Dear Readers

Although I usually pull a Greta Garbo and wear sunglasses every chance I get, I was thrilled to have a woman stop me in Hannaford last week to tell me that she too loves Downton Abbey. I was confused at first until she told me that she reads my column faithfully and noted the mention of that show and Portlandia in my last column. It’s great to get feedback and information on upcoming local events, so please call me, e-mail me or stop me at the grocery store. I am always happy to hear about goings-on in Bridgton, and I’ll even talk about snooty PBS soap operas and indie sitcoms, so keep me in the loop and put a bird on it.

Spring Awakening

We may be in the deep freeze this week but spring is just around the corner. Harold Woodman, my friend with the greenest thumb, just ordered $150 worth of seeds from Fedco, which means it’s almost time to clear shelf space on the window sill and start planting. This is great news for all of us local gardeners, who know the best veggies are the ones we grow in our own backyards.

The Community Gardens at the Bridgton Community Center are a vital source of local produce for townspeople, and they are getting a facelift this upcoming season. Last week’s Community Garden Initiative Meeting kicked off the brainstorming for the new garden, which will include newer and bigger raised beds and community outreach.

Horticulture buff Jamel Torres is spearheading the project for the Frederika and Wardner Gilroy Foundation, and is looking for interested volunteers to give input and manpower to the gardens. Email him at [email protected] for more information on this awesome new addition to the already impressive BCC Community Garden.

Lions, Tigers, Bears

Do you like to draw? Are you an actor? Do you enjoy being goofy? Then come join the first meeting for the production of the book, “We’re going on a Bear Hunt!” The new Children’s Services Librarian at the Bridgton Library has stuffed the calendar with fun events, including a mini-movie starring local children. Kids of all ages are invited to join Miss Caroline on Saturday, Feb. 2, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for wild high jinks in the “jungle.”

This will be the first of three Saturday meetings for the production of the book, and she needs illustrators (for the “big, dark forest” and the “swirling, whirling snowstorm”), readers (to read a page or pages of the story) and actors (to act out the different parts of the story, like slogging through mud or tiptoeing through a cave).

Actors will meet for an hour and a half each Saturday for the month of February (except for the 16th) and then will decide on a date to make a videoed public presentation at the library. Costumes are encouraged!

This event is geared towards third graders and older, but all are welcome. Call 647-2472 and check out the library’s web site at www.bridgton.lib.me.us/ for upcoming events.

Loon Echo Lovers

If you’re less “hearts and flowers” and more “great outdoors”, then this Valentine’s Day event will get your blood flowing. Strap on your snowshoes and take a tour of Bridgton’s Pondicherry Park with your honey. Along the way you will spot and identify animal tracks, observe impressive stonewalls and a get a glimpse into Bridgton’s past as you trek through the forgotten pastures of farms gone by. After the hike, guests are invited to stop in at the Tannery Pub to get warm.

This 90-minute, moderate hike is a fun way to celebrate with your special Valentine! Meet at the Bob Dunning Bridge kiosk on Depot Street at 3 p.m. Call 647-4352 FMI.

Not Home Alone

Growing up in a suburban neighborhood in Nashville, I spent many summers babysitting. Even by 1980s standards, there was plenty of money to be made, particularly if you were available on short notice and did not get caught having friends over. In hindsight, I probably was not the best or most attentive babysitter out there, but I never took the Red Cross Training Course, either.

The Bridgton Community Center will be offering the four-hour course on Feb. 19 and 20 at the Bridgton Community Center from 1-5 p.m. Led by American Red Cross Training Instructor Deb Ripley of Women In Balance and paramedic Alison Ross from United, the class is geared toward 11- to 15-year-olds and will teach them vital information on safe and responsible babysitting and basic first aid.

The class fee will be $30, which covers the cost of the book and instruction. To register or for more information, please contact BCC at 647-3116. Attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the course, which could increase the wage you charge to babysit, making the cost well worth the money.

The Tax Man Cometh

While we await word on the federal debt ceiling we can at least file our individual tax refunds. The Bridgton Community Center is again joining forces with AARP to offer free tax assistance from Friday, Feb.1 through April 5. Taxes will be prepared by local certified volunteers, including a team of retired accountants who generously donate their time each year.

This program is intended for people of all ages with low to moderate income. With the recession we are in that probably includes most of us, so it is best to make a reservation. Call 647-3116 for appointments or FMI. (Rental properties, business returns or returns requiring substantial research will not be prepared.)

Fuel Funds

Among the many community outreach programs done year ‘round by the Bridgton Community Center, the Fuel Collaborative is one of the most important. It is far too cold outside for it to be cold inside, but unfortunately that is the case for many of our needy neighbors.

The Collaborative has assisted 33 families this winter with heating assistance, but the fund is dangerously low. In order to get through February, the BCC needs an additional $3,000. The families that receive this help are generally hard-working but on fixed incomes that do not qualify for General Assistance. Please consider making a donation to the fund by sending a check to BCC-Fuel c/o Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot Street, Bridgton 04009. Every penny goes toward heating needs. Thank you for your past and future support of this invaluable project.

Queen Bee

Congratulations to Stevens Brook fourth grader Emilie Paradis for being the first female Geography Bee winner in the school’s history!

Emilie won a decisive victory in the challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Way to go, Emilie, and please point out St. Barth’s on the map because I’d like to go there soon.

Stevens Brook fourth grader Emilie Paradis is the first female Geography Bee winner in the school’s history.