component across all community forest and trail networks, the World Trails Film Fest on March 7 at The Gem Theater in Bethel, anniversary celebrations on July 25 in Bethel and September 19 in Rumford, plus volunteer workdays, popup events, and new trail openings across the network.
FMI: Inland Woods + Trails, woodsandtrails.org info@woodsandtrails.org 207-200-8240
Inland Woods + Trails On-Going Projects and Initiatives
Bingham Forest
IWT is the land manager of this 2,358-acre forest owned by the Town of Bethel. Top priority is completing the Whitecap Cliffs and Lichen Ledge trails which will connect existing trails to Sunday River.
Bacon Hill
Bacon Hill is a growing network of mountain bike trails at 1268 Vernon Street in Albany Township located in the 12,000-acre Crooked River Headwaters conservation land. Plans to expand the 3.61 miles of single-track mountain bike trails in 2027 are on-going.
Bethel Village Trails
As recreation manager, IWT continues to maintain and develop the Bethel Village Trails through a partnership with The Conservation Fund and through relationships with private landowners. Summer activities include 6 miles of single-track mountain bike trails and 6 miles of multi-use roads. In the winter, IWT operates and manages a Winter Trail Center in partnership with the Bethel Resort & Suites, providing 25 km of groomed Nordic ski trails and over 10 miles of groomed fat biking and snowshoe trails.
Rumford Community Forest
Continued activation of the 446-acre forest with approximately 9 miles of multi-use, single-track, and hiking trails is planned thanks to a $248,000 grant from the Maine Trails Program.
Bethel Community Forest/Main Street to the Mountains IMBA Plan
90 total miles of trail connecting Bethel to Sunday River Resort. Main Street to the Mountains represents a bold plan created by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) for Inland Woods + Trails to design and build 65 new miles of trails that will complement, extend, and enhance the existing system, allowing tourists and residents to ride, ski, hike, run or amble on a diverse array of trails from downtown Bethel to the chair lift, lodge, or bar at Sunday River Resort. The IWT trail crew and contractors continue to build trails in the IMBA plan with 3 (includes the Summit Ridge Trail/CATS reroute) completed in the Summer of 2025.
CATS Improvement – Vernon Street
IWT is working with landowners to re-imagine the Community Access Trail System (CATS) connection at Vernon Street through possible re-routes, raising up areas of the trail, installing culverts, laying down gravel, and installing/replacing bridges. The CATS from Bethel Village to Mount Abram opened in 2022 but has had significant maintenance issues at the Vernon Street connection due to unprecedented rainfall in storms in the past few years. Fundraising for project is on-going with $28,000 raised to date.
Maine
Timber and Trails Fund
IWT is partnering with Exemplary Forest Management (EFM) whose mission is to align financial incentives with the long-term ecological needs of timberland, wildlife, and local stakeholders. With this partnership, IWT will manage recreation on 1200 acres of the Chadbourne Forest in rural western Maine.
Woods
+ Trails Teen Team (WT3)
With the success of the inaugural Woods + Trails Teen Team (WT3) in Bethel in 2023, is a 10-week summer employment opportunity for high schoolers. About to embark on its fourth year, IWT has expanded the crew to include River Valley youth working on Rumford trails.
The WT3 engages high school students in developing individual and team-oriented skills along with hard skills of trail building and design to utilize on conservation and recreation areas managed by IWT, fostering their already existing curiosity or enthusiasm for the outdoors, and translating that to developing lifelong skills that set them up to choosing the outdoor recreation industry as a college and career path.
Connecting Rentals
The Maine Valentine Project
by Laurie Ann Knowles
Mason Township resident Dee Fournier created The Maine Valentine Project in loving memory of her mother, Kathryn White—a woman whose generosity knew no limits, even on a modest income. Kathryn believed deeply in kindness, compassion, and quietly helping others. Today, her spirit lives on through a project that brings warmth, dignity, and hope to Maine’s unhoused community every winter.
