Community Calendar

Folksinger Willi Carlisle holds tight the conviction that love is bigger than hate, and no-one is expendable. Carlisle’s music has always been a dance between absurdity, spectacle, and philosophy. On his fourth studio album, Winged Victory, Carlisle returns with his signature blend of traditionally-rooted folk music and kaleidoscope of oddball characters to confer with his core tenets in more overt and provocative ways.

Carlisle delivers Victory as the next chapter in his long-running direct address to the hope that by understanding our collective suffering we might be free of it. He’s intent on creating art and a well-rounded life in a broken world. The idea began with 2022’s Peculiar, Missouri when Carlisle proclaimed “your heart’s a big tent, everybody gets in.” After gathering together all the world’s weirdos and misfits under the big tent, with 2024’s Critterland, Carlisle let them loose into the world. Now, on Winged Victory, they speak for themselves, unencumbered by social expectations.

Victory, Carlisle’s first self-produced album, will be released June 27 via Signature Sounds. It both indulges a few of his wildest dreams (including a version of Richard Thompson’s “Beeswing,” among several traditional folk song covers), and feels like the inevitable sequel to Critterland’s charismatic menagerie of chaos. Though occasionally raunchy, and routinely provocative, Victory is not afraid to make a spectacle for the sake of a point. Victory should be understood as a reflection. It revels in the beauty of tiny, monetarily-worthless moments and things, offering with them a consideration of our innate humanity.

Join us for a guided sunrise paddle outing, and watch the natural world start the day. Wildlife are particularly active in the dawn hours, so we may see beaver, muskrat, eagles, and deer on our journey. This is a great paddle for birders!

This paddle will be held flotilla-style with canoes and kayaks. You may use one of our boats, or bring your own. We will move slowly as a group, allowing time for photos, viewing with binoculars, and generally admiring the view. Beginners welcome.

The Dempsey Challenge is celebrating its 17th year—bringing together thousands of people from around the world to Lewiston, Maine to run, walk, and ride in support of people impacted by cancer. This year, Challengers can take on a 10k Run, 5k Run or Walk, or Cycling Rides in the distances of 7 miles, 25 miles, 50 miles, 65 miles, or Cyclists can take on a new Gravel Ride! Can't make it to Lewiston? No problem! You can participate virtually from anywhere, at any time, however you want--and virtual participants will earn an exclusive medal!

Each and every dollar raised by participants goes directly to supporting people impacted by cancer through the no-cost support services offered by the Dempsey Center. So RALLY TOGETHER with us to make life better for cancer patients, survivors, care partners, bereaved individuals, and their loved ones.

South Blue Hill’s Ladies Public Improvement Society (LPIS) will be holding its final yard sale of the season on Saturday 9/20 from 8am-1pm and Sunday 9/21 from 8am-12pm (fill a bag for $2 on Sunday, with bags provided!). Bargains abound, with items for sale including kitchenware, sporting equipment, linens, books, LPs, CDs and DVDs, toys, clothing, electronics, art, furniture, and much more. The sale is at Central Hall, 306 Falls Bridge Rd. in Blue Hill. Proceeds benefit needed maintenance on Central Hall and community outreach by LPIS, a non-profit organization. FMI- info@centralhall.me.

Join us at the Nature Center for a morning avian photoshoot. Professional photographer L’aura Bradford will provide tips for bird photography, including: lens choice, camera settings, composition, photographing birds in flight, perches, feeder setup, and ethics of backyard bird photography. Throughout the class, we’ll emphasize responsible practices for photographing birds at home and in the field. Please bring whatever camera you have (yes, cell phone cameras too). Group size is limited, pre-registration is required.

Bring your camera, your curiosity, and a love for feathered visitors!

NOTE: These are individual events and you must register for each date you want to attend.

Instructor: L’aura Lee Bradford is a wildlife and landscape photographer. She is also a Registered Maine Guide leading photo tours and workshops that help people connect with nature through the lens – whether capturing morning mist over Acadia or the soulful gaze of a moose at dusk. With over a decade of experience, L’aura brings a deep knowledge of both photography and Maine’s wild places to every outing.

