I have never been so happy to hear April showers in my 20 years in Maine. Winter’s quiet was nice but after five months in the deep freeze it is refreshing to hear the cacophany of spring. Eaves drip, lakes crack, and a hard rain sounds like music to my ears. You will probably hear my cries of joy when I am finally able to throw the windows open and air out the house. Now come the birds, buttercups, and sweet-scented lilacs, and my happy hands digging in the dirt. See you in the garden!
Ice Out
Sadly though, winter isn’t finished with us yet. The lakes are still frozen solid, and for the first time ever Ice Out has been extended from the usual deadline of April 1. The snowman is hanging tough on Moose Pond, so you still have time to wager his demise.
The deadline for Ice Out ticket sales by the Bridgton Community Center has been extended to midnight on April 17, due to the extended winter weather. Tickets are $2 each or six for $10 and may be purchased at the Bridgton Community Center, Campfire Grille and Black Horse Tavern. Guess the date that the ICE OUT sign on Moose Pond is exposed and win half the net proceeds. This is a fundraiser to support the BCC. For more information, call 647-3116.
Spring Cleaning
One of the first items on April’s to-do list is a thorough purge of “stuff.” As you cull through all the clutter and crap you’ve amassed this winter, there is a great program you can help out when you make your run to the transfer station. The Bridgton Literary Taskforce will be collecting books at the station on Saturdays through April 19.
The truck, with a big BLT banner on it, will be parked by the compost heap as you enter the facility. The group prefers new and gently-used books, but will graciously accept any donations you can make.
The Next Masterpiece?
There are several intriguing goings-on for the local writers among us, so clear your calendar on Wednesdays this spring. Whether you’re inclined to introspection or group discussions, there’s something for everyone.
If you’ve ever thought about putting your life story down on paper, the Bridgton Community Center is hosting a series called “How to Write Your Autobiography.” Instructor Margo Truscott leads the course designed to help you get started. You will be using ink shedding, free writing, group sharing, periodic evaluation and group editing. The syllabus is designed to be interesting and fun, and you can leave behind a legacy to be read by future generations, family members and friends. Truscott is a graduate of Bridgewater State University with a focus on English and Secondary Education. Class size is limited to 10 participants and the fee is $60 for this six-week program; it will run Wednesdays on April 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7 and 14 from 1-3 p.m. To register, call 647-3116.
After Frost
As an English major in college, I often tutored my less linguistically inclined classmates in critical analysis. As such, I became intimately familiar with the work of early American poets, with Robert Frost leading the pack. The literary lions of New England wrote enduring classics, whose vision and beauty endure today.
The Bridgton Public Library is hosting a discussion, led by poet Betsy Scholl, that will focus on the works and influence of Frost and his ilk. “After Frost: Poetry in New England” runs from 3-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. It is part of the “Let’s Talk About It” series held in the library’s Meeting Room. For more information on this and other events, call 647-2472.
Heavenly Music
Bridgton is full of cultural opportunities, you just have to seek them out. One of the newest and most popular is the Acoustic House Series, hosted by the proprietess of the Noble House Inn. This monthly event brings musicians from all over the U.S. (and the world, I once saw a bona-fide country cowboy from Finland play there once) to the living room of the historic Inn.
The next concert is Thursday, April 10, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. and features Neptune’s Car, an acoustic duo from Massachusetts and New Hampshire who play original, Contemporary Folk music. They are known for their intimate performance style, carefully crafted lyrics, generous harmony singing, and exceptional guitar picking. There is no cost to attend the show, but donations are accepted to cover the artist’s travel expenses. Contact innkeepers@noblehousebb.com to rsvp or for more information.
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