Good start

2012 seems to be off to a good start, nice and mild but with just enough powdery snow to bring the skiers to Shawnee Peak. Bridgton’s Winter Carnival was a success, with clear cold days and lots of visitors in town. Due to the snow situation, the Musher’s Bowl sled races have been postponed until Feb. 18 and 19, but that just gives winter sports lovers something else to look forward to.

Speaking of things to look forward to…as we climb out of the depths of midwinter I’m noticing the sun’s heat is a bit stronger, and the light lingers a little longer each evening. February is a favorite month of mine. It’s short, I usually get some chocolate, and its slanting sunlight offers a glimmer of spring. Hope yours is filled with love and light.

Puppy love

One of the highlights of Winter Carnival is Freezin’ for a Reason, when dozens of animal lovers take a dip in Highland Lake for Harvest Hills Shelter. This year’s was a great success, all the more impressive given the bone-chilling 15 degree temp at jump time. It was the 10th annual event, and marks the “retirement” of one of its most dedicated and prolific fundraisers.

Patti Murphy is the all-time single highest fundraiser for the event, and after her efforts this year probably will remain so for a while. She and her Dancing Trees partner Ali Kiger presented Director Joan McBurnie with $11,000 worth of pledges just before the jump on Saturday. Patti said, “It was the best feeling ever seeing the look on Joan’s face, and knowing all of the things they’ll be able to do with the money at the shelter.” Thank you both for your awesome job, and for taking the plunge so the rest of us don’t have to!

Meltdown dance

Winter Carnival’s newest tradition is the Meltdown Dance, and this year’s inaugural party was a huge hit. A fundraiser for our Bridgton Community Center, the event featured two bands and delicious food from local restaurants. The highlight of the evening was the crowning of the King and Queen of Winter Carnival, and to say Harold Woodman was caught off guard by the honor would be an understatement. It’s great to see friends and neighbors come out to support the BCC’s efforts to provide healthy meals and heating assistance to those in need, and I look forward to seeing you all there again next year.

If you can dodge ?a wrench…

…You can dodge a ball. The Mid-Winter Massacre Dodgeball Tournament was held at Stevens Brook School last Saturday, and the friendly but heated rivalry between local teams continues unabated. Congratulations to this year’s winner MacDonald Motors, whose aggressive and intimidating tactics overpowered second place Portland Street Auto. Team Black Horse Tavern placed third for the third year running, proving they are at least consistent.

Lace up your skates

The Bridgton Community Ice Rink is now open, and the theme for the season is free, free, free! The rink, located behind the old Town Hall at 26 N. High St. offers free skating, free rentals for all ages and free hot chocolate! The rink is open all winter, and hours are Tuesday through Friday 3-6 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FMI, contact Tom Tash at 647-8786.

Got science?

Science can be fun, and foster a vital curiosity in children. After all, who didn’t love mixing up volatile chemical reactions in beakers as a kid? The winter session for the popular after school Mad Science program starts this week, and is open to all local kids in grades K-6. It runs six weeks, and registration forms can be found at the Bridgton Town Office or online at www.bridgtonmaine.org/recreation.cfm. FMI Tom Tash at 647-8786.

Reality check

Is it time to get real on Climate Change? Join Paul Kando, a founder of the Midcoast Green Collaborative, for a provocative speech at the Bridgton Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. This lecture is free and open to the public.

After taking climate awareness training from Al Gore in 2006, Kando began presenting the findings of climate science to lay audiences. Since that time he has given more than a hundred such presentations, and in 2007 became a Maine certified residential energy auditor. He is one of the founders of the Midcoast Green Collaborative, a citizen initiative dedicated to the premise that addressing global warming represents an economic opportunity.

On your mark

It might still be the dead of winter out there but I just got my online entry form for Four On The Fourth, reminding me that summer is never far off. Even if you haven’t run a 5K before, with almost six months preparation you could be ready to race across the finish line.

Registration for the 36th Annual Road Race is easy to do online, and you can save a little money by pre-registering. Secure registration is available using a link on the race website (www.fouronthefourth.com).

As an added bonus a free running shirt will be given to the first 500 online registrations. In 2011, they had 500 registrations by March 28, so register early if you want a free shirt.

Thanks for your support of this important community event that last year raised $24,500 for the Bridgton Public Library and other local charities.