Bethel LIVING Issue #60 December 2023 / January 2024
Bethel’s Snowboard Cross Young Athletes
Chillosophy Yoga Studio
with Mary Kate Jamison
Maine Mineral & Gem Museum’s Holiday Recipes New Lithium Exhibit Holiday Creamy Chicken Marsala “Batteries & Beyond” and Cranberry Bacon Green Beans The Extraordinary Life of Jim Sysko
PLUS A Listing of Local Events
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C: 207.240.1641 O: 888.439.8743 ex#882 carolcmaine@gmail.com www.carolchaffee.com
Bringing People Home ™ Serving Western Maine & New Hampshire Lakes and Mountains
Publisher’s Note The Holiday Season has arrived! The
time for connection with friends and family; the time for traditions new and old. Bethel is JUST the place for winter fun and bonding!
We celebrate a group of young
athletes who are focused on a bright future in the world of Snowboard Cross at Sunday River and beyond. We
highlight a new Lithium exhibit at the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum and
a new spot for attaining mindfulness
at the Chillosophy yoga studio. BL finishes this issue with a great profile about one of Bethel’s super heroes — Jim Sysko. The events section offers a full selection of great local happenings
and the recipe section will inspire you
Laurie Ann Knowles • 207.838.4447
to new heights of creation in your own kitchen.
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.
Cozy rooms, great breakfast included; Mountain Explorer stop B
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: Aaron Burden Features Editor: Nate Scott Graphic Design: Ben Bruno and Laurie Ann Knowles for Royal River Graphics www.royalrivergraphics.com
Dinner at The Sudbury Inn
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5
SNOWBOARD CLUB OF THE YEAR 2023
GOULD ACADEMY
SNOWBOARD CROSS by Laurie Ann Knowles
F
our contestants squeeze into the starting g ate for their fir st heat race of the day— each rider poised to vault forward onto the nar row, ser pentine track they rode individually during the sing le-run time trial. For the next minute (+/-) they will speed down a preca rious channel of treachero us rolls, disguised drops, ag g ressively bank ed tur ns and abruptly nar rowing chicanes. Amazing ly, they will vie for the lead on this slipper y obstacle cour se while maneuvering inches from each other at speeds of up to 60 MPH. O nly two will move on. T he starter yells out, “Racer s ready — attention!” Seconds later the g ate drops and the pack hurtles towards the fir st tur n. T his is the heart of SBX.
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Snowboard Cross (SBX) — a televised winter sports staple — made its Olympic debut in 2006 at the Turin Games. Unique i n the univer se of various snowboarding disciplines (backcountr y, alpine, slopestyle, big air and half pipe all have passionate practitioner s) snowboard cross is the only style to feature g roup heats with both a solo and team race for mat. Created by Steven Rechtschaf fner and Greg Stump in 1991 and dubbed ‘bordercross’, the fir st race was broadcast as a segment in the TV show Gre g Stump’s World of Extremes . When the extravag anza proved to be a hit, Rechtschaf fner trademarked the name ‘bordercross’ and worked to expand its popularity as events quickly popped up across the alpine sporting world. Although the
Inter national Ski Federation (FIS) recognized snowboarding as a competitive discipline in 1994, Rechtschaf fner denied them the use of the name Bordercross. In Olympic and FIS competitions the sport is known as Snowboard Cross. As with all Olympic sports, SBX athletes must ascend a long stee p ladder of competitive events — over seen by a variety of dif ferent sanctioning bodies (USASA, Noram, World Cup) — that leads to the final pinnacle. In the Bethel area, the partner ship between Gould Academy and the Sunday River Resort is the nexus that propels young SBX competitor s up that ladder. KC Gandee was a ver y involved and inf luentia l coach for 10 year s in the prog ram, and now Anna Yoshie Yamada, Snowboard Prog ram Director at Gould has been coaching the snowboard cross team for the past three year s. As the athlete profiles in this stor y attest, local snowboard cross competitor s have had a ver y strong showing in recent seasons. T his year they all look to climb another rung toward the goal of inter national recognition. To be sure, spawning a new inter national sport was the last thing on the mind of the frazzled father credited with creating the snowboard forerunner on Christmas Day in 1965. To provide his pregnant wife with a respite, Sher m Poppen brought their two young daughter s outside to the snow-covered dunes bordering their Lake Michig an cottage. Casting about for an alter native way to coast the dunes once their sled runner s bog ged down in the sand beneath the snow, Poppen fashioned a sliding device by cross bracing his kid’s snow skis together, et v oila !, the Snurfer — a wide board with a steering rope attached to the front — was bor n. Hundreds of thousands of Snurfer s were sold in the ensuing year s, but com petitive snowboarding really beg an when Jake Burton Car penter showed up to the 1979 National Snurfer Championship with a board of his own design. Today, the list of competitive snowboard events in one for m or another is dynamic and lengthy. It’s big inter national business, with SBX as a cons istent fan favorite. Attaining the Olympic dream demands unremitting focus. Training at this level requires a huge outlay of time and money. T he kids work on strength and conditioning all summer, then travel world wide to chase snow and training opportunities. Traveling to competitions pushes the resources required to another level. Kee p an eye on the Sunday River website for this season’s local SBX races, then come out to support these talented competitor s. T he speed, g race and nerve on display will steal your breath away.
