BETHEL – The Bethel Historical Society will offer a winter-spring course, “Topics in New England History,” during March and April as part of its educational programming for 2008.

The course will offer a detailed discussion of five topics in New England history, including war, the poor, literature, political figures and town characters.

The first session will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13, and continue each week, March 20, 27, April 3 and 10, at the same time. Society Executive Director Stanley R. Howe will conduct the course.

Howe has lectured, written and published on New England history topics. He has also taught history at several colleges and universities and served on graduate committees and possesses extensive experience as a facilitator for the Maine, New Hampshire and New England Humanities Foundation programs through the years.

He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Southern Maine, an MA in history from the University of Connecticut and a PhD in history from the University of Maine.

The cost of the course to non-members will be $25 and to society members, $20. To register, call the society at 824-2908 or 1-800-824-2910 or e-mail [email protected]. The course is scheduled to be held at the Regional History Center’s O’Neil Robinson House.

For more information on the society and its activities, call 824-2908 or 800-824-2910, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.bethelhistorical.org.