Village Festival

After months of planning and hard work, the Village Folk Festival is finally here! A celebration of the artists, artisans, musicians and growers who add so much to the creative fabric of Bridgton, the party kicks off this Friday, Aug. 22, at noon on Depot Street, and runs all the way through Saturday night.

This year’s expanded lineup includes live music all day Friday and Saturday, with vendor booths, demonstrations and food available. There will be a farm-to-table feast with produce donated from local farms like Alma and Sherman, and plenty of fun for kids and adults. Last year’s inaugural event brought hundreds of revelers to the street, and this year promises to be even better. This festival will bring art, culture and visitors to town, and should become an annual tradition. Join us to help make it so, as we recognize all of the amazing talent in town.

Giving Back

Ask any adult in America which world-famous writer lives here and most will say Stephen King, but for young readers an equally recognizable name is Lois Lowry. Her books for teenagers have been read by millions of young adults around the world, and she lives right here in Bridgton. Last Friday night, Lowry thrilled hundreds of these devoted readers and their parents by hosting the premiere of the new movie The Giver, based on her beloved book. The Magic Lantern was packed with excited fans, and she graciously signed books and spent time with every one of them. We are lucky to have such generous and talented literary lions in our midst, who love our town and are willing to give so much to the community. Thanks Lois, you rock!

Drive Smart

We’re all guilty of “senior moments” behind the wheel, even those of us who don’t qualify for the actual benefits and discounts of being in that age bracket. With all the modern distractions around us, it doesn’t hurt to take a refresher course on being an attentive driver.

The Bridgton Community Center and AARP are hosting a Smart Driver Course on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Center. The class will cover defensive driving techniques, safety strategies and new traffic laws, and upon completion you could receive a multi-year discount on your car insurance. The course costs $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members, and advance registration is required. Please call the BCC at 647-3116 to register and for more information.

Just Breathe

Amidst the stress and strain of our busy lives it is easy to forget to treat our bodies and minds with the respect they deserve. Slowing down to quiet the mind and heal the body is an essential part of staying healthy and happy, and yoga is a proven way to achieve lasting results.

Join Linda Hamilton for a new yoga series at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The classes are held on Tuesday nights from 6-7, and will consist of breathing, stretching and relaxing techniques designed to improve body and breath awareness, strength, balance and posture. The classes are free and all levels are welcome. Please call Linda at 523-0700 for more informaton, or just show up and strike a pose.

Porch Party

The historic Noble House Inn is a gorgeous venue for music, and owner Cindy Hooper has brought a diverse roster of national talent to town all summer. Join her this Thursday, Aug. 28, as she welcomes Davy Sturdevant to the front porch for an entertaining evening of original and classic folk and Americana. There is no set price but donations are requested, and everyone is welcome to attend. The show runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and beer and wine will be available for concertgoers.

Dine in Denmark

The Denmark Arts Center has hosted dozens of world-class events this summer, bringing culture and class to our little corner of the world. Jamie and Sarah Hook have curated an impressive array of artists, musicians, documentaries and festivals, and are celebrating the season’s end with a dinner party.

Join them on Saturday, Aug. 30, for a four-course dinner sponsored by the Morning Dew Natural Grocery. There will be plenty of healthy, delicious food to feed your body, and surprise entertainment to feed your soul. The dinner bell rings at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. It’s BYOB, and a vegetarian option is available. For more information, call 452-2412.

Hit The Links

With its panoramic views of Shawnee Peak and the White Mountains, the Bridgton Highlands Golf Course must be one of the most scenic in Maine. Bridgton Hospital provides convenient emergency care and community outreach to all of us in town, and we are lucky to have a top-notch health care available 24 hours a day.

Both of these local institutions are working together to host the 24th annual Bridgton Hospital Benefit Golf Tournament on Friday, Sept. 5. Sponsored by Norway Savings Bank, this year brings a $20,000 putt-for-cash contest and a $25,000 team hole-in-one contest. I’ve never swung a club before and I’m tempted to enter for that! Call 746-6055 to register; it sells out fast every year and you don’t want to miss your chance to win big bucks for a great cause!

The Skylark Sisters entertain the crowd at last year’s Village Folk Festival, and return to the stage again this weekend.