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Meet the following athletes from Bethel that have made their presences known on the national and world stage!
Brianna Schnorrbusch
Tyler Hamel
Gould Academy student
Nathan Pare
Gould Academy graduate
Gould Academy graduate
Hometown: Monroe Township, NJ Training Program: Gould Competition Program & US Snowboard Cross Pro Team
Hometown: Bethel Maine Training Program: US Snowboard Cross Pro Team
Hometown: Bethel, Maine Training Program: US Snowboard Cross Dev Team
Age: 17
Age: 19
Age: 18
Most recent accomplishments: 17th place at the 2023 World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia 2024 US Snowboard Pro Team member
Most recent accomplishments: 39th Overall in the 2023 World Cup Standings 2024 US Snowboard Pro Team member
Most recent accomplishments: NorAm overall (3rd 2023) Ranked #29 in the world by FIS of all males 2024 US Development Team member
Future goals: Podium finish at the 2024 Youth Olympic Games in South Korea Top 10 finishes at World Cups Compete in the 2026 Olympics
Future goals: Compete in 2026 and future Olympics Win the World Cup overall Championship Help Inspire younger kids to chase their dreams Fun fact: I work for Top Notch Tree Service
Fun fact: I snowboard with three stones in my pocket because I’m superstitious.
Fun fact: I like French Toast
Mason Hamel
Max Krizo
Telstar High School student Hometown: Bethel, Maine Training Program: ISTC Colorado Age: 17 Most recent accomplishments: 2x USASA National Champion 1 Nor-Am Podium finish 4 FIS Podium finishes 2024 Youth Olympic Game Representative for Team USA Future goals: Finish Top three in the 2024 North American Cup Circuit Earn a spot on the US Snowboard Development Team Represent the USA at the 2030 Olympics Fun fact: I play video games to keep my reaction time up to par.
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Future goals: Win North American Cup Overall Win Junior Worlds Qualify for World Cup heats Podium finish at World Cup Race in World Championships Olympics
Sienna McKinley
Gould Academy student Hometown: Bethel, Maine Training Program: Gould Competition Program Age: 17 Most recent accomplishments: 2023 USASA National Boardercross Champion Two invitations to National Team Snowboard Training Camps in 2023 French Honor Society at Gould Academy Future goals: Continue training in Utah or Colorado Compete on World Cup circuit Earn a spot on the US Snowboard Development Team Attend the Olympics Fun fact: I tell my two dogs how the race went every time I come home!
Gould Academy student
Hometown: Stephens City, Virginia Training Program: Gould Competition Program Age: 16 Most recent accomplishments: Silver Podium 2023 USASA National Championships SBX Bronze Podium in 2023 FIS SBX Big final in a 2023 NORAM SBX Future goals: Podium finish at a North American Cup race in 2024 Qualify for 2024 Junior World Championships Gold medal at USASA Nationals Represent the USA at the Olympics Fun fact: My nickname is “9 Volt” because I have a nose ring and teammates joke about hooking up a nine volt battery to it.
