Bridgton goes big time

These have been an exciting few weeks in town, as several media outlets have produced great pieces about what, until now, was a secret among locals and our favorite summer people: Bridgton rocks!

Our other favorite newspaper (and Roxy Hagerman’s preferred bird-cage liner) the New York Times ran a full-page story about Bridgton in its Great Destinations series on Feb. 27, highlighting our wealth of winter sports and family-friendly activities. Aside from an odd mention of “bric-a-brac” stores along Main Street, the tone of the story was glowing.

Closer to home, a television crew from The Maine Show spent a weekend here during Winter Carnival filming a 30-minute piece on all things Bridgton, including highlights from the Mid-Winter Massacre Dodgeball Tournament, Freezin’ For a Reason and the Musher’s Bowl. They also filmed at the Congregational Church’s Pancake Breakfast, the Landmark Inn and the Black Horse Tavern.

It is a colorful, well-produced documentary and shows us in a great light. You can watch it now at www.themaineshow.com, and it will be shown on Time Warner Cable several times at the end of March. I will let you know when I get more details about stations and show times. I streamed it on-line and it was great. There were lots of funny shots from the dodgeball game, the polar jump into Highland Lake and the crew skiing at Shawnee Peak.

Hopefully this media coverage will result in even more interest about Bridgton, because in this economy we will take what we can get. We are blessed with an inordinate share of natural beauty and a quaint downtown, and have great “curb appeal.” Bring on the hordes, and their money!

Destination Depot Street

Bridgton’s new Economic Development director, Alan Manoian, is wasting no time on his vision of revitalizing Depot Street. He has enlisted a team of artists, local business owners, non-profits and town leaders to brainstorm about the possible ways to make Depot a destination.

Along with the rebuilt Reny’s and Magic Lantern, the successful summer Farmers Market and bigger and better parking, there are several other projects on the Depot Street drawing board.

The main entrance to Pondicherry Park and the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge will both be built in the commons behind the theater, and the “Return To the Rails” effort hopes to bring a scenic Narrow Gauge railway back.

Manoian hosted a town “Charrette” last weekend, where teams split up and riffed on different ideas for improving Depot Street’s visibility and foot traffic. As the Farmers Market grows and the Community Center becomes more of a hub for performances, meetings and classes, there is plenty of opportunity to capitalize on Depot’s great location. If you have any ideas or would like to join in the effort, call Alan Manoian at the town office at 647-8786.

Music and mystique

Two local restaurants are offering special events this month to break the monotony of March and entertain you while you dine.

On the musical side, Walt Bannon and the Highland String Trio will perform a special St. Patrick’s Day show at the Beef and Ski on Rt. 302 at 7 p.m., and will be the house band there every Saturday night through the month as well. The trio plays traditional and original Celtic and standard tunes, and you can enjoy them free while you have dinner.

On the mystical side, The Black Horse Tavern is hosting a Gallery Reading with psychic medium Sarah Winslow on Wednesday, March 25. This will be an audience-style reading, with Winslow picking up energy as it comes through. She has quite a following across New England, and this promises to be an entertaining and possibly enlightening evening. Dinner is included in the event, and it starts at 6 p.m. Call the Black Horse Tavern for more information at 647-5300.

Courtside highjinks

The Harlem Superstars are leaving the big city on St. Patrick’s Day for a b-ball showdown with the Fryeburg Raiders Dream Team.

Fryeburg Academy’s new Wadsworth Arena will host the giants of the game, including 7-foot sensation Ricky Lopes, the King of Basketball Comedy Kevin “Showboat” Jackson and the high flying basketball comedian Chris “Super Chicken” Turnquist. The Fryeburg Raiders Dream Team is made up of teachers from SAD 72 and FALR Ice Cats Hockey Coach David Lepage of Bridgton.

This is a family-friendly event, so bring your whole team. It starts at 6:30 on Tuesday, March 17, and advanced sale tickets are $7 each. They can be purchased now at SAD 72 schools in Fryeburg, Denmark, and Lovell, and Bridgton Books and Hayes True Value Hardware in Bridgton. Proceeds will benefit the Fryeburg Academy Lake Region Ice Cats Hockey Team and the Fryeburg Academy Soccer Team. Refreshments will be served, and Harlem Superstars memorabilia and autographs will also be available.

For more information contact Pamela Ward at 925-6587.

Paw prints at the Pond

Staff Naturalist Bridey McGreavy of the Lakes Environmental Association continues the popular animal tracking program Friday, March 20.

Join other environmental stewards for a wet and wild slog around the Holt Pond Nature Preserve. This effort is part of a long term program at the Holt Pond Preserve to confirm and measure animal species’ presence and abundance. Participants will learn basic track identification and field research skills, as well as collect meaningful data.

Meet at the LEA headquarters at Chase and Main for a carpool, and don’t forget to wear your muckers. For more information call the LEA at 647-8580.

Contractor classes

In this competitive construction market, contractors need to buff up their resumes and bring special skills to the table. One way to set yourself apart is to be certified in lakefront erosion control and environmentally sound business practices.

The LEA is hosting its annual Contractor Certification Course Tuesday, March 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This program recognizes contractors who have made an effort to educate themselves about proper erosion control and is an excellent way of obtaining referrals and keeping up to date on environmental laws and standards.

The course includes workshops on sedimentation control management practices and helps prevent the negative impacts of erosion and sedimentation pollution It is run in conjunction with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s Voluntary Certification Program for contractors. Again, you can contact the LEA at 647-8580 with any questions and to register.

Inside Bridgton