Memorial Day, Mental Health, and Avoiding Crypto Scams.

Happy Memorial Day, Bowdoinhammer

This is a fitting time to pause and reflect on the true spirit of this holiday. While it often coincides with the unofficial start of summer festivities, its deepest meaning lies in gratitude.

This day is set aside to honor the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. armed forces, ensuring the freedoms and way of life we all enjoy.

Instead of focusing on divisive conversations, let's come together in quiet appreciation for the courage and selflessness of those who gave everything.

There isn’t much I can say about Memorial Day that hasn’t already been said by better writers than me, so I’ll urge you to read A Letter On Memorial Day by Josh Hughes (a fellow Bowdoinhammer).

When you’re done wiping away your tears, we’ll get on with the rest of this newsletter…

This Week’s Newsletter highlights:

1. There's a fantastic resource out there for all Mainers called StrengthenME

2. No, the police aren’t trying to get you to pay that parking ticket with crypto.

3. There’s no school and the Town Office is closed on Monday.

4. The Select Board will be meeting on Tuesday.

5. Bowdoinham Community Connections are having their open office hours on Friday.

6. The last MAC Open Mic of the season will be on Sunday.

7. What do you call a group of 4th & 5th-grade Bowdoinham Girls who raise money for the Food Pantry with a Fun Run?

Keep scrolling for more info about these and other events.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

As the calendar flips through May, it's good to remember that we’re nearing the end of Mental Health Awareness Month. It's a time to check in with ourselves and our neighbors about how we're truly doing, beyond enjoying what sunshine we have and spring blooms.

There's a fantastic resource out there for all Mainers called StrengthenME. It's a program from Maine's Department of Health and Human Services that provides free resources to help folks manage stress and build up their resilience. They aim to inspire hope and boost the well-being of everyone in Maine. The best part? Their services are 100% anonymous, super easy to access, and focused on community. 

So, if you or someone you know could use a little extra support in navigating life's ups and downs, pop over to StrengthenME.com. It could be just the ticket to feeling a bit more grounded and hopeful.

How to: Avoid Crypto Currency Scams

Scammers LOVE getting paid, and one way to do that is to separate you from your hard-earned dollars. They've found a trick that often involves those cryptocurrency kiosks popping up in gas stations and grocery stores. While these machines can be a legitimate way to buy digital currency, scammers are exploiting them to steal money from unsuspecting folks. This doesn't just happen to the elderly; it can happen to anyone!

Here's how they pull it off: a scammer might pretend to be law enforcement, a government agency, or a utility company, pressuring their victim to use one of these Bitcoin ATMs. They'll then get the victim to deposit cash, which is instantly converted to untraceable Bitcoin and sent straight to the scammer's digital wallet, making it impossible to get back. Remember, legitimate agencies and companies will never demand payment through a crypto ATM. If anyone tells you to pay a bill or deposit cash at one of these machines, it is 100% a scam. If you stumble upon this scam, the AARP suggests reporting it to local law enforcement, filing a complaint at ic3.gov, or contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

On the legislative front, Maine is working to tighten up regulations on these virtual currency kiosks. Legislative Document No. 1339, known as "the Maine Virtual Currency Kiosk Act," aims to require kiosk operators to be licensed as money transmitters, cap transactions at $1,000 per customer per day, and limit fees to the greater of $5 or 3% of the transaction's dollar value. It also mandates that operators disclose kiosk locations and risks, provide transaction receipts, and outline a process for customers to potentially receive refunds for fraudulent or deceptive transactions. It's a step toward making these transactions safer for everyone.

The more you know, the easier it will be to avoid being scammed.

These YouTube videos are pretty good at explaining Bitcoin: Bitcoin explained and made simple, and The Greatest Bitcoin Explanation of ALL TIME (in Under 10 Minutes)

Visit the AARP Scams & Fraud page.

Read this article from WABI5 (Bangor) titled: AARP issues warning over crypto ATM scams.

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

Monday, May 26th, Memorial Day

• The Bowdoinham Town Office will be closed for Memorial Day

• No School for MSAD 75 Schools

• 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 27th 

• 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.

• 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, May 28th

• 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 29th 

• 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.

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

Friday, May 30th

• 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 31st

• 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 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.

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

Sunday, June 1st

• 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. 

• The Last Open Mic Night (until the fall), Watersong Music (9 Main St.), 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Hosted by Merrymeeting Arts Center. Musicians, storytellers, poets, comedians, and audience members. It’s a great time to practice new material, dust off old classics, or enjoy community.

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Coming up soon in Bowdoinham:

👩‍🍳 The community has a unique opportunity to learn from expert Needham chef, Diana Mosher, who plans to reveal her cherished recipe and teach special techniques for creating heirloom-level treats. This wonderful class is offered free of charge, thanks to the generosity of the Bowdoinham Recreation Department and the Committee for Age-Friendly Bowdoinham. It is scheduled for Friday, June 6th, from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at the Bowdoinham Fire Station. Seats are limited to 10 dessert enthusiasts, so reserve a spot early. Interested individuals can contact Jason to register by emailing [email protected] or calling 666-3101.

. . .

🏃‍♀️ The Bowdoinham Rebel Runners, a running club for 4th and 5th-grade girls at Bowdoinham Community School, is holding a Celebratory Fun Run on Friday, June 6th at 5:00 PM at Center Point Preserve. This event marks the end of a season focused on running and building essential life skills like goal setting and perseverance. Proceeds will support the Rebel Runners and the Bowdoinham Food Pantry/Falcon Market. Register online by June 4th ($30 includes a t-shirt and race bib) or on the day (shirt while supplies last). Packet pick-up starts at 4:15 PM, parking at the Six River Farmstand. Join the fun and support these inspiring young runners!

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👨‍🌾 Get your reusable bags ready, because the Bowdoinham Farmers' Market returns to Mailly Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 7th! It's a perfect reason to enjoy the waterfront and connect with neighbors. You'll find fresh produce, local meats and cheeses, baked goods, and other tasty treats. Look out for fun additions like live music and storytelling. Come early for the best selection, and ask about EBT/SNAP/WIC programs. To join their mailing list, email [email protected]. See you there!

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🏆 The Town of Bowdoinham is accepting nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year award, recognizing individuals who demonstrate initiative and commitment to improving the community. Nominations, including the nominee's name and a paragraph of support, must be submitted 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 Loose Ladies Book Group will discuss "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot on June 19th (Juneteenth). This award-winning nonfiction book, even featured on Radio Lab, promises a thought-provoking discussion. Copies may be available at the Library or local booksellers.

I hope you have a great week, Bowdoinhammer.

Be good to yourself, and while you’re doing that, be kind to someone else this week.

Love,

Rodney

❤️