THINGS TO DO IN THE MOUNT DESERT ISLAND REGION THIS WEEK
And in the near future.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden.
THINGS TO DO
It’s our weekly round-up, and we may have missed some things, so apologies! If you have something you’d like in here, please let us know.
Also, you may have to click through to see everything. There are so many things that this email is a bit long for a lot of inboxes.
We hope you have some great adventures this week!
To check out our news stories from the past week, click on the archive section, and you’ll see them in chronological order.
WHAT IS OPEN FOR RESTAURANTS?
This list is constantly updated by Jennifer Cough at First Express and she lets us share her latest version. This often changes and tweaks throughout the week, so for the absolute latest version, head to that First Express page or Jennifer’s page, which are on Facebook.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
For a list of events at the park, you can visit the National Park Service’s Calendar or Ranger Programs web pages.
ARTWAVES CLASSES AND EVENTS
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here
Its spring courses are below.
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
For a full list of Bar Harbor Historical Society, events, click through here.
FRIENDS OF ACADIA
For a full list of Friends of Acadia events, click through here.
HARBOR HOUSE
For a full lis of events, click here for programs, click here.
JESUP EVENTS
For a full list of Jesup Memorial Library events, click through to its calendar here.
EVENTS AT THE GILLEY
For a full list of Gilley events, click here.
DOWNEAST PILATES
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE SCHEDULE
The calendar is here.
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE CLASS SCHEDULE!
MDI YMCA
Events are here and the gym schedule is here. You can peruse its website for other schedules. The fitness schedule is below.
NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
SOMESVILLE LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
THE COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC
A list of events is here. Make sure to choose “open to the public” on the side bar.
MDI HIGH SCHOOL
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND ADULT EDUCATION
A list of classes and events is here.
TIMBERLAND ACRES CAMPGROUND
VOLTA!
Volta, in Trenton, has a ton of things always going on. You can check that out here.
ALL MONTH
MONDAY, APRIL 6
LEGO CLUB!
Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House
Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15/class
with Mike Bouscaren
Dear Yogis,
You’ll recall that our flow yoga classes progressively tease out more body aliveness and mental acuity in you. And they’re fun!
For one hour you alone as do others around you, return to the grounded center that is the unburdened original self. Freer in every way.
You’ll walk away feeling more open, calmer, and sharp. And mightily prepared for whatever the day throws at you.
Divine Play yoga invites you to shine, to be your best, to transform into a Beacon of Joy. It works!
Register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19801383
Monday events via the Bar Harbor Chamber:
TUESDAY, APRIL 7
OPEN TABLE MDI!
Open Table MDI is at 116 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor.
THE WAY OF BEING
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
Winter is here, and so is run club! The cold just means getting creative with layers haha! Sharing an open invitation to come out and join the crew for an upcoming run! The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
TWO SHOES LINE DANCING!
Tuesday events via the Chamber:
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9
Doors open at 4:45 p.m.
APRIL 9 - LAND AND GARDEN PRESERVE DOG LEASH POLICIES WEBINAR
NORTHEAST HARBOR—The Land and Garden Preserve will hold a free webinar on Wednesday, April 9 from 4-5 p.m. about the new dog leash policies on its natural lands.
New dog policies go into effect on May 1, 2025 at the preserve’s natural lands. Tate Bushell, director of natural lands, will share how the preserve concluded that a policy change was needed, and address frequently asked questions.
The webinar will be followed by a Q&A with Tate.
Registration link: https://gardenpreserve-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0-78wifyQTiAwNejU8vqZA#/registration
APRIL 9 - SPRING COMMUNITY SOUP NIGHT
WEDNESDAY BOOK CLUBS
Northeast Harbor Library
Love reading? Join us for Readers Unite! Reading Club. This will be an opportunity to read together, share books we love, and have quiet independent reading time. Grades 3 and up are welcome. Come every week, or pop in anytime! Link to register is here.
Somesville Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
GIRLS WHO CODE
GUIDED MEDITATION
CHRONICLES OF YARNIA
BLOCK PARTY!
Baby Storytime at Southwest Harbor
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles. www.swhplibrary.org. 207-244-7065.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Wednesday events via the Chamber:
THURSDAY, APRIL 10
APRIL 10 and APRIL 24 MEETINGS
We are parents of people with developmental delays, autism and neurodiversity and need support for daily living. These meetings are supported by Local Solutions.
The meeting is in the rectory of St. Saviour's Church in Bar Harbor.
This meeting is every other Thursday.
Next meetings are April 10 and 24.
