BOWDOINHAM, MAINE – Proclaimed as “A Very Crafty Town” by DownEast Magazine (Nov. 2008) Bowdoinham is once again showing just how crafty it can be. The Long Branch School of Maine is due to open September 2011 in Bowdoinham. Local residents Peter Feeney, John Favreau and Nanette Giacoma have teamed up to create The Long Branch School where regional experts will teach workshops that promote self-reliance and sustainability. The Long Branch School will operate at 20 Main Street in the village center of Bowdoinham. Long Branch is an L3C - a low profit, limited liability company. This is a new designation for limited liability companies that provide a social benefit from their operations.  

Long Branch offers affordable workshops that provide enrichment and learning in a wide array of skills. Reflecting the diverse gifts of the people in the region, course offerings will range from farming, energy efficiency and food preservation to woodworking, utilitarian arts and crafts, and music. Nestled on the Cathance River near Merrymeeting Bay, Bowdoinham is the perfect setting for a school that takes advantage of the beautiful, natural surroundings and will provide a venue for fun and adventure.

The General Store will be open daily and boast an eclectic blend of locally grown produce, milk, bread and eggs, as well as, Maine made products, utilitarian arts, crafts and gifts. It will be a provide a healthy option for those quick pick-up items frequently needed, as well as, support the creative economy in the region. Located on Main Street, a frequently traveled road to I-295 and Route 24, it will be a charming, convenient one-stop shopping experience.

The Long Branch School of Maine Mission is to:
• provide people with skills they need to live sustainably
• rekindle the skills and lifestyles of our heritage in a socially and environmentally responsible manner
• provide people a unique and fulfilling experience that builds community and re-localizes our economy
• incubate and grow businesses that support a local, sustainable economy

The Grand Opening will be on Saturday, September 10th as a part of the annual Celebrate Bowdoinham festivities.

Back in my day, it was pretty clear.

The country kids rode the school bus.

Or their horse.  Or their snowmobile.  Or their John Deere.

Or if you are Amish, a horse and buggy.

It wasn't that the country kids wouldn't walk to school, it was just too far.  Up to 30+ miles for some in the district.

The city kids walked to school.

There was no in-between.

This past week, a local middle school in a nearby city celebrated "Walk to School Day."

Have you ever noticed how many things we took for granted as a kid, now becomes a special day?

Police and volunteers assisted middle school kids on the 1/4-mile walk. 

Growing up on the edge of our beautiful bay-side town, I had the pleasure of walking to school, year after year.  Each year was a milestone, as the school locations changed. 

East and North for grade schools.  West for middle school and high school.

Those walks created who I am today.  Smelling the budding fruit trees in the spring, learning neighbor's dogs, cutting through farmer's fields, feeling the warm breeze coming off Lake Michigan in May, contemplating how to handle classmates before entering the school, battling strong winter winds against open fields.

Yes, like Opie from Mayberry, some of my life lessons were learned on the walk to school.

Street smarts.

Parents didn't drive us if we were running late.  We simply ran, clinging to our small paper bag filled with a PB & J, an apple and a cookie.

It was simply your responsibility each day to get to school.  Rain/sleet/snow.  Didn't matter.  You dressed the part.

No police escorts, no orange cones, no volunteers.

My heart aches for children today. 

Please folks – know that "doing for" sometimes actually means depriving your child.

Until tomorrow – grateful for my past – God willing,

Woodswoman