Triathlon thanks

To the Editor:

The Maine State Triathlon and the Kids Triathlon brought many families of athletes to the area this past weekend. Thanks to all the members of the Bethel Outing Club who orchestrated the Kids’ Triathlon on Saturday. We would like to thank everyone for their patience getting around the area Sunday morning while the bikers were moving quickly through the village – and you were being delayed by our volunteers and our law enforcement helpers.

As with all events, the only way we have to “pay back” all the many businesses and volunteers whose help made it possible is to recognize them publicly. We would like to recognize the following sponsors for their contributions of money and prizes: Oxford Networks, Summit Financial, Allied Engineering, Coca Cola of Northern New England, Mt. Abram Resort, Sunday River Resort, Great Glen Trails at Mt. Washington, Bethel Inn Nordic Center, All Sports Events, Lake Region Awards, True North Adventureware, Rosemary Laban (in memory of Denny Bunn). Many thanks to Mac and Nancy Davis and the Bethel Inn Resort for providing the event venues. Thanks to the Oxford County Sheriff for traffic control, to Gould Academy for use of sound system, Bike event signs and tables, to Conant Meat & Produce for food, to the town of Bethel and the Bethel Water District for the use of cones, safety vests and barricades and to the Bethel Fire Department for the cookout. And a huge thanks to the chamber staff who always go above and beyond to help to make these events fun and safe for the participants.

It takes dozens of volunteers to make this event run smoothly! Thanks to: Ed Kennett, Dave Freiday, Ellie Andrews, Dillon Gillies, Linda, Kelsey and Buzz Gamble, Sarah Southam, Max Southam, Read Dickinson, Rosemary Laban, Karen McElroy, Wendy Youmans, Mary Stryker, Doug and Matt Zinchuk, Claire Cummings, Richard Johnson, Pam Johns, Maggie Lore, Susan Isham, Bruce anf Shirley Powell, Carole Duplessis, Mike and Meg Steven, Colleen Files, Cathy Newell, Merry Moses, Alison and Joe Aloisio, Jim and Sam Largess, Katie Casey, Shannan Thielbar, Tracy, Michaela, Rebecca and John O’Donnell, Bonnie Pooley, Jeremy Head, Kallie Brown, Gail Lavorgna, Vicki Lowell, Rick Churchill, Jim Schroeder, Mike Broderick, Jim Reuter, Kathleen Ford, Jefrae Alford, Bob and Cynthia Moran- Laux, Mark Straka, Robin Gilbert, Dave Berry, Nancy Babcock, David and Kyler Walker, Kelly Stone, Gabrielle and Zachary Stone, Jonathan, Rose and Rachel Goldberg, and Bill and Nancy White.

The event was picked up by Channel 8, WMTW TV who had live coverage Sunday morning and a great follow-up piece on their evening news. We have much to be proud of as a community – all pitching in to help to make these events a success!

Robin Zinchuk

Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce