BETHEL – Members and friends of the Bethel Historical Society are reminded that the fourth lecture in the 2003 series celebrating the history of Maine transportation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9.

Mason Philip Smith will speak on “The Great Gale of 1898 and the Loss of the Steamer Portland” at the society’s Regional History Center in the Dr. Moses Mason House Meeting Room.

Everyone is welcome and this lecture is brought to Bethel in part from a grant from the New Century Community Program and the Maine Humanities Council.

Prior to this lecture, there will be another opportunity to obtain signed copies of Pat Stewart’s “Mollyockett,” Robert Spidell’s “The Pynelis Journals,” and Randall Bennett’s “The White Mountains: Alps of New England.” These authors will be present between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Another issue of the society’s quarterly will be available soon. Anyone wishing a complimentary copy of “The Courier” should call the society office at 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910 or e-mail at [email protected], or send a request to P.O. Box 12, Bethel, ME 04217-0012.