April 19-April 28

The Original’s present A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie at Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, April 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 and 28 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 general admission at www.sacorivertheate.org.

Thursday, April 18

Community Walk, 12 p.m. at Pondicherry Park, Bridgton. Join the Loon Echo Land Trust staff for a casual walk in the Park to meet fellow community members and be active outside. Walk will be cancelled in case of poor weather. Check the LELT Facebook page and website for final notice. Meet at the Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge entrance to the park. No registration required.

Blood Drive at the Masonic Hall, 166 Harrison Road (Route 117) in Bridgton from 12 to 5 p.m. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to book a donor time. Those who come to give April 8-28, 2024, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered to win a $7,000 gift card. There will be two lucky winners.

Charlotte Hobbs Library Speaker Series welcomes Terry Martin, author of And Poison Fell from the Sky, A Memoir of Life, Death and Survival in Maine’s Cancer Valley at 7 p.m. This talk is in-person and on Zoom. For details and the link to join virtually, go to www.hobbslibrary.org. For queries, contact the Charlotte Hobbs Memorial Library at (207) 925-3177. Terry Martin, a Registered Nurse originally from Rumford, grew up grateful for the paper mill that dominated the economy of her hometown. As a main character in Kerri Arsenault’s 2022 bestseller, Mill Town, Martin was instrumental in the exploration of the area’s toxins and disease, providing primary-source documents and stimulating conversations. And Poison Fell from the Sky is a chronicle of her firsthand experience and her decades-long fight to expose the devil’s bargain the community had struck with the mill, a fight that continued even after her husband fell victim to cancer.

Friday, April 19

Blood Drive at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main Street in Fryeburg, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to book a donor time. Those who come to give April 8-28, 2024, will receive a $10 e-gift card to a merchant of choice, plus be automatically entered to win a $7,000 gift card. There will be two lucky winners.

Baked Ham Dinner. The Fryeburg Historical Society will hold a Baked Ham Dinner from 5 to 6 p.m. at the East Conway Community Hall, 2861 East Conway Road, Conway, N.H. The menu includes baked ham, scalloped potatoes, macaroni & cheese, green beans, corn, rolls and homemade pies. Cost is $15 for adults and $10 for children.

Saturday, April 20

9^th Annual Harrison Earth Day Community Clean-up, meet at Crystal Lake Park at 10 a.m. to grab gloves, trash bags and to pick a route. Lunch 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Music 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. First 100 to register by April 13 will receive a t-shirt and voucher for pizza and beverage. Contact Pam Sessions for more information, 740-6351.

Bake Sale, 10 a.m. to noon, Lovell United Church of Christ, 1174 Main Street. An assortment of baked goods — regular and gluten free. All proceeds benefit Church World Service to provide emergency school kits, hygiene kits, and blankets in times of disaster and need.

Texas Hold’em Tournament. The Harrison Lions will hold a Texas Hold’em Tournament at the Lions’ Den, located in back of the Block Building on Main Street in Harrison. There will be a $60 entry fee. Doors open at noon with a start time of 1 p.m. Great food and refreshments will be available.

Clothes Clearance. The Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ is hosting a “Clothes Closet Clearance Sale” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All winter items must go to make room for Spring! Fill a brown grocery bag for $5! Limit six bags. The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco.

Waterford World’s Fair public supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the North Waterford Church. Menu: turkey pot pie, beverages, home-made dessert. Cost: $15.

Silent Auction & Party, 5 to 8 p.m., Aperto Fine Art, 63 Main Street in Bridgton, as part of the “No Boundaries” Spring 2024 Juried Exhibition and Silent Auction (bidding begins April 5 and ends April 20 at 7 p.m., visit the website for the exhibition catalogue). Aperto will give 5% of all sales to Tucker House, a women’s shelter in Bridgton.

Sunday, April 21

St. Peter's Episcopal Church Service at 10 a.m., 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton. All are welcome.

Vernal Pool Explorations, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.Lakes Environmental Association is teaming up with partners at Western Foothills Land Trust to offer a vernal pool program at Smith Bridge Preserve. Come explore a new preserve and learn to identify vernal pool species: wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and the elusive fairy shrimp. Free. Registration required. Please e-mail info@wfltmaine.org to sign up.

