Harvest haul

I hope everyone enjoyed “Fair Week,” and is taking advantage of this lovely early fall weather. We dodged a killing frost at both our Hiram and Bridgton gardens, which bought some extra time for my many, many green tomatoes to keep ripening. I heard much talk of blight and hornworms from other gardeners this summer, so I consider myself very lucky that I didn’t suffer either.

Gardening is a labor of love, optimism and heartbreak…each season starts out with fresh promise, even though we know Mother Nature will always have a few surprises in store for us. In my 15 years of farming in Maine I’ve seen battering hail, unseasonable snowfall, a plague of grasshoppers and a brutal drought. So to see my freezer stuffed with this summer’s bounty and still be picking veggies into October is a major triumph. If I didn’t try to pawn off at least one zucchini on you, consider yourself lucky.

Fresh goods, ?local farmers

The fabulous Farmer’s Market continues through October at the common ground beside the Magic Lantern on Depot Street. Fall brings fat pumpkins and gourds, free-range meats and artisanal cheeses, apple pies and root vegetables.

Our market is filled with locally grown goods grown by our friends and neighbors. Please support them and our local economy by spending your money right here. The market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through October.

Goodbye

As a near-daily patron of the Bridgton Gas and Convenience/Sunoco, I was sad to see its doors closed last week. It was a locally run, non-corporate business whose friendly staff knew all their regular customers by name. Owner Kevin Hayes was a key player in the annual Bridgton Fuel Collaborative, donating a portion of the store’s gas sales to help provide heating assistance to the needy. Apparently the victim of a rent dispute, the “BG&C” closed abruptly last Friday. Best of luck to the employees…thanks for being so nice and always keeping the Green Mountain Coffee hot.

Harvest hoedown

It might not be in Bridgton, but it’s worth the (short) drive to Waterford. The Waterford Congregational Church is throwing a pickin’ party to benefit the Good Neighbor Emergency Fund on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 7-10 p.m.

The Harvest Music Fest features Colin Home and Brian Roche performing Acoustic and Old Time Music, Davy Sturtevant and Jeanine Loubier, The Rounds Trio and David Sanderson. There will be cider and doughnuts from Pietree Orchard, coffee, and other goodies. Suggested donation is only $10 per person. For more info, call Meg Wheeler at 583-2509.

Tai Chi at B.A.

I mentioned the free Tai Chi classes in my last column, and how nice it was to see the local practitioners practicing their poses on the new Bridgton Library Courtyard.

Now that fall as upon us the classes have moved inside to the Bridgton Academy gym, and will be held every Tuesday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. They are still free and open to all ages and skill levels, including beginners. Tai Chi is great for flexibility and core strengthening, as well as mental calm and clarity. Please call Tai Chi Maine administrator Fritz von Ulmer for more information at 452-2239 or go to www.taichiinmaine.com.

Bridgton Rec news

Now that school is back in session the Bridgton Rec roster is full of fun classes for the kids. The popular Mad Science program is up and running again, and Rec Director Tom Tash and local volunteers have introduced other great courses for fall.

New this year is the Karate Afterschool Program, which runs every Thursday from 3:20 to 4:20 after school at Stevens Brook. Forms are available at the Town Office and the Town Rec website.

Boys Travel Basketball Tryouts will be held at LR Middle School on Tuesday Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. with a parent meeting at 7:30 p.m. FMI call Coach Brian Crockett at 252-4010.

Youth Basketball sign-ups will be held downstairs at the Bridgton Town Office on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 5-8 p.m. Youth B-Ball is open to all students in grades K-6. FMI on all these classes, check out www.bridgtonmaine.org/recreation.cfm or call Tom Tash 647-8786.

Bottle drive ?for books

The Bridgton Library is holding a bottle drive all month, with a bin at the Transfer Station and the Redemption Center on Nulty Street. Just drop off your bottles at either location or call 647-2472 for bulk pick-up from your house or summer camp.

Band of brothers

The popular Air Force Band of Liberty’s New England Winds Quartet returns for another performance of standards and popular patriotic songs.

The concert is free and open to the public. It will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on South High Street. For more info, call 647-3936.

Community cornucopia

The fall schedule of classes and seminars at the Bridgton Community Center is as diverse as ever. This month offers everything from Senior College and Creative Cooking for the Holidays to Chickadee Quilting Bees and Cribbage. There are also various support groups, bridge games, computer classes and sporting clubs. Like them on Facebook for a full schedule of events, or call Lorraine at 647-3116 for more information.