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Happy Monday, Bowdoinhammer!
Are you ready for a new month and possibly some spring-like behavior from Mother Nature?
I don’t know about you, but I miss wearing my flip-flops and shorts to the farmers’ market to get my weekly kouign-amann and dose of line dancing.
Let’s get on with it already, right?
This week’s highlights:
If you have an opinion about the pedestrian-friendliness of Bowdoinham, you’ll want to check out the second Village Pedestrian Imporvements Public Meeting on Monday.
Tuesday is April Fools’ Day, but if you’re a property owner, don’t be a fool and miss the deadline for filing for a property tax exemption (more info below).
Come say hi to Bowdoinham Community Connections this Friday at the Fire Station! Whether you want to learn more or need some support, they're ready to chat.
Learn how to take better photographs on Saturday. After that, you can check out the annual Luke McFadyen Memorial Edible Books Festival.
Test out your song/story/poem/joke on a live audience at the Merrymeeting Arts Center-sponsored Open Mic Night this Sunday.
There’s a whole lot more about these and other events, but you have to keep scrolling.
Help Fund the Bowdoinham Town Hall Renovations!
The Bowdoinham Town Hall, a beautiful historic building that sits prominently in town, is in need of renovation. For many years, this hall has served as an important gathering space for the community. While the town's selectpersons have allocated funds from Bowdoinham taxpayers for the project, a special opportunity has arisen for the community to contribute and show its appreciation. A GoFundMe campaign offers a way for those who have enjoyed events at the Town Hall to give back to this beloved venue.
The funds raised through the campaign will be dedicated to specific improvements, including the installation of a new floor and the restoration of the building's original chandelier. In addition, a portion of the proceeds will support the preservation of historical elements connected to the hall's rich history. This is a wonderful chance for everyone to participate in ensuring that the Bowdoinham Town Hall continues to be a vibrant center for the community for years to come.
You can contribute to the GoFundMe campaign here: https://gofund.me/d7daf234
“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.”
Volunteer Opportunity!
Bowdoinham Community Connections is calling on the community for assistance with an upcoming event to support residents at Bowdoinham Estates during Bulky Waste Day (Saturday, April 19th).
Volunteers are needed to help move large items from Bowdoinham Estates on Prebble Rd. to the Public Works Facility on Pond Rd.
Volunteer time frame: 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM (full-day participation is welcome but not mandatory)
Ideal volunteers should have:
Work gloves
A strong-ish back
An enthusiasm to help your fellow Bowdoinhammer
Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted for those unable to volunteer physically.
Individuals interested in volunteering or contributing financially are encouraged to contact Jason Lamareau at 207-666-3101 or by email at [email protected].
Bowdoinham Food Pantry Needs Your Help!
The Pantry is putting out a call to the community for a specific but much-needed item: spaghetti sauce!
They’re asking for donations of any brand and any amount to help ensure everyone in town can enjoy a hearty pasta dinner.
If you're able to help, please consider picking up a few jars on your next grocery run. To make it easy, here are a few price comparisons:
Hannaford brand Marinara Pasta Sauce = $1.62 for a 23 oz. jar.
Walmart, Great Value Pasta Sauce = $1.67 for a 254 oz. jar.
Market Basket, Barilla Pasta Sauce = two 24 oz. jars for $5 (until April 5th)
Donations can be dropped off at the pantry on Wednesdays between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM or at the Post Office in Bowdoinham.
Some Taxy Stuff…
Tuesday, April 1st is the deadline to submit your property tax exemption applications (Homestead, Veteran's, etc.) to the Town's Assessing Agent. This is for next year's tax bill, so don't miss out!
Here's a quick breakdown:
Homestead Exemption provides $25,000 off for eligible homeowners.
Veteran Exemption offers $5,460 for qualifying veterans.
Paraplegic Veteran Exemption can provide $45,500.
Put in your paperwork by April 1st to save on next year's taxes! Anything received after that will apply to the following year.
. . .
Bowdoinham Community Connections enjoyed assisting a fellow Bowdoinhammer with their 2024 taxes, and it was wonderful to see them receive a $150 credit for Maine sales taxes!
