Get Down with Bowdoinhammer

Hello again, Bowdoinhammer! 

Thanks for lending me your eyeballs for a few minutes. 

This newsletter has seen a bit of a surge of new subscribers since the last edition.

To those of you who are new, WELCOME! 

This newsletter is something of a free public service, fueled by lots of coffee and funded, in part, through Bowdoinham Community Connections. Its hope is to be a handy guide to all the local goings-on, helping to keep everyone connected and informed about the events in our town. 

We're so grateful you're a part of this wonderful community. 

With that in mind, let's explore what this week has to offer...

See Bowdoinham's Latest Art Obsession: Kaleidoscope Quilts!

Have you ever seen a kaleidoscope in quilt form?  Well, you can now! 

Janet Clement, a talented fiber artist from Richmond, is showing her "Kaleidoscope Quilts" at Merrymeeting Arts Center, and they are absolutely stunning. Her work is all about vibrant colors and intricate patterns, creating meditative art from countless tiny fabric pieces. 

If you get down with quilts or just support the arts in general, pop in on any Saturday in August. Don't miss these fantastic creations! 

For more info, visit Merrymeeting Arts Center’s events page.

Heating assistance season is here, but so are some new challenges. 

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is NOW accepting applications for the 2025-2026 season, which runs until May 29, 2026, or until funds are gone. 

Visit: https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/energy/energydetails/liheap

Due to federal funding cuts, in-person HEAP appointments are no longer available through local Community Action Partnerships like Midcoast Community Action, and the application process can be more complicated this year. This is why the volunteers at Bowdoinham Community Connections (BCC) are offering free in-person support this fall. 

BCC will be available to help residents prepare for HEAP applications, including those with a scheduled phone interview from last year. Appointments are being offered in September and October at the Fire Station on Tuesdays from 9:30-11:30 AM and Fridays from 12-2 PM. 

Anyone in need of assistance is encouraged to call 207-666-3101 to make an appointment and get their application started as soon as possible.

Art for Homeschoolers: Two New Classes Available!

The Merrymeeting Arts Center is offering two new art classes for homeschool students this fall, with registration now open. 

A Drawing and Pottery session, led by Arlene Kelly and Catherine Scanlon, is available for students ages 7 and up, and will be held on Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to noon. The 8-week session costs $96 and includes all clay, glazes, and firing. 

A second class, Arts and Crafts Sampler, for students ages 5 and up, will be taught by Courtney Hutchings and Ruthanne Harrison on Wednesdays from 11:00 AM to noon. All supplies are included in the $96 fee for this 8-week session. 

Both classes are limited to 12 students.

For questions and registration, please contact Programs Manager Nan Cumming at [email protected].

Happening in Bowdoinham THIS week:

MONDAY, August 4th

• 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.

TUESDAY, August 5th

• Create a Treasure Box, Merrymeeting Arts Center (9 Main St.), 10:00 AM - NOON.. POSTPONED

• Recycling Drop-off, Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.), NOON - 6:00 PM.

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

• Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School Tennis Court (23 Cemetery Rd.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Weather permitting. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

• Select Board Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 6:00 PM. Townhall Streams link. For a list of other town meetings, visit the town's calendar.

WEDNESDAY, August 6th

• 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, August 7th

• Trash Pick-up Day. You can buy the $3 trash tags at the Town Office and Public Works Facility. 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. Hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham.

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

• Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School TENNIS COURT (23 Cemetery Rd.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Weather permitting. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.

FRIDAY, August 8th 

• 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.

SATURDAY, August 9th

• Summer Ceramic Shop, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 8:00 AM - NOON. The MAC Gallery will be hosting a ceramics shop, showcasing the work of six local potters, for 6 weeks during the Farmer’s Market. Stop by before or after you shop! You just might need a bowl to eat all that salad you just bought!

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

• 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 help reduce waste. Contributions are accepted inside, and returnable beverage containers may be dropped off in the window near the road at any time.

