Turtles and Shade

Welcome to another Monday, Bowdoinhammer!

The turtles are on the move again, and in a little town like ours, where both two and four-legged creatures love to be, driving carefully and avoiding turtle encounters is pretty important.

These little superstars play a big role in keeping our local ecosystems happy and healthy, and frankly, many of them are already having a tough go of it thanks to things like losing their homes and dealing with pollution.

By simply keeping an eye out for these determined little critters, we're not only helping to maintain their populations, but we're also making our roads safer and a whole lot kinder for everyone. So, next time you're cruising around Bowdoinham, give a little extra glance for those crossing turtles and help them get to their destinations safe and sound.

And now…

Highlights in this Newsletter:

1. More shade is coming soon to the waterfront parks.

2. The library has a new entrance. Check out the other stuff they have going on.

3. The Town Office will be closed to the public on Monday.

4. Bowdoinham Community Connections to host Aging Outside the Lines program, starting on Wednesday.

5. Friday is the 4th of July. Things will be closed. Don’t be surprised.

6. The opening night of “Late Bloomer” will be on Saturday.

7. The Summer Concert Supper series kicks off on Sunday.

Keep scrolling for more info about these and other events.

Shade (the good kind)

If you've hung out at Mailly Waterfront Park lately and noticed some new footers in the ground, perhaps scratching your head and thinking, "Wait a minute, wasn't there a tree there? What in the world is happening?!" - You're not alone. Here's what's going on.

The answer is yes, there was a tree there, but it became a hazard and had to be removed a while ago. Those new footers you're seeing are for an awning structure designed to provide much-needed shade during sunny summer events at the park. Our Age-Friendly Bowdoinham Advisory Committee managed to snag an $8,000 grant from the University of Maine for this permanent shade structure, with the rest of the funds coming from the waterfront redevelopment TIF. 

After checking out a few proposals, the Committee recommended moving forward with a "Twisted" free-standing sail from Concord Awning. This particular shade provider was chosen because it offered the broadest range of shade, was considered quite attractive, and came with a great warranty for the money. Plus, Concord Awning proved to be committed to customer service.

If you're really curious about how this all unfolded, the Select Board had a discussion and voted on it back in January (on the 14th). You can catch it on Town Hall Streams starting at the 6-minute, 20-second mark and going for a little over 7 minutes.

There is also opposition to this project. You can see that in the most recent Select Board meeting (starting at the 1 minute, 15 second mark, and going for about three and a half minutes).

The town recently created a page for updates on this project. It looks like it will be ready by July 4th.

This grant is a tremendous opportunity for Bowdoinham

Bowdoinham has secured its first Maine Forest Service Project Canopy grant of $15,000 to support reforestation at the new Riverfront Park, the former public works site.

This initiative aims to plant around 45 native trees and hundreds of shrubs to address active shoreline erosion in a flood-prone area, reduce stormwater runoff, and provide shade, making the park more accessible and enjoyable for residents and visitors. The project, which currently prohibits public access during restoration, also aims to improve water quality, enhance habitat, and sequester carbon, with support from local organizations such as Age-Friendly Bowdoinham and KELT.

Read the full article “Bowdoinham receives grant to plant trees at new riverfront park” by Paul Bagnall of the Times Record.

It’s almost like a whole new library

The Bowdoinham Public Library has a fancy new entrance that you should check out. Here are their summer hours: 

• Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• Wednesday and Friday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. 

Here’s what they’re doing in July: 

• Kate will be reading stories at most Bowdoinham Farmers’ Markets. 

• The Summer Reading program is underway, offering prizes for participation, and a full calendar of July events is available here. 

• The Mighty Girls Book Group for ages 8-12 meets every other Wednesday from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with upcoming discussions on "Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter" (July 2nd) and "The Higher Power of Lucky" (July 23rd). 

• Other July highlights include the 4th Annual Stuffie Sleepover (drop-off July 18th, pick-up July 19th), a Map Making Workshop (July 22nd), and a Tie-Dye Workshop (July 31st).

A vibrant community and a well-loved library pretty much go hand-in-hand. Public Libraries need your help now more than ever. Make sure to keep our Bowdoinham Public Library thriving by donating today!

Happening in Bowdoinham THIS week:

MONDAY, June 30th

• The Town Office will be closed to process Year End.

• 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, July 1st

• 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, July 2nd

• 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.

