Baked bean supper benefits a Ukraine support fund

On Saturday, Feb. 11, at 5 p.m., there will be a traditional baked bean supper at St. Joseph Catholic Church, hosted by the Bridgton/Fryeburg Knights of Columbus. In addition to baked beans, the menu includes hot dogs, cornbread, coleslaw and desserts. Take-out meals are also available. There is no set fee for the meal but donations are encouraged for the Knights’ Ukraine Fund to support the people of Ukraine during the ongoing war in their country.

Ice Queen pageant

Bridgton’s first annual Ice Queen Pageant, sponsored by Break Room 248, will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17. Gear up for the Winter Carnival by rooting for your favorite Ice Queen contestant in full regalia at the Bridgton Old Town Hall on North High Street. The winner will appear on Saturday at the Carnival Ice Bar on Highland Lake.

Maine Lakes Winter Carnival

The annual Maine Lakes Winter Carnival takes place on Saturday, Feb. 18, featuring a host of family friendly activities. The fun kicks off at 8 a.m. with registration for the Kids Ice Fishing Derby, which starts at 9 a.m. Horse-drawn wagon rides run from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the ice bar opens at noon. The ever-popular Freezing for a Reason polar dip fundraiser for Harvest Hills Animal Shelter plunges in at 1 p.m. and the Spicy Chili Eating Contest begins at the same time.

The festivities, hosted by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, feature all-day music, food and an open ice rink at the Old Town Hall. Events also include a juggling performance by Richard Hagerstrom, a family movie showing, and the Rail Jam freestyle ski and snowboarding competition.

The day finishes with fireworks on the lake. Buttons for access to all events are available at the Chamber office, 257 Main St., Suite 1. For more information call 647-3472 or go to gblrcc.org/winter-carnival.

Floor cloth workshop

Decorative and durable hand-painted canvas floor cloths have brightened many farmhouses in rural New England for more than a century. Learn how to create your own 19th-century style floor cloth in a workshop on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stevens Brook Elementary School.

Participants will use stencils to create traditional designs on a 2-by-3-foot floor cloth to take home. The class is sponsored by the Rufus Porter Museum of Art and Ingenuity. The $80 entry fee includes all materials.

For more information and to register, go to rufusportermuseum.org.