408 treats

It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is upon us, as I and my neighbors are still recovering from Halloween. Many of you have asked if I got a final count, and thanks to my meticulous neighbor Dick Danis I can report that we got 408 trick-or-treaters in the Elm/Bennett/Chase neighborhood. So don’t be surprised when I start lobbying for subsidized candy sales next year.

I hope you all have a happy Thanksgiving and find something to be grateful for in these tough times. I’m thankful for this lovely fall weather, a full wood shed, friendly neighbors and great friends. I’ll be visiting my family in Nashville for the holiday, but am already looking forward to coming back to Bridgton for the Festival of Lights and the big kick-off to Christmas. See you there!

Remarkable raffle

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce has announced the prizes in this year’s Scholarship Fund raffle, and it’s jam-packed with local loot.

The Chamber bestows two $1,000 scholarships on high-achieving students from both the Lake Region and Fryeburg school systems; the winners fulfill their duties as Student Directors for a year with the Chamber and are granted the scholarship money.

You can support this great program and possibly win a huge $700 Winter Getaway package that includes a stay at Pleasant View Bed and Breakfast for two “anytime” lift tickets at Shawnee Peak, dinner for two at the Black Horse Tavern, gift certificates to Campfire Grill, Beth’s Cafe and the Oxford House Inn, two movie tickets from the Magic Lantern and a $100 gift card for gasoline from TD Bank. Tickets are $2 each, three for $10, and available at the Chamber office on Route 302 next to Hannaford. The drawing is Thursday, Dec. 1.

Helping hands

Our local community center is a vital part of Bridgton, offering classes, performances, elderly assistance and free lunches and dinners for the needy.

These popular offerings are only possible through the generosity of volunteers, and the BCC is putting out the call for help. There are openings for both the Program Committee, which helps identify unmet needs in our community and designs appropriate programs, and the Community Kettle Committee, which organizes Community Kettle dinners that are free to the public.

If you have free time and if either of these positions intrigues you, please contact Executive Director Carmen Lone, Bridgton Community Center, 15 Depot Street, Bridgton Maine 04009.

Loon migration

There’s great news to report in the neighborhood of Bridgton’s environmental conservation movement. Not only did the vote to gift Pondicherry Park to the town pass 1,225 to 372, but major proponent Loon Echo Land Trust has a new home.

After many years in the LEA building at Chase and Main, Loon Echo has moved into a new, energy-efficient building at 8 Depot Street. To celebrate, they are holding an Open House on Friday, Dec. 2, from 3-6 p.m., where they will offer light refreshments and a tour of Bridgton’s newest “green” building.

Festival of Lights

There is something magical about seeing the snowflake lights lining Main Street as dozens of parade floats drift by and a brass band serenades with holiday standards. Yes, it’s time again for the annual festival of Lights, which has become the kick-off to the Holiday Season in Bridgton.

Join the crowd on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. for the candlelight processional and parade, then head indoors to the Community Center for music by the Highland Strings Trio, snacks, games and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. All of the events are free and open to the public.

Your big break

Bridgton Recreation has started a new club for burgeoning songsmiths, where young writers and poets can immerse themselves in their art with like-minded kids their age. Participants will complete a song to be recorded to a CD to take home at the end of the program.

The Songwriters Club is for grades 6 and up, and will meet for the next five Mondays from 3:30-5 p.m. Registration forms are available at Town Office or www.bridgtonmaine.org/recreation.cfm.