Happy trails

I’m off to Texas for a week, where I’ll be attending “SXSW,” the South By Southwest Music and Media Conference, in Austin. I’ll also spend a few days dodging rattlesnakes on a 27,000-acre game ranch south of San Antonio, and spending a night at Fort Defiance, site of the Goliad Massacre on March 27, 1836 – the bloodiest day of the Texas Revolution. For a music and history buff like me, this is a trip I’ve looked forward to all winter…but I’ll be back in April with tales of two-stepping, thirty-aughts and tequila. See you then!

Rockin’ retro

I mentioned the ongoing fundraising efforts for local artist Julitta Dennison, and thanks to you the CIDP bottle drive has raised over $400 for her medical trust. Stem cell therapy is far more costly than that however, and another event is being held to help.

A ’60s-themed dance party, complete with live music, prizes for costumes and a silent auction will be held Saturday, March 27, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the old Town Hall on High Street. Bust out your bell-bottoms, beads and big hair, because the prizes are great and rumor has it there will be some serious competition. This party is BYOB and donations will be accepted at the door, so come out for a fun night and a great cause. For more information, call Ken Murphy at 242-9417.

Field of dreams

The Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group has a great Web site (www.todaysbrag.com) with information about their continuing fundraising for the new ball fields on Route 302, including an interactive aerial link to the site. The funds are coming along, and it looks like the dream of having a consolidated, modern recreation center is happening.

BRAG is also hosting two fun sporting events in April. The 12th annual Great Western 3-on-3 Basketball Tourney is on Saturday, April 3, at LRHS, and the earlier you register the better. Brackets will be determined by the number of registrants, so challenge friends and family to fill out yours. At this time the total team cost is $50, which is pretty cheap for a tournament. Games start at 9 a.m. There is more information at the Web site.

And if you didn’t get enough dodgeball during Winter Carnival, here’s your chance to hone your skills on the court. There will be a pick-up game on Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 9 at the Town Hall, where for only $5 you can get a great workout with all proceeds going toward the Bridgton Community Recreation Complex. It’s open to anyone 14 or older, and you are welcome to show up as a walk-on. They’ll find a team for you.

Oh deah!

The fabulous fashionista Birdie Googins, aka “the Marden’s Lady,” is coming to town for a fundraiser for the Bridgton Library.

Her one-woman show “Laugh Out Loud” will be performed at the Magic Lantern on April 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $12 and include an invitation to “Meet and Greet Birdie” in the Tannery Pub after the performance. Seating is limited, so advance purchases are recommended. For tickets and information, contact the Bridgton Public Library at 647-2477.

The Friends of the Bridgton Public Library also invite you to join them in their various efforts on behalf of the library. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the library at 1 p.m. Friends events throughout the year include the ongoing book sale in the library, slideshows and lectures, the annual summer book and bake sale and assisting the library staff with special projects.