More sunshine, please.

Happy Monday, Bowdoinhammer!

Thank you for your time.

A reader emailed me this week asking if I had any plans to list local service providers in this newsletter.

The idea has come to mind a few times, but I haven’t found a way to do it that satisfies me because I’ve always been concerned about information overload. Listing everyone who offers a service in town every week wouldn’t work. It would be too much.

I could do a service showcase, highlighting someone in town who offers a service, kind of like an ad that’s different in every newsletter, but then how would I pick someone to showcase? Should I charge for something like that?

What do you think? Would you like to see that in this newsletter? Let me know by responding to this email. I love hearing from you more than I love mowing my lawn.

Let’s get on with it…

This Week’s Newsletter highlights:

• The previous weekend’s manhunt reminds us that domestic abuse is in our own backyard.

• BCDI is running their Membership Month. Simply being a member helps the community.

• There will be another meeting on Tuesday to plan Celebrate Bowdoinham. Ideas are welcome.

• The Town would like to go solar. Come to the Q&A with Maine Solar Solutions on Wednesday to learn more.

• The Guilt-Free Book Group is meeting on Thursday. Show up and tell them about your current favorite.

• If you ordered plants from the Androsoggin Valley Soil & Water Conservation folks, you can pick them up at the waterfront on Friday.

• The Pouring it On exhibit is still on at the MAC Gallery. If you haven't yet, check it out on Saturday.

• The Peter Moore show on June 7th is SOLD OUT.

Keep scrolling for more info about these and other events.

Bowdoinham In the News: 

There is No Excuse for Domestic Abuse

This past weekend, there was a prolonged search for 44-year-old Joseph Cloutier, who was sought for multiple charges, including domestic violence assault. Following a chase that spanned from Topsham to Bowdoinham and involved several law enforcement agencies, he was apprehended on Monday morning. Fortunately, the female passenger involved was reported safe. 

It's important for our community to know about New Hope Midcoast, a vital resource for anyone affected by domestic abuse, dating violence, or stalking. Operating in our area since 1981, they are committed to supporting individuals in finding safety and improving responses to these critical issues in our community. They truly provide invaluable assistance.

NewHopeMidcoast.org: 1-800-522-3304

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

May is Membership Month at BCDI

Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative (BCDI) is celebrating its sixth annual Membership Month, a vital time for the small nonprofit that relies on community support to fuel its various initiatives. Membership dues play a significant role in funding BCDI's work, which includes programs like the Neighbors Investing In Neighbors Loan Program and the Farmland Inventory, as well as numerous town-wide Community Conversations and other developing projects.

Joining up isn't just about the dues; it's the community's way of saying "I believe in what you're doing." It also provides an opportunity to be involved in BCDI's efforts to support the kind of community everyone is proud to call home. During Membership Month, additional gifts are also encouraged to help BCDI expand its engagement with the town, supporting initiatives that benefit the schools, Food Pantry, Age Friendly Bowdoinham, and the Recreation Committee. Membership starts at just $10, offering an accessible way to contribute.

To donate, visit: bcdimaine.org/membership

The Town Office Wants to Go Solar

We Bowdoinhammers will vote at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting (June 11th) on a $100,000 proposal from Maine Solar Solutions to install a 44.5kW solar array on the Municipal Fire Station.

This system is projected to cover 50% of the Town's municipal energy use, with the savings directly credited to the Town's accounts. The project qualifies for a $30,000 federal tax credit and has a payback period of 9 years, well within the 25-year warranty, estimated to save $7,418 in the first year and $111,288 over 25 years. Click here to see the System Proposal PDF.

An informational meeting will be held on Wednesday at 5:00 PM in the Kendall Room of the Municipal Building and on Zoom. 

FMI: https://www.bowdoinham.com/news/fire-station-solar-array

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

Monday, May 19th

• 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 20th 

• Celebrate Bowdoinham 2025 Planning Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM. 

• 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, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM. All skill levels welcome. For more information, or to be added to their Newsletter, email George Oliver at [email protected].

Wednesday, May 21st

• 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. 

• Fire Station Solar Array Q&A, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 5:00 PM. Join Maine Solar Solutions for a Q&A on the Fire Station Solar Array project proposed for the June Town Warrant.

• 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 22nd 

• 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.

• 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 - 8:30 PM.

• Planning Board Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM. Townhall Streams link. For a list of other town meetings, visit the town's calendar.

• Guilt-Free Book Group, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Have you ever wanted to join a book discussion group but have cold feet, or commitment issues? Worry no more. This Book Group lets you read whatever your heart desires (theme-related or not). They just wanna hear about it. Call the library (666-8405) to find out about this month's literary adventure, and ditch the guilt.

Friday, May 23rd

• 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.

• Native Plant Sale Pickup, Mailly Waterfront Park (1 Main St.), 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM. The Androscoggin Valley Soil & Water Conservation District is holding its first Annual Native Plant Sale, offering a variety of Maine native plants for pre-order until April 25th. Find details and pre-order information at https://www.androscogginswcd.org/plant-sale.html.

Saturday, May 24th

• 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.

• 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 25th

• 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. 

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Here’s what’s coming to Bowdoinham soon:

🕊️ Memorial Day is Monday, May 26th.

. . .

🎤 Merrymeeting Arts Center is hosting an Open Mic Night on Sunday, June 1st. Whether you're a budding musician with a new jam, a poet ready to drop some verses, a comedian with a killer five minutes, a storyteller with a captivating tale, or just someone who loves to sit back and soak it all in, you're all welcome at 9 Main Street (just head for the Watersong Music entrance). It's the perfect spot to try out that new material you've been working on, dust off those old classics, or simply enjoy the company of your fellow creative Bowdoinhammers. Signing up to share your talents is super easy - just do it at the door on a first-come, first-served basis. Big thanks to Watersong Music for lending their equipment and support! This event is FREE, but if you're feeling generous, donations to Merrymeeting Arts Center are always appreciated, helping them provide art for everyone!

. . .

🎶 The Peter More show on June 7th, hosted by Merrymeeting Music, SOLD OUT quickly. They say that you can still RSVP if you want to be on the standby list for this show. Don't want to be left out of future fun? Please do yourself a favor and get on their announcement list. Email them at [email protected] and say, "Please help me overcome my FOMO and add my email address to your list".

. . .

🧑‍🌾 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. Email them at [email protected] to be included in their mailing list. See you there!

. . .

📖 The Loose Ladies Book Group is gearing up for their next meeting on June 19th (Juneteenth), and this time they'll be diving into the incredible non-fiction work, "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot. This isn't just any book club pick; It was the 2011 winner of the National Academies Communication Award for best creative work that helps the public understanding of topics in science, engineering, or medicine. Even the folks at Radio Lab, known for their captivating storytelling, dedicated an episode to this subject. If this sounds like your kind of read, you can swing by the Library to see if a copy is available to borrow, or, of course, pick one up at your favorite local bookseller. It promises to be a thought-provoking discussion.

That’s all for this week.

I hope you have a happy and safe Memorial Day weekend!

Love,

Rodney

❤️