Monday, April 22

Earth Day Hike, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bald Pate Mountain, Bridgton. An annual Loon Echo Land Trust tradition, celebrate Earth Day with a trek to the rocky summit of Bald Pate Mountain. Bring a picnic lunch if you wish. Register at www.lelt.org

Wednesday, April 24

Wednesday Wander, sponsored by Loon Echo Land Trust, 10 a.m. to noon, location to be determined. Vernal pool and wetland explorations led by Maine Master Naturalists. Move slowly through the woods learning about the wonderous world of wetlands and spring forests. Register at www.lelt.org

Polly Forcier will present a virtual lecture on Historic Stencils from 1790-1840-plus at 7 p.m. as part of the Rufus Porter Museum’s virtual lecture series. Tickets are free with a suggested donation. Reserve your attendance by going online at rufusportermuseum.org

Thursday, April 25

Matt Wallace, Trainer at Soleful Health Club, will speak at the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club at Stella’s on the Square in Bridgton at 7:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. Coffee will be served.

Women in Business, 5 to 7 p.m., hosted by Magic Lantern Theater, Depot Street, Bridgton.

Welcome to Medicare Seminar, sponsored by the Southern Maine Agency on Aging, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street, Bridgton). It covers the basics of Medicare and helps you to make an informed decision based on your personal situation. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Bridgton Community Center at (207) 647-3116 for more information.

Saturday, April 27

Casco/Naples Earth Day Clean-up, 9 a.m. to noon, meet at the American Legion parking lot. Check in starts at 8 a.m. Snacks, water, coffee and bags provided. Bring your gloves. Sign up to help plan and reserve your free cookout lunch, starting at 12:30 p.m. Details and sign-up, www.townofnaples.org/earthday

Bridgton Arts & Crafts Society is welcoming new participants. BAC is a cooperative and has space available for unique hand-made, Maine work. Join BAC at 11 a.m. at the GAR Building at 12 Depot Street to meet the BAC group of creative artisans and crafters who enjoy working together.

Ticket auction, to benefit Responsible Pet Care, will be held at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris. Bidding is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Winning tickets will be drawn at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $5, $10 and $20. There will be over 250 great items to bid on. Food and refreshments will be available.

Ham Dinner. A public Ham Dinner will be held at the Oriental Masonic Lodge, 166 Harrison Road in Bridgton, from 4 to 7 p.m., by donation. The menu includes ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, string beans, carrots, corn bread, biscuits, cookies and beverages. There will be a $100 Hannaford’s Gift Card Raffle. Cost is one ticket for $5 or five tickets for $20.

Pie Supper. The Casco Village Church, United Church of Christ is hosting its April “Pie” Saturday Night Supper from 4:30 to 6 p.m. This month’s dinner will feature all pies: pizza, chicken, pork, beef, spaghetti, shepherd’s, etc.! There will also be salads and desserts and more pie! It’s all for $12 for adults, and $5 for children ages 8 and under. The church is located at 941 Meadow Road in Casco.

Monday, April 29

Monday Bird Walks, 7 a.m., April 29, May 6, May 13, and May 20.Join Mary Jewett of Lakes Environmental Association for Monday bird walks! Walks start at 7 a.m. at the Bob Dunning Bridge at the entrance to Pondicherry Park in Bridgton. The walk will be easy. Please bring your own pair of binoculars. Sign up at mainelakes.org for one or multiple dates.

Saturday, May 4

Drive Thru Rabies Clinic, 9 a.m. to noon, Fryeburg Fairgrounds, sponsored by Fryeburg Veterinary Hospital. Rabies vaccination for cats and dogs, $15 each cash only. Proceeds benefit Harvest Hills Animal Shelter. Bring a valid rabies certificate and receive a 3-year certificate. Cats/carrier. Dogs/leash.

Salamander Sashay 5K Run/Walk, sponsored by the Greater Lovell Land Trust and Lovell Recreation, 9 a.m., run/walk starts parking area along Patterson Hill Road, route circles Dan Charles Pond, $20 per participant ($25 day of the event). To register and more information go to gllt.org

Shred-a-thon sponsored by the Bridgton-Lake Region Rotary Club, 8 a.m. to noon at the Food City parking lot in Bridgton. No appointments are needed. Documents can be boxed or bagged. You do not have to remove clips or file hangers — everything gets shredded! Certificates of Destruction are available on request. Suggested donation is $18 per box (banker’s box — 15 x 12 x 10 inches).

Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5

12th Annual Maine Pottery Tour. Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 5, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., self-guided tours at Buckland Ceramics at 184 North High Street in Bridgton, Greener Fields Pottery at 303 Bisbee Town Road in Waterford, and Pottery by Celia at 520 Sebago Road in Naples.

Tuesday, May 7

Harrison Lutheran Cemetery Association will hold its Annual Meeting at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at 558 Norway Road, Harrison. All members and guests welcome.

Saturday, May 11

CD Release Party, Jennifer Porter “Yes, I do!” at Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, ME, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $15 general admission at www.sacorivertheate.org.

