In the spirit of looking on the bright side, here’s what I’ve come up with today: Yes, January is the coldest month of the year, but we are already halfway through it. The sun is setting later and later each evening, and this week’s waxing moon throws a lovely light for a midnight snowshoe hike. So bundle up and enjoy the depths of winter, because we’ll be stuck in the mud and swatting mosquitos before you know it!

Winter Carnival

The Musher’s Bowl and Winter Carnival weekend has become a January tradition for outdoor enthusiasts across New England, and it’s great to see Bridgton filled with families riding down Main Street in horse-drawn carriages, watching the dogsled races on Highland Lake, and playing a “friendly” game of dodgeball.

From Friday, Jan. 21, through Sunday, Jan. 23, there are dozens of activities all over town including Saturday’s pancake breakfast at the Congregational Church from 8 to 10:30, LEA-led nature hikes at Pondicherry Park from 2:30 to 4, the day-long ping-pong tourney at the Town Hall, and the Winter Carnival Dance there that night from 8 to midnight. All you need is your button to gain entry to everything.

Check out the website www.mainelakesmushersbowl.com for a thorough listing of all the events. You can also swing by the Chamber of Commerce on Route 302 to get a listing of all the events and buy your Winter Carnival buttons.

And finally, a word of warning to Team Black Horse’s opponents in the “Mid-Winter Massacre” dodgeball tourney at Bridgton Academy on Saturday morning. Third time’s a charm; we’re going to win it this year. See you there, and be ready to duck.

A dunk for dogs

One of the most popular events of the weekend involves dozens of otherwise sane men and women voluntarily diving into ice cold water for a great cause.

Harvest Hills Animal Shelter holds its annual “Freezin’ For A Reason” on Saturday, Jan. 22, at Highland Lake Beach, and whether you’re one of the dozens of jumpers or hundreds of spectators, it’s a highlight. The event is one of the biggest fundraisers for the local shelter, which places hundreds of stray dogs and cats each year.

Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the beach, and the jump goes off at 1 p.m. You won’t want to miss it, and get there early because it will be packed with spectators. If you would like to participate or make a donation to the shelter, please call Harvest Hills at 935-4358.

Painting the town

The Bridgton Art Guild is made up of local artists from the Lakes Region, and what better subjects for them to paint than the beautiful lakes, hills and historic buildings that surround them? Gallery 302 is hosting the new “Painting the Town” exhibit by the guild, and it runs through Jan. 28.

The artist’s collective also displays works in a variety of mediums by Maine artisans; it is open daily Monday through Friday 12 to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Gallery 302 at 674-ARTS.

Skate away

OK, so conditions haven’t been the best for X/C skiing and snowshoeing, but there are still some great ways to get moving this winter. Ice skating is a fun workout, and we are fortunate to have both an indoor and outdoor rink in town.

The public rink is free and open to everyone from 3-6 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, holidays and school vacations. It’s located just behind the Bridgton Town Hall on N. High Street, and skates, hockey gear and hot chocolate are provided. For more information, call Recreation Director Tom Tash at 647-8786.

If you would rather skate inside, Bridgton Academy opens its on-campus ice arena to the public on Sunday and Tuesday afternoons. They also offer adult leagues, skating lessons and pick-up games. The fee runs from $2 to $4 depending on age. For more information, call rink manager Matt Foye at 647-7637.

Head north

It might not be a winter wonderland around here yet, but there’s always plenty of snow up north, and our local snowmobile club knows just where to find it.

The Bridgton Easy-Riders are hitting the trails for a three-night, four-day trip to Jackman on Monday through Wednesday, Feb. 7-Feb. 9. Ride through the day and stay at the classic Bishop’s Motel each night, which hooks up to the immaculately groomed network of trails that run through the Great North. The club got great prices on a block of rooms, and there are still a few available. Call the motel at 1-888-991-7669 or 668-3231 and speak with Tina or Glen to reserve your space, or call the Easy Riders at 647-5255.

The club also runs the food shack at Highland Lake during the Musher’s Bowl, with snowmobile rides and a timed rally. The rally runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Jan. 22, and there are trophies for the three fastest times. And while you wait your turn you can also sign up for a ride on a Musher’s sled, and experience the difference between “horsepower” and “dogpower.” Have a great weekend, be safe, and Mush!