Honored as Bridgton Hospital HEROES, from left, were Rodney Welch, Paula Cox, Mahnee Dinsmore and. Kimberly Elliott

Summer in Bridgton keeps rolling along with lots of events on the calendar. But first, I want to congratulate Laura Pulito of Bridgton for making the spring 2016 Dean’s List at the University of Maine at Farmington. Well done, Laura, and we wish you even more success in the future.

Nathanson paintings
on display at gallery
Gail Nathanson is the featured guest artist through Friday, Aug. 19, at Gallery 302, 112 Main St.

Gail majored in theater and set design as an undergraduate, then went on to study drawing at the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts at Harvard University. She later focused on photography and film as a post-graduate student. Her work has been in numerous juried shows and she is a member of several Massachusetts art societies. Nathanson currently resides in Hingham, Mass., where she has a studio and gallery. She grew up on the south shore of Boston, but has fond memories of summers spent in Bridgton, which are reflected in her oil and acrylic landscapes of Maine. The influence of Edward Hopper can clearly be seen in her paintings of Maine and New York City, while her beach and seaside works evoke the spirit of Charles Woodbury or Childe Hassam.

In addition to Gail’s exhibit at Gallery 302, her works can be viewed on line at www.gailnathansonpaintings.com. Gallery 302 can be contacted by phone at 647-2787 or via their website http://gallery302.com.

Author to sign book
on “Journey” of loss
Barbara Grandolpho of Harrison will be at Bridgton Books on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 1-3 p.m. to promote her book, “The Journey of losing my love and finding myself.”

Barbara tragically lost her beloved husband of 32 years to cancer in 2014. She says she wrote her heartfelt book “in the hope that my journey might be helpful to others who walk a similar path.” Through her poems, photographs and writings, we follow her journey through tremendous loss and grief to acceptance, a changed outlook and a new direction for moving forward into the future.

For more information contact Bridgton Books, 140 Main St., at 647-2122.

The candy man
cometh to town
While some people think money makes the world go around, others (particularly kids of all ages …) believe that candy is responsible for the planetary rotation. Whichever way you lean, you will surely enjoy the Lake Region Community Theater’s production of Roald Dahl’s “Willy Wonka” at Lake Region High School this month, beginning Friday, Aug. 12. Why not go see if you can recognize someone you know masquerading as an Oompa Loompa or even the magical candy king himself?

Norway Savings Bank and Hancock Lumber are the local sponsors of the play, which will have evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12, 13, 19, and 20, as well as two matinees at 2 p.m. on Aug. 14 and 21. Tickets – $16 for adults and $12 for students and children under 12– are available in Bridgton at the Public Library on Main Street and at Hayes True Value on the Portland Road (Route 302). They also are being sold in a number of other places around the area. See https://www.facebook.com/Lake-Region-Community-Theatre for a list of vendors. The theater can also be contacted via its website, www.lrctme.org, or by email at lrct_me@yahoo.com.

Highlands hosts final
social hour of season
The Bridgton Highlands Country Club will host its final “social hour” of the summer on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 5-7 p.m., featuring the local band The Killah B’s. The two previous social hours at the Highlands were very well attended and everyone had a good time tapping their toes, singing along and even dancing as the bands played favorite tunes from the past few decades.

The concert is free and everyone is welcome, so come along, bring your friends and relax for a couple hours listening to some music and enjoying the beautiful mountain views from 379 Highland Road in Bridgton. Call the Highlands at 647-3491 if you would like more information.

There could be some
dancing in the streets
The Bridgton Community Center and Depot Street (behind Reny’s) in downtown Bridgton will be the center of the fourth annual Village Folk Festival from 3-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, and from 9 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20.

The festival aims to celebrate the folks who make the Lakes Region so special. Some of the main attractions include local food, music and artisans, as well as a beer garden and a free public harvest dinner. A variety of demonstrations, exhibits, fun activities (hula hoops anyone?) and competitions for people of all ages are also planned. No doubt the Contractor Games will rival the Olympics in Rio!

More information and photos can be found at www.facebook.com/villagefolkfest. You can also call 415-9837 or email the organizers at villagefolkfestival@gmail.com.

LEA events put
focus on nature
Anyone interested in our local environment and its plentiful flora and fauna will want to check out what’s happening at the Lakes Environmental Association.

Naturalist Mary Jewett will demonstrate how to safely catch and identify fascinating dragonflies from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 12, at the Maine Lake Science Center, 51 Willett Road (behind Hannaford) in Bridgton. The cost for non-LEA members is $5. Call 647-3318 for more information.

Local artist Lynn Driscoll is offering a three-part series of classes on watercolor techniques that will bring your nature drawings and sketches to a new level. The classes will take place on Fridays, Aug. 12, 19 and 26, from 9 a.m. until noon at MLSC. All three sessions for members will be $65 and $75 for non-members.

LEA educator Alanna Doughty will lead a walk through the moderate terrain of Holt Pond headwaters from 9 a.m. until noon on Wednesday, Aug. 17. The walk will focus on forest ecology, watersheds, and local history . Thr price for non-members is $5 per person.

For more information about these events and to learn more about LEA and how to become a member go to their website at www.mainelakes.org.

Bridgton Hospital honors
four of its own HEROES

Four Bridgton Hospital employees have been honored for consistently performing above expectations while also making significant contributions to their communities.

The HEROES (Healthcare Employees Reaching Out with Exceptional Service) Award was established several years ago by the Central Maine Medical Family to acknowledge outstanding employees. To be recognized as one of the organization’s HEROES, an employee must be nominated by a fellow employee through a formal review process.

During the ninth annual celebration, Rodney Welch, PTA; Paula Cox, plant operations secretary; Mahnee Dinsmore M.D., Bridgton OB/GYN; and Kimberly Elliott, MA, Bridgton Pediatrics were honored for their compassion, citizenship, integrity, service, excellence and commitment. The HEROES were feted with an afternoon social and received glass trophies. Their names will be added to a slate plaque beside the main entrance of the hospital.