'Twas the week before Christmas...

Hello Bowdoinhammer,

We were just talking about Christmas favorites over here. Tessa makes a mean creme-de-menthe cookie, but we’re patiently waiting for the next Town Newsletter so we can check out Meg Zellinger’s and Erin Blocher's winning recipes. What’s your ultimate, all-time favorite holiday cookie?

FYI: Recycling Drop-off will be shut down on Saturday so the good folks that run it can enjoy a long holiday weekend (they deserve it), and the Town office will be closed Friday through Christmas.

If you’re looking for something to fill your Friday morning with the Town Office closed, Bowdoinham Food Pantry’s latest project, Breaking Bread in Bowdoinham, seems to be hoppin’. If you’re an entrepreneur and you’re paying attention, perhaps there’s a real need for a cafe in Bowdoinham? Our town obviously has an appetite for coffee, baked goods, and conversation.

Here’s what else is hoppin’ in the ‘ham:

MONDAY, DECEMBER 18TH

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 6pm to 8pm. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH

• Storytime for Preschoolers and their Grown-ups with Miss Kate at the Bowdoinham Public Library (13a School St.) 10am.

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) Noon to 6pm.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 1pm to 5pm.

• Merrymeeting Dance Alinement's weekly line dancing at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 5:30pm to 7:30pm. FMI: call George Oliver (207) 666-3589.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20TH

• Bridge players can enjoy weekly game play at the Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.) 9:30am to 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.

• All are welcome at The Clothes Closet at the house behind Bowdoinham Nazarene Church (7 School St.) 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Taking donations of clean clothes in good condition.

• In-person shopping for ALL Bowdoin and Bowdoinham residents at the Bowdoinham Food Pantry (9 Main St.) 4pm to 6pm.

• Silver Striders Walking Club in the Bowdoinham Community School gymnasium (23 Cemetery Rd.) 4:30 to 7pm. Please be sure to bring clean shoes to wear when inside the school!

• Pickleball in the Bowdoinham Community School gymnasium (23 Cemetery Rd.) 4:30 to 8pm. This is open to adults of any age and ability. The group has friendly games with mixed levels of competition. New to Pickleball and want to learn? Stop by and check it out!

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 6pm to 8pm. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

• Mid-Week Bible Study and Prayer Gathering at the Second Baptist Church (1 Church St.) 6:30pm.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21ST

• Trash Pick-up Day. Pick-up times vary. Trash tags are $3 each and can be purchased at the Town Office and The Bowdoinham Country Store.

• Intermediate Yoga Class with Ann Flannery at Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 8am to 9:30am. $15. FMI: [email protected].

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) 8am to 4pm.

• Cribbage hosted by Age Friendly Bowdoinham at the Bowdoinham Fire Station (57 Post Rd.) 9:30am to Noon.

• Join the Loose Ladies Book Group for a Holiday Party at the Merrymeeting Hall (27 Main St.) 1pm. They will be discussing Northeaster by Cathy Pelletier, and holding a Yankee Book Swap.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 1pm to 5pm.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22ND

• The Town Office will be closed.

• Breaking Bread in Bowdoinham: a Bowdoinham Food Pantry Pop-Up Cafe in the community space adjacent to Watersong Music (9 Main St.) 8am to 10am. Featuring Counterpoint Croissants and Wicked Joe organic coffee.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23RD

• The Bowdoinham FREE Gift Shop is open at the Bowdoinham Recycling Barn (243 Post Rd.) 8am to 4pm.

• Recycling Drop-off at the Public Works Facility (121 Pond Rd.) 8am to 4pm. CLOSED

• Open Pottery Studio at the Merrymeeting Arts Center Studio (9 Main St.) 9am to 11am. Max capacity is 10 people and it is first come first served. $10 suggested donation.

• Merryreading Book Store OPEN at Merrymeeting Hall (Basement entrance around back, 27 Main St.) 9am to 4pm.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24TH (CHRISTMAS EVE)

• Bowdoinham Second Baptist (1 Church St.) Sunday Service 10am.

• Bowdoinham Church of the Nazarene (7 school St.) Sunday School 10am, Service 11am.

As of the publication of this email, these events are current. Some events may cancel or change without notice. Check out Bowdoinhammer.com for an up-to-date list of events.

JUST TO BE CLEAR: if anyone does open a coffee shop for the aforementioned coffee, baked goods, and conversation, we’d happily spread the word. Any Bowdoinham based business coffee related or otherwise looking to share specials/events/happy town shenanigans, shoot us an email at [email protected].

Love

Rodney & Tessa

❤️