Inspired by a social media story about a man in Australia delivering pillows to people experiencing homelessness, Dee and her friend Willow Ochtera began their own journey in 2017. They chose Valentine’s Day as a reminder to those struggling that they are seen, valued,
and not forgotten.
“We wanted to involve everyone—schools, civic groups, friends, and families,” Dee explains. “Our goal was to collect winter gear and essentials that could bring real comfort and a little kindness to people living on the streets in Portland and Lewiston/Auburn.” Early partnerships included organizations such as the Prebble Street Resource Center, the Oxford Street Shelter and the Trinity Jubilee Center, along with groups serving unhoused veterans and young mothers.
In the beginning, donations included gently used clothing, winter essentials like socks, gloves, hand warmers, snacks, and beautifully handmade valentines from local schoolchildren.
As the project grew, Dee and Willow refined their approach, focusing on backpacks and filled bags—an efficient, respectful, and practical way to distribute items in meaningful quantities.
Each January, the community rallies. Individuals and groups knit hats and scarves, while the Yarn Hub—a dedicated group of local knitters—meets weekly at the Bethel Library, producing hundreds of handmade hats each year. The Yarn Hub welcomes anyone who wishes to join, whether to knit for the project or simply enjoy the camaraderie.
Support has poured in from near and far, including generous contributions from Sunday River, Sport Thoma, Bethel’s Repant Sewing Group, and many others—far too many to name without missing someone who deserves recognition.
As donations have grown, so has the need for space. For the past three years, the Bethel Historical Society has provided vital storage, making the packing and distribution process possible.
Now entering its ninth year, The Maine Valentine Project distributes more than 300 backpacks and bags annually. The greatest challenge is matching donations with the most-
needed items. Financial gifts are especially powerful, allowing the team to purchase essentials in bulk—warm socks, gloves, chapstick, hygiene items, snacks, toothbrushes, and more—so every bag is both practical and thoughtful.
Dee and her husband Ron, and Willow and her husband Jon personally deliver the bags, approaching people with care, respect, and sensitivity. Not everyone is ready to accept help, but many are deeply grateful. Over the years, they’ve shared conversations, heard stories, and witnessed moments of quiet connection. “When someone who’s been struggling looks up and smiles,” Dee says, “you know you’re doing something that truly matters.”
Education is also at the heart of the project. Each year, elementary students gather at the library to hear stories about compassion and helping others. Children ask thoughtful questions, save spare change, create cards, and donate items. The handmade valentines are always cherished—and yes, Pop-Tarts remain the most requested treat.
The Maine Valentine Project is proof that small acts, when multiplied by community, can create lasting impact.
TO LEARN MORE OR TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: Deirdre (Dee) Fournier • 603-401-6777 deefournier08@gmail.com
Venmo donations welcome — see QR code in folder. Your kindness helps deliver warmth, dignity, and love—one Valentine at a time.
At Watershed, we believe in crafting a unique dining experience where tradition meets innovation. Our intimate restaurant is nestled in the heart of Bethel, Maine, housed in the town’s historic water district building. We offer healthy Italian cuisine and wood-fired sourdough pizza. Experience the essence of this special place. Come and enjoy our delicious food in a cozy, welcoming and casual atmosphere.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 4:30 to 8:30 - check Google maps and or www.watershedwk.com for upcoming summer hours
11 Philbrook St., Bethel, Maine • Thurs - Sat 4:30-8:30pm NO RESERVATIONS • www.watershedwfk.com
Check availability by text only during business hours 207-357-9257
A Night of Sound and Stillness Sound Bath and Yin Yoga at Chillosophy Yoga Studio
On a hushed November night, winter whispered its arrival. Snow drifted down in soft, unhurried flakes as my dear friend (let’s call her Laurie) and I shared a simple bowl of soup at Kowloon—warmth and comfort before surrender. It felt like a quiet prelude, the kind you don’t realize matters until later.
We arrived early at Chillosophy on Parkway Road in Bethel, pushing open the door to a sanctuary glowing from within. Candles lined the room like silent sentinels, their golden light wrapping the space in something tender and almost sacred. Mary and Jasmin greeted us with smiles that felt like permission to exhale.
