Now that the Fryeburg Fair is over, we can look forward to leaf peeping and Halloween. A number of seasonal events are scheduled for the month ahead so there will always be something to do as we move inexorably toward winter.

Heating help for long winter

While fall has just begun, and we still have a couple weeks of autumnal color and crisp weather to enjoy, it is never too early to think about preparing for the colder, darker days to come. Winter can be less expensive and stressful if we manage to keep warm, which is always an issue in Maine. But good news – the Bridgton Community Center has a number ways to connect people with local, state and federal organizations, programs and services to help with fuel assistance and energy-saving home improvements. To learn more about what is available, call the Bridgton Community Center at 647-3116 or visit them Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 15 Depot St. (behind Reny’s).

Family fun at Ring Farm

If you are looking for some unique family fun, go to the 10th annual Family Fun Day at the Ring Farm, 551 Upper Ridge Road, Bridgton, on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy face-painting, hayrides, pony rides and other activities for all ages. Also, learn about the therapeutic riding and driving programs offered through the Ring Farm’s Equine Journeys programs.

There is no charge for the Family Fun Day, but donations to support the good work of the Equine Journeys programs will be gratefully accepted. For more information, call the Ring Farm at 647-8475 or visit them on Facebook (Equine Journeys).

Celebrating library Friends

The Friends of the Bridgton Public Library will be celebrating the week of Oct. 16-22 as part of the 11th Annual National Friends of Libraries Week. The Friends of the Bridgton Public Library was established in 1980 to support library activities, fundraising and volunteerism.

Libraries are much more than places to go and check out books. These days they act as social centers hosting a wide range of programs, classes, regular meetings, and a range of other events. And, yes, you can still go there to check out books from the library itself as well as from others all over the state, thanks to the excellent inter-library loan system, Minerva.

Stop by the library, call them at 647-2472, or visit www.bridgtonlibrary.org to learn more about the services it offers and how to become a Friend.

Skating away …

I’m like Bambi on the ice. Maybe I was too old before I first tried ice skating, so it never came naturally for me; I think it is always best to start young for things like skating. Fortunately, the Long Lake Skating School at the Bridgton Academy Ice Rink is offering figure skating lessons on Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Registration is now open for the first eight-week session, which begins on Oct. 22. An open house at the ice rink, located at 36 Hancock Road in North Bridgton, is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 16, so come along and find out what it’s all about. Contact head coach Laurie Green at 523-0064 or visit www.bridgtonicearena.com for more information.

Calling all cooks

Do you think your chili or chowder recipe is the best to warm the cockles of your heart and serve up for game day? Well, here’s your chance to test it out against some local aficionados in the first annual Chili & Chowder Cookoff at the Bridgton Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is being sponsored by Feeding for Jesus Ministries, and proceeds will go to benefit the weekend food bag program for SAD 61 schools.

The contest will be judged at 1 p.m. and prizes will be awarded to the judges’ favorite chili and chowder. Cooks can enter as individuals or as representatives of a business or organization. Come out and display your culinary skills for a good cause. Call Nancy at 647-4459 or go to FeedingforJesus.org for more information.

Feeding for Jesus Ministries is sponsoring a Chili & Chowder Cookoff on Saturday, Nov. 5.