Stevens Brook Elementary School students hold their handmade signs to greet walkers on the Mental Health Awareness Walk in Bridgton May 18. Contributed / Central Maine Healthcare

Mental health walk a positive force

Members of Central Maine Healthcare and the Lakes Region Recovery Center and residents of Bridgton turned out May 18 for a walk through town to raise awareness of mental health and wellness in the community.

“The Mental Health Awareness Walk is about publicly showing our support and driving away stigma. It’s about showing our family, our friends and neighbors that they aren’t alone and that we’re here for them,” said Catherine Clough-Bell, president of the LRRC, a nonprofit dedicated to providing peer support and resources for people suffering from substance misuse disorder.

“We want to thank Bridgton Hospital and the National Alliance on Mental Illness for collaborating with the LRRC to organize this walk, and thank all those who participated and helped shine a light on this important issue,” she said.

Legion pancake breakfast

American Legion Post 67 will hold a public breakfast from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street.  On the menu will be pancakes, sausages, coffee and juice for a suggested donation of $8 per person. Proceeds will benefit local veterans as well as community, children’s and youth programs.

Vacation Bible Camp registration

The Bridgton First Congregational Church offers a Summer Vacation Bible Camp, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon from June 19 to June 23 at the church, located at 33 South High St. Children will participate in a variety of activities including singing, crafting and making new friends. The camp is free for children ages 4 through 10, but space is limited, so preregistration is required by Monday, June 5. For more information call the church office at 647-3936. Register at fccbridgton.org.

Town elections

The town of Bridgton will hold its annual elections June 13 at Town Hall on North High Street. The polls will be open for voting in person from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots and further information are available at bridgtonmaine.org or at the town office, 3 Chase St. The town clerk’s office will be open from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, for election related issues and to accept voter registration forms. No other town business will be conducted during those extended hours.

Perri Black can be contacted at perrilb@gmail.com.