Community Events Calendar

The Harlow Gallery and the Vaughan Homestead Foundation Collaborating on a Series of Workshops for Artists. The Harlow Gallery is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with a series of exhibitions celebrating community in 2013. This July, in partnership with the Vaughan Homestead Foundation, artist members of the Kennebec Valley Art Association will present Vaughan Vignettes, an art exhibition celebrating the legacy of the Vaughan family in Hallowell. The two nonprofit organizations are offering a series of art workshops to give artists opportunities to create art on the grounds of Vaughan Homestead this winter and into spring. Proceeds benefit programming at both organizations. The art exhibition, Vaughan Vignettes, will take place at the Harlow Gallery in Hallowell July 5 - 27, 2013, with an opening reception on Friday, July 5, 5-8pm. Artists must be current members of the Kennebec Valley Art Association to participate in the art show, but the workshop series is open to everyone. For information about joining the Kennebec Valley Art Association, visit www.harlowgallery.org. For information about the Vaughan Homestead Foundation, visit www.vaughanhomestead.org

Yellow Brick Road - an Elton John Tribute Band

Lego Fun: Every Wednesday @ 3:30pm

Nature Camps: June 17-21, June 24-28, and August 5-9th 2013 And NEW this year June 24-28 afternoon ART CAMP!!! Plus a half week of History Camp July 8-10 and Space Camp July 29- August 2nd. Enroll your children in our hands-on, interactive day programs and they will learn about fascinating topics through active encounters that spark children's natural curiosity and creativity. Each program is from 9am until noon and will often include outside activities like walking along the wooded trails, exploring the lovely fields, or dipping a net in a lily pad filled wetland. Sign up soon to save a spot! Appropriate for age 7-12. Bring a snack and bag lunch if you are doing the whole day of both nature and art camp. Pre-registration is required. Each week is $50.00 or $95.00 for both weeks. If you sign up for the full day camp which includes nature and art the cost is $95 for the week. NATURE CAMP #1 June 17th June 21st (9am-noon) Monday June 17th All that Glitters- The wonderful science of gems and minerals Tuesday June 18th Oceans: Shelled Masters and Creatures of the Tides Wednesday June 19th Reptiles: Cold Blooded and Scaly too! Thursday June 20th Endangered, Invasive, Extinct, oh my! Friday June 21st-Who Lives in the Pond. To register call or email us at 207-238-4250 or lcabtes@gwh.org.

The Viles Pond Loop is the best introductory walk in the Arboretum. It goes through the hosta garden, past the old piggery and out to Viles Pond. It is about a mile round trip. Dogs are allowed on arboretum grounds but must be leashed at all times. Dog waste must be picked up and removed from the Aboretum by the owner. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the priviledge to bring dogs onto the property. Dogs are NOT allowed in cultivated areas, including the quarry ledge rock garden. Bicycles are allowed on the trails. Cyclists must yield to visitors on foot. Courtesy, common sense, and safety for all are of paramount importance. The Arboretum offers what may be the best groomed ski trials in the area. Groomed trails are open to skiers only. Marked snowshoes trails are also available. The Arboretum is beautiful in winter. Please enjoy. Horses are allowed on all trails but the Hosta trail. Horses are not allowed on bridges and boardwalks. The grounds are open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. The Visitors Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PLEASE HELP MAINE S VETERANS! Have you always wanted to give back to Maine s veterans? HealthReach RSVP S Veterans and Military Families Program needs you! If you like to drive or have basic computer skills there are a couple of ways you can help. Veterans need volunteers to pick them up at their homes and transport them to medical appointments at Togus. You don t need your own vehicle, a van will be provided, but a license and good driving record are required. Volunteers are also needed to help veterans and military families learn about and take the necessary steps to apply for benefits and healthcare and help them enroll in the military s healthcare information website. This position requires basic computer skills. For more information or to sign-up to volunteer, call Ellen McGuire at 861-3476 or send an email to: ellen.mcguire@mainegeneral.org Thanks!

Greater Gardiner River Festival, June 19 - June 22, 2013!~ The Greater Gardiner River Festival begins on Wednesday, June 19, with a bang Kavanaugh Carnival on the waterfront at 4 pm, Maine vendors selling your favorite festival foods, The bands TBD from 7-9 pm, and spectacular fireworks from Central Maine Pyrotechnics after 9 pm. This festival traditionally kicks off the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce's Whatever Family Festival that includes events in Gardiner, Hallowell, Winthrop, and Augusta. The carnival continues on Thursday and Friday beginning at 4 pm and will run until about 9:30pm. Bring the whole family down to the beautiful waterfront and enjoy food from our vendors and the live bands playing. Enjoy the sounds of Kate and the Kindred on Thursday, and Sweatband on Friday as they entertain visitors on the Kennebec River boardwalk from 7pm to 10pm. Plan on spending most of your day in Gardiner on Saturday, June 22. Christ Church will be hosting a pancake breakfast to start things off, and Colossal Yard Sale from 8 to 3. From 9am to 4pm the Gardiner Public Library will be holding its annual book sale with many great treasures to be discovered. Downtown Water Street will be closed to vehicular traffic so we can celebrate the 10th Annual Gardiner Arts & Crafts Festival from 10am - 4pm. There will be specialty food vendors, and wonderful arts and crafts from Maine artisans. In front of Johnson Hall from 10 am to noon, children can work with artists from the Center for Maine Craft. to create art projects to take home. Great live music and entertainment will be presented in Johnson Hall mini-park. The Gardiner Waterfront is another fun place to be. The carnival will be open all day and there are plenty of food vendors. There will also be an opportunity to support many local non-profit organizations at their tables. Fire Department demonstrations throughout the day are a new addition to the events. A Coast Guard vessel will be docked along the waterfront and it will be opened for tours all day. The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Gardiner will be on hand from noon to 3 pm with children s activities, face-painting and games. Why go home for supper? Restaurants downtown and food vendors at the waterfront will remain open all day. Bring your blanket or chair and enjoy the sights and sounds of talented amateur performers from throughout our greater Kennebec Valley area. There will be no need to move as the fabulous fireworks display, sponsored by Gardiner Federal Credit Union, will be launched from the river right by the stage. Rain date for the Talent Show only, is Sunday, June 23 at 3PM in Gardiner Area High School Theater. Don t miss this wonderful festival! Come to Gardiner, Maine and enjoy the beautiful waterfront, dine on some delicious local cuisine and support our local arts and culture. Shops and restaurants are open as well. Bring the whole family and stay for the day. There is plenty of designated parking and lots of entertainment. The event is organized by the GGRF Committee and brought to you by generous sponsors:TBD.