Good Monday to you, Bowdoinhammer!

I’d like to start this off with a little PSA.

On Tuesday night, at 11:09 PM, I was driving home from work and I almost plowed into three large coyotes on Main Street (Rt. 138) at the Bowdoin/Bowdoinham town line.

They skedaddled just in time for my front bumper to miss them. Two of them ran down the driveway of #384 and the other ran west into Bowdoin. I’m glad I didn’t hit them because according to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, True Men Don’t Kill Coyotes.

I don’t know how coyotes get that big unless they’re munching on deer and pets in the area. Stay vigilant, Bowdoinhammer.

Here’s this week’s highlights:

• President’s Day kicks off a week-long Winter Break for MSAD 75 kiddos.

• The Bowdoinham Food Pantry is still looking for a Director. You can click here to visit their website and apply.

• There are three events of note happening on Tuesday: There are still some slots available to get your taxes filed for free with Midcoast CA$H (by appointment), The Bowdoinham Public Library is hosting a free class on Understanding Cloud Library, and there will be a CMP Community Connection Event at the library in Brunswick for those of us who’ve ever wondered “what the heck?!” while looking at our power bill.

• The Loose Ladies Book Group will be discussing “James” by Percival Everett on Thursday. They also want you to know that they’ll be discussing Edna St. Vincent Millay at their March 20th meeting. The three books they will be sourcing are The Selected Poetry of Edna St Vincent Millay, Edna St. Vincent Millay: Selected Poems, and Savage beauty: the life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, by Nancy Milford. You may be able to reserve a copy of one or all of these at the Library if you’re fast enough.

• Want to know more about Bowdoinham Community Connections? Stop in to the Fire Station for their open office hours on Friday to speak to a volunteer.

There’s more information about these and other events below, so keep scrolling.

Got Selfies?

Last week I described a selfie by Jennifer and Patrizia as the “Bowdoinhammiest”, but that has me wondering… was it?

Could there be other, Bowdoinhammier selfies out there?

I’d like to propose a Bowdoinham Selfie Contest, to be judged by those who know best, other Bowdoinhammers!

To enter, just email the picture to me at [email protected] with the subject line “Here’s the Bowdoinhammiest selfie!”

The winner will get 5 whole trash tickets! (I know it’s not a lot, but we’re not made of money… yet.)

Here are the rules: 

1. You have to be a Bowdoinhammer to enter (those tickets would be useless to you otherwise).

2. The picture needs to be taken IN Bowdoinham.

3. One picture per person playing (don’t be clobbering me over the head with a whole photo album).

4. It has to be submitted by NOON on Sunday, March 16th (that gives you about a month).

On Monday, March 17th, I’ll share a link to a survey with all the pictures and people will vote on them. I’ll have more of the details figured out by the next newsletter.

Bowdoinham in the News:

Land trust trail project weighs conservation and accessibility in Bowdoinham

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) is planning an accessible trail at its Center Point Preserve in Bowdoinham, sparking a debate about balancing conservation with public access.

The new "All Persons Trail" aims to make the preserve's scenic views of Merrymeeting Bay available to everyone, including those with mobility challenges. KELT has secured over $630,000 in grants to improve wetland habitat and build the accessible trail, replacing a less accessible existing path.

While the Friends of Merrymeeting Bay (FOMB) oppose the project, prioritizing "nature for nature's sake," KELT argues the improved trail and wetland restoration will ultimately benefit both the environment and the community.

The project will involve culvert replacements, trail enhancements, and road regrading, with long-term monitoring to assess its success. This initiative reflects a growing trend of making natural spaces more accessible, raising important questions about how we balance conservation with public enjoyment.

Read the full article by Laura Sitterly of The Times Record "Land trust trail project weighs conservation and accessibility in Bowdoinham" (there may be a paywall).

In other News:

Governor Mills and Northeast Delta Dental Announce Extension of Maine Veterans' Dental Network

Governor Mills announced the continuation of the Maine Veterans' Dental Network (MVDN) thanks to a $300,000 grant from Northeast Delta Dental. This program provides vital dental care to Maine veterans who lack dental insurance and cannot afford treatment.

Since 2021, the MVDN has served nearly 1,500 veterans, many of whom hadn't received dental care since leaving the military. Eligible veterans must be Maine residents, not 100% service-connected with the VA, and meet certain financial criteria.

