Autumn officially arrived last week, bringing with it a change in temperatures and some glorious cool, sunny days but, alas, no badly needed rain. Signs of the season are everywhere: red leaves beginning to appear on the maples, apples ripe for the picking and Halloween displays showing up in the stores.

Of course, one of the main signs of fall in the region is the ever-popular Fryeburg Fair, which starts on Sunday, Oct. 2, and continues through the following Sunday, Oct. 9. Even though the fair is not in Bridgton, it has a significant impact on the town, namely TRAFFIC. Just remember to allow plenty of extra time when traveling this week and, if you go to the fair, have fun!

Tai Chi changes

Tai Chi Maine is very excited to welcome 25 new members, its largest beginner class ever. The new class meets at 10 a.m. every Thursday. All Tai Chi Maine classes usually take place at the old Town Hall on North High Street, but in October, because the old Town Hall is closed for refurbishing, they will be held at the Bridgton Academy gym on Chadbourne Hill in North Bridgton, beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 4. The class days and times will remain the same. For more information about these free classes please visit www.taichiinmaine.com.

Rufus Porter Museum ‘On the Move’

The first phase of the campaign to move the 18th century Nathan Church house from North High Street to the grounds of the Rufus Porter Museum at 121 Main St. received a considerable boost recently, thanks to a generous donation of $5,000 from Norway Savings Bank.

The Church house is historically significant because of its age, but more importantly, because of its wall murals painted by Rufus Porter in the 19th century. It will cost approximately $10 per foot to move the house, for which the Rufus Porter Museum received a $38,000 matching grant from the Ham Foundation. With the money from Norway Savings, only $8,000 remains to be raised to receive the matching grant funds that will enable the relocation.

Anyone wishing to help may donate on the museum’s website www.rufusporter-museum.org or send a check to P.O. Box 544, Bridgton, Maine 04009.

Birthwise welcomes new students

Birthwise Midwifery School on High Street will welcome its largest and most diverse classes of incoming students during the last week in September and the first week in October.

The first class of 18 women come from places as widespread as Washington state and California to Quebec, Kentucky and Maryland. Six of these students are the first recipients of the Midwives of Color Access Program scholarships offered by Birthwise to help reduce financial barriers and increase the number of midwives of color in the profession.

Congratulations to all the incoming students and welcome to Bridgton.

Norway Savings Bank employees present a donation to the director and board members of the Rufus Porter Museum at the soon-to-be location of the Nathan Church House on Main Street in Bridgton. In the front row, from left, are: Judy Graham, Diane Barth, Ginny Eilertson, Deb Fitts, Therese Johnson, Executive Director Martha Cummings, Vincent Osgood and Erin Nelson. In the back, from left, are Beth Cossey, Margaret Lindsey-Sanborn and Barbara Yates.