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To the Editor:
It has been one of my greatest pleasures this past 14 months (since November 2019) to work with the women of the Repant! Tote group and I have volunteered to share a bit about how it began, and what the fruits of our labor have been.
In addition to the incredible bond that these women have formed, we have created and sewn more than 425 custom totes from up-cycled men’s slacks, decorated with t-shirts, fabric scraps, and various other textiles. The concept was created by District Exchange volunteer Susan Lowe of Albany, with the support of Maryvonne Wheeler. After doing considerable research as to how many thousands of pounds of cast-off clothing are buried in landfills throughout the United States each year, along with the fact that the Town of Bethel had been considering banning single use plastic bags, Sue and Maryvonne thought this project would have a positive environmental and community impact.
To the Editor:
In a time when so much has been canceled, we decided to create a COVID-safe Santa arrival for the children and families in the Bethel area. Thanks to all the creativity and time given so generously by Stephanie Herbeck and her family, with the assistance, enthusiasm and support of several individuals, a super fun new tradition was started on Saturday, Dec. 19th. More than a dozen cars and trucks gathered in the River Lanes parking lot, all decked out in holiday lights, wreathes, elves and excited children! They drove together, following an Oxford County Deputy and the Bethel Fire Department truck with Santa waving from the back up Main Street and around the Bethel Common. Happy children and their families lined the course, waving to Santa and admiring the workmanship of the vehicle owners. So much fun!
Brew Co. opens
On April 30, Sunday River Brewing Company Co-Owner Rick Savage announced on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight his plans to defy Gov. Janet’s Mills state order, which at the time prohibited dine-in restaurant service. Less than a day later it was clear he was staying true to his word.
Rick’s decision to open, drew praise from people countrywide and Mainers from all over the state drove to SRBC to show their support for the businessman. By lunchtime, the line of people waiting to go in was stretched around the side of the restaurant, and by dinnertime, more than 250 people had been served, according to an employee. Despite the large turnout, things began to go downhill for SRBC as the day moved on. Around 4:30 p.m., the state seized SRBC’s health and liquor licenses and by 8 p.m., the restaurant made a Facebook post saying it would be closed until further notice. However, the saga was far from over.