She’s a passionate advocate for ethical photography, always putting the wellbeing of wildlife first. Her tours emphasize fieldcraft and thoughtful composition, taking people to beautiful places while helping them create images that reflect both the place and the experience of being there.

Thomaston Dog Park Annual Tag Sale Fundraiser

The Thomaston Dog Park (TDPA) is hosting its annual tag and bake sale on Saturday, September 20th 8am to 1pm in the Thomaston Academy Auditorium. $5 Early Bird: 7:30am

TDPA volunteers will be on hand to accept donations from Wednesday through Friday, September 17 through 19 from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Gleason Street entrance at the rear of the Thomaston Academy building. Special drop-off or retrieval might be scheduled by emailing thomastondogparkmaine@gmail.com. Quality used items are gladly accepted: kitchen, tools, toys, garden, lawn, hobby, craft, fabrics, housewares, pets, sports, furniture. Please no clothes, no shoes, no books.

The annual tag and bake sale is the major fundraiser for the Thomaston Dog Park, providing funds to operate and maintain the dog park for the year. The public is encouraged to participate, to donate, items Wed-Fri, and to attend the sale on Saturday the 20th. To learn more, visit facebook.com/ThomastonDogParkAssociation and thomastondogpark.org.

Enjoy a fascinating bird walk at Pleasant Hill Preserve with SLT Executive Director and expert birder Andrew Mackie.

The 2025 Northeastern Old Growth Conference: Wildlands and Old-Growth Forests, co-hosted by Middlebury College and the University of Vermont, will be held September 17–20, 2025, at Middlebury’s scenic Bread Loaf Campus in Ripton, Vermont. Scientists, conservationists, policymakers, health professionals, writers, and artists will gather to share knowledge and inspire a future with more wildlands and old-growth forests in the Northeast. This year’s themes include The Future of Old Growth, Healthy Forests, Healthy People, and Old Growth Ecology. Keynotes include Jerry Franklin, Tom Spies, Lynda Mapes, and Bob Leverett. Registration is open and spots are limited — visit our website.

LINCOLNVILLE CENTER INDOOR FLEA MARKET will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the Community Building located at 18 Searsmont Road, Rt. 173 in Lincolnville CENTER. This market offers a wide variety of merchandise from the useful to the unusual including vintage household goods, seasonal decorations, handcrafts, farm products and delectable sweet and savory baked goods. This event is sponsored by the United Christian Church (UCC). Proceeds benefit the church ministries including the upkeep of the Community Building and the 200 year old Meeting House. All welcome. FMI: 763-3800.

Thank you
Mary Schulien, event coordinator
785-3521

Join Maine Youth Leadership for our annual Golf Classic at the beautiful Toddy Brook Golf Course. Participate in our 18-hole scramble and compete in various raffles and contests throughout the day! The day’s winners are celebrated at the awards luncheon where all participants are treated to a BBQ lunch.

$500 entry fee for a team of 4. 25 teams max

Schedule:
7:30-8:30am Check in and registration
8:30am Shotgun start
1:00-3:00 BBQ Lunch & Awards Ceremony

Maine Youth Leadership’s annual Golf Classic is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, raising over $10,000 to support leadership development for Maine’s young leaders! Thank you to each of our sponsors, donors, and golfers who make this event truly outstanding.

Maine Youth Leadership is a 4-day seminar focused on enhancing leadership skills, volunteerism, and character for high school sophomores in Maine. Since 1980, Maine Youth Leadership (MYL) has worked with Maine youth to seek out, recognize, and develop their leadership skills. Our goal is to motivate Maine’s future leaders and create a network of civic-minded students who will better their communities through volunteering. Our programs encourage and assist students at critical times in their quest for self-identification and development and we provide give-and-take discussions with thought leaders and role models from across Maine society.