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Batteries & Beyond: Why Lithium Matters
T he Maine Mineral & Gem Museum (MMGM) ha s put the finishing touches on a comprehensive exhibit which digs dee p into the mining and commercial uses of lithium, a metal vital to the changing energ y demands of the world economy. T hey invite ever yone to the free viewing of this new exhibit that explains what lithium is, where it is found, how it is extracted and processed into batteries, and how it can be recycled. Under standing the complete impact of lithium mining is especially important here in Maine, where one of the richest lithium de posits in the world was recently discovered. Lithium plays a huge role in moving the g lobal clean energ y economy forward and is at the heart of the mineral extraction debate in Maine and around the world. In the coming decade, demand for lithium is predicted to g row exponentially to meet the need for new, more ef ficient batteries to power the next 10
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generation of car s, phones and perhaps even houses. T he exhibit aims to explore the cur rent trajector y for a g lobal supply chain centered around mineral resource extraction. It provides an objective exploration of lithium issues (from mining to manufacturing to recycling) that are active in public discour se. T his exhibit is a way for MMGM to showcase their educational miss ion as an asset to the citizens of Maine. T he MMGM does not take a position on mineral extraction and processing in Maine or beyond; it provides a balanced resource for people to lear n about lithium and lithium-ion batteries. T hey hope ever yone will explore Batteries & Be yond: W hy Lithium Matters, and then join in the dialogue about lithium, a metal that — used responsibly — can positively change the trajector y of energ y use for decades to come.
To keep informed of news and events at the MMGM, please go to our website and sign up for our newsletter, or email: info@mainemineralmuseum.org and we’ll add you to our list. Hours at the MMGM are: Monday10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday - closed Wednesday10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thursday10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Final Admission Time to the full galleries is 4 p.m. Admission to the full Museum can be purchased online or at the door: Adults $15 Seniors $12 Students $10 Children (12 and under) Free Memberships can be purchased in person or online at mainemineralmuseum.org/membership/ Visit us at: 99 Main Street, Bethel, Maine 04217 Info@mainemineralmuseum.org. 207.824.3036 Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com
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13
The Extraordinary Life of Jim Sysko
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I
t’s been more than fifty year s since Jim Sysko ar rived to place his stamp on the town of Newr y. To comprehend his exce ptional impact on our area it helps to delve dee p into the undercur rents that shaped his early life. Although bor n in the suburbs of Philadelphia, his soul g ravitated toward the woods from an early age. His childhood was spent exploring forests while constructing treehouses, forts and bridges — igniting a passion for building that has continued throughout his life. An early pivotal moment arose while attending Northeaster n’s Engineering Prog ram, typically the on-ramp to a trajector y of g raduating from a prestigious school and securing a g reat job. However, the year was 1967 and like many young men of that time his life took an unexpected tur n. Mid way through the prog ram he was drafted into the US Ar my, underwent extensive training, quickly rose to squad leader in the 173rd Airbor ne Brig ade and was de ployed to Vietnam. Some defining moments in life are chosen, other s thrust upon us. After enduring several life threatening incidents Jim retur ned to the US, car r ying not just the scar s of PTSD but also a newfound appreciation for life and a dee p year ning for freedom. Jim retur ned to finish his engi neering deg ree, then leveraged Northeaster n’s job matching prog ram to land a diver se slate of opportunities. From engineering Log an Air port’s Inter national Ter minal to redesigning the failing g lass windows of Boston’s tallest skyscraper, Jim’s professional arc traver sed various significant projects before landing the gig that would lead him north. His new job in T he Green Mountain State involved upg rading chairlifts and snowmaking capabilities at Glen
