New Paint, who dis?

Good Monday to you, Bowdoinhammer.

Did you see the new mural down at the waterfront yet?

As you might recall from an earlier edition of the Bowdoinhammer, Erica Sedler was commissioned for our town's first public art installation on the bathhouse.

My photo doesn’t quite do it justice- you should watch the video she shared of the painting process on her Instagram page instead.

Better yet, catch a sneak peek next time you’re at the waterfront.

Anyway, here’s what’s going on…

BCC Needs You: Bulky Waste Day Volunteers!

After a successful Bulky Waste Day at Bowdoinham Estates this past spring, the folks at Bowdoinham Community Connections are doing it again! 

BCC is rounding up volunteers to lend a hand to residents with mobility challenges or without transportation on Bulky Waste Day (Saturday, October 4th). This is a perfect way to be a great neighbor!

BCC is especially looking for volunteers with pickup trucks and strong backs. Even if you only have a few hours to help, it makes a huge difference. 

If you need assistance moving items, or if you can lend a hand, please give them a call at 207-666-3101 right away. 

Let's all work together to make this Bulky Waste Day easier and more accessible for everyone in our community!

Pedaling for a Purpose

Please be mindful of cyclists on the roads this Saturday, August 16th.

The Bowdoinham Food Pantry is hosting the 4th Annual Le Tour de Bowdoinham Food Pantry Charity Ride, with cyclists rolling through town for a fantastic cause. Their scenic routes will take them all over our community, so please give a friendly wave and some extra space on the roads.

If you’re not a cyclist but still want to contribute, the Food Pantry would be grateful for donations of food or money. You can find more information on how to support them at BowdoinhamFoodPantry.org/donations.

This reminds me of a joke: Why can’t a bicycle stand up by itself? 

(Find the answer at the very bottom of the newsletter!)

MAC is looking for a social media wizard!

Merrymeeting Arts Center is currently seeking a Social Media Marketing Volunteer. If you've been looking for a way to give back without a huge time commitment, this is it.

This is a dream gig for a generous, creative person!

This volunteer can work from home, set their own hours, and make a huge impact on MAC's mission to keep art in our community. All that's needed is some familiarity with social media.

Responsibilities include:

1. Keeping MAC's social media accounts fresh with updates.

2. Sending out monthly press releases (you get to correspond with me!).

All for an estimated time commitment of just 2 to 3 hours a month!

If you're interested in making a difference, start a conversation with them by emailing [email protected]. OR, if you know a social media guru who would be perfect for this, please share this with them!

Happening in Bowdoinham THIS week:

MONDAY, August 11th

• 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 12th

• 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.

WEDNESDAY, August 13th

• 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 14th

• 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.

• MSAD 75 School Board Meeting, Mt. Ararat High School (68 Eagles Way, Topsham), 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

FRIDAY, August 15th

• 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 16th

• 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. Don't miss the rainbow exhibit in the foyer and learn some new things about color!

• 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.

• 4th Annual Le Tour de Bowdoinham Food Pantry Charity Ride, Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.), 9:00 AM - NOON.

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

SUNDAY, August 17th

• Sunday Service, Bowdoinham Second Baptist (1 Church St.), 9:30 AM. Potluck Luncheon following service.

• Sunday School/Service, Bowdoinham Church of the Nazarene (7 School St.), 10:00 AM, Service 11:00 AM. 

• Bluesberry Fest, Fairwinds Farm (555 Browns Point Rd.), NOON - 5:00 PM. Live Blues music from Blue Steel Express, food from the L/A Taco food truck, and outdoor games, with admission being $10 per person, $5 for ages 2-14, and free for those under 2, and each ticket includes a pint of U-Pick blueberries and access to the music.

• Summer Concert Supper with “Intergalactic Yurt Band” playing at the gazebo in Mailly Waterfront Park (1 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. The Merrymeeting Food Council will be serving food. 

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Coming Soon to a Bowdoinham Near You:

📕 The Mighty Girls Book Group is still in action this summer, gathering every other Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This awesome group, just for girls aged 8-12, has its next big discussion lined up for Wednesday, August 20th, when they'll be diving into "The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon" by the award-winning and bestselling author Grace Lin. Based on Chinese folklore, this beautiful adventure story is expertly written and features stunning illustrations. If you know a mighty girl who loves to read and chat about books, you can get her in on the fun by reaching out to the ever-so-helpful Kate at the Bowdoinham Public Library. Just give her a call at (207) 666-8405 or shoot an email to [email protected] to get all the details and sign up!

. . .

📘 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!

. . .

🎈 Bowdoinham's biggest party of the year, Celebrate Bowdoinham, is hitting Mailly Waterfront Park on Saturday, September 13th (rain date Sept 14th)! This annual festival at Mailly Waterfront Park is a joyful way to honor our town's history and connections, with this year's theme highlighting "Farming in Bowdoinham." The day will be packed with a vibrant parade (featuring a $250 prize for the best float!), tasty food, live music, and plenty of games and activities for kids, including the popular KenDUCKY Derby. All details are available at Bowdoinham.com/event/celebrate-bowdoinham-2025.

I hope you have the best week.

Love,

Rodney

❤️

Answer to the joke above: It’s TWO-TIRED!