BOWDOINHAM

The Long Branch School and General Store on Main Street in Bowdoinham commemorated its two-year anniversary this month about the same time the town celebrated its 251st birthday with “Bowdoinham Days.”

On a recent Saturday, the old fire station — now the home of Long Branch Veterans School & Workshop — bustled with activity as Peter Feeney, co-owner of Long Branch, supervised a half-dozen men and boys as they built a timber frame that has since been erected on Carding Machine Road.

A few yards away, Dean Zoulamis, former owner of Mother Oven, worked with another group as they put the finishing touches on a wood-fired oven that can be rented and transported to gatherings for pizza parties.

Next door at the Grange Hall, the parking lot was filled with vehicles. Bikes leaned against the porch and neighbors paused to visit with one another on the steps, clutching their bounty from the farmers market. Cartons of fresh eggs and local vegetables peek out from the tops of their bags.

Across the street, familiar “Open” banners fly in front of “Home by the Bay” consignment shop and the Long Branch School and General Store.

Welcome to the ongoing renaissance of Bowdoinham, where Feeney, a Merchant Marine, and John Favreau, a school bus driver and longtime entrepreneur, have aligned themselves in a similar vision, bringing along like-minded others. Together, they actively create employment in their own community through Long Branch School and General Store, and are doing it as a labor of love. Feeney said, “Being involved in the com- munity is how I define a successful life. It’s not about having a bunch of toys. It’s about connections.”

Long Branch’s commitment includes connecting and partnering with local farmers, craftspeople, and other like-minded individuals and organizations. This on-going venture has solidified to become the hub of this small town on Merrymeeting Bay where, Favreau admits, the out-ofthe way location is one of the organization’s biggest challenges.

However, place is considered a benefit to the nearly 3,000 people who call Bowdoinham home. Many of the families have lived there for generations.

Then there are the folks who have settled there recently; young couples who want to farm, artists and craftspeople that quietly go about their work, parents who want their kids to attend a small community school and have the opportunity to grow up in a natural environment.

Feeney and Favreau appear to be totally committed to this community and spend every available hour giving their time, talents and energy.

Favreau, a longtime student of economics and sustainability, explained, “We’re increasing the skill set of the local community by teaching people to rely on themselves and prepare for the future.”

Long Branch’s upcoming classes include wild food foraging, cheese-making, bread baking, learning to make sauerkraut, blacksmithing, carpentry, archery, woodcarving, fiber arts, alternative energy options, and beekeeping; introducing willing students to a way of life that will sustain them for years to come.

“Taking a class isn’t a big commitment, but an introduction, a way for people to dip in their toe,” explained Favreau, also noting the reasonable costs.

The Veterans’Workshop, the newest addition to the Long Branch School’s programs, is designed to assist veterans in re-establishing themselves. Feeney’s hope is that participating in these programs will improve veterans’ lives through training and apprenticeship in farming, carpentry, woodworking, blacksmithing, welding and metalwork. There’s also an option to earn a college degree through CLEP (College Level Examination Program).

The store, which contains food and handmade products sourced from local growers, producers and craftspeople, is augmented by a buying club that allows customers to purchase from a huge variety of Maine foods from local vendors and Crown of Maine Organic Cooperative, a statewide distributor.

Favreau would like to add a week-long summer teen program to the roster of offerings at Long Branch, believing it’s important to reach young people. There’s already an on-going blacksmith class for kids.

“The biggest challenge right now is public awareness,” Favreau said. “Folks need to know we’re here.” He said advertising the school through Merrymeeting Adult Education is increasing attendance somewhat.

As Long Branch moves forward in its mission to bring empowering change to this little corner of Maine and beyond, Favreau’s vision is that the store will continue to provide Bowdoinham and surrounding communities with local, healthy foods and the school will continue to flourish. Favreau said, “Bowdoinham is my community and I want to see it become a purposefilled destination.”

KAREN SCHNEIDER, of West Bath, is a freelance writer. She can be reached at iwrite33@comcast.net.

¦ Long Branch School & General Store’s mission statement:
Provide people with skills they need to live sustainably.
Rekindle the skills and lifestyles of our heritage in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
Provide people a unique and fulfilling experience that builds community
and re-localizes our economy.
Incubate and grow businesses that support a local, sustainable economy. Provide our community with safe, healthy, local foods.

¦ LOCATED AT 20 Main St., Bowdoinham
Telephone: 666-8900
Website: www.longbranchschool.com
Email: info@longbranchschool.com
¦ OPEN: Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.