Citizen Columns
Used for Bethel Citizen content
Backyard Reflections: Let’s not forget our moose maples
In September we are all awaiting the vibrant color that the fall foliage will bring. The combination of decreasing daylight and the sudden cold weather brought instant changes to the trees this year. Hiking in the forest especially on mountain trails I come upon sudden splashes of intense crimson or bittersweet orange that literally take […]
Mahoosuc Bird Notes: Frank Vogt
Writing this column has given me the opportunity to meet people who I might not otherwise have met. Frank Vogt, a long-time resident of Bethel, a life-long educator, birder, fisherman and all-round outdoorsman is one of those people. Last year, I learned through a series of friends that Frank had been reading this weekly […]
Wandering: Freedom
“You must miss it,” the former newspaper man said to me. “I know I sure do.” I’ve known my acquaintance for many years but he is so far removed from his career in news writing that I always forget he and I have that common thread. He spoke about breaking the story of the […]
Movie Review: Unhinged
It seems almost quaint to review this movie now. Three weeks ago, “Unhinged” opened as the first big post-pandemic theatrical release. The problem was that the theater closest to my parents’ house didn’t reopen until a week later. I saw “Unhinged” at the first opportunity, but I also saw (and reviewed) “The New Mutants,” which […]
Energy Matters: Heat pumps revisited
Although we have written about heat pumps before, back in the spring, Winter Is Coming, and we figure that heating systems are on many people’s minds as they consider their optimum strategies for staying warm over the next 6 months! Also, as the climate crisis becomes more visible, many are trying to reduce their household […]
Rotary 5K thanks
To the Editor: On behalf of the Rotary Club of Bethel, we would like to thank everyone who turned out to run or walk the Rotary Virtual 5K or 1 mile. We will have a complete list of names to recognize in a future issue of the Citizen. All proceeds of this event become part […]
Education: Enhancing attractions
Schools need to attract good students, and keep them. Enhanced programs can help. Consider French, Maine’s second language. Telstar offers French online. It’s a good course; there’s interaction, but it’s limited by the medium. Knowing a language should mean the ability to read a book or newspaper, navigate a website, enjoy a movie, write an […]
Mahoosuc Bird Notes: American Kestrel
Maine has three falcons that breed here routinely. The Peregrine, Merlin and the American Kestrel. The smallest of these is the American Kestrel. (Photo by Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren). This robin-sized falcon prefers short grass fields for hunting and is widely distributed throughout North and South America wherever it finds this type of habitat. […]
Backyard Reflections: Eastern Hemlock, Part 2
Part 2 Unfortunately several insects attack Hemlocks. The woolly adelgid (the worst) is a non native insect that feeds on hemlock twigs and creates a loss of tree needles (it can also be found on Norfolk Island pines – so beware of white “snowy” patches on these or other live trees that are sold as […]