Community news from Bridgton
“font-family: ‘times new roman’, ‘new york’, times, fantasy; font-size: 16px;”>
Cool
Running
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>If it seemed like all of
Bridgton was up early July 4 for the 33rd annual Four on the Fourth
road race, it was. I recieved the official stats this week and sure
enough this year’s race was the largest ever with 1,900 runners
registered, and 1,700 finishing. The weather was clear and summery
just long enough for everyone to cross the <span id="
“lw_1247250200_0″ class=”yshortcuts”>finish line
safely.
Congratulations to Maine’s own Ben True, who won the race with the
fastest time since 1987.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Team Black Horse had a
spectacular finish in the middle of the pack, and while we never
saw Ben as he flew out of the gate, I am pleased to report that
Pond Road did not get the better of any of us.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Four on the Fourth raised
over $25,000 dollars for the Bridgton library and many other local
non-profits that do great work in our community. Many thanks to the
organizers, the runners, the spectators who cheered us along on the
sidelines, and especially the volunteers manning the water stations
and hoses. Many of the runners came from other states and countries
and it was a great way to show off our beautiful town and community
spirit.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Art In the
Park
July is always a busy month in
Bridgton, and the mid-month highlight is the <span id="
“lw_1247250200_1″ class=”yshortcuts”>annual Art in the Park
art fair. Held in beautiful Shorey Park at the Highland Lake beach,
this juried exhibition brings dozens of Maine-based painters,
sculptors, jewelers and photographers to town. Whether you are
looking for a grand oil painting, a whimsical miniature, a photo of
a local moose or a hand-thrown vase to put fresh flowers in, you
will find it and more at Art In the
Park.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Art in the Park runs from
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., <span class="
“yshortcuts”>rain or shine,
in Shorey Park. If you have any
questions about this event or any of the exhibiting artists, please
call Gallery 302 at 647-ARTS.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Roadtrip!
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>As lovely as the Lakes
Region is in summer, it is easy to forget that the <span id="
“lw_1247250200_3″ class=”yshortcuts”>Atlantic Ocean
and its
beachfront towns are just a short drive away. If you have a
hankering for a change of scenery, the Bridgton Community Center
has two special trips planned.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Whether you prefer
spending a day in an art gallery in a classic Maine seaside town or
watching breathtaking aerial maneuvers, you will want to be on the
bus that departs the BCC <span class="
“yshortcuts” style=
“border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: #0066cc; cursor: pointer;”>
on Saturday, July 25
.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>The first stop will drop
visitors off at the annual “Wings and Wheels Spectacular and
Aerobatic Show” at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in <span id="
“lw_1247250200_5″ class=”yshortcuts” style=
“border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: #0066cc; cursor: pointer;”>
Owl’s Head
, where you will spend a day among kindred car and
airplane buffs.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>Then it’s off to the
<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1247250200_6" style="
“border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-color: #0066cc; cursor: pointer;”>
Farnsworth Art Museum
in Rockland for the highly acclaimed
Jamie Wyeth
exhibit ‘Seven Deadly Sins”. The Farnsworth has the world’s largest
collection of works from all of the prodigious Wyeth clan, as well
as an impressive display of other noteworthy Maine
artists.
“font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;”>This excursion costs $25
per person and is open to all ages over 10. The Custom Coach leaves
Bridgton at 7 a.m. and returns at 5:30 p.m. Please call Lorraine
Goldrup at 647-3116 for registration information as the bus is
almost booked.
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
Walk Through History
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman; min-height: 16.0px;”>
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
Bridgton’s past is alive in the history its residents preserve and
the ruins of its old mills, homes and barns. Much of its early
industry and prosperity were directly linked to the path Stevens
Brook takes through the town, as mills, foundries and even a coffin
shop were built on her banks.
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
Lakes Environmental Association’s Bridie McGreavy went out for an
“Exploring the Wilds of Bridgton” tour years ago and was amazed to
find the remains of old foundations, artifacts and metal works deep
in the woods. Her curiosity led her to dig deeper into the past,
and she was joined in her research by Maine historian Sue
Black.
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
Black has since spent several years digging through local and state
archives to find old photographs and maps of Bridgton as it was in
the old days. She will offer a first-hand glimpse into the past as
she leads a tour of the history of Stevens Brook on Tuesday, July
21. Participants will explore the ruins of some of the 12 power
sited that once dotted the shore and learn the history of some of
the homes that are now just abandoned foundations.
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
<p style="
“margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Times New Roman;”>
Join Sue Black at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 21 at the LEA building on
Chase and Main St. The walk will leave from there. Please call
Bridie McGreavy of LEA at 647-8580 if you have any questions.
Comments are no longer available on this story