Happy New Year! Whether you’re lucky enough to live here year-round or are visiting our town for skiing, snowmobiling or whatever winter sport you’re in to, welcome to my first column of 2015. I rely on my readers to help keep me informed on upcoming events and am always happy to help get the word out, so if you have a fundraiser you’d like to spotlight, a young athlete or scholar you’d like to honor, or any local news to share, call or email me.

I am so happy to report that the second annual Bridgton Bar Crawl is in the bag, and a festive time was had by all! Due to the collaborative efforts of local bar and restaurant owners (including yours truly, for full disclosure), organizers raised more than $2,600 for the Bridgton Fuel Bank, a local nonprofit administered by the Bridgton Community Center that provides heating assistance to low-income and elderly residents.

Our holiday-themed event, “Eat, Drink and Get Blitzened” brought 70 revelers to local businesses, and we couldn’t have pulled it off without the help of our generous sponsors. Many thanks to Chalmers Insurance for providing the van from MacDonald Motors, and Chalmers Realty, Squeaky Clean Laundromat, Southern Wine and Spirits, Maine Street Graphics and National and Nappi Distributors for sponsorship and raffle donations. Big thanks also go out to our volunteer shuttle drivers Frank Johnson, Edward Hammaty and Scott Brown, who drove “crawlers” from venue to venue, ensuring safe travels for all.

We are so pleased with the success of our event and are proud to live in a town where local businesses work together to support the greater good. Thanks to everyone for your help, and remember to buy local!

Birthwise Bash

Bridgton is renowned for its lakes, ponds and natural beauty, but it is also home to several nationally known institutes of higher and specialized education. Congratulations to the Birthwise Midwifery School for your 20 years of educating American and international students right here in town.

The women of Birthwise have brought midwifery, health and progressive newborn care to the Lakes Region since 1994, when director Heidi Fillmore started the school out of a rented building. Now housed in a beautiful historic colonial on High Street, the campus has grown to house a free-standing birth center, one of only two in the state. Located just across from the Bridgton Hospital, Birthwise is a valuable member of the local wellness community, and we wish them many more decades of success.

Blades of Glory

These cold nights are perfect for freezing up lakes and ponds, and ushering in the season of winter sports. One of the most fun pastimes is ice skating, and the Bridgton Ice Rink is open for business.

Bridgton Rec sponsors this popular program, which runs through early March. The rink is open every Tuesday through Friday from 3-6 p.m. and on Saturdays, Sundays and school holidays/vacation from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Aside from the perfectly groomed rink itself there is also a warming room with a wood stove, cable TV, music and hot cocoa. Skates are available, and, while donations are gladly accepted, everything is free!

The Bridgton Ice Rink is located behind the Town Hall on North High Street. Call Rec Director Gary Colello with questions at 647-8786.

Dog Eared

Bridgton Library has a full calendar of events for children and adults all year long, and offers a warm, cozy space to while away winter days. One of the most popular children’s programs is “Reading

with Holly Dog” (not to be confused with “Reading with Holly Hancock, the Library Director”) which kicks off its new season on Friday, Jan. 9.

Join Holly downstairs in the Children’s Services Room at 3 p.m. for an hour of early literacy, where youngsters learn to read to the perfect captive audience: a friendly, patient and super sweet Labrador

Retriever. Everyone is welcome, and check out www.bridgton.lib.me.us for a full calendar of events or call 647-2472 for more information.

Hit the Slopes

Shawnee Peak is celebrating its 78th season this winter, making it the longest running ski slope in Maine. They have stuffed their schedule with special deals, new classes and apres-ski parties all

season long, and are kicking it off with two great events in the next few weeks.

One of the coolest annual programs is the “Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester Day,” which is on Saturday, Jan. 10. In an effort to get more kids from inner-city neighborhoods introduced to the sports of skiing and snowboarding, Shawnee Peak hosts a Learn to Ski or Snowboard day for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester, Mass. Initially conceived and funded by Mark Wahlberg’s charity, this amazing program buses kids up from the city and lets them hit the slopes for free. The mountain is open to the public, too, so it is a great chance for everyone to mingle slopeside.

Then on Saturday, Jan. 17, parents are invited to drop the kids off in the Alpine Sugar Haus for Movie Night. They will be showing “Frozen,” and serving popcorn, pizza and drinks for everybody. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. and there is a $10 charge. Please pre-register your children by calling the front office at 647-8444. Do it soon, because Movie Night sells out fast…you’re not the only parent who’s looking forward to a night out on the town.