Farmers Market, finally

As one of the most reliable indicators that spring has really sprung, the Bridgton Farmers Market is opening for the season Saturday, May 10. After a long winter of buying broccoli from California, cheese from Wisconsin and tomatoes from who knows where, it is always nice to see what our local farmers have coaxed out of the soil here.

What started 15 years ago as a small group of growers selling produce and flowers out of their pickup trucks has grown into a thriving, dedicated group of 14 vendors. Offering everything from perennials, herbs and cut flowers to maple syrup, fresh berries and organic eggs, pastries and meat, the market draws an enthusiastic crowd to their weekly gathering.

Helen Ramsdell is one of the founding members and will be bringing her homemade goat’s milk soaps and cheeses to the opening, including her famous small-batch camembert and feta. She said, “The Bridgton Market is getting better every year;

We have a real dedicated following and I’m looking forward to it more than ever.”

She added that along with the returning vendors there are several exciting new organic growers including Sarah’s Kitchen from Lovell, which make fresh handmade breads and baked goods.

The Bridgton Farmers Market is held at 15 Depot St., next to the Bridgton Community Center every Saturday from May to October from 8 a.m.- 1 p.m. I’ll keep you posted about special events through the season like the annual chili bake-off and Market Festival.

Heart Health at Hannaford

We know that eating more fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy diet. After you check out the Farmers Market you can head over to the Bridgton Hannaford for some other healthy snacks. Local nutritionist Dona Forke and pharmacist Dave Diller are presenting “A Dash of Prevention,” a wellness program designed to help prevent and manage high blood pressure.

The eating plan also lowers blood pressure while helping you understand medications you may be taking. There will be free blood pressure screening available, and both experts will be available to answer your questions regarding your prescriptions. This course is free and runs from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 10. No registration is needed.

Drive safely

The New Suncook School and Maine Department of Public Safety are offering a defensive driving course, Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Lunch will be included, participants will have points deducted off their driver’s licenses and 10 percent discounts on insurance policies from participating insurance companies.

The school is located at 95 Main St. in Lovell. For more information on the course, call 647-4534.

A running start

In what surely qualifies as further proof that time flies, the 32nd annual Four on the Fourth road race is now less than two months away. Not only does that mean we should have already started our training regimen, but registration for the event is in full swing. Since only the first 500 registrants receive the coveted free T-shirt, sign up now if you want one.

The registration fee is $16 and forms are available at The Cool Moose, Bridgton Public Library, Hayes True Value and Norway Savings Bank. The road race is always held at 8 a.m. July 4, and follows a hilly and challenging course through the streets of Bridgton. Thousands of runners gather at the Food City starting line at the crack of dawn, eager to test their endurance and match times with fellow runners.

Four on the Fourth is the largest annual fundraiser for Bridgton’s library, which last year received a check for almost $20,000 from race organizers. Proceeds have allowed the library to provide additional services, programs and resources for the community, including regular children’s programs and special guest performers and entertainers.

Other local charities and public service organizations also benefit from the race including Lakes Environmental Association, Lakes Region Senior Transportation Program, Hurricane Katrina Library Relief, Stevens Brook Elementary School Reading Boost Program and Pondicherry Park.

Lions and tigers and bears

Or at least rabbits, lizards and mice…Local animal lover Michelle Knight is following in her father Jack’s footsteps by rehabilitating injured and abandoned animals. Join her on Tuesday, May 13, at the library from 3-5 p.m. as she brings in her most recent batch of critters.

Library director Holly Hancock said this is a great opportunity for kids to get up close and personal with animals that are a bit more exotic than dogs and cats. Knight will talk about the importance of animal rehabilitation and proper care of pets, while encouraging children to handle them and ask questions.

“Michelle’s Animals” will be held in the downstairs events room at the library and is appropriate for all ages. For more information call 647-2472.

Rock on

Among the diverse courses offered at the Bridgton Community Center is the new Geology Discussion Group, which begins meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14.

An extension of senior college science classes, the group was created by several of the students who wanted to continue their study. Bridgton’s Jim Dover was the original instructor, and brought his years of expertise as a member of the U.S. Geological Survey to the class.

He will continue to participate, along with 10 or so students from the continuing education program. The syllabus will include discussions on the complexity of geology from both a local perspective to the larger biosphere.

Ron Fryer is one of the class members, and said “I find a lot of local appeal in the class, and also think that so much of what’s happening in the world today, including oil issues and global warming, can be understood through geology. It’s been a big awakening.”

Everyone is welcome to attend the discussion group, and Fryer said you are welcome to call him with any questions at 647-2327.

While this bear cub being cared for by Jack Knight of Bridgton visited the Paris Farmer’s Union in Bridgton Saturday, Knight’s daughter Michelle will visit the Bridgton Public Library with her soem animals she is caring for May 13 from 3-5 p.m.