Looking back

I was referencing a past column yesterday while writing about

Winter Carnival, and marveling that a whole year has come and

gone since the last one.

What surprised me even more was the number of Lakes Region Weekly “Inside Bridgton” columns I had saved in my e-mail draft folder. As this week’s edition hits the stands it marks my 68th column in these pages, representing 68 consecutive weeks of reporting on local events, local issues and local color.

Some of the articles were easier to write than others, and some

likely more interesting to read, but all of them represent the day to day “goings on” of our town and the people who live here.

Art openings, town meetings, film festivals, bluegrass shows, brown-bag speakers, nature hikes, wine tastings, holiday parades, births, deaths; the years go by and each week brings something new. Bridgton may be a small town, but I

guarantee if you just peel back the layers a little you will be surprised, as I continue to be, at just how much really goes on here. Thanks for reading, and as always please send me any items you have on upcoming events.

See you at the Carnival!

Brrrrr!!!

If you think it is cold outside, imagine being one of the very hearty souls who will be plunging headfirst into Highland Lake on Saturday, Jan. 24. The fact that the Polar Dip is for a good cause might help ease the pain a little, but not enough for a softie like me to ever consider doing it. I would rather donate money to ace fundraiser Patti Murphy and let her suffer for me.

Freezin’ For A Reason is one of Harvest Hills’ big annual events,

and all the money raised goes to feeding, housing and placing

hundreds of dogs and cats in our area. Along with the dozens

of kind-hearted kooks who jump in, there are always hundreds of

spectators lining the shore to watch. The fun begins at noon

at the Highland Lake beach, and is free to the public.

If you would like to sponsor Patti Murphy or any of the other jumpers, please call Harvest Hills at 935-4358.

Hit the trails

These cold nights are icing up the lakes and setting up the trails

for the Bridgton Easy Riders. This local snowmobile club

maintains many miles of trails for riders to use for free, and they have several fundraisers coming up.

The club will have a Winter Carnival Snack Shack at Highland Lake the weekend of Jan. 24 and 25, selling hot coffee and food during the Polar Dip and Musher’s Bowl. They will also be offering snowmobile rides across the lake and selling tickets for their upcoming Poker Rally Feb. 2.

The annual rally starts and ends at the Masonic Hall on Route 117, with registration at 9 a.m. The club will be selling chowders, chili and burgers, all to raise money for continuing trail maintenance and special events.

They welcome anyone who wants to ride or help with booths both inside and out. If you are interested in helping at the rally or joining the Easy Riders, call 647-5255. They are always looking for new members to pitch in on their weekly trail rides and maintenance projects. They meet every Sunday in winter at 8 a.m. at the Chapter 11.

And the winner is…

Gordon Davis and the Republican Project have announced the winner of their recent essay contest to create a brand new plan for the grand old party.

Maxwell Coolidge’s excellent piece “The Blue Hill Paradox”

won him a new iPod and can be read at www.republicanproject.org. Coolidge is a stalwart Republican in the very “blue” town of Blue Hill, and has an interesting perspective on how to make the party more relevant in a progressive environment.

If you are interested in joining the project or becoming active in the local Republican Party, contact Gordon Davis at P.O Box 302, Bridgton, or check out the above Web site.

And the other winner is…

In the spirit of bipartisanship it is only fair that I mention the other big winner in party politics this month.

Congratulations to our new president Barack Obama and the many local activists and volunteers who helped him carry the great state of Maine in the national election. There are several local Inauguration parties in the area on January 20 to

celebrate what will hopefully be a brighter and more prosperous four years for America.

Check out www.mainedems.org. for a listing of events.

Try Chi

The graceful art of tai chi is a gentle, stress relieving exercise

designed to improve balance, circulation and flexibility. It also promotes mental well-being by helping you focus on breathing and being “in the moment.”

Seeing a multitude of tai chi’ers all moving in unison is quite a sight, as their smooth moves create a beautiful choreography. The local chapter of the non-profit Taoist Tai Chi Society USA is offering beginner classes Monday, Jan. 19 from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. and Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Taoist Tai Chi Center located at 41 Depot St.

To be a part of the movement call 591-5332 or check out www.maine@taoist.org.

Balls of fury

As fun as mushing and biathlons are, there is much more to Winter Carnival than dogsleds and cross-country skiing.

This year’s Mid-Winter Massacre Dodgeball tournament at Bridgton Academy looks to be the biggest yet, with seven teams already confirmed. If you survive the onslaught from Team Black Horse there on Saturday morning, Jan. 17, you will have another

chance to assert your superiority the following weekend,

with the Giant Round Robin Ping-Pong Tournament.

On Saturday, January 24 you can participate in or simply witness

an awesome assemblage of ping-pong action. This tournament is

for all levels and draws serious competitors from away.

Trophies will be awarded in three categories. There are some

big prizes to win, including $100 worth of gift certificates

from Peking Restaurant in North Conway as well as cold, hard cash.

Bust out your gym shorts and bring your winning paddle to the

Town Hall on North High Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free with your Winter Carnival button, and it’s just $5 to enter the competition. You can download an application at

www.mushersbowl.com.

The Town Hall also hosts weekly volleyball games every Tuesday, and I will just leave you to ponder the words “World Championship Four-Square Tournament.”

But that’s for another day, and another column.

My next column: Jan. 30 issue

Deadline for submissions: Jan. 24