Everyone comes back

Bowdoinhammer - Week of May 12th to the 18th

Author

Rodney Kloberdans
May 12, 2025

Good Monday to you, Bowdoinhammer!

I’m going to keep this short and sweet because, as I write this, it’s Mother’s Day, AND I’ve got college kids trying to move back in!

I swear, it never ends.

I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.

"Just when you turn their bedroom into an office, they come back and ask if you've seen their hoodie."

- Every parent, ever

Let’s get this thing going!

This Week’s Newsletter highlights:

  1. Our Bowdoinham Public Library has some free ways to help you be your best adventurer.

  2. There’s a super-easy way to help the Bowdoinham Food Pantry out this month.

  3. The powers that be want to hear your input on the Sagadahoc County 2026 Budget on Monday night.

  4. The Select Board will hold a hearing on the licensure of another marijuana business application on Tuesday. I don’t know why. This marijuana stuff is just a fad, right?

  5. The Loose Ladies Book Group will have a special discussion with author Monica Wood on Thursday via Zoom in the Kendall Room (not their usual meeting place).

  6. Bowdoinham Community Connections is doing a lot of good in the ‘Ham. Stop in on Friday to see them if you need help, too.

  7. There will be two plant sales happening on Saturday. Both support great causes. You can’t lose.

  8. The town wants to know who you think the Citizen of the Year should be.

Keep scrolling for more info about these and other events.

Want to explore Maine without emptying your wallet? Our library has you covered!

We're lucky that the Bowdoinham Public Library offers its patrons the opportunity to explore various Maine attractions at no cost to us through a selection of museum and park passes.

Check out this list of passes they have to offer:

  • Maine State Park Pass: This allows free day-use for all vehicle occupants (up to 17 passengers) at most Maine State Parks and historic sites. The loan period for this pass is Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Tuesday.

  • Boothbay Railway Village Museum: This museum features train rides behind an authentic steam locomotive, historic Maine buildings, and a collection of antique automobiles.

  • Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay: The gardens have been named one of Maine's top attractions. Their landscape includes nearly a mile of tidewater shoreline. This pass grants free admission for up to two adults and any number of children under age 18. The Gardens are open daily from May 1 to October 17.

  • Children's Museum & Theater of Maine: Located on Thompson's Point in Portland, it features various interactive exhibits and activities for children and families. This pass offers free admission for two adults and up to six children and is made available through the Bowdoin Community Cares Association.

  • Maine Maritime Museum in Bath: This museum offers some exhibits about Maine's maritime heritage, culture, and the role Maine has played in regional and global maritime activities. Through the generosity of local donors Joan and Bruce Knight, the library offers one family group (up to eight adults; kids are always free) free passes each day for entry to the Museum.

Start your planning by calling the library at (207) 666-8405 to see about availability and reserve one of these passes for your next adventure!

Bag It Up for the Bowdoinham Food Pantry!

The Bowdoinham Food Pantry has been chosen as the beneficiary for May through the Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program. That means every time someone buys one of those $2.50 "Hannaford Fight Hunger" reusable bags at the Topsham Hannaford (49 Topsham Fair Mall Road), the Bowdoinham Food Pantry will get a $1 donation!

How cool is that?

Even folks using Hannaford-To-Go for pickup at the Topsham store during May can contribute by purchasing the reusable bags online.

So, if you happen to be shopping at Hannaford in Topsham this month, let them know how much you and our community appreciate their support in helping fight hunger right here in Bowdoinham!

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

Monday, May 12th

  • Sagadahoc County Commissioners & Budget Advisory Committee Joint Public Meeting, First Floor Commissioners Room, Sagadahoc County Courthouse (752 High St., Bath), 6:00 PM. The Board of Commissioners & Budget Advisory Committee will hold a joint Public Hearing to solicit comments, questions, and suggestions from the public regarding the County of Sagadahoc’s FY26 Budget.

  • Goats in the Road Trivia, Three Robbers Pub (12 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

  • 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. 

  • Community Sound Bath w/ Ground Well Counseling, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Spend an hour resting and recalibrating with a gentle sound bath featuring Himalayan singing bowls, tongue drum, and voice. Bring a mat, pillow, and/or blanket. Free of charge but donations gratefully accepted. FMI: [email protected].

Tuesday, May 13th 

Wednesday, May 14th

  • Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School TENNIS COURT (23 Cemetery Rd.), 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Weather permitting. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

  • 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. 

  • 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, May 15th 

  • Trash Pick-up Day. Trash tags can be purchased at the Town Office for $3 each. Pick-up times vary. 

