Bethel

Last week’s snowstorms left enough snow to make all the winter sports enthusiasts happy, including those of us who can’t rely on snow guns to cover our trails. I found good snowshoeing this weekend on the trails behind Telstar and on the Pathway, where snowshoers share part of the trail with snowmobiles. I didn’t see much wildlife in the woods, but did see deer and coyote tracks along the streams. Two other great places to snowshoe are Maggie’s Nature Park on the Greenwood Road in Locke’s Mills and Mt. Will on Route 2 in Bethel, across from the Transfer Station. Carter’s Cross-Country and The Outdoor Center, behind the Sunday River Inn in Newry, are also open for snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. The Bethel Chamber of Commerce has maps available to dozens of parks and trails where you can cross-country ski, snowshoe, and snowmobile.

Ice fishing season started in most areas on Jan. 1, but December’s roller-coaster weather means that most ponds and lakes don’t have ice that will bear the weight of a person, to say nothing of a truck or ice fishing shack. The fresh snow on the thin ice means it will take longer for the ice to become thick enough to walk on. Most streams and rivers are still wide open. The cold weather predicted for this week should help thicken the ice.

Supporters of the Bethel Dog Park meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at 6 p.m. at the Mahoosuc Land Trust Building on Route 2, next door to the Crossroads Diner. Supporters of the park welcome everyone to come discuss their questions and ideas. T-shirts, calendars, and decals are now available at the Bethel Animal Hospital and Café DiCocoa. T-shirts are $12 and calendars $10.

If you have news you’d like to share, call me at 824-2483 or e-mail nancybrown1150@yahoo.com.