BETHEL -— An engaged audience listened as members of a panel discussed the early days of skiing at Sunday River and Mt. Abram at an oral history session sponsored by the Bethel Historical Society and held on Nov. 12 in the meeting room of the Dr. Moses Mason House.

Panelists who recalled the early days of the ski areas included Avery Angevine, Jack Trinward, Ginny Cole, Connie Thurston, Gary Fuller, Peter Thurston, Clarence Howe and Paul Bodwell. Society Executive Director Stanley R. Howe served as moderator for the evening.

Sunday River began raising funds for the construction of facilities by selling stock, while Mt. Abram depended on the hard work of the Cross brothers. Both areas relied heavily upon volunteers in those early days. Being entirely weather dependent was also another factor that made life difficult for both areas in those early days before snow-making.

A number of leading figures and memorable people were also recalled. Changes in ski equipment through the years were noted as well. There were once ski jumps on John Anderson’s property in the Steam Mill section of town and in the area off Lover’s Lane known as Devil’s Kitchen.

By the 1940s, the Bethel Ski Tow was established on Vernon Street. It was the vision of having a mountain rather than a single steep hill that motivated individuals to look for a larger site. In addition, it was a commercial decision by some businessmen to enhance the economic prospects of the greater Bethel area. Both ski resorts had their beginnings approximately 50 years ago this year and the society opened an exhibit on the ski heritage on Nov. 21, in its O’Neil Robinson House.

Founded in 1966, the Bethel Historical Society, with more than 1,100 members, is western Maine’s largest and most comprehensive historical agency.