Bethel

Country Christmas in Bethel kicks into high gear this weekend with open houses, craft fairs, and Christmas tree lightings. There’s a lot to choose from in the Bethel area.

Last week I reported the wrong date for the monthly hymn sing at the Pinhook Meeting House on Route 232 in Woodstock. The correct date is Friday, Nov. 30, from 7 to 8 p.m. The hymn sing will be followed by refreshments. The Meeting House Memorial Christmas Tree will be lit that evening. Everyone is welcome. I apologize for my error. The good news is that you haven’t missed the event.

On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, the West Bethel Union Church is holding a Christmas greens sale from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. There will also be a cookie walk, crafts, and food for sale.

The West Parish Congregational Church hosts its annual Christmas Tea and Fair Saturday afternoon from 1 to 4 p.m. Along with the traditional Christmas tea, there will be crafts, knitted items, baked goods, and a cookie walk.

Christmas at the Mason House presented by the Bethel Historical Society is from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. The first floor of the 1813 Moses Mason House will be decorated as it might have been in the Civil War era. There will be live music and refreshments.

The Jingle Bell run begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Key Bank on Main Street. Participants will be given bells to wear as they run (or walk) up Main Street to the Common to meet Santa Claus and watch the lighting of the trees on the Common.

The Christmas tree lighting at the United Methodist Church on Main Street in downtown Bethel will be Saturday night, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. Students and community members will provide live music and refreshments will be served. Everyone is welcome.

The 13th Annual Santa Sunday takes place at Sunday River Resort on Sunday, Dec. 2. All proceeds from the event benefit the Bethel Rotary’s Christmas for Children program. Dress as Santa and you can ski free on Santa Sunday. You have to register on line at www.sundayriver.com.

If you’re spending the winter away from Bethel, you can read about Christmas in Maine in the December issue of Down East, which will be in stores this week. The magazine features a story by local author Louise Dickinson Rich on spending Christmas deep in the Maine woods. Down East also reports that one of the notable events of October was the groundbreaking for the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum in Bethel. This issue of Down East will make you want to come back to Maine for the holidays.

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