Community celebrates town’s original name with games and shows.

BETHEL – The three-day Sudbury Canada Days, celebrating Bethel’s earlier name, was held under the threat of rain Aug. 8 to 10.

The weekend began with the 12th annual Hall Memorial Lecture featuring a discussion of the life and career of Ellsworth’s George Washington Madox (1821- 1882) who began his political life as a “Know-Nothing” activist and evolved into a supporter of Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president of the United States and a member of the Communist party. The lecture was presented by Allan R. Whitmore, Ph.D., chairman of the History Department at the University of Southern Maine.

On Saturday, horseshoe pitching began with Steve Estes of Waterford coming in first; Rawn Hill of South Paris, second; Ben Hamlin, Waterford, third. Members of Co. B, 20th Maine Volunteer Infantry provided visitors with reminders of the Civil War past. Ice cream was served Saturday and Sunday for the 1922 Mt. Zircon Bottle Lunch Stand.

Among the craft demonstrators were those demonstrating and exhibiting quilting, chair caning, basketmaking and dyeing.

A flower show was held in the Robinson House. Those providing bouquets were Bessie Bennett, Sylvia Clanton, Amy Davis, Wende Gray, Susan Herlihy, Harry and Barbara Kuzyk, Helen Morton, Danna Nickerson, Carol Nielsen, Jackie Van Leuven, and Jane Vogt. Historical videos were shown throughout the weekend.

A local art show was held on the lawn of the Robinson House. Winners of the Children’s Parade (theme “Famous Americans”) were: cleverest, Elissa Dyer as “Calamity Jane”; most authentic, Jordan Kulig as “Annie Oakley”; prettiest, Anna Heberman, also as “Annie Oakley” ; most original, Catherine Heberman, as Sacagewea.

Old-time children’s games were played throughout Saturday afternoon. Winners included: sack race, Ben Eysenbach, Belmont, Mass., first; Lindsay Eysenback, Belmont, Mass., second; Jordan Kulig, Upton, third; Grace Eysenback, Belmont, Mass., fourth; potato race, first, Lindsay Eysenbach and Ben Eysenbach; second, Elissa Dyer, Upton, and Jordan Kulig; suitcase race, first, Anna Haberman, Bethel, Linsay Eysenbach, Ben Eysenbach, Sara Gustus, Andover; second, Cathryn Haberman, Andover, Jordan Kulig, Grace Eysenbach, Samantha Mallory, Bethel.

Scavenger hunt, first, Lindsay Eysenbach; second, Ben Eysenbach; third, Jordan Kulig; ice cream eating contest, first, Ben Eysenbach, second, Victoria Klimkowski, third, Jordan Kulig. Croquet winners were Zachary Kolda, first and second was a tie William Rein and Robert Rein.

The door prize winner was Sabrina DuBois DeFlippis of Gaithersburg, Md. The farming/logging exhibit in the Hastings barn was well-attended both days.

The log driver’s bean supper on Saturday night was nearly sold out and was followed by a visit from Vice President Hannibal Hamlin and wife Ellen. Hamlin described his service in the Civil War, his career in politics as a Maine governor and senator, and his strong opposition to slavery.

Two final events on Sunday afternoon were the open house at the Lower Sunday River Schoolhouse (1895) and the old-time hymn sing as the Middle Intervale Meeting House (1816), the town’s oldest surviving religious structure.

Sudbury Canada was Bethel’s early name from the time it was granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1768 until it was incorporated in 1796. The earlier name honored the original grantees from Sudbury, MA, who had fought unsuccessfully to conquer Canada in 1690. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts rewarded these men with land in the “District of Maine,” naming it in honor of the Massachusetts town and the campaign in which they served. This annual festival honors the town’s rich historical tradition dating from the 18th century.

For information about the Bethel Historical Society and its activities, call 824-2908 or (1-800-824-2910 or emailing: [email protected].