Four individuals have been selected to receive the special distinction.

BETHEL – The 38th annual meeting of the Bethel Historical Society was held Sept. 11 at the society’s Regional History Center. After a chicken barbecue, more than 40 members and friends adjourned to the meeting room of the Dr. Moses Mason House.

President Arlan Jodrey announced that the 2002 financial report would be published in the quarterly. A moment of silence was observed for members who died in the last year: Schuyler Mott, Basil Seguin, Lyndell Carter, Eva Mills, Beulah Martins, Thelma Knight, Donald Stanley, Florine Bowden, Jim Anderson, Mansfield Packard, Beatrice Brown, Paul Kailey, Ranald Stevens, Carolyn Brooks, Mae Maddix, Stanley Coolidge, Dorothy Clarke Wilson, Alan Abbott, Harlan Hutchins, Richard Hosterman, Pearline McMillin, Linda Foster and Dewey Thayer.

Jodrey cited 67 new individual and five new business/corporate members added to the rolls, more than 75 donations of artifacts and other historical materials, the hosting by the society of several successful special events, the receipt of the Barbara Willey bequest of $112,500 for endowment of the Dr. Moses Mason House, the publication of a society cookbook, the hosting of a successful book signing for Bob Spidell’s “Pynellis Journal.” the opening of the Middle Ground Exhibit, and the publication of society Curator of Collections Randall Bennett’s book on the White Mountains.

Four individuals have been selected to become honorary members. Those honored were Mary Valentine for her service on the Nominating and Historic Preservations committees, and as a guide in the museum and volunteer in the Research Library for many years; John S. Greenleaf for his years of service without compensation working on the electrical systems of the society’s two buildings; Bessie Bennett, who has assisted with mailings and exhibit preparations, cleaned the kitchen and museum, and provided food for numerous society events; Blake MacKay, who has put numerous volunteer hours on the Building Committee and on electrical projects of the society.

Society Curator of Collections and Assistant Director Randall Bennett presented the 2003 Marjorie MacArthur Noll Volunteer Service Award to Mary E. Valentine for her years of service as a researcher, guide and committee member. Bennett stressed her devotion to the society that her parents had helped found and how dedicated she was to helping researchers.

Arlene Lowell, chairwoman of the Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of officers and trustee for consideration: president, Arlan Jodrey; vice president, Allan Cressy; secretary and clerk of the trustees, Susan Herlihy; treasurer, Walter Hatch; and trustee for three years, Dorothy Bartlett. The slate was approved unanimously. Jodrey expressed deep appreciation to retiring trustee John Head for his fine service to the organization during the past three years.

Director Stanley R. Howe introduced the speaker. Howe noted that Richard Fraser’s knowledge of automobiles was legendary and how useful it had been when the society wanted to learn more about some historical photograph that happened to contain an automobile. Howe praised Fraser for his extensive knowledge of all things automotive.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, as part of the Harvestfest celebration, the society will hold its apple and pumpkin festival with cider and applesauce-making, pumpkin decorating, and pumpkin whoopie pie sale. The museum shop will be open as well as the exhibits in the Robinson House from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. From 2 to 4 p.m.

Pat Stewart will autograph copies of her new novel, “Mollyockett,” for those who wish to visit her at the Dr. Moses Mason House Meeting Room. Everyone is welcome.