Discussion topics include check in, any problems with support, that someone is having, and ideas for activities for families and people with neurodiversity and developmental delays in the community.
Please share this information with parents of people in high school or older.
APRIL 10—FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
HISTORY OF HOUSING WITH THOUGHTS TO THE FUTURE
Affordable and available housing has reached a crisis on MDI and difficult conversations are taking place in every community about possible solutions. How did we get here?
Join us on Thursday, April 10 at 5:30 p.m. for "A History of Housing with Thoughts for the Future" with speakers Raney Bench from the Mount Desert Island Historical Society, and Susanne Paul and Noel Musson with the Housing Solutions Initiative. Our history sheds light on how housing has kept pace with population growth and what changes brought about the current crises. Knowing the facts from our past adds context to the debates taking place today and provides models for community decision-making. Learn more about development and community growth over the past two centuries and explore how island residents and visitors resolved challenges in the past, followed by a conversation about our community values and how we can come together to solve problems. This talk is inspired by Eliza Bryant Worrick's 2024 "Chebacco" History Journal article, 'The Influence of the Seasonal Economy on Mount Desert Island’s Year-Round Housing Patterns' The program is offered in-person.
The event is at the Bass Harbor Memorial Library.
APRIL 10 - “Managing Invasive Plants on the Acadian Landscape: Challenges & Opportunities”
Jesse Wheeler, Vegetation Program Manager, Acadia National Park
Monthly Meeting and Presentation
Birch Bay Retirement Village - April 10, 2025 at 1:00 p.m.
STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!
Stitches Knitting & Crochet Group meets on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Trenton Town Office. The town office is located at 59 Oak Point Road, Trenton, ME 04605. We will meet through mid-May, then take a break for the summer. All levels are welcome. Please join us. You don’t have to live in Trenton to come knit with us.
FIGURE DRAWING AT ARTWAVES
Thursday events via the Chamber:
FRIDAY, APRIL 11
APRIL 11 MOVIE NIGHT
APRIL 11 - FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT AT CONNERS EMERSON!
KATHIE PRATT RETROSPECTIVE
FUN FRIDAY AT THE JESUP!
FAMILY STORY TIME AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Interactive books, puppets, songs, movements, bubbles.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Friday events via the Chamber:
SATURDAY, APRIL 12
POKEMON
FOGTOWN x VOLTA TRIVIA NIGHT
Trivia Night at Volta Climbing Gym
Fogtown's famous Trivia Night goes to Volta! — Join us for a chill evening of quizzing and climbing with friends.
Details:
✷ Location: Volta Climbing Gym - 8 Road Not Taken, Trenton, ME
✷ Trivia starts at 6:30pm with a maximum of 6 people to a team.
✷ Prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
✷ The trivia is not climbing-related or age-restricted
✷ Trivia is FREE, and climbing will only cost $10 for Non-Members!
Fogtown beer will be available on tap as well as in a variety of cans. Once you drink, you will not be allowed to climb, so stop by earlier if you want to get some climbing in.
HAIKU AT THE GILLEY
April 12, 1-3:30 p.m.
Poet and naturalist Kristen Lindquist will be with us at the Gilley in April and again in November to teach an introductory haiku workshop. She’ll share a brief history of this intriguing art form, which originated in Japan more than 500 years ago and evolved as a nature poem. Kristen will share what makes a poem a haiku (it’s probably not what you think), and how haiku are written today in the United States. Then she will guide students through writing their own haiku.
Museum Members: $32, Non-members: $40
Sign up at https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/reserve/LYBZW
SATURDAY STORY TIMES
NORTHEAST HARBOR
SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!
PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP
Saturday events via the Chamber:
SUNDAY, APRIL 13
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
Winter is here, and so is run club! The cold just means getting creative with layers haha! Sharing an open invitation to come out and join the crew for an upcoming run! The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
Sunday events via the Chamber:
FUTURE EVENTS:
LIBRARY TEAS IN SOUTHWEST
April 17 - Library Tea 2-3:30 p.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Tea, treats, music, and conversation. www.swhplibrary.org. 207-244-7065. All welcome.
APRIL 14 - Examining Potential PFAS Contamination of Well Water on MDI
Monday, April 14, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Online event via Zoom
With PFAS linked to serious health risks—including metabolic disruptions, high cholesterol, and increased cancer risks—this discovery raises urgent questions: How widespread is the contamination? What can be done to protect our communities? What if a local school was unknowingly contaminating drinking water in your neighborhood?
