Happy Trails

Main Street Variety closed their doors on Feb. 14, after 37 years in business. The owners needed a change and decided to sell the building.

I hate change. Sometimes change is good, I know, but most times it leaves me feeling sad. I will miss going into the store on Friday evenings to purchase the weekly paper. The smell of pizza in there was always so tantalizing.

I used to love seeing kids hanging out in the ice cream parlor section after school. There was just something so old-fashioned about the place, right down to the screen door that I always accidentally allowed to slam close behind me when I left. I never bought much aside from the paper, but I looked forward to going each week, and I liked the look that the store gave to Main Street.

But, some go out and others come in, and one day in the far, far future somebody else will be reminiscing about whatever new business will end up there, after its doors are closed after decades of being in business. In the meantime, we will enjoy the new business that comes in and wish them years of success. It’s all just part of the cycle.

Warm welcome

The storefront across from the library, where Waters Edge jewelry and beads used to be located, has been vacant for many months. Just the other day, I saw a “coming soon” sign in the window. A new yoga studio called Threads of Yoga will be occupying the space. Offerings will include yoga classes, meditation, workshops, dance and movement, and trainings. It is nice to see that Bridgton is adding fun, diverse and exciting new local businesses to the downtown.

Time to play

Things are warming up at Old Town Hall. I’ve been going to tai chi classes there for the past four and a half years and remember many times when hats, scarves and gloves were worn by the attendees during the entire class. And that was on the warm days.

Last week I bundled up for class as usual but found that I was actually hot! Didn’t think I’d ever see the day, but the long-awaited repairs are being made to the building, the furnace is working and activities there are now resuming. The Ping Pong Program has returned on Sundays from 1-4 p.m., and rumor has it that the players are standing on the tables, swinging their paddles in the air for joy.

Sale days

The Bridgton Hospital Guild Thrift Shop, located on Main Street, is having a seasonal clearance sale from Monday, Feb. 22, through Saturday, March 5. During the first week of the sale, everything in the store will be half price. Whatever is left will be part of the “fill-a-bag-for-$2” sale the following week. The store will be closed March 7 and 8 and will reopen on Wednesday, March 9, newly stocked with spring merchandise. Easter comes early this year, so it’ll be the perfect place to start looking for fun little goodies to put into Easter baskets.

Poker Rally

The Bridgton Easy Riders Snowmobile Club will be hosting a day of fun at the Bridgton Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 20, beginning at 9 a.m. In addition to the poker rally, there will be cash prizes, food and a Chinese auction at 2 p.m. The cost is $5 per hand, and registration goes until noon. Well-behaved snowmobiles are also invited to attend.

Naturalist course

Lakes Environmental Association’s new Maine Lake Science Center, located within beautiful Pondicherry Park off of Willet Road, will be hosting the Maine Master Naturalist Program this year.

The program runs from May 4 through Sept. 7 and consists of seven Wednesday evening classes and four Saturday field trips, plus 20 hours of volunteer work. Course topics include insects, wildflowers, birds, trees, ecological principles and much more.

There is a fee of $365 for the course, and participants are selected through an application process. The application period runs Feb. 1 through March 15. Applications and additional information can be found at www.mainemasternaturalist.org.

Book signing

Local children’s book author and illustrator, Cheryl Johnson, creator of Mish and Friends, will be at Ricky’s Diner on Main Street on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 8-11 a.m. She will be in full costume and will have copies of all of her books available for sale, including an autograph and photo.

Carnival time

The Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce Winter Carnival takes place this weekend, beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Highland Lake. There will be sled dog rides, a fishing derby, Freezin’ for a Reason and more. The festivities conclude with fireworks on the lake at 6 p.m. Your $5 purchase of a carnival button also acts as a ticket to great prizes, including a 50-inch LED Smart TV (funny, I always thought TV was stupid). Visit Mainelakeswintercarnival.com for more information.

A Main Street institution closed its doors last week. Main Street Variety will surely be missed.