by Meryl Kelly Ellen, Ver mont’s tallest ski resort (sensing a theme yet?). T here he worked with a man by the name of Joe Gmuender. In the spring of 1971, Gmuender was of fered a job to survey potential sites for the installation of a ski lift on Sunday River Skiway’s Barker Mountain. Jim and his new wife Gail decided to join Gmuender, thus marking the end of Jim’s twisty trail to Newr y. Ar riving in Newr y in 1971, Jim supp orted the engineering team for the Barker Mountain lift installation while also undertaking the ambitious task of building a new home in Viking Village. Jim’s deter mination and resourcefulness shone as he sing le-handedly unearthed large stones for the foundation while Gail meticulously cleaned each boulder by hand. Lear ning the nuances of construction through observation (spying on) and guidance from contractor neighbor s Skip Bennett, Keith Durgin, and Eddy Day, Jim’s life in Newr y beg an to blend passion projects with cherished family moments and sustaining friendships. In 1976, a friend named Ray Star was out fishing for brook trout when he stumbled upon a mountain top which contained a vast mar shland. Retur ning later with Jim to explore the area, they discovered a wild, rug ged property — an unlikely spot for development — yet a treasure trove for Jim. Unfazed by the challenges posed by the location, Jim saw an opportunity for family adventure where most other s would see hardship. Purchasing the 100-acre property from a 90-year-old Boston woman for $100/acre, Jim embarked on constructing Jim’s Drive (a meandering dirt road) to the summit, where he envisioned building his next family home. For year s, Jim had harbored a dream of engineering his own hydroelectric dam. T he
Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com
15
brook and mar sh provided the ideal canvas to realize this scheme. When the dam was finished, it not only created a pond but also generated enough electricity to power multiple homes on the property, while also putting excess energ y back into the g rid. Beyond these engineering feats — and most importantly — the land provided something even more essentia l, space for Jim to nurture his family. Jim’s engineering brilliance echoes throughout his leg acy, not just in the physical structures ador ning his property but also in the lives of his children — Dustin, Mandy and Anna. T hese days, after year s apart, Jim is ecstatic to have all of his children living on their family compound once ag ain. T he property bear s witness to their collective endeavor s — a mostly finished footbridge up there, diver se g ardens and a g reenhouse over there, an underg round “hobbit home” and a 100 foot tower crowned with an 8 foot diameter eag le’s nest. Continuous construction and dreaming shape their daily life, encapsulating Jim’s unf lag ging vision and playful outlook on innovation. Following a brief stint as Sunday River’s Operations Manager, Jim year ned for the freedom to choose projects that followed his inclinations; to follow Jim’s whims if you will. His passion for large-scale projects led to engineering the footbridge at Bethel Outdoor Adventure and aiding in the design and
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reconstruction of dams and bridges across the region. Most famously, Jim was the visionar y behind the construction of the Guinness Book of World Records world’s tallest snowman right in downtown Bethel. Over five decades, Jim’s contributions have extended beyond physical structures. His expertise infor med municipal studies, shaping f lood mitig ation plans, locations of culverts and guardrails and updating local building codes while aiding the town of Newr y as an infrastructure consultant. After year s of serving on many of Newr y’s of ficial town boards and committees his commitment to community service ear ned him Newr y’s “Spirit of America” award in 2019. T he regimented nature of the mi litar y mindset was shattered by Jim’s unwavering zest for life. T hrough all his hardships he has never lost the spirit of that young boy who built bridges and tree forts in the woods of Pennsylvania. Jim’s shar p mind and giving spirit has etched an indelible imprint on our community. It’s hard to meet any local that doesn’t have a “Jim stor y” or who doesn’t remember enjoying one of his more zany builds. Yet, amidst all these achievements, Jim’s g reatest pride remains simple — his children. Each, with their unique interests, embodies a new generation contributing to the Sysko leg acy and the community at large.
Emily Delamater Photography
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Bethel’s Luxury Historic Inn
LUXURY LODGING FINE DINING DAY SPA
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Introducing Chillosophy with Mary Kate Jamison
by Meryl Kelly
I
20
n Chinese mytholog y, the red thread of fate
study, not just in observing the world around
embodies a profound belief in predestined
her, but as a foundational building block in the
connections and the intertwining paths
process of self discover y. T he desire to lear n
all humans tread. According to legend, the
and explore became a driving force leading
deity Yuè Lao ties an invisible red thread
her far from home. Fir st following her heart to
around the ankles of those destined to meet,
the west coast, she eventually landed abroad.