This was our first yin yoga and sound bath experience. We didn’t know the rituals, but the room did. It received us without instruction.
First came the sound.
Jasmine began her serenade with instruments that felt part earth, part sky—crystal sound bowls humming ancient tones, chimes shimmering like falling stars, seed pod rattles echoing forest heartbeats, and gongs releasing waves so wide they seemed to move through thought itself. The sound
by Elba Sacris-Bove
didn’t simply fill the room; it traveled through us, around us, and beyond us.
Mary guided us gently, her voice steady and soothing, reminding us to settle, to soften, to stay. Yin asks for patience and presence—the kind of quiet courage we often forget we have.
Eyes closed, bodies resting on our mats, we surrendered to breath and vibration. Time loosened its grip. Candlelight flickered at the edges of awareness like a private constellation. The music became a bridge—leading inward, to a place both unfamiliar and deeply known.
When the final tone faded, the silence felt changed—wider, warmer, alive. We rose slowly, like waking from a dream we weren’t quite ready to leave.
Outside, the snow was falling. The night felt gentler somehow, as if it, too, had been softened. We carried with us a lingering peace and a simple truth: healing doesn’t always arrive loudly. Sometimes it comes in sound, in stillness, and in allowing ourselves to be held—if only for a moment.
Jasmine Newman-Grover, Lunar Peacock Energy Work
FB: Lunar Peacock Energy Work
IG: lunar_peacock lunarpeacockenergywork@gmail.com
HYGGE AT HOME
By Villa Hygge Design®
Photographs by Erin Little
In Maine,
the seasons shape how we live. Long winters pull us indoors, summer light stretches our days and the rhythm of the year encourages a slower, more intentional way of being at home.
In Scandinavian countries, that instinct has a name: hygge. More than a style, hygge is a feeling: a sense of comfort, ease and presence created through atmosphere rather than perfection. It values warmth, calm and livability over formality, supporting the everyday rituals that make a house feel like home.
At Villa Hygge Design®, our work blends the principles of Scandinavian living with the mountain landscape and seasonal rhythms of Maine. We translate the how of hygge: layered light, material warmth and intentional transitions into a design ethos that encourages you to linger in each room.
Throughout our homes, thoughtful nooks, quiet hideaways and moments of pause invite you to slow down, settle in and truly feel at home.
In a place where winters linger and homes are meant to be lived in fully, Hygge isn’t decorative. It’s essential.
-Therese Kelleher Founder & Principal Designer Villa Hygge Design®
Lighting Sets the Mood
Hygge begins with light. Instead of relying on a single overhead fixture, a hyggeforward home is layered with warm, human-scaled light: table lamps, sconces, dimmable fixtures and candlelight. In Maine’s darker months, this approach creates a sense of intimacy and ease, supporting everything from quiet mornings to evenings spent gathered together. Lighting, when done thoughtfully, shapes how a home feels as much as how it looks.
Layers Create Comfort
Hygge is felt through texture and material honesty. Natural elements like linen, wool, wood, stone and ceramic bring warmth and tactility to a home. These materials invite touch, age gracefully and help rooms feel relaxed rather than staged. Layering textures adds depth and comfort, allowing a home to feel welcoming through Maine’s changing seasons.
Transitions Support Real Living
Hygge lives in the in-between moments. Thoughtful homes pay attention to transitions; where boots come off after a snowy walk, where coffee is poured in the morning and where evenings naturally slow down. Window seats, benches, reading nooks and quiet corners create moments of pause that make a home feel intuitive and personal. These small elements support real life without asking for attention.
Late Winter Recipes
Breakfast and Lunch Bakes to Fuel Your Winter Adventures Outdoors
Whether you’re heading out for a day on the slopes, a snowy hike, or a brisk Maine snowshoe, these hearty, make-ahead bakes will keep you energized, satisfied, and ready for every winter adventure.