• Mighty Girls Book Group meeting, Bowdoinham Public Library (13a  School St.), 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. They will be discussing “Ronia, the Robber’s Daughter” by Astrid Lindgren.

• 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.

• Aging Outside the Lines, Bowdoinham Estates (29 Preble Rd.), 11:00 AM. This program meets Wednesday mornings in the dining room, starting July 2nd, with each session lasting 45 minutes. Participants are asked to commit to all six sessions, and no prior art skills are needed for this relaxed, hands-on experience. To join, please contact Jason Lamoreau at 666-3101 with your name, phone number, and a brief message regarding Aging Outside the Lines.

THURSDAY, July 3rd

• 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.

FRIDAY, July 4th, Independence Day

• The Town Office and Public Library will be closed for Independence Day

• 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. CLOSED for Independence Day

SATURDAY, July 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 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. 

• 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.

• OPENING: “Late Bloomer” exhibition, Merrymeeting Arts Center Gallery (9 Main St.), 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. Merrymeeting Arts Center presents "Late Bloomer," a retrospective exhibit by Maine artist Rachel Ingrid Robbins, a former writer who explores themes of growth, transformation, and creative resilience through tactile pastel and mixed media. Her dreamlike narratives, tracing an evolution from written to visual storytelling, feature vibrant colors and mystical beings, marking a personal and creative shift.

SUNDAY, July 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. 

• Summer Concert Supper with “Cilantro” playing at the gazebo in Mailly Waterfront Park (1 Main St.), 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Bowdoinham Community Connections will be serving hamburgers and hot dogs. 

Events may change or be canceled without notice.

Coming Soon to a Bowdoinham Near You:

✂️ There are still some open slots at the Merrymeeting Arts Center-hosted Kids Craft a Creature workshop (for ages 3 to 8). Tuesday, July 8th, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. Local artist and former teacher Courtney Hutchings will be there to guide and encourage every wild craft idea. Your child gets to bring home a creature they're proud of, and Merrymeeting Arts Center handles all the clean-up! It's $20, plus a $10 materials fee.

. . .

🎭 The Camden Shakespeare Festival is bringing a FREE performance of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" to Mailly Waterfront Park on Friday, July 11th, at 6:00 PM. (If it rains, they'll move the show to Merrymeeting Hall.) This one's a real knee-slapper where Valentine tries to find love, only for his best pal Proteus to make a move on his new sweetheart! Naturally, Proteus's girlfriend Julia has to get in on the action by disguising herself to sort things out. Despite everyone making some truly impressive "boneheaded moves," it all comes together in the end. Oh, and did we mention there's even a dog?! It's one of Shakespeare's funniest comedies, performed with live music - definitely not one to miss!

. . .

💃 Rosa Noreen and her students, along with Troupe Negma from Portland's Bright Star Dance Studio and some special guests, are bringing a joyful outdoor show to the gazebo at Mailly Waterfront Park on July 12th, from 3:00 - 5:00 PM. This isn't just any performance; it's a vibrant mix of group and solo belly dance, lively live music, and even some energetic Palestinian debke! It's guaranteed fun for all ages, completely free, and everyone's invited. Be sure to grab your lawn chairs or blankets, maybe even pack a picnic for the ultimate experience.

. . .

📘 Join the Loose Ladies Book Group this July for an engaging read! On the 17th, they'll discuss "The Night in Question" by Susan Fletcher, a lyrical novel full of mystery and wisdom about love, friendship, and forgiveness. The story follows Florrie Butterfield, eighty-seven and one-legged, who believes life's surprises are over. However, a shocking accident at her residence reveals a possible murderer! As Florrie seeks the truth, she confronts her past and ultimately learning to forgive herself. With help from her new friend, Stanhope, she discovers it's never too late to pursue dreams. If you liked "A Man Called Ove" or "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry," you'll likely enjoy this! Get your copy at Bowdoinham Public Library or a local bookseller. 

. . .

📷 Professional photographer Leah Haraden is running another Kids’ Summer Photography Camp, but this time for ages 12-15 on July 22nd & 24th (1:00-3:30 PM) for just $30. They'll learn photography basics, composition, and lighting through hands-on fun, with the opportunity to have their work displayed in a September exhibition! All they need is a camera (even a cell phone!), plus a $10 printing fee for a professionally printed photo. Let your teen see the world through their own unique lens!

Have a happy and safe 4th. See you next week.

Until then, be good to yourself.

Love,

Rodney

❤️