JULY

In July, trail work began at the town of Woodstock’s Buck’s Ledge. The new ‘Trail for All’ was inspired by a group of local schoolchildren who wanted to ensure that every classmate could experience the trail together.

‘It’s a super thrill,’ Race Director Steve McCann said of the West Paris Downhill Derby 180-foot paved course built in 1965. The first race of the summer was held in July. The derby is intentionally unofficial to keep it accessible to all kids. “If we made it official, cars would need to be newer and more expensive,” McCann said.

In Albany what started as anticipation for the birth of just the second loon chick to hatch on Songo Pond in the past 40 years turned into double the excitement when two chicks arrived, reversing decades of failed nesting on Songo, which had produced just one chick since the 1980s, in 2023.

Hanover Town Office got an energy-efficient upgrade via a Community Resilience Partnership Grant from the state.

Bethel laundromat owner Michael Bean said 5% to 17% of water at coin laundries is left in clothes when they come out of the washing machine and evaporates in the dryer. He believes he should receive a discount for the wastewater that never goes down the drain.

AUGUST

The 45th annual Andover Olde Home Days was held Aug. 2, complete with a road race, a parade and skillet throwing. “Always plan to be in Andover the first weekend in August,” said one participant.

On Aug. 9, Bethel area participants celebrated what had been called Summerfest, but returned to the town as Mollyockett Day this year.

Local rescue crews saved Brexton Getchell, 21, of Unity, who sustained serious injuries in a fall at Screw Auger Falls in Grafton Township, the Maine Warden Service says.

Renovation of Chris’ Haven, a sober house at 47 Old County Road in Woodstock was led by Marc Montplaisir and his mother, Mary Ellen, who were relying on the help of dozens of volunteers.

On the first day of kindergarten in Robin Kennett’s Crescent Park School kindergarten class, one student had a question ‘We don’t take naps, right?’

A Greenwood man was sentenced to 45 years in prison following his wife’s 2024 murder

SEPTEMBER

Bethel’s former Gracenote Inn and Spa sold for $1.8 million. The transaction was not the most expensive residential sale in Bethel. Another property at 287 Tara Way sold for $2.1 million the day before, on Aug. 14.

Four volunteers led the charge to renovate the Maine Room at Woodstock library. The space houses books by Maine authors and books about Maine.

Bethel, Newry and other area towns’ residents saw huge tax increases. In Bethel taxes rose 48%; Newry’s are up 31%.

In Andover, residents pushed back against “eyesore” solar expansion. The citizen initiative sought to limit the size of solar farms, and possibly ban large and medium-scale projects altogether.

Bob Chadbourne, of Bethel, who died Sept. 17, carried on 11 generations of logging legacy in Maine and continued building his family’s logging business, contributing to conservation and growing economy in western Maine.

OCTOBER

Telstar was ranked the fifth best high school in the state by U.S. News & World Report. Nearly 40% of its students are economically disadvantaged, yet it outperformed many wealthier, coastal schools.

Krystle Gould’s Crescent Park fifth graders managed to keep their group Halloween costumes a secret for weeks before the Bethel’s parade. This year’s theme: dinosaurs.

As the cold started moving in, the first Oxford County firewood bank aimed to fill a growing need for heating assistance, said Kevin Dunn of Greenwood, who added that his wood bank on Route 26 in Bethel is one of the few not on the coast.

NOVEMBER

Telstar boys soccer and Telstar football made it into the finals this year.

The final salute for decorated Vietnam veteran Raymond York Sr. was held at a quiet Mason Township cemetery. He was awarded the Purple Heart and four bronze stars for his service. He found solace in the woods and was buried near where he played as a child.

The final goal by Telstar’s Cyrus Mills sent the Rebels to the eight-player state championship game. Telstar boys soccer knocked off Pine Tree in double OT to claim the regional title. The team later lost in the sate finals.

Sharon Jackson was hired to stay on as Bethel town manager after serving as interim manager following the departure of Natalie Andrews in 2023.

DECEMBER

An educator, a parade planner, a quilter, a librarian, three historians and a host of other Bethel-area residents started planning for a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday with a creative mix of films, discussions, crafts and a star-spangled Fourth of July for 2026.

More than 4 years after closing, West Paris Post Office is now set to open in 2026 at the former Ledgeview Living Center.

Telstar’s sophomore football star Alex Dougherty was named Maine Principal’s Association Athlete of the Week after a six-touchdown performance. He is the first Telstar athlete granted that honor.

Absenteeism is down for Bethel area schools but is still a challenge for the district. Superintendent Mark Kenney plans to look at the numbers again in March and at the end of the school year.