Vacationland

Welcome to all our summer visitors. I hope your stay in Bridgton is filled with sunny days and blue skies, warm nights and friendly locals. There are many fun things to see and do here in the Lakes Region, from swimming and boating in our pristine lakes to slow strolls along our quaint Main Streets.

Bridgton has a vibrant art and music scene; we have galleries spotlighting Maine painters, working studios and two independent bookstores. You can see live shows at free performances in the park and at both the Big Kahuna and Magic Lantern on Main Street. Our Farmer’s Market runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Common Green behind the Magic Lantern Theater on Depot Street. You will find everything from locally grown organic fruits and veggies to home-baked pies and artisanal goat cheeses and free-range meats.

Our little town also has plenty of locally owned shops and restaurants when you need a break from all the outdoor festivities, and we are all happy that you have chosen to stop by for a while. I hope you enjoy your holiday and come to see why we are all so happy to live right in the heart of Vacationland.

Recession special

Who doesn’t love a good read while kicking back by the lake? Our local library is holding its annual book sale on its front lawn on Saturday, July 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

With children’s books, fiction and non-fiction all going for the low rate of 25 cents, you can take care of all your summer reading in one easy stop, while helping the library continue to fund its great year-round classes and special events.

The Bridgton Library is on Main Street across from the Cool Moose. While you’re there, check out their summer calendar; programs in July include creative writing classes for kids, cooking classes for teens and drumming classes for everyone. Please call 647-2472 for more information.

Poetry in motion

Bridgton’s local Tai Chi group invites people of all ages and skill levels to its annual summer series in Denmark’s Bicentennial Park.

Every Monday from 9-10:30 a.m., a group of committed practitioners meet throughout the season. This is a great opportunity to get some exercise and fresh air while meeting new friends.

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. Call 647-8142 or e-mail maine@taoist.org for more information.

Amaz-ing!

The friends of Bridgton Library are continuing their Brown Bag Lunch Series with a visitor from the rain forests of the Amazon.

Carol Madsen, founder of the Alliance Exchange, will speak about her work in Ecuador’s upper rain forest, part of the huge Amazon basin, on Wednesday, July 8.

Madsen works with Kiswa Indians in the Kallari rain forest to connect them with tools and education so they can create an independent life for themselves. Her organization helps them export and market sustainable fair-trade products, including jewelry, chocolate and handicrafts, to fund educational opportunities for the tribe’s children.

The Brown Bag Lunch Series is held every Wednesday through the summer in the basement of Bridgton’s Municipal Complex at the corner of Iredale and Chase streets in downtown Bridgton. The informal programs are free and handicapped-accessible. They begin promptly at noon and run for an hour.

Be jeweled

There’s nothing like a little bling to brighten up a cloudy day.

The Bridgton Hospital and the Patrick Dempsey Center for Health and Healing are hosting a jewelry-making class for cancer patients and their caregivers.

All are invited to join Betty Foster in the hospital’s cafeteria conference room from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7. You will make a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry and share a fun morning of creativity with kindred spirits.

Although the class is free, registration is required. Please call 795-8250 to sign up.

Bienvenidos

Si puede leer esto usted no necesita lecciones espaA?±ol.

If you can read that, you don’t need Spanish lessons. If you can’t, why not join the Bridgton Community Center for its summer Spanish Camp?

This four-week series will run every Tuesday and Thursday from July 21 through August 13 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will learn phrases, songs and games in Spanish while being taught the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries by native speakers.

The camp costs $70.00 per child and registration deadline is July 14. Please call Lorraine Goldrup at 647-3116 to sign up.

Until next time, adios, hombres!