Be more like Ebenezer Lancaster.

How are you, Bowdoinhammer?

Are you taking care of your mental health? The News kinda sucks lately, right? To boil it down simply; humans are horrible to other humans all over the world.

Just turn the News off and put it out of your mind for a few minutes. I want you to think about Ebenezer Lancaster.

This Bowdoinhammer lived to be 102 years young, and died in 1901, so you know he was tough as nails. He also lived in THREE different centuries. What was his secret?

Back then, living that long was NOT common. The average life expectancy in the 1800s was about 40 years. I like to think that old Ebenezer got along with everyone, and that’s the main reason why he lived so long. I bet he had a big heart and a strong community around him.

I know I’ve said it before, we’re pretty lucky in this town. There are so many opportunities here to interact with other community members.

This is what’s going on in Bowdoinham this week…

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 16TH

• Ebenezer Lancaster's Birthday (Wednesday, October 16th, 1799 - Wednesday, November 13th, 1901).

• Bowdoinham Pickleball Group at the Recreation Ball Fields Tennis Court (23 Cemetery Rd.) 5:30pm to 7pm. Weather Permitting.

• Solid Waste Committee Meeting in the Kendall Room of the John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.) 6pm. Zoom Link, Meeting ID: 831 2116 4716, Passcode: 578875.

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 6pm to 8pm. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17TH

• Storytime for Preschoolers and their Grown-ups with Miss Kate at the Bowdoinham Public Library (13a School St.) 10am.

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) Noon to 6pm.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 1pm to 5pm.

• Merrymeeting Dance Alinement's weekly line dancing at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 5:30pm to 7:30pm. FMI: call George Oliver (207) 666-3589.

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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18TH

• Bowdoinham Pickleball Group at the Recreation Ball Fields Tennis Court (23 Cemetery Rd.) 9am to 11am. Weather Permitting.

• Bridge Club for Experienced Players, Hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham at the Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.) 9:30am to Noon. FMI: Kathy Joyce, 666-5575.

• All are welcome at The Clothes Closet at the house behind Bowdoinham Nazarene Church (7 School St.) 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Taking donations of clean clothes in good condition.

• In-person shopping for ALL Bowdoin and Bowdoinham residents at the Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.) 4pm to 6pm.

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 6pm to 8pm. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

• Mid-Week Bible Study and Prayer Gathering at the Second Baptist Church (1 Church St.) 6:30pm.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19TH

• Trash Pick-up Day. Pick-up times vary. Trash tags are $3 each and can be purchased at the Town Office and The Bowdoinham Country Store.

• Intermediate Yoga Class with Ann Flannery at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 8am to 9:30am. $15. FMI: [email protected].

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) 8am to 4pm.

• Cribbage, Hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham at the Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.) 9:30am to Noon. FMI: Theresa Turgeon at 891-9386.

• Join the Loose Ladies Book Group as they discuss the works of Ruth Moore at the Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 1pm. Gary Lawless of Gulf of Maine Books will be the speaker. There will be refreshments. The Bowdoinham Public Library has Ruth Moore's books for loan.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 1pm to 5pm.

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20TH

• Bowdoinham Pickleball Group at the Recreation Ball Fields Tennis Court (23 Cemetery Rd.) 9am to 11am. Weather Permitting.

• Acrylic Pour 101 With Linda Murry at Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 9:30am to Noon. This is a 3-day course held on Fridays, October 6th, 13th & 20th.

• OPENING RECEPTION - Awakening the Prometheus: AI's Frankenstein, an art installation at Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.) 5pm to 7pm.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST

• The Bowdoinham FREE Gift Shop is open at the Bowdoinham Recycling Barn (243 Post Rd.) 8am to 4pm.

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) 8am to 4pm.

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 9am to 11am. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 9am to 4pm.

• Awakening the Prometheus: AI's Frankenstein, an art installation at Merrymeeting Arts Center GALLERY (9 Main St.) 10am to 1pm.

• Fourth Annual Fermentation Fair at Dandelion Spring Farm (961 Ridge Rd.) 2pm to 5pm. FMI: [email protected].

• Kids' Night Out! with Katie Hudak and Ashley West at Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 4pm to 8pm. Drop off your kiddos (K-5th grade age) for dinner and some spooktacular crafts while you enjoy some much deserved adult time!

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22ND

• Bowdoinham Pickleball Group at the Recreation Ball Fields Tennis Court (23 Cemetery Rd.) 8:30am to 10am. Weather Permitting.

• Bowdoinham Second Baptist (1 Church St.) Sunday Service 10am, Pot Luck Luncheon following service.

• Bowdoinham Church of the Nazarene (7 school St.) Sunday School 10am, Service 11am.

• Fourth Annual Fermentation Fair at Dandelion Spring Farm (961 Ridge Rd.) 10am to 4pm. FMI: [email protected].

• Harpswell Community Swim at the Greason Pool, Bowdoin College (35 Watson Drive, Brunswick) 4:30 to 5:30pm. Open and FREE to all MSAD 75 Residents. Pre-Registration and proof of Medical Insurance is required. Limited to 75 people per session. FMI: (207) 833-5771 or [email protected].

As of the publication of this email, these events are current. Sometimes life happens and plans change. Check out Bowdoinhammer.com for an up-to-date list of events.

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If you happen to be driving past the Ridge Road Cemetery today, do me a favor. Roll down your window and shout out “HAPPY BIRTHDAY EBENEZER!!” as you drive by.

Take it easy on yourself and someone else this week.

Love,

Rodney