Groundbreaking research from MDI Biological Laboratory scientists Dr. Jane Disney and Dr. Richard Hilliard has uncovered a surprising source of PFAS contamination in the environment—rural schools. Everyday items like floor wax and toilet paper used in rural schools may be leaching dangerous "forever chemicals" into wastewater, ultimately contaminating groundwater that supply private wells on nearby properties.
Join us for an eye-opening discussion on this critical issue and the next steps for ensuring safer water in rural states like Maine.
APRIL 15 - IMPACT
Online Talk: The Cost of Fear with Meg Stone
On Tuesday, April 15th at 5:30 p.m., Meg Stone, Executive Director of Impact Boston and author of The Cost of Fear, will give a virtual talk presenting practical, gender-inclusive strategies for learning self-defense safety skills that help work for social and political change. In these complicated times, it’s important to have the skills to resist coercion, intimidation and violence both for our own safety and the safety of our communities. Find out more about Meg's book Cost of Fear: Why Most Safety Advice is Sexist and How We Can Stop Gender-Based Violence. Books can be purchased through Sherman's books store either in-store, on via Shermans.
APRIL 17 - TEA AT THE LIBRARY
APRIL 17 - MDI YMCA
APRIL 17 - STEM NIGHT
APRIL 17 - TEA WITH THE TOWN MANAGER AND TOWN CLERK
Southwest Harbor: Meet Southwest Harbor Town Manager Karen Reddersen and Town Clerk Jennifer LaHaye at the Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Tea on Thursday, April 17 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Enjoy tea in a fine china cup, homemade treats, conversation, and the company of friends and neighbors. Live music provided by Zella Harmon and friends. For details, go to https://tinyurl.com/yjs36k49, or call the Library, 244-7065.
APRIL 14 ELLSWORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Two Presentations:
GLOBAL ACCESS AND DIGITIZATION WITH FAMILY SEARCH
Stephanie Outhier
When Stephanie moved to Ellsworth, she didn't know anyone and she thought most of her relations were from out-of-state. Then she applied her genealogy research skills to Family Search, and found her Maine ancestors and her Maine roots. She will outline the capabilities of Family Search, and how anyone can access their relations.
_____
COLLABORATION AND THE HISTORY TRUST
Holly Hendricks
When Holly Hendricks learned that the central belief of The History Trust is that historical collections should be a community resource, she - as Chair of the EHS Collections Committee - collaborated with other area history-focused organizations. She will describe how together with 10 other organizations created a regional alliance that monitors its members, supports collections manage, and engages the public with our shared regional histories.
April 16—Film screening and panel discussion: Building Hope: Ending Homelessness
6:30 p.m.
College of the Atlantic
Davis Center for Human Ecology, Rm. 102
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor
Free of charge
coa.edu/calendar
APRIL 18 - ACT presents "The Wizard of Oz"
BAR HARBOR—Acadia Community Theater is excited to present its 30th annual spring musical "The Wizard of Oz" at Mount Desert Island High School in the Higgins Demas Theater for the last two weekends in April.
April 18 at 7 p.m.
April 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
April 25 at 7 p.m.
April 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
April 27 at 2 p.m.
We are celebrating 30 years as an organization by reprising the first musical ACT ever produced, “The Wizard of Oz.” This musical is based on the story by L. Frank Baum and closely follows the MGM movie that we all know and love. Dorothy Gale (Nayeli Monahan) is swept away in a twister, landing in the distant, magical land of Oz. She seeks the help of a powerful Wizard (Don Pendley) to send her back home to Kansas, making friends and foe along the way including a simpleton scarecrow (Renee Quebbeman,) an unlucky-in-love woodsman (Sonia Berghoff) and a cowardly lion (Matt Cornish.) The Wicked Witch of the West (Laura Levin) threatens their journey, but they are aided by the benevolent, beautiful witch of the North, Glinda (Megan Ball.) This magical show features an iconic orchestral score, imaginative sets and costuming and a large cast and crew of talented local performers. Join us as we bring the beloved story to life and journey together over the rainbow and back!
Directed by Matt Hochman and assistant Angel Hochman, produced and managed by Kate Young and assistant Molly Dority, featuring vocal direction by Sonia Berghoff and choreography by Dani Robbins and Matt Cornish.
The show runs 2 hours and there will be an intermission and refreshments for sale. Tickets are available at acadiacommunitytheater.net and are $22 for general admission or $18 for students, seniors and military. Visit acadiacommunity.net for more information. We hope to see you there!
APRIL 19 - BOOM!