• Bowdoinham Farmers' Market, Mailly Waterfront Park (1 Main St.), 8:30 AM - NOON. 

• Kaleidoscope Quilts, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM. A showing of Bargello and Amish-inspired quilts. 

• 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.

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

SUNDAY, August 10th

• 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. 

• Summer Concert Supper with “Dysfunction Junction” playing at the gazebo in Mailly Waterfront Park (1 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The Old Town Hall Committee will be serving food. 

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Coming SOON to a Bowdoinham Near You:

🚴 Get ready to pedal for a purpose because the 4th Annual Le Tour de Bowdoinham Food Pantry Charity Ride is rolling through town on Saturday, August 16th! The fun kicks off at the Pantry at 9 AM, where riders can choose from scenic 10, 24, and 34-mile routes through our charming local landscape. The entrance fee is a feel-good donation to the Bowdoinham Food Pantry (food, check, or online). After your ride, there will be a post-ride recovery party at Three Robbers Pub, complete with food and suds, and a raffle with awesome prizes from Woods + Waters Gear Exchange, Bath Cycle & Ski / Bikeman, and the Bowdoinham Farmers' Market! Plus, every rider gets a special keepsake from the Merrymeeting Arts Center. For maps, jerseys, and more info, visit Bowdoinham.com/event/2025-le-tour-de-bowdoinham.

. . .

🫐 The Bluesberry Fest is happening on Sunday, August 17th, from 12 PM to 5 PM, at 555 Browns Point Rd. This sounds like the perfect way to spend a summer afternoon, with live blues music from Blue Steel Express (playing 1-4 PM), delicious eats from the L/A Taco food truck (serving 12-4 PM), outdoor games for all ages, and, of course, plenty of blueberry picking! Admission is $10 per person, $5 for kids aged 2-14, and free for those under 2. Your ticket even includes a pint of U-Pick blueberries and access to all the fantastic music. Tickets will be available on-site the day of the event.

. . .

📖 The Loose Ladies Book Group will discuss "The Queens of Crime" by Marie Benedict on Thursday, August 21st, a thrilling story about five legendary women crime writers, including Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie, who form a secret society in 1930s London to solve a real-life, perplexing murder. Inspired by a true event, the novel follows their investigation as they use their literary skills to unpuzzle a mystery with high-level connections, discovering their collective strength. Get your copy at Bowdoinham Public Library or your favorite local bookseller.

. . .

🖼️ Merrymeeting Arts Center is preparing for its annual Silent Auction, a key fundraiser for the organization, and is seeking the participation of local artists and artisans. This is a wonderful opportunity for creative individuals to showcase their work, with a 50/50 split of the proceeds going to the artist. The auction will run from September 6th to the 14th, with a special presence during Celebrate Bowdoinham. While priority will be given to Bowdoinham artists, all are invited to apply by the August 22nd deadline. For details, visit their Google Form sign-up at https://forms.gle/HZXRiPSXoG8XaY796 or email [email protected] with any questions.

. . .

📚 Through their complex, top-secret method of selecting books, the Bowdoinham Booked Moms have chosen “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach as their book for Wednesday, August 27th. This is a propulsive and uncommonly wise novel about one unexpected wedding guest and the surprising people who help her start anew. Bowdoinham Booked Moms is a stress-free space for local moms to unwind, connect, and make friends through reading and discussion. They will meet on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in Merrymeeting Hall. This fun, no-fee club is for moms with a Bowdoinham connection, aiming for an enjoyable time every month! For more info, email [email protected].

. . .

🎟️ Enter to win a weekend (October 3-5, 2025) at the lovely Upper House cottage!  Tickets are just $20 each and could give you a chance to win a $700 value prize of a two-night stay on the Phippsburg peninsula in this charming cottage. Get your tickets at Bowdoinham Public Library, from now until we draw for the winner at Celebrate Bowdoinham on September 13th.  Don't miss your chance to win this great getaway!

Be good to yourself.

Love,

Rodney

❤️