MINOT – The Minot Historical Society met on Jan. 13 when President Hester Gilpatric thanked the Program Committee for the programs presented in 2003. The committee presented the schedule for 2004.

Ruth Gammon introduced the speaker, Ron Beady, who has taught history in Livermore for many years. His topic was “Books.” He grew up on a farm in Hartford, and books were his favorite Christmas present.

Beady started acquiring them as a child when he accompanied his father to auctions. He has a collection of Maine books. One of his favorite is an 1864 Maine Civil War book.

He has collected many other Maine authors. Beady noted that he had some roots in the Rangeley area and has collected books on that area. He is always looking for more books on fishing, hunting and logging. His oldest book is an 1828 leather-bound book on the “Life of Elder Abel Thornton” written by Thornton. Beady said his collection totals more than 400 books.

Membership cards are being printed. Gilpatric is continuing work on an honor roll for Minot veterans. The secretary displayed and offered for sale the two books that have been published by the Androscoggin County Historical Society in honor of the 150th anniversary of the county.

There was discussion concerning a tape recorder/DVD player to record interviews with Minot residents who could contribute information, stories and the history of the town.

The society will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, at the town office when the speaker will be Nancy Lecompte on “Indian Culture.” Lecompte is the author of a book, “Alnobak, A Story of Indigenous People in Androscoggin County,” published this year by the Androscoggin County Historical Society.

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