Slow Down

The other day, I was working in the gardens at Highland Lake beach. It was raining pretty hard, and I was feeling pretty soggy, but I continued to plug along so that I could get my job done. Just as I stood up, holding my bucket of weeds, a car quickly drove past, splashing me with a mud puddle. At first I was mad, and maybe I yelled something to the driver. But then I realized that the driver likely didn’t do it on purpose, and the whole thing reminded me of something from a cartoon, so I started to laugh. Probably if I wasn’t already wet and muddy, I wouldn’t have found it so funny. Perhaps what really struck me was the fact that the driver was so oblivious. A few days later, I saw someone driving down Route 302, completely unaware that a police car was following with its siren and lights on. We’re all so busy with our day-to-day activities, and sometimes it causes us to lose sight of what is going on in the present moment. But now that the kids are back to school, let’s all try to be more cautious and tuned in to the present moment, especially when we’re on the road. Do it for safety’s sake…and to help pedestrians stay clean on rainy days.

Calling All Singers

The Lake Region Community Chorus is looking for new members. The first rehearsal will take place Monday, Sept. 7, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Twitchell Chapel at Bridgton Academy. No auditions are required (bad singers welcome!), but registration will begin at 6 p.m. The cost is $25. Winter concerts are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. For more information, please contact Cindi Hooper at innkeepers@noblehousebb.com or call 647-3733. Just for the record, that note in parentheses is mine, so I’m not positive if bad singers will really be welcomed.

Gallery News

On Friday, Sept. 4, from 5-7 p.m., Gallery 302 on Main Street will be hosting a First Friday reception in honor of this month’s guest artist, Judith Schneider, whose work will be on display now through Sept. 11. The gallery is also welcoming new artists. Membership applications can be picked up at the gallery or downloaded from the website, www.gallery302.org. Good art, free cheese. There’s no better way to spend a Friday evening.

Senior College

Registration is now open for the fall term of Senior College in Bridgton. There will be four classes offered, including “Great Decisions,” “Figaro Here, Figaro There,” “Mark Twain,” and “Founder’s Son: The Next Generation.” Classes are available to anyone aged 50 or older, living in Bridgton or surrounding towns. Full schedule details can be obtained through seniorcollegebridgton@gmail.com or by calling 647-5593. Registrations are due by Sept. 11.

Smart Driver Class

The Bridgton Community Center will host the AARP Smart Driver course from 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 19. To register, call the BCC at 647-3116, no later than Sept. 11. The registration fee is $15 for AARP members and $20 for others. More information may be found at DriverSafetyMe.weebly.com.

Autobiography Class

Margo Truscott will be teaching a course on how to write your autobiography. Classes will meet at the Bridgton Community Center on Wednesdays, Sept. 16 and 30, and Oct. 7, 21 and 28 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Class size is limited to 10, and the fee is $60 for the five-week course. To register, call 647-3116.

Farm-to-Table

Even though this event is not taking place in Bridgton, I thought it would be great to mention since all towns in the area are not only invited but encouraged to attend. The Denmark Arts Center is hosting an All Town Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m. Patch Farm will be providing homemade, organic potato salad; Black Mountain Farm is making free-range barbequed chicken; Spice & Grain is supplying Mexican sweet corn, beet caviar, homemade bread and other treats; Bridgton’s own J De?cor is offering a free wine tasting; and Pietree Orchard will bring maple grilled apples for dessert. After dinner, the film, “A Year in the Life of a Maine Farm,” will be featured. Cost is $20. This is a great way to end a fantastic summer season, to support the DAC and to show love to our local farmers and shopkeepers.