Gilead

Hopefully, everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving Day. There are so many things to be thankful for, such as, family and friends getting together and enjoying each other’s company. By now most of the goodies left over from the meal are gone, but do not despair, Christmas will be coming with another round of good eats to devour.

My brother, Steve McLain, was at the house Saturday morning. He had to stop at the Town Office to drop off some mail on his way home. He was kind enough to turn up the heat so I could go over later to finish up my final reports to the State regarding the recent election.

Steve and Lise McLain had Thanksgiving Dinner at Brad and Carole’s (their son and his wife) house last Thursday. It was reported that the meal was delicious, as always.

Last Friday, Steve and Lise McLain attended the Craft Fair at the Bethel Inn Conference Center.

Hugh and I had our granddaughter, Sidney, for the day last Friday. We also decided to go to the Craft Fair in Bethel. Sidney picked up a few Christmas presents for her family.

Norm Buttrick and Cathy McGuire were in Gilead for Thanksgiving at their place on the Bog Road. We ran into them at the Craft Fair.

After shopping at the Craft Fair, we stopped at the Bethel Historical Society and had a chance to visit with Ann Holt, Pauline Applin, Danna Nickerson and Randall Bennett. Then it was on to Pat’s Pizza for lunch and down to Maine Line Products for a little more shopping. By then, we were tired out and headed home to wrap the presents. Sidney decided to leave them at Grammy and Grampa’s house so no one would find them before Christmas.

Our grandson, Ben Chapman, called last Sunday from the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. He came home for just a couple of days for Thanksgiving, but did not get over to visit. We had a chance to get caught up on how things were going at the Academy and all seems well. He told us that when Hurricane Sandy came ashore, they stayed at the Academy and waited out the storm. They participated in clean up of the area afterward. He only has about three more weeks and then he can come home for Christmas break.

Thanksgiving Day brought excitement in Gilead. There was a canoe with three individuals that had capsized in the Androscoggin River and they were on an island. Gilead Fire Department was called out. Bethel Rescue was alerted and arrived at the scene to be ready to assist the three men when they were rescued from the island. Bethel Fire Department arrived on the scene with their rescue boat and put it in the river at the boat launch by the Androscoggin River Bridge. The members of the BFD traveled down the river, removed the men from the island and delivered them to Bethel Rescue. From what I heard later, they all seemed to come through the ordeal all right. Just a little wet and cold!

Area Wildlife

Most of the recent wildlife that has been seen is the growing number of birds at the feeder. Hugh had to move the feeder out onto the lawn to keep the gray squirrels from jumping off the roof onto the feeder. The Plexiglas seems to have deterred the squirrels from climbing the post and now that it is farther away from the house, they looked quite upset and are hopeful that the birds will drop seeds on the ground. The red squirrel has been picking them up and running around the front yard and burying them in several different places. I am not quite sure how he expects to find them later, but I think the gray squirrels have found a few.

The usual birds are still here, but Mr. Cardinal is coming more often and the Red-Breasted Nuthatch has shown up and joined the White-Breasted Nuthatch. The newest visitor that arrived in the middle of last week was the female Red-Bellied Woodpecker, who is a member of the Ladder-Backed Woodpeckers. The male and female look quite a lot alike, but the male has a red crown and nape and the female only has the red nape. They are not common to this area, but are slowly increasing their range further north to include this area. She stayed around for a few days, but we have not seen her lately. In May of 2009, the male was seen in the area.

Howard Reiche called last Sunday to discuss some projects that are in the works for the Gilead Historical Society.

Town Office

This is just a reminder that 2013 dog licenses are available from the Town Clerk at the Town Office. Proof of a current rabies shot is mandatory and the cost is $6 for Spayed/Neutered and $11 for Male/Female. A $25 late fee is applied after Jan. 31. There will be a Rabies Clinic at the Bethel Fire Station on Dec. 15 from 2 to 4 p.m. The fee is $15 and payable in cash only.

Got any news? Call 836-2987 or e-mail chapmal@hotmail.com