helping them find each other no matter the
Not being the type to say no to adventure,
obstacles. T his ethereal thread symbolizes the
she made a habit of saying yes. While living
unseen forces that bind individuals together,
around the world she collected an ever evolving
guiding them towards their predeter mined
trove of interests and pur suits — becoming a
encounter s. While conventionally associated
trained scuba instructor, a technical diver and
with romantic destiny, the red thread’s essence
a whitewater guide. T hroughout this time she
also
Jamison’s
practiced yog a per sonally but it wasn’t until
transfor mative jour ney toward a pur poseful
family ties rooted her to Bethel, that a familiar
career as owner/instructor at Bethel’s sole
patter n of delving dee p into practice and
yog a studio, Chillosophy.
study beg an. In 2019, after completing her
characterizes
Mar y
K ate
Much like the red thread that connects two
Vinyasa-based 200 hour teacher training at
souls, Mar y K ate’s jour ney to Chillosophy’s
Tula Institute of Yog a she went on to receive
opening appear s predestined. As a youngster
special teacher training in both Meditation &
in New Jer sey she was possessed of a curious
Pranayama, as well as Yog a Nidra. T his is when
soul with a passion for the perfor ming arts and
ever ything beg an to fall into true alignment.
an insatiable appetite for reading the works
Originally, operating a yog a studio wasn’t the
of humanity’s g reat philosopher s. T he human
end g ame for Mar y K ate. In her per sonal life
experience became a fascinating ever y day
she was battling the self doubt we all must
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conquer before truly committing to something. Just as the red thread navig ates through obstacles, career paths often present choices to stay on the path of least resistance or jump confidently into the unknown. T hrough her practice she became confident in the ability to not only for m this business but share the source of that confidence with other s. After doing this inner work, fate — in the for m of a passing conver sation with a friend — dropped the studio space into her lap, as if to say “yes you’re on the right path”. T he time was right. As the Founder of Chillosophy, Mar y K ate is pas sionate about sharing the transfor mative gifts that the right yog a practice can bring to each student. Her classes of fer an opportunity for participants to focus on rediscovering their voice, de pth, body and self through yog a, meditation and philosophy. In addition to yog a f low classes, she uses the stor ytelling gifts refined by her theater kid per sona — guiding participants on meditative voyages, unlocking dee p relaxation with a univer sally approachable method of self-discover y. Since opening on Halloween weekend 2023 the studio has curated an ar ray of classes, available both mor ning and evening, Monday
through
Saturday.
Mar y
K ate
aspires to g row the studio by diver sifying the catalog of teacher s and classes, ensuring that there is something available to cater to the goals of ever y budding yogi. For Bethel, Chillos ophy serves as more than just a space for self-compassion. It stands as a poignant reminder that when we fully embrace the interconnectedness of each living moment and trust in the unseen forces that guide us, life will unfold exactly as it should. Website: : www.yogachillosophy.com Address: 32 Parkway Rd Unit 2 Bethel, ME 04217 Email: yogachillosophy@gmail.com Phone: 207-205-7821
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Get Ready to GLOW in 2024! Leann Caruso, owner of Mountain Glow Skincare Studio, is thrilled to announce her upcoming location at 14 Main Street in Bethel. At Mountain Glow, you will find clean beauty using safe, nutrient dense and antioxidant filled products that will nourish your skin. Prepare to experience skincare and relaxation like never before. Your skin and mind deserve this healing touch! Stay tuned for the grand opening in January 2024. MOUNTAINGLOWBETHEL@GMAIL.COM • 207-601-2300
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Holiday Recipes Creamy Chicken Marsala INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 to 3) • 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning • 2 tsp. kosher salt, divided • 1/2 c. all-purpose flour • 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided • 3 tbsp. unsalted butter, divided • 8 oz. cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced • 1 shallot, finely chopped • 3 cloves garlic, sliced • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh thyme • 3/4 c. Marsala wine • 1 1/4 c. low-sodium chicken broth • 3/4 c. heavy cream • 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley DIRECTIONS
Recipe courtesy of Delish.com
1. Pat chicken dry and remove tenderloin from breasts. Butterfly each breast, then separate butterflied halves to create 4-6 thin pieces; season both sides of chicken with pepper, Italian seasoning, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
2. Pour flour into a shallow dish. Dredge each piece of chicken in flour, coating both sides, and tap off any excess. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil, then melt 1 tablespoon butter. Add half of chicken and cook,
turning occasionally, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining chicken.
