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Meet the Candidates, Dodge the Goblins, and a Store Update! 🎃

Bowdoinhammer - Week of October 27th to November 2nd

Author

Rodney Kloberdans
October 27, 2025

Hello again, Bowdoinhammer!

Correction from last week: The “Meet the Candidates for Select Board” forum will be held on SATURDAY, November 1st, in the Kendall Room at the John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.) at 6:30 PM. NOT Friday, because that’s Halloween and nobody in their right mind would hold a forum when there’s candy to be got.

Please accept my apologies for this error. I have a calendar, I just forget to look at it when I’m excited.

REMEMBER: If you’d like to submit a question to the candidates in advance, use this here form: https://forms.gle/HG11928kbvqihHqt6.

Did the Bowdoinhammer save you a trip to a closed office or keep you in the loop on a local event? 

If so, consider sliding a few bucks our way: buymeacoffee.com/bowdoinhammer 

Your support keeps the local announcements flowing. ❤️

Meet the Candidate: Allen Acker for Select Board

Allen Acker is running for Select Board this November and wanted to share a message with the community: 

Good Morning All,

My name is Allen Acker. I am currently at the end of my first term as a Selectboard Member for Bowdoinham. I have collected the required signatures and turned in paperwork to run for another term.

I am 49 years old, 3rd generation of Bowdoinham families both my mom and dad and grandparents were from here. My childhood was uniquely Bowdoinham in the late 70s and 80s. I attended Bowdoinham Community School and Mt.Ararat at a time when it was grades 7-12 in one school. 

After graduation I served on Nuclear Submarines in the United States Navy as a Mess Management Specialist. After leaving the Navy I worked a full spectrum of foodservice and hospitality jobs from Assited Living to Fine Dining. I became Executive Corporate Chef for a wholesale foodservice provider for 4 years then 11 years as an area sales manager.

In 2002 I convinced my folks that using their land to make a disc golf course would be a good idea for a new home based business and Acker's Acres Disc Golf was born. 23 years later my family and I continue to run this business and grow it as best we can. This year adding great pizza to our menu which was served at the Chicken Run.

I have an amazing wife Kate and three great kids Nella, Maeve and Henry all in Mt.Ararat. Amongst other things we do Cemetery clean up as a family at the Curtis Cemetery on our road to instill in our children the importance of volunteering in our community.

Our community is special, our form of local government is in my opinion the purest form of democracy practiced in our country today. I love all of it and I sincerely hope to serve another term as a Selectboard Member.

Thank You,

Allen

(If you missed them, the statements from Select Board candidates Marc Babcock and Shelley Hooper are saved in the Bowdoinhammer archive for easy reading.)

“When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.”

- Dom Hélder Câmara, Catholic Archbishop of Olinda and Recife

Hunger Games? Not in Bowdoinham

The federal shutdown didn’t just close offices, it cut off SNAP benefits for nearly 170,000 Mainers, right before Thanksgiving. 

That means more families will be looking to food banks to fill their cupboards, and the Bowdoinham Food Pantry is bracing for a busy month. November is always one of their busiest times, but with so many Mainers losing benefits (including working families and older adults), they’re expecting even greater need. 

Here are three ways you can help:

  1. Donation of staples like pasta, sauce, peanut butter, tuna, soup, canned veggies/beans, cereal, bread, eggs, milk, and butter.

  2. If you have a little extra cash to spare, you can give online at BowdoinhamFoodPantry.org or send a check to 9 Main Street, Suite C, Bowdoinham, ME 04008. 

  3. If you’ve got an hour or two to spare, they’d love an extra set of hands.

Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated.

Happening This Week:

MONDAY, October 27th

  • 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, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM. FMI: [email protected]. 

  • Quarterly Library Board Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 7:00 PM.

. . .

TUESDAY, October 28th

  • Bowdoinham Community Connections LiHEAP assistance, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. This fall, Bowdoinham Community Connections will offer in-person support to help residents prepare for upcoming changes to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and to apply for Real IDs. To make an appointment, call (207) 666-3101.

  • 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.

  • Merrymeeting Dance Alinement FREE Line Dancing Lessons, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM. FMI: [email protected]

  • Select Board Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 6:30 PM. Townhall Streams link. For a list of other town meetings, visit the town's calendar.

. . .

WEDNESDAY, October 29th

  • Bridge, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), 9:30 AM - NOON. FMI: Judy Gray, 666-3025. 

  • The Clothes Closet, The house behind the church (7 School St.), 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM. FREE clothes for those in need. All are welcome.

  • Bowdoinham Food Pantry OPEN, Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.), 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. FMI: (207) 751-7779. 

  • 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.

  • Bowdoinham Booked Moms Book Club Meeting, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 7:00 PM. They will be discussing "The Mother Next Door" by Tara Laskowski . FMI: email [email protected].

. . .

THURSDAY, October 30th

  • Trash Pick-up Day. You can buy the $3 trash tags at the Town Office and Public Works Facility. Pick-up times vary. 

