Bragging rights ?and blisters…

…are two of the things the 1,759 runners who completed the 34th annual 4 on the 4th road race earned. The record crowd took off from Food City at a muggy 8 a.m., and 23-year-old Minnesotan Phil Richert won it in 19:58. This year’s race raised over $20,000 for local nonprofits and community programs, and continues to be the largest annual fundraiser for the Bridgton Public Library.

The diverse field included elite New England runners, campers and counselors from dozens of Maine summer camps, and families who have run it together for decades. Team Black Horse once again came out in full force, with Erica Chute and Edson Vassoler running with their daughters Grace and Isabella; Jaimie Klimek and I both posted our fastest times yet and Shannon Leydon crushed us all in 37:37 as she bade farewell to her 20s with a triumphant finish. Happy 30th Shannon!

Bridgton’s big band

If you have your windows open in the evening and hear live music, pack a picnic and follow your ears to the Stevens Brook Gazebo. Every Wednesday night at 7:30, our own Bridgton Community Band plays there to a packed lawn.

This ensemble of local musicians performs free throughout the summer. The band members range in age from 16 to 80, and many have played in symphonies, chamber ensembles and orchestras. Their marches, standards and old-time gospel tunes are the perfect soundtrack to a hot summer night, and they are celebrating their 72nd year as one of Maine’s premier community ensembles.

Kid’s Katering

Just because school is out doesn’t mean kids have to go without a healthy lunch. The Bridgton Community Center is hosting a free lunch program for local children this summer, and every Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., anyone 18 years or younger can enjoy lunch free at the BCC on Depot Street.

The menu includes turkey, tuna, and roast beef sandwiches; chicken and veggie wraps, ham Italians and chicken tenders. Fruit, milk and snacks are also included. The program is sponsored by Kid’s Katering, a collaboration between PROP and Youth Alternatives Ingraham. There are no forms to fill out and everyone is invited to participate.

Antiques and Americana

You don’t have to leave the ‘09 to sate your intellectual curiosity, as two summer lecture series prove.

Our nationally acclaimed Rufus Porter Museum has recieved a grant from the Ham Foundation and is holding several art and antique-centric events.

The first speaker will be local woodworker Greg Marston, one of New England’s most respected restoration craftsmen. From his stunning hillside studio in South Bridgton, Marston creates period-specific sideboards, tables and chairs, and repairs antiques to their original glory. His lecture on “Furniture recognition from 1700-1900” should be interesting; I took a set of my great-grandmother’s chairs to him and he immediately identified their style and provenance. He speaks on Thursday, July 22, at 5:30 pm.

There are more classes coming up; contact the museum education center for more info or to register at 647-2828.

Birthin’ babies

Before the advent of modern medicine and high-end birthing centers nearly every baby in Bridgton was born at home. The Bridgton Historical Society continues its lecture series “Cradle to Grave” with a presentation on the town’s homebirth history by a local midwife and educator.

Heidi Fillmore-Patrick, the program director at Birthwise, will speak on Tuesday, July 20, at 7 p.m. at the society museum at 5 Gibbs St. Attendance is free for members and $5 for nonmembers.

Art in the Park

One of the creative highlights of summer in the Lakes Region is the Art in the Park fair, which will be held on Saturday, July 17, in beautiful Shorey Park.

This year marks the 7th annual juried event, with dozens of tents filled with artisans lining the pathway along the shore of Highland Lake. Along with the painters, jewelers, photographers and potters there will also be performances by the Skylark Jazz Ensemble and local percussionist Rusty Wiltjer. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. For more information, call Gallery 302 at 647-arts.