MEXICO – There is a location change for the Mexico Historical Society gathering on Tuesday, Dec. 23, which will be the Christmas meeting. The 5:30 p.m. meeting will take place at the Calvin Lyons Hall at the back side of the Mexico Town Office. Those attending are asked to bring finger food or party foods.

Basketball benefit

RUMFORD – The Rotary Club and the Mountain Valley Sport’s Boosters will host the Matt Gaudet Mountain Valley Alumni Basketball Day on Saturday, Dec. 27. Named for the former MV and Colby College athlete who was paralyzed in a diving accident several years ago, the event has been able to bring together former players from years past.

As a fund-raiser, the day has raised money for the Matt Gaudet trust fund, established to assist Matt in his rehabilitation efforts as a quadriplegic. The alumni day also will raise money for support of the Mountain Valley Boosters. Ticket prices will be $5 for adults and $2 for students. There will be a 50/50 drawing, raffles and items donated by merchants and well-wishers. Cafeteria concessions will be available and the high school kitchen will be open to provide hot food. At alumni games half times there will be foul-shooting and three-point contests with the finals before the last game. Prior to the last game there will be a slam dunk contest.

A reception at Teena’s/Shelter will follow the last game and players and fans are invited. If anyone wishes to bring a dish, contact Joe Gorham at Teena’s/Shelter, 364-8700 or Joyce Myles of The Rotary Club, 364-4263.

Players are asked to donate $10 or more for the day. Anyone who would like to play, help or be involved, should contact Eddie Paterson at 364-2595, or Rich Allen at 364-7866, members of the Rotary Club and MV Sports Boosters. Donations can be sent to the Mountain Valley Sports Boosters c/o Mountain Valley High School 799 Hancock St., Rumford, ME 04276, or contributions can made during the games.

New Year’s Bethel

BETHEL – The sixth annual New Year’s Bethel will be held Wednesday, Dec. 31, in Bethel beginning at 4 p.m. with a Watch Night Ecumenical Service at the Congregational Church. There will be a 6 p.m. lighted vehicle parade and five venues from 7 to 11:45 p.m. Also there will be horse and wagon rides, marshmallow roasting, fireworks and a New Year’s countdown.

Sponsored by the Bethel Historical Society in cooperation with the Mahoosuc Arts Council, Gould Academy, Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, West Parish Congregational Church, and Bethel Inn, the event offers an evening of chemical-free family fun. Boy Scout Troop 565 will offer a varied menu of food for the evening.

Leland Faulkner Family Theater will have magic and stories from all over the globe, using illusion, Japanese art forms. Norbert Twitchell, Maine humorist from Vienna, Maine, will provide inside information on Bethel’s local characters. And Trickster Fox, an internationally recognized comic artist, will perform as well.

Tickets for the evening are $10 adults, $8 children in advance or $12 adults and $10 children at the door. Tickets are available at a number of outlets around town and at the Bethel Historical Society. For more information phone the society at 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910.

The performers will include Old Grey Goose with old-time country dance music, songs and stories from Maine and New England with fiddles, accordions, piano, guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, fiddlesticks, bones and more. Another is State Street Traditional Jazz Band with an authentic New Orleans jazz, including hymns, spirituals, parade tunes, and popular songs.

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