4. In same skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5
minutes. Add shallot and remaining 1 tablespoon oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and thyme and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add wine and cook, stirring occasionally and scraping browned bits from bottom of pan, until reduced by half, 4 to 5 minutes. Add broth and cream and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce starts to thicken, about 15 minutes.
5. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoon butter until melted. Return chicken to skillet spoon sauce over chicken until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Top with parsley.
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Cranberry Bacon Green Beans INGREDIENTS • 4 slices thick-cut bacon (about 3 oz.), cut into small cubes • 1 shallot, thinly sliced • 1/3 c. dried cranberries • Kosher salt • Freshly ground black pepper • 2 lb. green beans, trimmed • 2 oz. goat cheese
Recipe courtesy of Delish.com
DIRECTIONS
1. Place bacon in a large, cold skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to a plate, reserving fat in skillet.
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add shallot and cranberries to skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallot is slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add green beans and 2 tablespoons water. Cover and cook until beans are crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Transfer bean mixture to a platter. Top with cheese.
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LOCAL Events
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
December & January Events EVERYDAY this WINTER!!! Carter’s XC Ski Center Free Community XC Ski Days for kids from SAD #17 and SAD #44 and RSU #10 and RSU
Dec. 2: Christmas Tea and Fair West Parish Congregational Church.
Noon-3pm. This is a great way to start the Christmas season with a re-
#56 FREE trail passes for all students from these districts with rentals
laxing tea and special goodies. Crafts, tiny treasure and baked goodies
celebration on the last date. Scavenger hunt, food truck, fire pit, and
church.org, 207-824-2689
available at various rates. On March 10 we will have a family-friendly free entry to win prizes. 786 Intervale Road, Bethel 207-824-3880
are available downstairs in the dining room.bethelcongregational-
Dec 2: Demo Day Sunday River. Ready for some new skis? Is your
Horse drawn wagon rides through historic Bethel village – Free! Meet
board not so trust anymore? Test out the latest equipment from top
Thanksgiving through to Christmas Bethel Area Chamber of Com-
participating brands will be available soon. In order to register at check-
on the corner of Church Street and Main Street, 1pm to 3pm Saturdays,
brands, and find your next perfect turn. More details and a list of all
merce. bethelmaine.com/country-christmas 207-824-2282
in, you will need a valid lift ticket or season pass, a driver’s license, and
Dec. 2: Christmas at the Mason House Museums of the Bethel His-
age 15+ event and there will be no junior demos available. sundayriver.
torical Society. Visit Bethel Hill’s oldest surviving home to experience Christmas at the Mason House. The first floor period rooms in the 1813 Mason House will be decorated in traditional 19th century style and lit by candles. Step back in time as you enjoy holiday music and refreshments. 3pm to 5pm. Free, but donations welcome. bethelhistorical.org,
your own boots and protective equipment. Please note that this is an com, 800-543-2754 Dec. 8 & 9: 43nd Annual Bethel Outing Club Ski Sale Gould Academy Field House. The best deals on new and used equipment, clothing,
and accessories for alpine, snowboard, cross-country skiing, and other
207-824-2908
winter sports. Pick up new gear or sell yours. 20% of sales proceeds
Dec. 2: Breakfast with Santa Crescent Park School. 8:00am-12:00noon.
