To the Editor:
The members of the Rotary Club of Bethel are excited to be planning for our upcoming events and activities. We invite you to mark your calendars and support/attend these!

Our largest fundraising event is our Annual Yardsale, which is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1 to Monday, August 7 – to be held on the lawn next to the Gem Theater on Cross Street in Bethel. We are accepting donations – items in good condition with the exception of clothing, books, old computers, appliances, or sofa beds.

To donate, please contact Rotarian Scott Parker at 207-890-0917. Best to text
message or call and leave a message. We have thousands of items already donated and expect this to be a sale that has something for everyone. Many of the larger items (furniture, etc) will have prices but most of the items will not be marked with a price.

Any reasonable offer will be accepted, and please remember that the proceeds from this event are reinvested right back into our community through our area high school/post-secondary scholarship program and other very worthy community causes/organizations. Thanks, in advance, for your donations and attending this event!

On Sunday, September 10, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., you are all invited to the 3rd Annual Mahoosuc Art & Agriculture Tour. For $20 per vehicle, you can enjoy a tour of local farms, with an added bonus of purchasing their products and lunch, visiting with and potentially purchasing from area artists and artisans who will be at each farm location, and talking with Rotarians who will serve as hosts at each farm.

The tickets/map will be for sale at the Rotary tent, which will be set up on the lawn next to the Gem Theater on Cross St., Bethel beginning at 9 a.m. More details will be forthcoming as the date approaches. This event is held in partnership with BAAM (Bethel Area Arts & Music), the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Local Food Connection.

We would appreciate you marking your calendars for the Annual Rotary 5K and 1-mile event, sponsored by HealthReach Community Health Centers, which is scheduled for Sunday, September 17 at the Valentine Farm Conservation Center on the North Road in Bethel. The 1-mile event begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K runner/walking event begins at 9 a.m.

The event is open to both runners and walkers, and a remote option is available for those who cannot make it to Bethel that day. Registration is $15 in advance for adults and free for anyone 18 and under, and $20 for ‘day-of’ registration. The first 100 registrants receive a commemorative amenity gift and there will be prizes and refreshments for finishers.

This event’s proceeds are dedicated to supporting after-school and enrichment programs for the youth of the Bethel area. Recent recipients of funds have been Toe, Tap & Jazz Dance School, Mahoosuc Kids Association, the Museums of the Bethel Historical Society’s summer “Mornings at the Museum” program, the Crescent Park School’s Girls on the Run program, the Bethel Library Summer Reading Program, the Paint Doodle Create summer art program, and the Mt. Abram Ski Resort’s after school ski program for the youth of SAD 44.

This year’s event is being held in partnership with The Mahoosuc Kids Association. Registration is available online at www.runreg.com/bethel-rotary-5K.

Thank you for your support of and participation in the programs and events of the Rotary Club of Bethel! The success of these programs relies on your support!

Robin Zinchuk

Public Image

Jean Benedict

Club President

Bethel