DIRECTIONS:
1. Gather all ingredients.
Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
• 12 (½-inch thick) slices sourdough bread (Gemini Baker)
• 1/4 cup butter, softened, divided (Dreamland, LLC or Kate’s)
• 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 12 slices pre-sliced Cheddar cheese (Balfour Farm)
• 2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed tomato soup (such as Campbell's)
• 1 cup tomato juice
• 2 large eggs (Picnic Hill Farm)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped into ½-inch pieces
• 1 cup shredded Italian blend or Cheddar cheese
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
3. Spread 6 slices of bread with 2 tablespoons butter on one side.
4. Lay buttered slices of bread, butter side down, on an extra large baking sheet.
5. Spread bread slices evenly with cream cheese.
6. Top each bread slice with 2 slices of Cheddar cheese
7. Top cheese with remaining bread slices.
8. Spread tops of bread slices with 2 tablespoons butter.
9. Bake sandwiches for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping once, until cheese is melted. Let sandwiches cool at least 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
10. Meanwhile, prepare soup mixture. Whisk together tomato soup, tomato juice, eggs, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a bowl. Stir in chopped tomato.
11. Cut toasted sandwiches into 1-inch cubes.
12. Pour soup mixture into prepared dish.
13. Place cubes evenly over soup mixture in dish; pressing slightly to submerge in soup mixture.
14. Sprinkle with shredded Italian blend cheese.
15. Bake until heated through, golden brown, and cheese is melted, 25 to 30 minutes.
FLAVOR VARIATIONS:
Berry Lemon
Omit cinnamon. Gently stir in 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 1 cup total of berries: blueberries, raspberries and/or blackberries.
Banana Chocolate Chip
Mash 1/2 large ripe banana, slice 1 large ripe banana. Gently stir in the banana and 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, semisweet chocolate chips, or mini chips.
Dried Fruit and Nut
Gently stir in 1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts or almonds, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg or cardamom and 1 cup dried fruit: cranberries, snipped apricots, blueberries and/or dried cherries.
Apple and Peanut Butter
Stir in 1 large unpeeled apple, cored and chopped, and 1/4 cup peanut butter.
Simple Baked Apples
Great for a sweet breakfast or a light dessert!
INGREDIENTS:
• 6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (Sparrowhawk Orchard)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup whole milk
DIRECTIONS:
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
INGREDIENTS:
• 2 large eggs (Picnic Hill Farm)
• 2 cups milk or unsweetened plant milk of your choice
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (Swain Family Farm)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups regular rolled oats (Maine Grains)
• 1/3 cup dry amaranth, buckwheat groats or quinoa (optional)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Gather all ingredients.
2. Grease a 2-quart rectangular baking dish.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt together in the prepared dish.
4. Stir in oats and amaranth. If desired, stir in flavor variation mix-ins (see below).
5. Cover and chill at least overnight or up to 3 days.
6. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Uncover and stir to re-incorporate all of the ingredients.
7. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and the center is set, 45 to 55 minutes.
8. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm.
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish, or coat with cooking spray.
