BETHEL – A $500 discretionary grant has been received by the Bethel Historical Society for its 2007 lecture series, “Maine Character and Characters.”

The grant was awarded by the Maine Humanities Council, according to Stanley R. Howe, society executive director.

The grant will assist the society in bringing a broad range of speakers and topics to Bethel as part of its 2007 program offerings. Lectures made possible in part by this grant will include: May 10, “Maine-Hawaii Connections,” Paul Burlin, PhD, dean, College of Arts and Sciences, University of New England.

June 14, “A Painter’s Progress: The Life, Work and Travels of Harrison Bird Brown,” Earle G. Shettleworth Jr., director, Maine Historic Preservation Commission and state historian.

Aug. 10, Hall Memorial Lecture, “Oxford County Mines and Miners,” Vandall T. King, author, Rochester, N.Y.

Sept. 13, annual meeting, “Joshua Gross Rich (1820-1897): Western Maine Pioneer and Wildlife Writer,” William B. Krohn, PhD, USGS Biological Resources Division, Maine Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, University of Maine at Orono.

Oct. 11, “The Spruce Gum Industry of Maine,” David Fuller, agricultural and natural resources professional, University of Maine Extension Service.

Nov. 8, “Elizabeth Mason Carter: A Centennial Retrospective,” Stanley R. Howe, PhD, executive director, Bethel Historical Society.

“We are indeed grateful to the Maine Humanities Council for this support,” Howe said in announcing the grant. “It helps us keep our programming strong and varied,” he added.

In addition to its annual lecture series, programming at the Bethel Historical Society also includes courses, workshops, school presentations and special events throughout the year.

For more information about the society and its activities, call 824-2908 or 800-824-2910 or e-mail [email protected]. Additional information can also be obtained by checking the Web site at www.bethelhistorical.org.