Baroque Orchestra of Maine (BOOM) musicians Heidi Powell and Raffael Scheck will perform a program for baroque violin and cello on Saturday, April 19 at 4pm, Bar Harbor Congregational Church. The concert will include violin sonatas by Arcangelo Corelli (opus 5, no. 4) and Francesco Veracini (opus 2, no. 7) as well as two small duets by Attilio Ariosti (1666-1729). Corelli’s violin sonatas are considered to be epochal models for the baroque instrumental sonata, and Veracini’s sonatas have enthralled generations with their pleasing and original style. Ariosti is a less well-known Italian composer now, but he was very eminent in his time, making his career in Berlin and London. With George Friderick Handel, he served as co-director of the Royal Academy of Music for some time. Ariosti wrote many operas and cantatas but was an accomplished cellist as well. The program will also include a performance of the Bach cello suite #2 (d minor) on baroque cello. Composed most likely in 1720, the Bach cello suites are often considered some of the deepest and enigmatic compositions for a single melody instrument. Tickets will be available at the door, $25 for adults, students are free. For more information visit BOOM's website at: baroqueorchestraofmaine.org
BAR HARBOR INN EASTER EGG HUNT
APRIL 22 BACK YARD BIRDING
APRIL 23 Maine-made documentary explores sustainability
BAR HARBOR—The Maine-made, award-winning documentary, Saving Walden’s World, will screen at College of the Atlantic on Wednesday, April 23 at 6 p.m., followed by a Q&A with director Jim Merkel. The event takes place at the Center for Human Ecology, Rm. 202, and is free and open to the public.
Screening during Earth Week, Saving Walden’s World is an in
APRIL 26 - KRAZY 4 KOMBUCHA
APRIL 25 - Internationally Renowned Piano Duo Comes to Mount Desert Island
NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Friday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. the Northeast Harbor Library will host renowned pianists Michael Coonrod and Danny Holt for a free performance of beloved classics by Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and more.
APRIL 16 - TOWN OF TRENTON ROADSIDE CLEANUP
April 26, 2025 Earth Day Roadside Cleanup. 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.. Sign up at the Town Office or contact Friends of Acadia at 288-3340. If you can't join up, take a look around your property and clean up that area if it needs it
APRIL 24 - FROCK SWAP
APRIL 26 - Free Tools Available at the Northeast Harbor Library
NORTHEAST HARBOR—On Saturday, April 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Northeast Harbor Library will host a tool swap in collaboration with the Sustainability Committee of the Town of Mount Desert.
APRIL 26 - Contradance at the Jesup
Come welcome spring at our fun contra dance!
Music by Big Moose. Saturday April 26: 7-10pm. Jesup Library, 34 Mt Desert St. Bar Harbor. Caller Chris Ricciotti will teach all dances. Beginners, families, experienced dancers welcome. Refreshments.$10 suggested donation. Questions, (207)288-4245
APRIL 26 - MDI Hospital to Host April Wellness Fair with Free Health Checks and Screening
BAR HARBOR—Mount Desert Island Hospital is set to host their 2025 Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YWCA, Mount Desert Street, Bar Harbor. This free event is open to the public and will provide an opportunity to learn about many resources for a healthy lifestyle.
APRIL 30 - COMMUNITY DRIVEN ENERGY PLANNING WORKSHOP
APRIL 30 - HOME COMPOSTING
MAY 3 - PENNY RAFFLE
JUNE 14 & 15
JUNE 29 - LOBSTER BOAT RACES
MAY 18 - OPEN BARN DAY AT WILLOWIND
JUNE 22-28 ACADIA FESTIVAL OF TRADITIONAL MUSIC AND DANCE
ONGOING:
GET YOUR HERO ON!
BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
To check if Bar Harbor Fire Department is currently hiring, please go to the town’s jobs page.
But even if it isn’t, you can become a call member.
Becoming a call force firefighter requires extensive training, hard work, and dedication to the community. We rely on call force firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties, and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. To be a fall force firefighter is to have a chance to aid and serve the community, which is an extremely rewarding experience.
GET YOUR MUSIC ON!
THE FINBACK ALEHOUSE
The Finback has entertainment most nights in Bar Harbor. The schedule is posted every Tuesday.
QUICK NOTE
“Things To Do” is mostly curated by me looking for things happening in the upcoming week, which takes a lot of time and I truly do not know all that is going on.
If there’s something in Bar Harbor (or MDI or Trenton or Ellsworth) that you’d like me to mention, please let me know, because I’m definitely always missing some events every week.
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Regading your comment about the listing being very long: You could reduce the length by removing the (many) event that are past.