Tax filing assistance remains available until April 15th for anyone with a 2024 income under $67,000. Please feel free to contact [email protected] if you need help.
Here’s what’s going on in Bowdoinham this week:
Monday, March 31st
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.
Village Pedestrian Improvements Public Meeting, Kendall Room, John C. Coombs Municipal Building (13 School St.), 6:00 PM. The Town has tweaked the village pedestrian improvement plans, and you can see the new drawings before the March 31st meeting, where they'll hash out everything from crosswalks to speed humps.
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, April 1st, April Fool's Day
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. For more information or to be added to their Newsletter, email George Oliver at [email protected].
Wednesday, April 2nd
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.
Pickleball, Bowdoinham Community School Gym (23 Cemetery Rd.), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition.
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, April 3rd
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.
Friday, April 4th
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.
OPENING RECEPTION: The Quest for Quiet Paintings by Peter Herley, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Artist Peter Herley will exhibit paintings from his series "The Quest for Quiet" and other larger works, showcasing his lifelong exploration of life's deep and mysterious aspects.
Saturday, April 5th
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.
The Quest for Quiet Paintings by Peter Herley, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Artist Peter Herley will exhibit paintings from his series "The Quest for Quiet" and other larger works, showcasing his lifelong exploration of life's deep and mysterious aspects.
Introduction to Digital Photography with Leah Haraden, Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.), 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM. $35 pre-registration required. Beginners can learn to take better digital photos with Leah Haraden's engaging class, which covers camera settings, composition, and lighting through demos and hands-on practice.
Luke McFadyen Memorial Edible Books Festival, Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.), 5:00 PM. Free and open to all ages! Enter our contest by April 4th. Two age categories: 12 & under, 13 & up. Call 666-8405 or email [email protected] to register.
Sunday, April 6th
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.
Helping and Wellness Professionals Walk, Peary’s Garden (18 Sadie Ln.), 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. FREE. Come meet new friends or meet up with old friends for a casual walk in a beautiful place. Networking is welcomed but optional. Plan for mud.
Decorate the Hoophouse, Peary's Garden (18 Sadie Ln.), 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM. Free and open to everyone. No artistic talent is required! There will be a variety of decorative projects, which will include some art if you are so inclined, but it is not necessary. There will be some drinks and snacks available.
Open Mic Night, 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.
FREE swimming, LeRoy Greason Pool (Bowdoin College, 35 Watson Dr, Brunswick), 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM. For ALL ages and residents of MSAD 75. This will be the last open swim for this year.
Events may change or be canceled without notice.
Coming to a Bowdoinham near you:
🧺 Learn to weave your own Farmers' Market Tote in this two-day workshop on April 11th, sponsored by Age-Friendly Bowdoinham and the Recreation Department. Space is limited to 10 participants; please register by April 5th for this free class (donations accepted), with a second class date to be announced. Contact Jason Lamoreau with questions or to register. Call 207-666-3101 or email [email protected].
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🎻 A special Benefit Concert featuring the Pineland Fiddlers & Friends will be held on Sunday, April 13th, at 3:00 PM at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.). This event is a celebration of 50 years of dancing in the Bowdoinham Town Hall. The Pineland Fiddlers, joined by members of the Maine Country Dance Orchestra, will present a delightful program of tunes, songs, and stories that will take the audience on a journey through local history. A reception will be held after the concert, featuring a historical display. All are welcome to join this fun-filled appreciation of contra dancing and the Bowdoinham Town Hall.
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📖 The Loose Ladies Book Club and the Bowdoinham Library are pleased to invite everyone to a free program about the poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. The presentation will be given by Gary Lawless, a poet and co-owner of Gulf of Maine Books. This engaging event is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM on Thursday, April 17th, at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.).
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🌱 The Androscoggin Valley Soil & Water Conservation District is holding its first Annual Native Plant Sale. They offer a variety of Maine native plants for pre-order until April 25th, with pickup (on May 23rd) in Bowdoinham (Mailly Waterfront Park) or Auburn. Find details and pre-order information at https://www.androscogginswcd.org/plant-sale.html.
Wow!
This was a long one. Thanks for sticking around till the end.
Until next week…
Love,
Rodney
❤️