These waning days of August leave me feeling grateful for the long, hot summer we’ve had. Endless sunny days and well-timed rain have thrown the gardens into overdrive, and I’m reaping a bumper crop of zucchini and tomatoes. The intense Southern-style storms with their ferocious thunder and lightning this month remind me of growing up in Nashville, minus the very real tornado threat. Last week’s tempest blew a transformer on Bennett Street, leaving us in the dark for 15 hours but also bringing the neighbors out to socialize more than we usually do. We drank some wine, told storm stories and generally made the best of an unexpected inconvenience, reminding me again of why I love my neighborhood so much.

Meet Medicare experts

Three of Maine’s top Medicare experts will meet at the Bridgton Community Center for a forum on Medicare. The panel consists of Stan Cohen, a well-known Medicare advocate and volunteer with Southern Maine Agency on Aging; Anne Smith, Medicare rights advocate of Legal Services for the Elderly; and Gordon Smith, executive vice president of Maine Medical Association.

Lisa Villa, who assembled the panel, said, “The purpose of the forum is to inform seniors of the new Medicare preventative benefits, the Wellness Visit, Medicare provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and to carefully explain how the ACA will impact them. I am pleased that these experts are traveling to Bridgton to deliver this program, as Bridgton is an important service center community serving the towns of western Maine.”

The forum will be taped by Lake Region TV and it will be distributed to community television stations throughout the state. The date is Wednesday, Aug. 29, at the Bridgton Community Center 1:30-3:30 p.m. For more information contact Villa at 776-3118.

Reny’s Recharges

Along with being an anchor of downtown Bridgton with its sweet deals and free cookies, the Maine-owned Reny’s Department Stores have recently begun energy upgrades that will save the company millions of dollars on its power bill, while simultaneously helping the environment.

By partnering with Efficiency Maine for help with building renovations through low-interest business loans, the company has made more than $400,000 in improvements and expects to save almost $100,000 a year on the power bills in its stores. Since most of the stores are located in historic downtown buildings, they need a lot of work to make them modern and energy-efficient. It’s wonderful that this family-owned business is making the effort to save old buildings and lower their dependence on fossil fuels.

If you want to learn about Efficiency Maine’s free technical advice and energy upgrade options check out EfficiencyMaine.com or call 1-866-376-2463.

Helping hands

A new local outreach program has started in town, and the founders hope to assist needy families with food, clothes and expenses.

Community H.E.L.P. Director Patti Wininger has opened an office at 39 Depot St. graciously donated by Pondicherry Properties, and is waiting for the final approval of non-profit status for donations to be tax-deductible. Community H.E.L.P. will provide gift cards and bill vouchers for food and utility support, and accompany clients on their errands. Wininger says she hopes the program can “help people in our community who have fallen on hard times and can’t afford to buy clothes, food or household items. We hope to help single moms, the elderly and anyone who has lost a home to fire or other circumstances”.

If you have questions about assistance or would like to help, call Wininger at 583-9192 or Christine Klecman at 647-9983. Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9 am to noon, and Tuesday and Thursday 3 to 6 pm.

Bridgton brooks

Stevens Brook meanders all along the woods and roadsides of Bridgton, with popular hiking trails lining its pristine banks. It is hard to imagine that dozens of mills once stood along it, powering both the millworks and the early economy of the town. To explore this vital part of Bridgton’s past the Lakes Environmental Association is hosting the “History of Stevens Brook”, a two-part program on a fascinating era.

On Tuesday, Aug. 28 from 7 to 8:30 pm local historian Sue Black will present a slideshow and lecture on the mills, and will lead a guided walk of the trails the following day. Each event is free to LEA members and $5 to the public. The slideshow will be held at the LEA office at 230 Main Street. The walk departs from LEA at 9 am on the 29th and will last approximately 2 hours. It will cover easy to moderate terrain, and participants should bring comfortable hiking shoes, water and a snack. FMI call (207) 647-8580, and to register please email Mary Jewett at [email protected].

Save the date

The Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group (BRAG) is inviting the community to experience Bridgton’s new Kendal and Anna Ham Recreation Complex, on Brag Way just west of Macdonald Motors on Route 302, on Saturday, Sept. 22, 9 a.m-2 p.m.. There will be official recreation soccer games, a baseball tournament, kickball and a home run derby for the public. There will be fun things for the whole family, including complex tours, bouncy house, and games, and BRAG directors will be cooking up some burgers and dogs.

Stoney came home

I always see “missing pet” flyers tacked to poles along my walks in town, and wonder what becomes of them. Obviously their owners care enough to take the time to print and post the pictures, but we never get a follow-up on whether they are ever found.

Until now.

Posters of “Stoney the Chocolate Lab” have been on every lamppost and window on Main Street for the past few weeks, with a precious picture and sad story of how he accidentally slipped his collar and made a run for it from his house on North High Street. I heard today from a neighbor that he came home, skinny but safe. It’s great to hear such good news, with a happy ending for a family that clearly adores their dog.