After eight years of writing about craft fairs, spaghetti suppers and bake sales, I finally got up early enough to attend one of these local classics. The Bridgton Congregational Church held its 21st annual Strawberry Breakfast last Saturday, and let me tell you it was more than worth getting up at the crack of dawn (a.k.a. 8:30) for. Tables were laden with homemade French toast, pancakes and strawberry shortcake, with the requisite syrups, coffees and whipped creams being endlessly replenished. With a price of only $8 and smiling service by the extended Lowell clan and cheerful church ladies, I only wish I’d gone years ago. Life is short, and so is summer…eat more strawberries!

To Market, To Market

Speaking of strawberries, the Bridgton Farmer’s Market is in full swing this month, with tables piled high with all manner of local organic fruits, vegetables and sundries. The Market grows every year, and the crowds with it. It is so heartening to see all the happy shoppers meandering down Depot Street and supporting our hardworking growers and artisans, whose efforts add so much to the colorful palette of our beautiful downtown. The Market runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday morning on the common green between Reny’s and the Magic Lantern. Thanks for buying local and keeping your money here. Every dollar helps.

Art in the Park

The festival calendar is full in Bridgton in July, and the mid-month highlight is the annual Art in the Park art fair. Held in beautiful Shorey Park by the Highland Lake beach, this juried exhibition brings dozens of

Maine-based painters, sculptors, jewelers and photographers to town.

Whether you are looking for a grand oil painting, a whimsical miniature, a photo of a local moose or a hand-thrown vase to put fresh flowers in, you will find it and more at Art In the Park.

Art in the Park runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on Saturday, July 19. If you have any questions about this event or any of the exhibiting artists, please call Gallery 302 at 647-ARTS.

Kid’s Katering

Many of our children depend on school lunch for a healthy meal, and often suffer during the unstructured days of summer. Fortunately, our outstanding community center is once again offering a free lunch program for all youth 18 years and under through Aug. 26, every day at either the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street or the Highland Lake Beach.

This USDA-sponsored program is administered by the Maine State Department of Education, sponsored by Kid’s Katering, a program of PROP, and hosted by the BCC. For more information about the locations, menu offerings or to volunteer please call 647-3116.

Strike up the Band

I love grilling out on the back porch on summer nights, especially on Wednesdays when we take our traditional after-dinner walk to watch the Bridgton Community Band.

We can hear the music from our house off Main Street, and it gets more distinct and festive as we follow it to the Stevens Brook Gazebo. This ensemble of local musicians performs free every Wednesday through summer at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. The band members range in age from 16 to 80, and many have played in symphonies, chamber ensembles and orchestras. The marches, standards and old-time gospel pieces they play are diverse and perfect for a warm summer night. The Gazebo is located on the campus of Stevens Brook School, right on Route 302/Portland Road right across from the Black Horse Tavern.

Run with the Pack

The road race season is upon us, and if you have already tackled the Ring Farm Fun Run and Four On the Fourth (what I like to call the “not-so-fun-run”), here’s your chance to add another race to your list. Not only can you enjoy a run through the lovely back roads of Maine, but you will be helping out a great cause at the same time.

Harvest Hills, our local no-kill animal shelter, relies on private donations and fundraising to continue their amazing work. Their mid-winter Freezin’ For a Reason offers volunteers a chance to jump in Highland lake in sub-zero temperatures, but if you prefer working up a sweat to swimming in hypothermic water, this will be more your speed. The Harvest Hills 5K will be held on Sunday, July 20, at 9 a.m. at the Bridgton Veterinary Hospital on Harrison Road, and all proceeds go directly to the shelter. Registration is ongoing, and is only $15 before race day, and $20 the day of. Friendly dogs are welcome to attend, too. Entry forms are available at the vet and the shelter, and you can also register through PayPal by going to info@harvesthills.org.

Local runners Nick Klimek, Jaimie Klimek and Erin Plummer, who came in third in her age group, completed their annual Four-On-The-Fourth road race in record time. Congratulations!