Sunday, May 12

Vaudeville at SRT: Janoah Bailin in meSSeS at Saco River Theatre, 29 Salmon Falls Road, Bar Mills, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $10 adults, $5 children 5 to 18, children under 5 free, at www.sacorivertheatre.org

Wednesday, May 15

Comedian Juston McKinney, 5:30 to 9 p.m., Old Saco Inn in Fryeburg, fundraiser to benefit the Greater Bridgton Chamber of Commerce and scholarships at Lake Region High School, Lake Region Vocational Center and Lake Region/Fryeburg Area Adult Education. Call 647-3472 or go to www.gblrcc.org

Thursday, May 16

Maintaining the Market Value of Lakeshore Properties, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Thursday, May 16.This Lakes Environmental Association course aims to give real estate agents a well-rounded view of Maine’s lakes and ponds to be more knowledgeable about freshwater issues with their clients, and in turn, preserve market value of properties. The course covers shoreland zoning, an introduction to the LakeSmart program, where to find current and accurate information on lakes and ponds, and more. Go to mainelakes.org to register.

Saturday, May 18

Waterford World’s Fair public supper, 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the North Waterford Church. Menu: baked stuffed haddock, beverages, home-made dessert. Cost: $17.

Thursday, May 23

2^nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk, presented by Lake Region Recovery Center, 11 a.m., rain or shine, starting at 2 Elm Street, Bridgton. Shine a light on unity by taking a step toward eliminating stigma. Remember you are not alone.

WEEKLY SCHEDULE

Mondays-Fridays

AA Bridgton New Day Group, 12 to 1 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm Street, 803-8707, www.lrrcbridgton.org

Walking 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Bridgton Town Hall Gym.

Tuesdays-Wednesdays

Free Clothing. The Table continues to offer free clothing from 1 to 5 p.m. as well as the last Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. There is a variety of clothing available for both genders and many sizes. The Table is located at 160 Main Street in Norway (across the road from the hospital).

Mondays

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Stamping Up Class at the Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine, Norway, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Space limited, masks required, materials provided. Sign up at info@crcofwm.org 

Chair Yoga (presented by Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine) at Bridgton Community Center with Susan Kane from 10 to 11 a.m. Open to public ($10), free to cancer patients and their caregivers. No registration required.

Jigsaw Puzzle Library, North Waterford Church (Route 35), the lending library is open every Monday from 1 to 3 p.m. All are welcome.

Tuesdays

Grief & Loss Group, open to all who are grieving any kind of loss, at First Church, South High Street, Bridgton, 4 p.m. Co-facilitated by Jill Allen, MS, Regional director for NFI North, and the Rev. Laura Carey, Interfaith Chaplain and Death Doula. Tel. 647-3936 or office@bridgtonucc.org. Group will meet Dec. 12, Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to noon Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www.townofsebago.org/recreation

Harrison Food Bank, 12 to 6 p.m., located at the Harrison Food Bank, Ronald G. St. John Community Center located at 176 Waterford Road in Harrison. Telephone: 207-647-3384.

Bridgton Food Pantry, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., former Methodist Church building, Main Street.

Naples Food Pantry, 10 to 11:30 a.m., located at the Naples United Methodist Chuck; open to Naples residents, distribution is drive-thru.

Tai Chi Maine Set Practice at the Bridgton Town Hall (North High Street) at 10 a.m. For more information, go to the Tai Chi Maine website or e-mail Taichiinmaine@gmail.com. A new beginner instruction takes place at 9:30 a.m.

Jeannette’s Closet, 9 to 11 a.m., free clothing, First Congregational Church, South High Street, Bridgton.

Caregiver Support Group, 1 to 2:30 p.m., MWV Adult Day Center, 987 East Main Street, Center Conway, N.H. This support group offers education, support and coping skills for caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or Related Disorders. Pre-arranged car is available for the family member while the caregiver attends the meeting. For more information, call 603-356-4980 or online at mwvadultdaycenter.org.

Wednesdays

Storytime at the Denmark Public Library at 9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Librarian Robin Gosbee at 452-2200.

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Morning Coffee, 9 to 11 a.m., American Legion Post 67, 25 Depot Street, Bridgton. Stop by and have a coffee on us, and see what has been happening with the American Legion. All are welcome!

Thrift Shop at the Lovell United Church of Christ (1174 Main Street), open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $2 bag sale on the last Wednesday and Saturday of each month.

Family Caregiver Support Group, second Wednesday of each month, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Bridgton Community Center (15 Depot Street), confidentiality respected, sponsored by Southern Maine Agency on Aging; tel. 647-3116.