Local Children. bethelouting.org, babcock@megalink.net
Pancake breakfast with Santa, silent auction and book sale. 19 Crescent Street, Bethel. 207-824-2839
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Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com
benefit the Bethel Outing Club’s Youth Cross Country Ski Program for
Dec. 8-10: 4th Annual Oxford County Feztival of Trees, Cookies with Santa, Story Time with Mrs. Claus Jackson Silver Post at 595 Gore Road in Locke Mills, Friday 4pm to 8pm, Saturday 8am to 8pm, Sunday 8am to noon Dec. 10: Santa Sunday Sunday River Ever seen hundreds of Santa’s skiing/boarding down a mountain? All proceeds benefit The River
Fund Maine. Registration information can be found at sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 Dec. 10: Mahoosuc Community Band Christmas Concert Gould Academy Bingham Auditorium at 4pm. The band, under the direction of
Jim McLaughlin, will perform traditional and classical favorites. Several Gould Academy students have joined the Mahoosuc Community Band. Refreshments following the concert. Donations welcomed at the door. FMI: facebook.com/Mahoosuc-Community-Band Dec. 12: Yulefest Concert Gould Academy. 7pm. Celebrate the
holidays with this spectacular student concert open to the public. Take in the sounds of the holidays and watch as the school’s band, chorus group, and student vocalists set the stage for a holiday performance in Bingham Auditorium. gouldacademy.org, 207-824-7781 Dec. 16-17: Winterfest Weekend Sunday River. Welcome winter with the opening of night skiing, torchlight parade, fireworks, a visit from Santa and much more. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 Dec. 16: Light Up Main Street Holiday Parade – Decorate your vehicle
with your brightest décor, blast the holiday tunes, and parade up Main Street spreading Christmas cheer! All are welcome to join or watch. 3:30pm in the parking lot at Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce/ The
on January 2, 2024. For more information contacts at info@maineadaptive.org or 207-824-2440. Jan. 6: Indie Demo Day Sunday River. Test out the latest and greatest equipment from amazing independents ski and snowboard brands. sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754 Jan. 6: Moonlight Ski & Snowshoe Tour Carter’s XC Ski Center in collaboration w/ NENSA Join us for a Full Moon guided tour of our trails with either skis or snowshoes 4:30pm-8pm. Rentals available, bring a
Gem. bethelmaine.com, 207-824-2282
headlamp. After our guided tour we will enjoy a bonfire and Wild River
Dec. 17: Living Nativity Bethel Town Common. 5:00pm. Actors and
available for various rates. RSVP 786 Intervale Road, Bethel 207-824-
live animals recreate the Nativity scene, then enjoy refreshments afterward at the Dr. Moses Mason House. FMI: facebook.com/BethelAlli-
Kitchen food truck will be Open until 8pm. $10/person with rentals 3880
anceChurchBethelME
Jan. 21: Wooden Ski Day-Fundraiser for Maine Ski & Snowboard Mu-
Dec. 19: Telstar Winter Concert – 7:00pm. Telstar High and Middle
Ski Center 9am – 5pm Free trail pass for folks on wooden skis, but any
gional High School, 284 Walkers Mills Road, Bethel. 207-824-2136
retro Nordic ski clothing and get in the spirit of celebrating the history
Dec. 24: Candlelight Christmas Eve Service All are welcome! 6pm.
on the following categories at 1pm: Most Old-Timey or Traditional Nor-
School’s choruses and bands perform their winter concert. Telstar Re-
seum & family-fun celebration of Nordic Skiing’s History!!! Carter’s XC kind of skis are accepted! Costume Parade!!! Dig out your vintage or
of Nordic Skiing. Ski Parade with Prizes will be given to 3 winners based
Bethel Alliance Church, 251 Walker’s Mills Road, Bethel. 207-824-2289
dic Ski Wear, Retro 70’s/80’s Ski Wear and finally, Most Overall Creative!
Dec. 23-Jan. 1: Christmas Week Sunday River Celebrate the holidays
will share his knowledge of nordic ski history. Bring your ski artifacts
sundayriver.com, 800-543-2754
Brewing Co. will be serving beer at 1pm. Profits will benefit Maine Ski
Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation offers adaptive ski, snowboard
Kitchen food truck will be open from 9am to 5pm. 786 Intervale Road,
with activities and events for the whole family all week long.
and snowshoe lessons and volunteer opportunities at Sunday River,
Ski historian, Glenn Parkinson, from Maine Ski & Snowboard Museum, to learn more. Live Music at 2pm with Singepole Trio Band. Norway & Snowboard Museum. Costume parade starts at 1pm. Wild River Bethel 207-824-3880
Pleasant Mountain, Mt Abram, Black Mountain of Maine, Sugarloaf, and Saddleback on a number of days throughout the winter season starting Bethel LIVING | BethelLiving.com
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Mention this ad and get 15% off any Hydro Flask insulated bottle Gift Certificates • Snowshoe Rentals Ice Skate Sales True North Adventureware Inc. 196 Walkers Mills Rd. PO Box 973 • Bethel Maine 04217
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29 Sunday River Road Bethel ME 04217
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