News and notes from Bridgton

Cue the snow

Bridgton’s Festival of Lights and Holiday Parade was a huge success, as the season’s first snowfall started just as the evening began. The light, fluffy flakes created a festive backdrop to the candlelight processional and fabulous floats. Frank Capra himself couldn’t have made our town look any more beautiful, and the thousands of revelers who lined Main Street shared a memorable night filled with twinkling lights and happy hearts.

Congratulations to the winners of the parade float contest. The Most Creative prize went to the crew at Shawnee Peak, with Nick Klimek and his posse on horseback taking second for the Black Horse Tavern. McHatton’s WaterOut won for Most Entertaining, followed by the hipster Librarians in their sassy shifts and knee-high go-go boots. The Most Beautiful float was Everlast Roofing, with Mountainside Family Restaurant second. Both floats were bedecked with lovely lights that glistened against the snowflakes. Merry Christmas to all, and best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday!

Warm hearts to the rescue

Bridgton’s Project Warm is back for another winter, ensuring that no one suffers alone during power outages and snow events.

Once again through generous donations and fundraisers, the Project Warm volunteers have raised enough money to keep the Bridgton Community Center open as the designated Warming Room, with plenty of blankets, clothes and hot food to keep you warm and cozy through the snowy night. Please put the BCC’s number on your emergency contact list and give them a call if you need assistance at 647-3116.

Our furry friends

Harvest Hills Animal Shelter has kicked off its annual “Light Up Your Lives” program, which honors beloved pets while raising funds for the nonprofit’s operating costs.

For a $5 donation you can have a star or light added to the holiday tree in memory of your dog or cat. By Christmas, the tree will be ablaze with lights, and the coffers will be a little fuller for Harvest Hills as it continues to shelter and feed animals until they are adopted.

The shelter would appreciate any donations you can make, and it wouldn’t hurt if you picked up a bag of dog or cat food on your way to buy a light. Harvest Hills is located on Route 302 on the Bridgton/Fryeburg line, and their number is 935-4358. The shelter is also dealing with a major kitten explosion, so why not take one or two home with you…because what could be cuter than a little kitty in your stocking?

More Christmas cheer

If the snow and cold haven’t gotten you in the Christmas spirit, here’s a special event that will have even the Scrooges among us smiling. Actor/Director Will Rhys is mounting a dramatized reading of popular Christmas tales at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 21, at the Magic Lantern, with proceeds from the performances benefiting the Lakes Environmental Association.

At the children-friendly 4 p.m. show, Rhys will animate Ogden Nash’s “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t” (his performance of which was nominated for a 2001 Grammy for Best Spoken Word), Clement C. Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” and Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The readings and performance will take approximately 45 minutes.

At the 7 p.m. performance, Rhys will perform “A Christmas Carol.” This is a solo interpretation of Charles Dickens’ classic, with Rhys portraying every character in the play. That’s right, no sound effects, no supporting cast…This is stage acting at its finest.

Rhys was a founding member of The National Theater of the Deaf and artistic director of The Cleveland Play House. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. Tickets are available at LEA, Cool Moose and the Magic Lantern. Seating is limited, so please get your tickets early. For more information, contact the LEA at 647-8580 or Will Rhys at 647-5213.

Buy local

Still looking for a one-of-a-kind Christmas gift? Our local farmers and artisans will be hosting the Bridgton Farmers’ Market Holiday Bazaar in the warm and toasty Community Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19. You will find handmade stocking stuffers, local art, artisanal cheeses, wreaths, and just about anything else you can think of that might still be on your list. Keep it local! For more information, call 956-8257.

Christmas for kids

The Fireman’s Christmas Fund got a lot bigger last Saturday when Running With Scissors Salon and the Black Horse Tavern hosted a Chili-Fest and Cut-a-Thon that raised over $1,200 for Christmas For Kids.

Thanks to the many generous donations and the efforts of the staff and volunteers, Santa and his fire truck will be filled with presents galore for the children in Bridgton. ‘Tis the season for giving, so please remember the neediest among us and help make someone’s Christmas merry and bright!

Jane Whitworth, middle, leads the group of librarians from the Bridgton Public Library as they go retro on their way down Main Street at the recent Holiday Parade in Bridgton. (Photo courtesy of Julitta Dennison)