Bethel

The Bethel Library has just received 100 new children’s books from the Brownstone Book Fund, a private foundation in New York City. The library is one of forty-five Maine libraries that received grants of 100 books each. The grants were announced in October, but Hurricane Sandy delayed shipping of the books for several months.

Congratulations to Richard Blanco for being named the 2013 Inaugural Poet by Barack Obama. Blanco is an award-winning poet who lives in Bethel. He is the nation’s fifth Inaugural Poet. John Kennedy began the practice in 1960 when he selected Robert Frost as the first Inaugural Poet. Bill Clinton and Barack Obama continued the tradition. Blanco will recite his poem written for the event on Monday, Jan. 21, during the public inaugural ceremony. You can read and listen to Blanco’s poetry at his website www.richardblanco.com.

Look for other Mainers at the inaugural events. Forty-one members of the Gym Dandies, a Scarborough-based children’s circus arts group, will ride 6-foot tall unicycles in the inaugural parade on Jan. 21. Members of the circus group perform other circus arts, including juggling and stilt walking. Since 1981 more than 3,500 children have participated in the group, which is one of the largest continually operating children’s circus arts troupes in the country.

There will be a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner for Eddie Gammon, Sr., on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the American Legion Hall on the Gore Road in Greenwood. The doors will open at 3 p.m. Dinner will be served from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner is $8; children 6 and under are free. There will be a 50/50 raffle and a Dollar Table. For more information call Jeff and Alisha Walker at 890-5909 or 875-5501.

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