May in Maine brings memories of turning the newly thawed soil, planting spring greens and swatting black flies…so my hope for this month is that the rains are gentle, the gardens lush and the bugs scarce.

If you prefer to buy your produce rather than grow it, you’re in luck. The Bridgton Farmer’s Market is kicking off its spring season with locally grown greens as well as home-baked pies, artisanal goat cheeses and much more. Support local farmers and guarantee yourself the freshest veggies available, where the only truck they get shipped on is the one the grower drives from her garden to the market. The Market runs every Saturday through summer from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the common grounds beside the Magic Lantern on Depot Street.

Rotary Tilling

Earth Day was a great success, with dozens of volunteers hitting the streets and streams of Bridgton. Not only was the town much cleaner afterwards, but the Community Gardens got a big boost too.

In conjunction with the Earth Day festivities, the Bridgton Rotary Club built, tilled and fertilized 12 new raised garden beds in the Community Center’s greenspace. These amazingly prolific gardens are a sight to see in high summer when they are bursting with huge tomatoes, zucchini, beans and all kinds of herbs that provide fresh produce for local food pantries. Thanks to all the volunteers who pitched in to help keep Bridgton green!

Wildflower walk

Spring flowers are abundant in the woods of Maine, and the sight of a patch of trilliums and jack-in-the-pulpits can warm your cold heart. Aside from being beautiful many of them are edible as well.

Fiddleheads, wild ramps, nettles and violas are just a few of the tasty treats found in our back yards if you just know where to look.

Botany enthusiast Ursula Duve leads a wildflower walk at the Holt Pond Preserve on Friday, May 18, and everyone is welcome.

Meet at the LEA office at 230 Main St. at 9 a.m., weather permitting.

Please call Mary Jewett at 647-8580 to register. Also check out www.Mainelakes.org for a complete calendar of upcoming LEA events.

Make art

Landmark Human Resources is a local nonprofit that offers education and skills training for developmentally challenged teenagers and adults. One of their most popular events is the annual Children’s Hands-On Art Festival, and this is the event’s ninth year.

Join Landmark and the Bridgton Community Center on Saturday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stevens Brook School for a day filled with arts and crafts projects, model trains, music and food. Children and adults of all ages are welcome. Please call the BCC for more information or to volunteer at 647-3116.

Lessons of Love

Local therapist Denise Morin opens a new chapter in her inspiring life with the release of a new book. One of the most selfless people I know, Morin volunteers her time offering therapeutic massage to end-of-life cancer patients. This amazing work gives respite to suffering and provides a comforting touch that many don’t get otherwise.

Her book launch party and signing will be on Sunday, May 6, at Rustler’s in Windham (previously Charlie Beigg’s) in their upstairs function room from 4 to 6:30 p.m. “In Honor of Them: Life’s Lessons from Cancer” is $17.80 with proceeds going to the nonprofit Connected Touch to help them continue offering no-cost massages to the terminally ill. Congratulations Denise, you are amazing.

Singles Soiree

If you are over 50 and single, this is shaping up to be a fun summer in Bridgton. Ruth Matthews has started a recreation group for social outings, hikes and cultural events and you’re invited.

The “Bridgton Singles” meet every third Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Community Center where they either rally from there or plan upcoming events. They kicked off the season last Wednesday with a picnic at the Highland Lake Beach, and have many other fun dates planned. Whether you like movies and cards or kayaking and golf, there’s something for everyone. Check out Bridgton Singles on facebook for a schedule of summer outings, or just show up at the May 18 meeting to make new friends and new memories.

A gaggle of gardeners from the Bridgton Rotary Club built raised beds as part of Earth Day events in Bridgton. (Courtesy photo)