2. Place apples in a large bowl. Combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a small bowl; stir into apples until evenly distributed. Stir in raisins and walnuts. Spoon into prepared dish. Pour milk over apple mixture.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until soft and bubbly, 45 to 60 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1247, 8 Station Place
Bethel, ME 04217
Tel: 207.824.2282
connect@bethelmaine.com www.bethelmaine.com www.facebook.com/bethelarea
LOCAL Events
FEBRUARY
Every winter day: Carter Cross Country Ski Center 9 - 5 Free Community XC Ski Day for kids from SAD 17 and SAD 44, RSU 10, and RSU56. Scavenger hunt, ski & snowshoe, fire pit, snacks and prizes. 786 Intervale Road, Bethel, carterxcski.com 207-824-3880
Sundays: Join the Sunday River Christian Ministry for Sunday Services at North Peak throughout the season. 10:00 AM. Check for dates https://www.sundayriver.com/events/sunday-service
Tuesdays: The Yarn Hub Drop-In Knitting Group at the Bethel Library meets on Tuesdays mornings from 10-noon. 6 Broad Street, 207-8242520, bethellibrarymaine@gmail.com
Wednesdays: Story Hour at The Bethel Library 10am to 11am 6 Broad Street, Bethel, Maine
Thursdays: Coffee House Conversations Bethel Alliance Church - 9am - noon Stop by for an hour or all three! Enjoy a cup of coffee, a donut or a bagel and conversation around the table with new friends. All are welcome! 251 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel
February: Live Book Reading and Discussion: The Age of HomespunMuseums of the Bethel Historical Society 10 Broad Street, Bethel, ME, United States Starting on February 1st, the Independence 250 Committee and the Bethel Library Association’s Yarn Hub are hosting a monthly long reading. 207-824-2908
Feb. 4: Insects & Spiders in Winter Mahoosuc Land Trust In this slideshow presentation, Charley gives a tour of the insects, spiders, and their signs found around his yard one January day, discussing the life cycles of the species encountered and how they overwinter. RSVP: www. mahoosuc.org/event-details/insects-and-spiders-in-winter-1
Feb. 6-8: Pride Weekend Sunday River Our LGBTQ weekend features stellar skiing and riding, special events, including a themed party, fireworks, and apres - ski socials, all hosted by Sunday River Resort. https://www.sundayriver.com/events/pride-weekend
Feb. 6: Family Winterkids Ski Day at Carter's XC Ski Center - Get the Winterkids app and 2 kids will ski for free w/paid adult. Family activities, skiing, scavenger hunt and lots of fun for the whole family. cartersxcski. com. 786 Intervale Road in Bethel, 207-824-3880
Feb. 11: Owls - Silent Hunters of the Night Mahoosuc Land TrustCenter for Wildlife's Owls: Silent Hunters of the Night program delves into the amazing adaptations our native owl species possess that make them suited to hunting in darkness. RSVP: https://secure.lglforms.com/ form_engine/s/u7pG4Lk6QtxZOyE3rhWxlQ
Feb. 13: American Red Cross Blood Drive West Parish Congregational Church from 11 AM to 3:30 PM, 32 Church St., Bethel. Consider donating to save another person’s life. Register with the American Red Cross.
Feb. 13: Full Moon Skiing Carter XC Ski Center - Enjoy the Full Snow Moon on our trails! carterxcski.com 207-824-3880
Feb. 9-13: Winter Carnival - Telstar High School Fun and games at Telstar High School, ending in a dance on Friday, the 13th. 284 Walkers Mills Rd. Bethel, ME 04217 (207) 824-2136
Feb. 13-22: Presidents' Week at Sunday River is all about making memories together. Exploring 8 peaks, take a lesson, visit The Igloo, or share a meal at The Mountain Room or Sliders, there's something for every part of the day and every member of the family.
Feb. 14 - 22: Family Scavenger Hunt Carter's XC Ski Center at 786 Intervale Road in Bethel. Vacation Week, fun for the whole family, scavenger hunt for animal track signs, ski and snowshoe. 9am to 4pm carterxcski.com 207-824-3880
Feb. 17: Sparks' Ark Critter Encounter - Sunday River Resort 5:306:30PM, head to the Mahoosuc Room at South Ridge Lodge for a one-of-a-kind animal encounter. https://www.sundayriver.com/events/ critter-encounter-animal-show
Feb. 18: The Bethel Library Book Club meets monthly at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Robinson House, next door to the library. Today's book is "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman
Feb. 18: Eddy & Betty Dinner - Share a delicious dinner, play yeti-approved games, and snuggle up for a special story time with our favorite yetis in the cozy Yeti corner of the Mahoosuc Room at South Ridge Lodge. The fun starts at 5:30pm. www.sundayriver.com/events/eddy-and-betty-dinner
Feb. 19: It's Elemental - Maine Mineral & Gem Museum & The Bethel Library. Discover the Periodic Table and very cool Bismuth "hoppers." Crystals again, but these crystals can only be made in a lab. Free. 6 Broad Street, Bethel ME. bethellibraryassociation.org
Feb. 25: 35th Annual Flying Moose Classic Half-Marathon - ALL RACES ARE CLASSIC TECHNIQUE. On Sunday, January 25, 2026, the Bethel Outing Club, Nonstop Nordic, and NENSA proudly present the 35th Annual Flying Moose Classic Half-Marathon. Part of the Zak Cup, NENSA Marathon Series, and the Nonstop Nordic Racing Series, this fun and exciting event starts at the Bethel Resort & Suites (formerly Bethel Inn Resort) and takes you through the rolling hills and forest lands of the Bethel Resort and Inland Woods and Trail's Bethel Village Trails in Bethel, Maine, providing you with a wonderful scenic adventure. (12:00-4:00 p.m.).
