BETHEL – Scott Andrews, writer and researcher with the Ski Museum of Maine, will be the featured speaker at the final lecture of the 2008 series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Bethel Historical Society’s Dr. Moses Mason House Exhibit Hall.

His topic will be “Down-Mountain and Cross Country: 140 Years of Skiing in Maine.” Sponsored in part by a grant from the Maine Humanities Council, the lecture is free and open to all.

Andrews is expected to look at the history of skiing in the Pine Tree State from its beginnings with Swedish immigrants in Aroostook County in the 1870s to the present day. Using historic photographs, he will cover such subjects as the winter carnivals of the 1920s and 1930s, early rope tows in Western Maine, including one in Bethel, and the growth of today’s large-scale resorts.

He will also visit a few ski-related failures, such as the saga of Evergreen Valley in Lovell/Stoneham. Key personalities in Andrews’ talk will include Olympic athletes, plus other men and women who built skiing from a fringe sport for a hardy few into today’s multi-million dollar industry.

More information about the society and its activities may be obtained by calling 824-2908 or (800) 824-2910, e-mailing [email protected] or visiting www.bethelhistorical.org.