March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb — or so the saying goes. As of the time of writing, that seems to be true. We’ve already been slammed with one nor’easter and another is predicted — lots of shoveling. Hopefully, this leonine weather will be lying down with the lamb by the end of the month so Easter does not zap us with a last-minute wintery April Fools’ joke!

Welcome A La Mexicana

The best news I have heard in years is that A La Mexicana Restaurant will be opening in Bridgton! I loved the restaurant when it was in Raymond and I have really missed it since it burned down a couple years ago. I have eagerly awaited its resurrection and my wish came true when it was announced that it is planning to occupy what used to be the Beef and Ski, and most recently Flannigan’s Roast Beef & Tavern, at 243 Portland Rd. in Bridgton. Word has it they are planning to open sometime in March so be on the lookout. Maybe it will be serving its authentic and delicious south of the border fare by the time you read this. Welcome to Bridgton A La Mexicana, and thank you!

Saint Joseph Church

The Bridgton/Fryeburg Council of the Knights of Columbus will be serving a Saint Patrick’s Day corned beef boiled dinner beginning at 5 p.m. in the Saint Joseph Parish Hall on 225 South High Street in Bridgton. Proceeds will benefit youth activities in the parish, including helping teens attend the Youth Convention. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. The cost is half price for children under age 12. For more information, call (207) 647-2334.

Fenway field trip

In the Spring, after the blitz of March Madness, a sports fan’s fancy naturally turns to thoughts of baseball (apologies to Lord Tennyson). Hopefully, Hadlock Field will be shoveled off by April so the Sea Dogs season can start on time but surely Fenway Park in Boston will be ready to welcome the Red Sox and their fans.

The Bridgton, Waterford, and Harrison Sports & Recreation Departments are running a community field trip via motorcoach to see the Red Sox play the Tampa Bay Rays in Boston on Sunday, April 29. The cost for residents of the three towns is $80 per person for the trip; nonresidents pay $90. The game starts at 1:05 p.m. and tickets are for seats in section 30 on the third base line.

Only 56 tickets are available so book early to save your space. For more information and to reserve a place, contact Gary Colello at 647-8786. Payment is expected at the time of booking.

Architectural survey

The town of Bridgton is turning 250 years old this year and the Bridgton Historical Society will conduct a survey of the town’s historical buildings.
Christopher Closs from Maine Preservation helped the Society kick off the survey with an illustrated lecture that covered the building history and styles of architecture in northern New England, with emphasis on examples found in Bridgton. In addition to providing a valuable resource for research, the survey will help local government prioritize and plan for town growth and development.
The Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help with the survey. For more information go to bridgtonhistory.org or call 647-3699. To learn more about the survey program go to www.state.me.us/mhpc/architectural_survey/index.html
For more information about Maine Preservation visit www.mainepreservation.org

Library events

On Saturday, March 17, the Bridgton Library will host the last in a series of classes on the vegan lifestyle, Vegan Recipes, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The library will also present a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math) event, The Human Body: Blood and Bones, for kids ages seven to 12 on Wednesday, March 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Both classes are free and open to the public but pre-registration is appreciated. For more information and to register, please call the library at 647-2472.

LEA Events

Take time for a nature break and join staff from the Lakes Environmental Association (LEA) for a stroll through Pondicherry Park from on Tuesday, March 20. Meet at the Bob Dunning Bridge by the Magic Lantern on Depot Street, at 11:30 a.m. for a casual nature walk to provide a few minutes in the woods for reflection and rejuvenation. The walk will last about an hour but feel free to peel off and leave whenever you need to go. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

On Saturday, March 24, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. the LEA will hold a Vernal Pool Mapping and Conservation Workshop with vernal pool researcher Kristine Hoffman from the University of Maine. Ms. Hoffman will present a program on pool ecology and current research covering vernal pool ecology, species identification, and locating potential pools on maps.

LEA wants to start a group of vernal pool mappers willing to visit local landowners and assess seasonal depressions to aid people in determining if the pools are significant and therefore protected. They also hope to add to Maine’s vernal pool database.

The workshop is free and anyone interested in contributing as a citizen scientist and learning about these critical elements of the local ecology is encouraged to attend. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Easter festival

The Bridgton Recreation Advancement Group (BRAG) is hosting an Easter Festival Craft & Vendor Fair at Lake Region High School on Saturday, March 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Over 60 spaces have already been rented and lots of activities are planned. The $5 per child fee for the festival includes coloring eggs, crafts, games, snacks, a drink, and more. The Easter Bunny is also scheduled to visit from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Food will be available to purchase thru BRAG and don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets — over 40 items will be up for grabs. Donations are accepted through todaysbrag.com and check out BRAG on Facebook for more information.

Blue moon hike

Take advantage of increasingly longer days with a sunset/moonrise hike to Bald Pate Mountain led by Loon Echo Land Trust staff on Saturday, March 31. This is the second full moon of the month, which is known as a Blue Moon, and participants on the hike will learn how Loon Echo and a group of concerned citizens rallied to protect Bald Pate Mountain as well as how the future of this special preserve and its inhabitants are being managed.

Hikers should meet at the Bald Pate parking lot on Route 107 in South Bridgton at 6 p.m. and bring water, snacks, and headlamps. Snowshoes or traction devices may also be required, depending on the weather. The scramble to the summit will take about 45 minutes, sunset is at 7:05 p.m. and the full Blue Moon will rise at 7:25 p.m.

This hike is free and open to the public but registration is required. For more information and to register contact Loon Echo Stewardship Manager Jon Evans at [email protected] or call 647-4352.