Fees/Admission: $35 and variable. See www.skireg.com/flying-moose-classic
Contact Name: Ben Kamilewicz
Form Text Box: kamilewiczb@gouldacademy.org
Website URL: https://bethelouting.org/page-18144
Feb. 25: Apres Flying Moose Ski Party Carter's XC Ski Center - Try out our XC ski trails, FREE for any Flying Moose race registrant! Also all race registrants can enjoy 20% off all Swix products that day at our ski shop, in which we carry an extensive inventory of classic, skate, touring, and backcountry equipment. FMI check out carterxcski.com 786 Intervale Road, 207-824-3880
Feb. 25: Hunting for Food at Mahoosuc Land Trust Humans have hunted since the dawn of time as a means to provide nutritious and sustainable foods to feed themselves and their families. Hunting is an instinct and for many, a natural way to enjoy the deep connections to the earth and the resources that nourish us. Check web site for webinar: www. mahoosuc.org/events-calendar
Feb. 25: Caring For Your Heart. A free wellness program with guest speaker Dr. Daniel van Buren, Cardiologist Thursday, March 5, 2026, 4 pm (snow date March 12) West Parish Congregational Church, 32 Church St, Bethel. Sponsored by To Your Health in collaboration with SAD44 Adult Education, Western Mountains Senior College and the Bethel Family Health Center. This program will discuss how diet, exercise, lifestyle, hereditary factors, preventative care, routine screenings and other factors may contribute to your heart health. Q&A to follow. All ages welcome. FREE and open to the public.
MARCH
Mar. 17: The Bethel Library Book Club meets monthly at 2 p.m. in the Reading Room of the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s Robinson House, next door to the library. This month's book is "Horse" by Geraldine Brooks
Mar. 19: Florence Bascom, Marie Curie, and Even Hypatia of Alexandria Maine Mineral and Gem Museum with The Bethel Library - 3PM. Free. In honor of Women in History Month, meet some famous and sadly not-so-famous women geologists, astronomers and paleontologists who broke down stone walls and more! 6 Broad Street, Bethel, ME bethellibraryassociation.org
Mar. 29: Pond-a-Palooza at Sunday River Costumes weigh heavy on your score, so come suited up in anything but a wet suit (unless you're a wimp)! Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 overall scores, plus best costume and biggest splash! https://www.sundayriver.com/events/ pond-a-palooza
Mar 29: Rotary Country Breakfast at Gould Academy's Ordway Hall, from 7:30 to noon. All-You-Can-Eat-Buffet breakfast. $15 for adults, $10 for children under 10 years old. Tickets available from Rotarians and at the door.
Photo Credit: Victor Salvo
Message from the Executive Director
Why Local Business Is the Heart of Our Community
In a rural community like ours, businesses are more than places to shop or grab a meal—they are the heartbeat of our town.
When you walk into a locally owned store, you’re not just supporting a business. You’re supporting a family who lives here, volunteers here, and invests back into our schools, churches, and community events. You’re supporting the Friday night lights, the parade down Main Street, and the neighbors who show up when someone needs a helping hand.
That’s something worth celebrating.
As the Executive Director of our local Chamber of Commerce, I have the privilege of seeing firsthand the dedication, creativity, and resilience of our business community. Our members include farmers and ranchers, shop owners, contractors, healthcare providers, service professionals, and entrepreneurs who took a leap of faith to build something right here at home.
