This is an exciting week in the Lakes Region, as the fourth annual Maine Blues Festival brings music lovers from across New England to our neck of the woods. This year’s festival runs all day on Saturday, June 20, throughout Naples. The previous festivals have been blessed with fair weather, and let’s hope for the same this time.

The local Chamber of Commerce and tons of volunteers make this a must-do event that kicks off the summer season in high style. There’s nothing like strolling the causeway through Naples with smoking blues music coming from every club, park and sidewalk in town.

Join legends like Mark “Guitar” Miller, Blind Albert, Denny Breau and Big Chief as they bring the blues back to town. Check out the schedule of shows at Mainebluesfestival.com, and you can purchase tickets online or in Naples on Saturday.

4 On The Fourth

It is time to lace up the Asics and pound the pavement. The 4 on the Fourth is just a few weeks away, and organizers are expecting 2,000 runners to hit the 8 a.m. starting gate.

This four-mile road race is perennially voted one of the best and most scenic routes in New England, and is a huge fundraiser for the Bridgton Library and many other local nonprofits. You can pick up a registration sheet at the Cool Moose, or register online at www.comfortsignups.com.

Team Black Horse has been training early and often, and we’re hoping to be more prepared than ever to face the endless hill on Pond Road (although my calves hurt just thinking of it). If all goes well, we will have crossed the finish line in plenty of time to join the Lions Parade through town at noon.

Speaking of the parade …

There is still a little time left to get your float in the parade. This year’s theme is “Cartoon Characters and Action Figures,” which could result in some hilarious floats. Please call the Lions Parade chairman Bob McHatton and he’ll set you up with a sweet spot in the lineup. His number is 647-2822. The parade begins at Hannaford and wends its way through town to the beach at Highland Lake.

Brown-bag it

The Friends of Bridgton Library’s annual summer Speaker Series is kicking off this month with a diverse roster of writers.

Join noted children’s author Lois Lowry on June 24 as she regales us with stories from her recent trip to South Africa. This two-time winner of the prestigious Newbery Award will also talk about her life and work, and read excerpts from her popular books including “The Willoughbys,” “The Giver,” “Gossamer” and the Gooney Bird books.

On July 1, Ellen Chickering will be in town to talk about her new opera buffa production of Cimarosa’s six-person opera destined for Deertrees the following week. Having retired from her own singing career, Ms. Chickering now devotes herself to discovering young talent and giving them a showcase.

For more information, contact Peter Bollen (647-4062) or George Bradt (647-2389). The municipal room is handicapped accessible. Doors open at noon and the series is open to the public, so pack a sack and join the literary lions for lunch.

Blooming beauties

Susan Orleans’ book “The Orchid Thief” showed us how maniacal orchid enthusiasts can be, and the insane lengths they will go to in their quest to collect the rarest specimens. Fortunately, local orchid lovers do not have to go stomping through gator-infested swamps to find them; they only have to slog a bit through Holt Pond.

On Tuesday, June 23, at 9 a.m., orchid expert Ursula Duva will lead an exploration of quaking bog orchids at Holt Pond. The walk will meet at the LEA Lakes Center, 230 Main St. in Bridgton, for a carpool to the preserve. Walkers will cover easy to moderate terrain over forest trails and boardwalks. Comfortable walking shoes, long pants, bug repellent, a hat, sunscreen, water and a snack are recommended. Contributions of $5 per person are appreciated; LEA members attend for free. For more information and to register, call 647-8580 or e-mail adam@leamaine.org.

FUNdraisers

There are a few great opportunities to make a difference locally on Saturday, June 27.

I mentioned Denise Morin’s awesome nonprofit Connected Touch last week; they provide therapeutic massage to people facing cancer and terminal illness in the Lakes Region. We are taking a lovely two-mile stroll along the shores of Highland Lake with Denise at 9 a.m. for the group’s “In Honor Of You” annual fundraiser, and everyone is invited to join us.

Upon crossing that finish line, we are running (NOT with scissors, of course) right around the corner to Sarah Lowell’s salon for an all-day “Cut-a-thon.” The girls at Running With Scissors will be donating every penny raised that day to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, an organization that offers networking and outreach to families facing this serious illness.

Many of you know Mitzi McIver and Jeff LaBarge’s beautiful daughter Ava; she was born with pulmonary hypertension and has bravely fought it for three years. Her mother says the family has relied on the support of the PHA since Ava was diagnosed, and she wants the public to know more about how much the group does to help families cope with a devastating illness.

Bring the family to Running With Scissors at their new location on Main Street (just across from the Cool Moose) between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the 27th. Sarah Lowell and Liza Chase will be ready to give everyone fresh new summer ‘dos, and as an added bonus our favorite “Cop Chef” Andre Paradis will be rocking the grill with hot dogs and refreshments for all. It will be a fun day of fundraising and makeovers! As Sarah said, “We just want to give back to a wonderful organization that has given a little girl her life.”

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