Play in the dirt

It seems like our flowered friends survived the winter better than some of us did. In the 10 years I have gardened up here I cannot remember any other spring where the perennials and greenery emerged with such gusto.

If you love to play in the dirt, consider joining the Lakeside Garden Club of Bridgton, or at least attend their meeting Monday evening, May 19 at 7 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street.

Holly Ihloff of Casco will be the guest speaker, and is sure to have some fascinating stories and advice. She is co-founder of the organic, hand-made skin care businesses Medieval Magic and Native Way, and her 35-year career links the worlds of textile history, world travel, landscape design, herbal traditions and historic methods of food prep and preservation.

The evening’s topic is “Landscaping With Edibles: An Old Idea Is New.” As we become more aware of the suspect growing practices of food from “away,” and as transportation costs become more prohibitive everyday, now seems like the perfect time to base landscaping decisions on plants that produce healthy, local food.

The meeting is open to the public with free admission. Refreshments will be served after the presentation and a brief business meeting will follow. For further information, please contact Virginia Halligan at ringfarm@localnet.com or 647-2642, or Holly Ihloff at 627-7561

Blues on the corner…

Congratulations to the Big Kahuna, whose opening this week kicks off its eighth summer of bringing the best folk, blues and Americana to Bridgton.

The historic Masonic Lodge on the corner of Main Street and Portland Road is the perfect place to catch world-class live music. Not only does the music hall sound great, but the decor is pure cool.

Look for upcoming shows from the White Mountain Boys, J. P. Jones and Cormac McCarthy, and join Jonathan Sarty as he hosts the Kahuna’s Open Mic night every Thursday.

Tom and Jean McCarthy are dedicated to bringing these and many other amazing folk and bluesmen to town, and the big-city vibe upstairs is not to be missed. What could be better on a hot summer night than catching some smoking blues for $10 or less, right here in Bridgton? Welcome back Big Kahuna, and here’s to a rocking summer. For information on scheduled shows call 647-9031 or check out www.thebigkahunacafe.com

…And down the block

The local musical offerings continue down the street, as the Tannery Pub at the Magic Lantern hosts two great shows this weekend.

First you can catch Pam Baker & SG’s, Friday, May 16, from 8-11 p.m., and then Anni Clark will be in the house Saturday, May 17, from 7-10 p.m. From one end of town to the other, local music lovers have never had it so good.

Noble House Nod

Bridgton’s venerable Noble House bed and breakfast has been recognized as a 2008 Editors’ Choice in Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide to New England.

The guide is available at bookstores from May through September and is distributed to subscribers across the country. Yankee’s editors and writers annually compile their favorite restaurants, lodgings, and attractions across New England, with information resources divided by state and region.

As they begin their sixth year as owners of the Inn, Julie and Rick Whelchel could not be happier. “We’re flattered,” said Rick. “Its a tremendous honor. Julie and I work really hard, and it’s just so nice to be recognized. We love the Noble House and are crazy about Bridgton. Not only is everyone incredibly supportive, but all this and we get to live in Maine too!”

The Travel Guide is available at Bridgton Books, and can also be accessed online at www. YankeeMagazine.com.

Face your fear

Do fear, panic or anxiety run your life? If you are having issues of stress and anxiety and want a supportive group setting to work through the issues, licensed clinical counselor Dianne Sinclair can help.

I spent several weeks with Sinclair in New Orleans when she came down as a volunteer therapist for hurricane survivors, and appreciated her steady calm and insight. She is hosting a four-week group in Bridgton beginning May 27 to help people who suffer from panic attacks, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and other fears. Meeting on Tuesday mornings from 10-11:30 a.m., May 27 through June 17, at 82 Main St. in Bridgton, Sinclair will share unique and valuable tools for managing anxiety in the moment.

To find out if this group is for you, call Sinclair at 647-5332. MaineCare and other insurances will be accepted.

Protecting the pools

Frogs, salamanders and other amphibious creatures need a safe, predator-free place to mate and lay their eggs each spring. Vernal pools are ideal for this because they are wet during the critical early mating season but dry up in summer, keeping out the fish who would otherwise feed on eggs and tadpoles.

The state of Maine recently enacted legislation to protect significant vernal pools from development, but a survey shows that 40 percent of town officials are not aware of the new zoning protection laws. To address these issues, Lakes Environmental Association is hosting a vernal pool workshop on Saturday, May 17, from 10 a.m.-noon.

Registration is free, and open to anyone interested in participating. The workshop will include an indoor overview of vernal pool ecology and conservation at the association Lakes Center, followed by a field trip to a local significant vernal pool. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information and to register, please call Bridie McGreavy at 647-8580 or e-mail bridie@leamaine.org.