Running a business in a rural area isn’t always easy. Workforce shortages, rising costs, and changing technology create real challenges. But rural businesses also have something powerful: relationships. When neighbors support neighbors, businesses survive—and communities thrive.
The Chamber of Commerce exists to strengthen those connections. Whether it’s promoting local shopping, hosting networking events, advocating for infrastructure and workforce needs, or welcoming new businesses to town, the chamber works behind the scenes to support a strong local economy.
But the chamber isn’t a building or an office—it’s people. It’s business owners sharing ideas over coffee, mentoring the next generation, and collaborating instead of competing. It’s community members choosing to shop local, attend events, and invest their time and dollars close to home.
As we look ahead, our goal is simple: to help our community grow while preserving the values that make it special. By supporting local businesses today, we’re investing in the future of our town—one storefront, one handshake, and one success story at a time.
Thank you for supporting local. Thank you for supporting our businesses. And thank you for being part of a community that truly shows up for one another.
If you’re passionate about local business and community growth, we invite you to join the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected future for our community.
Bobbi Vandenbulcke, Executive Director Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce
February & March BAAM Events
BAAM at The Gem Presents Antonio Rocha’s The Malaga Ship: A Story of Maine and the Middle Passage
Thursday, February 5th, Social hour at 5:30 pm, Live performance at 6:30 pm
The Gem Theater, 48 Cross Street, Bethel PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADMISSION
Through voice, movement, song, and mime, Antonio brings to life the true story of The Malaga—a ship built in Maine in 1832 that became part of the illegal transatlantic slave trade. Told largely from the ship’s perspective, this riveting performance explores history, identity, and the lasting impact of the Middle Passage, with a deeply personal connection to Antonio’s own life.
BAAM at The Gem Presents The Ultimate Johnny Cash, My Life as the Man in Black
Friday, March 6th, Social Hour at 6:00 pm, Live performance at 7:00 pm
The Gem Theater, 48 Cross Street, Bethel PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADMISSION
Hear Scott Moreau, The Ultimate Johnny Cash, recount his amazing journey playing the Man In Black over the last 20 years with anecdotes from the road, stories about Johnny’s life as well as his most beloved hits and some hidden gems from Johnny’s 50 years in the music industry.
BAAM at The Gem Presents The Speed of Sound with Sneaky Miles & Jon Nolan
Friday, March 6th, Social Hour at 6:00 pm, Live performance at 7:00 pm
The Gem Theater, 48 Cross Street, Bethel PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADMISSION
Welcome The Speed of Sound, a new band with Maine's own Spencer Albee, for their inaugural tour with friends Sneaky Miles and Jon Nolan, both out of western New Hampshire.
BAAM at The Gem Presents A Woman of the World with Pearl Jam– A Silents Synced Film
Date and time to be announced.
The Gem Theater, 48 Cross Street, Bethel PAY WHAT YOU CAN ADMISSION
The classic silent film "A Woman of the World" is reimagined with an epic rock alternative soundtrack provided by Pearl Jam. An entirely new way to experience both silent film and your favorite 90's grunge albums.
BAAM’s mission is to cultivate a creative community through youth art education, artist opportunities, and public engagement with the performing arts.
Questions? Please contact Kate at 207-320-9714 or coordinator@bethelareaartsandmusic.com.
Sign up for newsletters or make a donation on our website www.bethelareaartsandmusic.com or follow us on Facebook @BAAM-Bethel Area Arts & Music, or on Instagram @bethel_area_arts_and_music
Pay What You Can tickets for all BAAM at The Gem shows are available at www.thegemtheater.com
Photo Credit: Victor Salvo
Antonio Rocha
The Ultimate Johnny Cash
Photo Credit: Victor Salvo
Maine Custom Interior Accents
BETHEL, MAINE
Instagram: @maine_custom_interior_accents
Facebook: @maineciaccents
Email: mainecustomaccents@gmail.com
LIGHTING FURNITURE RUGS
Full–service interiors & curated access to premium furniture, lighting, rugs, and accessories. by appointment