Sweden Food Pantry, open the first and third Wednesday of the month, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Shoppers must wear a mask. For a To-Go box, call 647-5735 the Monday before pantry. The pantry is in the basement of the Sweden Community Church, 137 Bridgton Road, near Sweden’s Four Corners (intersection of Route 93 and Waterford Road).

Alateen Meeting from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., PVHI Outreach/Legion Hall, 47 Bradley Street, Fryeburg. For more information, chris.whitaker@pvhi.org or call 207-332-7735.

Wednesdays and Saturdays

Thrift Shop, Lovell United Church of Christ, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesdays and Thursdays

Fryeburg Historical Society Osgood House Museum, located at 83 Portland Street in Fryeburg, is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information e-mail the Historical Society at info@fryeburghistorical.org or visit the webpage at fryeburghistorical.org

Thursdays

Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to noon Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www.townofsebago.org/recreation

Tai Chi Maine Set Practice at the Bridgton Town Hall on North High Street at 10 a.m.  A new beginner instruction takes place at 9:30 a.m. For more information, go to the Tai Chi Maine website or e-mail Taichiinmaine@gmail.com

NA (Narcotics Anonymous), 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., in-person and Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83060135164 meeting number ID 830 6013 5164), Lake Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm Street, Bridgton tel. (207) 803-8714, www.lrrcbridgton.org

Women for Sobriety, 3 p.m., Lake Region Recovery Center, 2 Elm Street, Bridgton.

Free Narcan Training third Thursday of each month, 10 to 11 a.m. by Lake Region Recovery Center. Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/86337728738. Meeting ID: 86337728738 (You can use our computers to do this, or at home).

Trail Runs. Every Thursday, May to September, 5:30 p.m., Greater Lovell Land Trust, Lovell Rec, and Upper Saco Valley Land Trust will co-host Roots & Rocks Ramblers Fun Trail Runs. Check gllt.org to register for e-mail announcements of weekly locations.

Harrison Maine Climate Action Group meetings held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7 p.m. This is a non-partisan group. Please e-mail Andrea at: harrisonmaineclimateaction@gmail.com for in-person address or a Zoom link.

Lovell Area Food Pantry, open the second and fourth Thursdays of each month, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Lovell Lions Club, 2081 Main Street, (North) Lovell. E-mail: Lovellareafoodpantry@gmail.com or call (207) 542-7239.

Fridays

Jumpin’ Janes Senior Fitness, 9 to 10 a.m., at Bridgton Town Hall, North High Street, no charge.

Coffee Café at the Waterford Library, 10 a.m. to noon, a weekly gathering with your friends and neighbors.

Denmark Library Coffee Café every Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., Denmark Public Library 121 E. Main St, Denmark, (207) 452-2200.

Chair Yoga (presented by Cancer Resource Center of Western Maine) at Bridgton Community Center with Susan Kane from 9 to 10 a.m. Open to public ($10), free to cancer patients and their caregivers. No registration required.

Saturdays

Free Breakfast. The Table is excited for the return of in-person breakfasts with the option of pick-up to go meals at 9 a.m. at the Norway Grange on Whitman Street in Norway. The Table is always interested in other teams who would like to take a Saturday and serve breakfast. The in-person breakfast has been a great way to combat food insecurity as well as fulfilling a social need for many in the area.

Sebago Yoga classes on Saturday mornings at the Sebago Town Hall gym. Sign up at www.sebagoyoga.com.

Thrift Shop at the Lovell United Church of Christ (1174 Main Street), open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $2 bag sale on the last Wednesday and Saturday of each month.

All About Books, third Saturdays at the Waterford Library at 11a.m. All About Books offers Maine authors a platform to talk about their writing process, evolving journey, and their books. Recent challenges have made these conversations especially poignant. Program to be held at the library. All welcome. Free. Zoom attendance available upon request.

Cornerstone Gospel Church men’s breakfast, the third Saturday of each month, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Tel. 693-6102 or e-mail pastorjimmarstaller@yahoo.com

Sundays

Church Service at the North Waterford Church will now be held in person, at 10 a.m. on Sundays. All are welcome!

Ping Pong at the Bridgton Town Hall from 1 to 4 p.m. All welcome. Equipment provided free! 4 tables! FMI 647-2847.

CLOSED FOR WINTER South Bridgton Congregational Church service at 6 p.m. The church is located at 16 Fosterville Road, Bridgton. All are welcome.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Sunday Service, 42 Sweden Road, Bridgton, 10 a.m. All are welcome!

Grief Support meeting, 11:30 a.m., through September. Be with others who understand. For more information, call (207) 310-0576.

Open Pickleball Play from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Sebago Rec. Adult players of all skill levels welcome. For more information, go to www.townofsebago.org/recreation