The program partners with 23 dental clinics across the state, and veterans can apply online, via email, or by phone. Northeast Delta Dental and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation have generously supported the MVDN, and individuals can also donate to participating clinics to further assist veterans in need.

Veterans who are interested may apply online by filling out the form available at www.maine.gov/governor/mills/veteransdental, by emailing [email protected], or by calling (207) 287-6836.

Here’s what’s going on in Bowdoinham this week:

Monday, February 17th, President's Day

• The Bowdoinham Town Office will be closed for President's Day

• MSAD 75 Winter Break Begins

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

Tuesday, February 18th

• MSAD 75 Winter Break

• File your taxes for FREE with Midcoast CA$H, Bowdoinham Fire Department (57 Post Rd.), 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. By appointment only. Households earning up to $67,000 annually can likely receive free tax preparation by an IRS-certified volunteer tax preparer.

• CMP Community Connection Event, Curtis Memorial Library, Room 205 (23 Pleasant St. Brunswick), 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. CMP Customer Advocate, Rhonda Yorks will be available to meet with customers in person to help with issues related to their bills and usage. Bowdoinhammers with power bill questions are encouraged to attend.

• Understanding Cloud Library class, Bowdoinham Public Library (13a School St.), 11:00 AM - NOON. This class is free. The only requirements are a device connected to the internet and an active library card with a participating library.

• Merrymeeting Dance Alinement, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. For more information, or to be added to their Newsletter, email George Oliver at [email protected].

Wednesday, February 19th

• MSAD 75 Winter Break

• Bridge, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - NOON. FMI: Judy Gray, 666-3025. The group welcomes all players. Current players range from high-scoring duplicate players to seniors who played in college and newbies who have taken a class.

• Bowdoinham Food Pantry OPEN, Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.), 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. For all residents of Bowdoinham and Bowdoin. Building community, with food. NO income verification. FMI: (207) 751-7779. Shop there first.

• Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School Gym (23 Cemetery Rd.), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

Thursday, February 20th

• MSAD 75 Winter Break

• Cribbage hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - NOON.

• Loose Ladies Book Group, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 1:00 PM. This week, they will discuss “James” by Percival Everett.

Friday, February 21st

• MSAD 75 Winter Break Ends

• Winter Vacation Art Day with Katie Hudak, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 9:00 AM - NOON. $20 Suggested Donation. Arts and Crafts fun for kids in grades K through 5. SOLD OUT. These school break events fill up fast (just like this one did). For more of a heads-up, make sure to visit their Classes & Workshops calendar often, or sign up for their Newsletter.

• Bowdoinham Community Connections Office hours, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), Noon - 2:00 PM. Pop in to see what the BCC is about! Know someone who needs assistance? Click here.

Saturday, February 22nd

• Visit/Volunteer/Donate/Shop at the Bowdoinham Gift Shop, Recycling Barn (243 Post Rd.), 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Clean and FREE curated household items, clothes, and toys are available; donations and volunteers are welcome to support this community resource and reduce waste. Contributions are accepted inside and returnable beverage containers may be dropped off in the window near the road at any time.

• Open Pottery Studio, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. $10 Suggested donation. The maximum capacity is 10 pottery enthusiasts.

Sunday, February 23rd

• Sunday Service, Bowdoinham Second Baptist (1 Church St.), 9:30 AM.

• Sunday School/Service, Bowdoinham Church of the Nazarene (7 School St.), 10:00 AM, Service 11:00 AM.

• FREE swimming, LeRoy Greason Pool (Bowdoin College, 35 Watson Dr, Brunswick), 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. For ALL ages and residents of MSAD 75. Runs January 12th through April 6th.

(These events may change or cancel without notice)

Next Week: Goats in the Road Trivia Night, Select Board Meeting, Open Farm & Studio Day planning meeting, Guilt-Free Book Club, and Candle Dipping with Asia Roberge.

That’s all I have for you this week.

I’d like to leave you with this idea: Thank the public works folks. They’ve been working hard to keep the roads clear this week/weekend, and they deserve a “Thank You” tossed in their direction once in a while.

Be good to yourself, too.

Love,

Rodney

❤️