Looking Back

10 years ago: West Paris residents were making plans to celebrate Old Home Days for the first time in over 20 years.

The Bethel Farmers Market opened for the season in the parking lot of the Bethel Family Health Center.

The Telstar High School baseball team entered the playoffs with a No. 2 rank in Western Class C.

Births: Jerome David Head, Henry Coughlin O’Brien Reade, Nathan David Wheeler.

Deaths: Nettie M. Colby, I. Helen Olson, Gladys M. Woods, Hazel Fay Kimball.

20 years ago: Gov. John R. McKernan and 11 of his commissioners toured the Bethel area as part of the McKernan “Capital for a Day” outreach program.

Gleichman & Company of Portland presented preliminary plans for a two-phase, 48-unit affordable housing project (Bethel Park Apartments) to the Bethel Planning Board.

The Woodstock School Volunteer Recognition Banquet was held at the Boiler Room restaurant with over 50 staff and volunteers in attendance.

Birth: Sarah Marie Field.

Deaths: Reginald V. Belisle, Clarence H. Conroy, William Crooker, Sr., David I. Shaw, Leo D. Witter, George E. Luxton, J. Alice Blaquiere.

30 years ago: Students of the Children’s Dance Theatre of Bethel, under the direction of Michelle Farrar Keyes, presented “The Wizard of Oz.”

Mrs. Gould’s first-grade class at the Ethel Bisbee School presented a play, “Where the Wild Things Are,” at an assembly.

Miss Pam Bean and Miss Jody Haines received their caps signifying the completion of their first year of study at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing.

Deaths: Mark R. Waterhouse, Mrs. Mabelle B. Andrews, Harold W. Merrill.

40 years ago: The Oxford County Mineral and Gem Club went on a field trip to Lord Hill in Stoneham.

Bethel Boy Scouts attended a Camporee at Tumbledown Mountain, camping at a site near Mt. Blue State Park.

A helicopter landed near the Gerard Dupont residence in Gilead to pick up some Army personnel who were in the area.

Birth: Robert Lloyd Parker.

Deaths: Lottie Maude Warren, Mary C. Stanley, A. Herbert Tifft, Miss Barbara K. Newman.

50 years ago: The Safety Patrol Boys and Girls, as well as those who worked in the library at Crescent Park School were guests at a picnic supper served by Mrs. Ruth Hastings, Mrs. Libbie Kneeland, Charles Heino and Mush McMillin.

Mr. and Mrs. Herschel Glines, known as “Chef” and “Ma,” retired after heading the kitchen staff at Gould Academy for 15 years.

Fred Judkins had opened his new store at Upton and was well supplied with groceries.

Death: Frank A. Hodgkins.

60 years ago: A large bear was seen near the home of Guy Rice on the Middle Intervale Road.

Mary Anne Myers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Myers of Bethel, won third place and a $25 award in the state spelling bee at Portland City Hall.

Paul Thurston was elected president of the Oxford County Bankers Association.

Gould’s track team won the county championship with 63 points, compared with Rumford 38½, Fryeburg 30½, and Mexico 10.

70 years ago: The meeting of the fourth and fifth districts of the Parent Teacher Association was held at Bethel.

Gould Academy was the winner of the county track meet, leading Rumford 36 to 35.

Death: Miss Alice Wardwell.

80 years ago: Goods valued at $75 to $100 were stolen from Robertson’s Service Station.

Supt. E. R. Bowdoin was re-elected in the Bethel-Gilead-Greenwood-Mason district at a $2,600 salary.

Wallace Clark was in charge of pine blister rust work at Bethel.

Fred Merrill was elected president of the Oxford County Bankers Association.

100 years ago: Memorial exercises were held at the East Bethel Church with members from the Grand Army of the Republic, Women’s Relief Corps, Sons of Veterans participating.

Students of Gwendolyn Stearns at East Bethel School presented a program.

Death: Nettie Maxim.