Congratulations Mahlon

Bridgton’s most committed recycler Mahlon Johnson was honored for his efforts last week by the Maine recycling business ecomaine. The eco-Excellence Award is bestowed annually, and Johnson is this year’s Bridgton winner.

Nominated by the Bridgton Board of Selectmen and Town Manager Mitchell A. Berkowitz, Johnson was called “passionate in his beliefs about the benefits of recycling,” and described as “The Ambassador” for and “The Educator” of single-sort recycling.

This new technique makes recycling easier than ever by allowing us to toss all recyclables into one large bin rather than by type. The more we recycle the less waste enters landfills, and in turn reduces Bridgton’s solid waste disposal fees, saving everyone money in the long run. Thanks to Johnson for his good work in making us all more conscientious about recycling.

Big night

On a warm, wet spring night very soon Mother Nature will treat us to one of the highlights of spring in Maine, and Lakes Environmental Association is offering you the chance not to miss it.

We are not the only creatures waiting for the thaw this spring. Many of our amphibious friends have spent winter burrowed underground, barely breathing, waiting for the warmer days of April to coax them from their subterranean slumber.

As anyone who has a vernal pool on their land can tell you, the diversity of life in and around them is astounding. Tree frogs, spotted salamanders, dragonflies, even the tiniest fairy shrimp all depend on these rich wetlands, and April’s warm nights signal to them that it is time to mate.

After the thaw, on a night when temperatures settle into the 40s and a light rain falls, thousands and thousands of frogs and salamanders crawl from the woods. They slither and hop en masse to the closest vernal pool for a big night of frenzied breeding, and many of them must cross dangerous roadways to reach it.

We can never know the exact date of this yearly bacchanal since all the conditions must be perfect, but we do know that it will be sometime in April. Big Night is a thrilling natural event, and a wonderful way to introduce your children to the cycles of life.

It is also a selfless act of kindness, because it only occurs on a cool, drizzly night and you will be getting wet. But it is a truly special night to be a part of, as hundreds of other nature lovers brave the chill to help these creatures cross the road and procreate.

Lakes Environmental Association will host its annual Big Night Road Watches during the month of April. Staffers will hold Big Night Training Workshops Thursday April 3 at 7 p.m. at the association’s Lakes Center, 230 Main St. in Bridgton.

These workshops will help prepare volunteers for the actual Big Night experience. Attendance at a Big Night Road Watch Training is strongly suggested for all new participants.

This program is part of the Caplan Family Environmental Education Series at Lakes Environmental Association, sponsored by Hu and Ray Caplan and their family. For more information on this and other programs in this series, call 647-8580 or visit www.mainelakes.org.

Bridgton cares

I spent several months in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, and many generous Bridgton friends raised thousands of dollars to help support the displaced victims of the storm. The devastation was so massive that more than two years later much remains to be done.

Some of the most affected are the children of New Orleans, who find themselves still without the structure and stability they need to thrive. Michele Collins, a long-time summer resident of Bridgton, is spearheading an annual campaign to provide financial and material support to the youngest victims of Hurricane Katrina.

In conjunction with JazzFest, Collins and her crew of “threadheads” are mounting an ambitious fundraiser through April. By participating in an online raffle at www.threadheadraffle.org, you can not only bid on hundreds of musical, cultural and New Orleans-related items but also contribute to their great cause. On hundred percent of the proceeds raised go to funding social services, and last year they raised more than $15,000.

It is easy to forget about how life-altering Katrina was for so many, but Collins is doing her part to help. Please check out the Web site and make a donation; you could make a big difference in a needy child’s life and show yet again that Bridgton cares.

Community kettle

The Bridgton Community Center is a vital presence in town, and it will be proved yet again by with a “Community Kettle” Thursday April 3 at 5:30 p.m. The kettle is serving a free dinner to residents, and will give you the evening to socialize and have a night out. Call Lorraine Goldrup if you have any questions about the menu, or if you would like to volunteer for this or any other upcoming events. 647-3116.