It was an honor to be asked to write a poem for Bethel’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. America 250: From These Hills reflects on just a few of the people, places, and moments that have helped shape our town over the years. I hope it serves as a small tribute to the generations who came before us and those who will continue Bethel’s story for years to come.

America 250: From These Hills

there once were rough roads
through Stony Hill

and when fire claimed
a neighbor’s home

people raised up beams
built it back

1843

Maria Parloa was born
in Grassy Plain

she would teach
our young nation to cook

ideas from a small town
traveled far

1861

young men left these hills
for blood-soaked battlefields
far from home

some returned
some did not

the town carried on
with empty chairs
at silent supper tables‍

‍1865

P.T. Barnum came home

showman
dreamer
visionary

he never forgot
where his story began

1872

the gritty little Shepaug
steamed into Bethel

iron rails stitching
a village
to the rest of America

1895

new schools opened

built by a town
that saw beyond
the last brick laid

to lessons not yet taught
and futures not yet imagined

1910

more than four thousand people
assembled at Hoyt’s Hill

tables stretched across the summit

and for a day

Bethel became
one long table

1943

Marian Anderson came to Bethel
not to sing, but to marry

the voice that rose
above prejudice
found its way here

1954

a Bethel High School student
mailed a graduation invitation

Eleanor Roosevelt replied:

yes

‍2020

six feet apart
we leaned toward one another

masks hid our smiles
not our kindness

neighbors checked in
meals were shared
and hope
found its way home

2026

Since Bethel was incorporated
in 1855
these hills have witnessed

revolution
world wars
pandemics
depressions
recessions

and the ordinary heartbreaks
of daily life

still

we grow
we gather
we debate
we help neighbors
we welcome newcomers

we walk through cemeteries
of those before us

we return to answer
our children’s plea

the names change
our story continues

tomorrow
sets another place
at the table

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© Hannah lipman

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