Congratulations to grads
It’s beginning to look a lot like summer. The weather is warming up, seasonal visitors are returning and kids are out of school. Lake Region High School seniors graduated last week and will soon be entering an exciting new phase in their lives. I want to wish everyone in the LRHS Class of 2016 the very best in all their upcoming adventures. Remember to keep an open mind, look forward to new experiences, and don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone occasionally. Of course, work hard but don’t forget to have fun!

Get your red, white and blue on
Bridgton is bustling with activity in the run-up to the big Fourth of July weekend. A number of annual events are scheduled for the long weekend beginning with the 18th annual Strawberry Breakfast at the First Congregational Church on Saturday, July 2, 7:30 -10:00 a.m. For more information, call 647-3936.

On Sunday, July 3, indulge in the Spaghetti Feast to benefit the Bridgton Memorial Library at the Stevens Brook Elementary School from 5-7 p.m. and stay for the band concert, then fireworks at dusk.

The actual Independence Day holiday on Monday kicks off at 8 a.m. with the 40th running of the 4 on the Fourth Road Race in downtown Bridgton. From 9 a.m. until noon there will be a hot dog stand in front of Oberg’s Insurance on Main Street, so pick up a snack and stake out your place along the street to watch a classic small town Fourth of July parade at noon.

More than just golf
Golfers (and golf widows and widowers) know that the Bridgton Highlands Country Club boasts an elegant course, tennis courts and beautiful mountain views, but most people don’t know that it also hosts a number of informal summertime “social hours” with live entertainment at the clubhouse from 5-7 p.m. on select Saturdays and everyone is welcome to attend.

Tee time is 2 p.m. for the annual Holden Family Scramble on Saturday, June 26. The tournament honors the late Holden brothers who were lifetime members of the Highlands Country Club, starting off as caddies in the 1930s and ’40s. Everyone is welcome to take part in the competition; participants must sign up by 1:30 p.m. on June 26. After the tournament the Holden Cousins Band will play country rock music during the social hour.

Popular speaker and musician Jason LeVasseur will perform on the evening on July 9, and the Thirsty Brothers, a band including members with Bridgton connections, will entertain with their versions of popular tunes on July 23. The last social hour of the season on Aug. 13 will feature the musical stylings of local favorite, The Killah B’s. To learn more or to sign up for the scramble, call the Bridgton Highlands Country Club at 647-3491.

The Pouring of the Pots
The traditional British-style Clipper Merchant Tea House will celebrate its grand opening in the William Perry House at 32 Main Street (Main Hill) in Bridgton. Join them on Saturday, June 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for “the pouring of the pots” along with bagpipes, sweets, savories, and plenty of tea in classic Victorian/Edwardian surroundings.

The Tea House will be open regular hours after July 2 and will serve a special Sunday High Tea from 3-5 p.m. In addition to traditional teatime foods, they will also offer over 100 varieties of the beverage itself. If you want to know a bit more visit www.clippermerchant.com. The website seems to be a work in progress, but it will certainly whet your appetite for tea.

Chickadee Quilt Show
Quilters and anyone interested in fine craftsmanship will want to visit the 37th Annual Chickadee Quilters’ Quilt Show on Saturday and Sunday, July 9-10, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Stevens Brook Elementary School, 14 Frances Bell Drive/Route 302. The venue is handicapped accessible and there is plenty of free parking. The show will feature hundreds of beautifully crafted quilts by local artisans as well as free demonstrations and a variety of vendors. There will also be a café, raffles, a Chinese auction and yard sale items.

A $5 donation at the door is requested. For more information contact chickadeequilters@gmail.com

Twitchell’s Campus Café
Never heard of this one? Neither had I until a friend called it a “well-kept secret” in Bridgton. Formerly known as the Bridgton Hospital Guild Coffee Shop, the café is under new management. The family-friendly atmosphere includes a menu with the usual diner/coffee shop fare along with daily specials. As with the Hospital Guild Thrift Shop on Main Street, Twitchell’s Cafe is a nonprofit enterprise that brings in significant funds to support hospital guild activities. Next time you have business at the hospital, why not stop by and sample their offerings? The café is located at 25 Hospital Drive, that’s the old hospital building beyond the new one on the corner. It is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-2:p.m; weekend hours may be scheduled in the future. They’re also looking for volunteers to help out with all aspects of running the cafe. For more information call the café at 647-6756 or co-manager Jeffrey Hanscom at 647-0950.

Gallery 302 displays Gray paintings
Guest artist Linda Gray will show her paintings from June 18 thru July 14 at Gallery 302, 112 Main Street. Gray earned a degree in art education from Plymouth State College in 1978 and worked in arts and non-profit fields in New Hampshire for many years. She started out as a fiber artist, producing large applique wall hangings that sold in galleries and were commissioned by collectors throughout New England. In 2006, she began painting in oils, inspired by the landscapes she loves off the coast of Maine and in the White Mountains. Her work evokes a sense of peace, a love of place and a feeling of being in touch with the elements.

A wine and cheese reception to welcome the artist will be held Friday, July 1, from 5-7 p.m. Gray will demonstrate her painting styles and techniques for one hour before the reception. The gallery is open in June on weekdays from noon-5 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hours will change in July to Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The gallery can be reached at 647-2787 or through gallery302.com.

Orchid Walk at Holt Pond
Step out onto the boardwalk spanning the quaking bog at Holt Pond Reserve and explore for pink orchids among the sphagnum moss. This approximately two-hour guided walk sponsored by the Lakes Environmental Association on Friday, July 1, will cover easy to moderate terrain over forested trails and boardwalks. Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring along some water, a snack, a camera and/or a sketchbook. Participants will meet at the Holt Pond parking lot in South Bridgton at 9 a.m. To sign up, call LEA at 647-8580. For a good introduction and directions to Holt Pond go to http://www.mainelakes.org/trailspreserves/holt-pond-preserve. LEA hosts many family- and environment-oriented events all summer long. The best way to keep informed of their activities is to sign up for their email updates at http://www.mainelakes.org.

“Summer Sky” by Linda Gray. Gray’s work is being exhibited at Gallery 302, with a reception planned for July 1.