East Bethel

I had been asked to attend the East Bethel School Reunion which was held Sunday, June 17, and sponsored by the Alder River Grange 145. The agenda, or rather program,which consisted of : Welcome, Song: "School Days," Pledge of Allegiance, a slide show presentation of the History of the East Bethel School by James Haines, Memories of school days by those attending, Speaker: Dave Bean, Bethel Food Pantry, Song: “America” and Closing Thoughts," was already in full swing and buzzing when I got there. Attending were per the sign-in sheet : Babe Bartlett, Debbie Farwell, Edna Bean York and daughter Eldredge, Barbara Hasings Honkala, Calyton Bartlett, Caroline Gould, Gertrude Curtis Whitman, Robert Coolidge, Grace Gibson, Esther Wilson, Georgr Haines, Jo Bradeen, Clara Hamlin, Ann Hastings Morton, Alberta Coolidge Bessey, Philip Coolidge, Dave and Ruth Bean, Heidi Holt, Tyra Howes, John and Agnes Foste, Sonny Hastings, Nesta Littlefield, Dan Whitman, Gloria Harrington, Stan Howe and Nancy Mercer. It was a heart- warming experience for me to hear some of the stories. Thank you for having me there.

It was an honor to meet Edna Bean York, who taught at the school from 1928 till 1930. She is an amazing 102 years young. She told me that her father would drop her off at the school on Mondays and pick her up on Fridays. Her first year she had 18 students and the second year 24 and that she has outlived all her students. Edna was happy to say that she hardly ever had to punish any of her students as back in those days kids were more afraid of the punishment they'd receive if their parents found out that they misbehaved. She feels that nowadays teachers have to worry about getting sued by parents if they excercise any kind of punishment. Make sure to take a look at the pictures and let me know what you think of them. Call me at 824-3220 or e-mail han@megalink.net.

Last but not least, the other highlight of the event was the presentation of the Community Service Award by the Alder River Grange. This year's recipient is David Bean for all his work and effort running the Bethel Food Pantry. Congratulations and thank you, Dave.

Sadly, as many of you may already know, our community lost another very special person, Millie Jackson. All our sympathy and love to the whole family.

We need to extend a welcome back to James Haines and also welcome his partner, Darren Goyette. James, with help from his Dad George and Aunt Nancy, has put in a very nice garden and also has been replacing the roof on the ell of the house. I bet Peter is smiling down on you, James.

Now,the answer to the Trivia. In the January 25,1968 of the Citizen under “From our Files” it stated that 20 years ago the second floor of the home of Elmer Track of East Bethel was badly damaged by fire.

Please, remember that there will be a Service on June 24 at 2 p.m. at the East Bethel Church.

Have a great week.