BETHEL – The Oxford County Democrats have sponsored a variety of activities during the early summer, including booths at West Paris Old Home Days, the Moontide Water Festival in Rumford and Newry’s Bicentennial, and have participated in parades in West Paris and Newry.

The county Democrats were represented on July 16 at Bethel’s Mollyockett Day celebration.

The parade float for the Newry Bicentennial featured an environmental theme, with marchers picking up trash along Route 26 and placing it in a canoe, which highlighted the clean-up of the Androscoggin River initiated by Sen. Edmund Muskie.

The Oxford Hills Democrats met on June 28 for a discussion of issues affecting youth. Chris Allen of South Paris, Susie Mayberry and June Chaves of Norway and Torvic Vardamis of Bangor served as a panel, reacting to a variety of topics presented by program leader Roy Gedat. Adult members of the panel were local Democrats, David Ivey, Bernie and Joyce Reiner, Hilary Ware and Clancy Allen.

The Sacopee Democrats met on June 15 for a regional discussion and development of a mission statement. River Valley Area Democrats are planning an area meeting in August. Bethel Area Democrats met on June 1 to plan summer community events.

Congressman Mike Michaud visited Oxford County on July 9, beginning with a Downtown Norway press conference hosted by Downtown Group President Roy Gedat at the Fare Share Common announcing the receipt of a new grant.

Lori Allen of the Maine Development Foundation was also in attendance, as was Rep. John Patrick. Following the press conference, the Oxford County Democrats visited with Michaud at the Colonial Coffee Shop.

Rep. John Patrick, Cathy Newell and Mike and Eileen Broderick accompanied Michaud and his staff to Mass at Our Lady of Snows in Bethel and to the coffee following at the church. Michaud later attended the bean supper at the Newry Bicentennial, accompanied by Oxford County Democratic Chairwoman Cathy Newell, Mike and Eileen Broderick and Tim and Jody Carter.

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