Good Neighbors

The first 10 or so snowstorms were all fun and games, but I can’t be the only one who has had it with old man winter’s trickery. Between the endless snow and bitter winds, I was thrilled to fly down to Nashville for my brother’s wedding last weekend. Ready to soak up some sun, I was greeted instead by…more snow, and sleet, and ice. My flight back to Bridgton has already been canceled once, but if I make it back to town you’ll see me shoveling on Bennett Street, and yelling at the snowbanks like a madwoman.

I am lucky enough to have a full tank of propane though, and two cords of wood stacked by the back door. For our less-fortunate neighbors, these long cold days are pure misery. Please check in on anyone you feel might need some assistance, be it help getting to the store, clearing a path or clearing a vent. Spring IS coming, but until then we are all in this together. Every kind gesture and word will come back to you, so spread some love and warm some hearts.

Cans For Camp

Not everybody is holed up waiting for warmer weather and open lakes. A recent ice fishing derby on Highland Lake raised enough money to send 17 kids to summer camp.

The Cans for Camp Fundraiser was fun for everyone who braved the cold to participate. But the day was particularly great for 11-year-old angler Lexi Brown of Bridgton, who took home a Maine lifetime fishing license for her 2.14-pound bass in the Kid’s Derby. Lexi’s fish was the second biggest, but winner Gabe Clow of Sebago offered the first-place prize to her after revealing that he already had a Maine lifetime fishing license. He accepted a free week of summer camp as his prize instead.

“It was really special what Gabe did,” said derby organizer Shane Richards. “His kindness and generosity really captured the spirit of giving and caring that Cans for Camp represents.”

The daylong fishing derby fundraiser, organized by Richards for Grace Christian Church and sponsored in part by Auburn Savings Bank and NuImage Awnings of Auburn, raised funds to send 17 kids to camp at New Hampshire’s Camp Sentinel.

Puppy Love

Winter Carnival was a great success last weekend despite the frigid cold, and the bitter temps didn’t stop 72 brave souls from jumping into Highland Lake.

The 13th annual Freezin’ For a Reason raised a record $32,000 for Harvest Hills, enabling them to mount an ambitious renovation of their kennel spaces. This local no-kill animal shelter has rescued and placed thousands of dogs and cats through the years, and relies on individual donations and fundraisers to support their work.

It is awesome to see the community spirit involved in raising money for the jump, and watching dozens of children and adults take the plunge to help homeless animals. Thank you to everyone who participated, and congratulations to this year’s winners:

Age 12 and under: Kate Rose Young

Age 13 to 18: Bailey Nassa

Individual: Jenah Pare

Team Spirit: Fryeburg Vet Hospital

Team: Magic Lantern.

Music and Memories

The Bridgton Community Band is honoring longtime member Dale Honaberger and his wife Carol by financing a musical tribute fund in their memories. The couple passed away in January in an accident on Route 302, and are missed by many who were touched by their generous spirits.

The fund will be used to purchase musical instruments for local young musicians, each of which will carry an inscription in the couple’s memory. For more information please contact Dick Albert at 647-9035 or stop by any branch of Norway Savings Bank to make a donation.

Additionally, a Memorial Service celebrating the Honabergers will be held on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on South High Street.

Ante Up

One bright side to the snow is that ski and snowmobile conditions are prime, so it is great timing for the annual Bridgton Easy Riders Poker Rally.

The local snowmobile club is holding the Rally and Chinese Auction on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to noon at the Bridgton Community Center on Depot Street. Snowmobile access is behind the Chamber of Commerce building on Route 302, and the trail is marked through the woods. The cost to enter is $5 a hand and there will be homemade food and prizes at the auction, which starts at 2 p.m.

Historic Gift

The towns of Maine are filled with history, and time and circumstances can often imperil their most beloved structures. The closing of the North Bridgton Library was a loss for the close community, so good news about the building’s future is welcome.

Trustees announced that the beautiful 19th century library has been donated to Bridgton Academy, and 95 percent of the library’s books, historical documents and photographs also distributed to local nonprofits. Several other historic buildings in the area have been acquired by the academy over the years, including the North Bridgton Church, and the school has respected the architecture while repurposing them for modern use.

Kathleen Blankenship and Amy Mains take the plunge during Saturday’s Freezin’ for a Reason polar ice dip into Highland Lake in Bridgton. The 13th annual event, held during the Bridgton Winter Carnival, raised $35,000 for Harvest Hill Animal Shelter in Fryeburg.Courtesy photosLexi Brown of Bridgton collects her first-place prize, a Maine lifetime fishing license, from Shane Richards at the Grace Christian Church-sponsored Cans for Camp Ice Fishing Derby on Highland Lake in Bridgton.