  • Recycling Drop-off, Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.), 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

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

  • Loose Ladies Book Group, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.),  1:00 PM. This week, they will discuss “How to Read a Book” by Monica Wood. The author will be present via ZOOM and the public is invited to join in. RSVP to Joanne Savoie [email protected] for a seat and for login info if you want to join ZOOM. 

  • Merryreading Book Store OPEN, Merrymeeting Hall Basement (27 Main St.), 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM.

Friday, May 16th

  • Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School TENNIS COURT (23 Cemetery Rd.), 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Weather permitting. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

  • 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. Bowdoinham Community Connections is a project of the Governor’s Cabinet on Aging.

Saturday, May 17th

  • Recycling Drop-off, Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.), 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  • Bowdoinham Gift Shop PLANT SALE, Recycling Barn (243 Post Rd.), 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Support the Gift Shop and spruce up your garden! Maybe a second chance May 24th for leftovers. But those dahlias? Get 'em quick!

  • 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.

  • 2nd Annual Dahlia Sale, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (or while they last). _Spruce up your garden and support the Bowdoinham Public Library! 🌼 They're having a dahlia tuber sale with over 150 varieties to choose from, priced from $5 to $12. Labeled and ready to plant! More info here: https://bowdoinhamlibrary.org/events/dahlia-tuber-sale/

  • Merryreading Book Store OPEN, Merrymeeting Hall Basement (27 Main St.), 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  • Pouring it On – A Linda Murray & Student Show, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. An exhibition of acrylic pour paintings by artist/instructor Linda Murray, alongside works by Merrymeeting Arts Center students Walter Chop, Drew Masterman, Nan Cumming, Barbara Snapp, Myra Delio, and Karen Pelletier.

Sunday, May 18th

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Coming soon to a Bowdoinham near you:

Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th.

. . .

🎸 Merrymeeting Music House Concerts is bringing the talented Peter More to our little town on June 7th for a night of tunes that'll get your toes tapping. This Texas-based songwriter is known for his cool mix of rock, folk, and a little Latin spice, serving up heartfelt lyrics and melodies that stick with you. Word on the street is he's even been making music with folks like Donald Fagen from Steely Dan - pretty cool, right? Don't be a stranger - RSVP by visiting https://forms.gle/ksQCBK2MJMxh8jbW8, and if you want the inside scoop on future amazing concerts, shoot an email to [email protected] and tell 'em Bowdoinhammer sent ya!

. . .

🧑‍🌾 Get your reusable bags ready. The Bowdoinham Farmers' Market will return to Mailly Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 7th! It's a perfect reason to stroll by the water and hang out with neighbors. You'll find everything from fresh-baked bread that'll make your mouth water, to crisp organic veggies, local meats and cheeses, and other tasty treats. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for some impromptu fun, like live music, storytelling, and line dancing. Come early for the best picks and ask about those EBT/SNAP/WIC programs. You can stay up-to-date on the latest by jumping on their mailing list. Just shoot an email to [email protected]. See you there!

. . .

🏆 The Town of Bowdoinham is seeking nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year award, which recognizes individuals who demonstrate initiative, generosity, and a commitment to improving the community and the lives of their fellow residents, whether through visible efforts or behind-the-scenes support. To nominate someone, community members should submit their own contact information, the nominee's name, and a paragraph explaining why they are the best candidate to Town Manager Nicole Briand by mail, in person at the Town Office, or via email at [email protected] by the deadline of June 15th.

. . .

🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️📣 The 4th Annual Le Tour de Bowdoinham Food Pantry Charity Ride is pedaling our way on Saturday, August 16th, and they're looking for some fantastic volunteers to make it a roaring success! If you're the cheering type, a master of snack deployment at rest areas, a welcoming face at the finish line, a guiding star as a course marshal, or even a sidewalk Picasso as a chalk artist, they've got a spot for you! Shifts are super flexible, ranging from a breezy 1.5 hours to a more committed 3 hours. Now, if you or your business wants to go full-on superhero, they also seek sponsorships! Cash helps keep those jersey costs down, and raffle goodies or discounts will get your logo plastered on the brand-new event jersey, posters, cue sheets, the website, and social media. It's a win-win! Wanna get in on the action? Shoot an email to Yvette Meunier at [email protected] or give her a ring at (207) 666-3096. Let's make this ride the best one yet!

I hope you have a wonderful week, Bowdoinhammer!

See you next Monday.

Love,

Rodney

❤️