  • Intermediate Yoga Class with Ann Flannery, second floor of Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM. Designed for those with some yoga experience, but modifications are always offered. $15 payable by cash, check, or Venmo. FMI: [email protected] or (207) 751-9589.

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

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

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

  • MSAD 75 School Board Meeting, Mt. Ararat High School (68 Eagles Way, Topsham), 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM.

. . .

FRIDAY, October 31st, Halloween 🎃

  • Please drive carefully and be on the lookout for little ghosts and goblins.

  • Bowdoinham Community Connections LiHEAP assistance, Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.), NOON - 2:00 PM. This fall, Bowdoinham Community Connections will offer in-person support to help residents prepare for upcoming changes to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and to apply for Real IDs. To make an appointment, call (207) 666-3101.

. . .

SATURDAY, November 1st

  • Property Tax Bill Due. Your tax bill is due in two payments - the 1st of November and May.

  • 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. 

  • 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.

  • Meet the Candidates for Select Board, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM. Curious about who's running for Bowdoinham's Select Board? Shelley Hooper, Allen Acker, and Marc Babcock will share their views, answer your questions, and talk about what matters most to our town. Send your questions ahead of time here: https://forms.gle/HG11928kbvqihHqt6.

. . .

SUNDAY, November 2nd, Daylight Saving Time Ends (fall back) ⏰

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Exciting updates on the Bowdoinham Country Store renovations!

(A special message from Ashleigh & Logan)

We’re thrilled to share that the store renovations are well underway. We are wrapping up the last of the structural and exterior repairs this week which will make the building a warmer, dryer and safer space for all who work and shop here.

We know that renovations on old buildings can sometimes lead to more extensive repairs than expected, and we truly appreciate your continued patience, excitement, and support throughout this process. Your encouragement and kind words mean the world to us and keep us motivated as we bring these improvements to life.

Our goal is to make the store a place the whole community can be proud of — a spot to gather, shop, and connect. We’re nearly there, and we’re confident it’ll be worth the wait!

Stay tuned for more updates and sneak peeks as we get closer to unveiling the finished space. From all of us here, thank you for being part of this journey — we couldn’t do it without you!

P.S- If you find yourself in town Friday trick-or-treating, be sure to stop by the Bowdoinham Country Store for some Halloween treats! 

With heartfelt thanks,

Ashleigh & Logan 

Happening Soon:

🗳️  Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 4th, at the Bowdoinham Community School. Voting isn't just about politics; it's about shaping the community we live in every day. On the local ballot, residents will decide whether the town should continue to take on winter maintenance of a short section of Pratt Road. Statewide, voters will weigh in on two significant referendum questions: one proposing changes to Maine's election laws, and another addressing whether courts can temporarily restrict access to firearms in cases of demonstrated risk to public safety. Every vote matters, especially when it comes to decisions that directly impact our town and state.

.   .   .

🎖️ Bowdoinham's Veterans are invited to gather at the Fire Station on Saturday, November 8, from 11 AM to 3 PM for an afternoon of camaraderie, stories, and shared chow. The gathering, organized by Marc Babcock (SSgt/USMC/Ret), is simply a time for local Veterans to meet one another and celebrate Veterans Day together. Community members are welcome to stop by, listen, and lend their support. Marc's hoping to have plenty of food on hand for everyone, and donations toward the meal are always appreciated. Questions or offers to help can be sent to him directly at [email protected].

.   .   .

🎨 The trees are talking again, and this time, they brought friends. In Trees and Wood-Burned Art: The Love of Trees, artist Evelyn Dean brings together sunlit forests, moonlit branches, and a lively cast of dancing animals. From whimsical wood-burned panels to dreamy tree paintings on canvas, Evelyn's art feels like stepping into a forest that hums back. Join the opening reception on Saturday, November 8, at 10:00 AM at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), or stop by any Saturday through November 22 (10:00 AM-2:00 PM). See more of her enchanting work at evelyndeanarts.com.

.   .   .

🕯️ If your idea of self-care involves melting things on purpose, this one’s for you! On November 15 from 4:00–5:30 PM, Asia Roberge will be teaching a Candle Making Workshop at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.). You’ll pour, scent, and shape your own candles to take home. No experience required, just $30 and a good attitude. The deadline to sign up is November 1, so light a fire under your calendar and get registered!

.   .   .

📚 The Bowdoinham Booked Moms’ special Booksgiving shindig will start at 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 16th, at Merrymeeting Hall. They will discuss "The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig while enjoying a potluck dinner. Want to meet other Bowdoinham moms and enjoy a good book and conversation (with other adults)? Email [email protected] for more information.

.   .   .

📖  The Loose Ladies Book Club will discuss “Memorial Days: a Memoir” by Geraldine Brooks, November 20th. In the wake of devastating loss, Geraldine Brooks seeks solace on a windswept Australian island, where silence and sea become her companions. Memorial Days is a tender meditation on love, mourning, and the rituals that help us begin again. Get your copy at Bowdoinham Public Library or your favorite local bookseller.

Did you know that this newsletter is an honor and a pleasure to produce for you every week?

Please enjoy it, and have a great week.

Love,

Rodney

❤️

The author as a vampire, 1998