By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

2019 certainly had no shortage of change — some for the good, some not so good — and contentious moments.

Here’s a quick recap of some of the major happenings:

• Bridgton’s historic American Legion Post 67 — one of Maine’s original posts dating back to 1920 — fell into disrepair, but a group led by Legion members Don and Liné Mulcahy looked to renovate the Depot Street building and revive services for veterans. Looking for creative approaches to raise funds, the Legion held a military ball at the Town Hall.

• A Bald Eagle was shot in Papooose Pond area of Waterford and died a few days later. Six shotgun pellets were lodged in the bird’s jaw, wing and leg. Maine’s eagle population is on the rise with 734 nesting pairs in 2019, up from a low of 21 nesting pairs in 1967.

• Harrison changed to a secret ballot and scrapped holding an annual town meeting (which the previous year just 46 attended).

• Bridgton Hospital was in the crosshairs of trying to halt a major departing of longtime physicians (and thus loss of healthcare access by many patients) while also fending off a public group that suggested the sale of the local facility to the Maine Health family. Central Maine Health resoundingly responded that Bridgton Hospital was ‘Not for Sale.’ CMH leaders preached patience as it looked to restore healthcare access, and local confidence under new president, Peter Wright.

There also were positive stories on the medical front, from nurse Sara Kapinos of Waterford bringing joy to patients staying at BH by performing on her violin to the community reaching out to aid a local fire fighter needing a new heart.

• Naples hired a consultant to look at keeping the Causeway vibrant while adhering to shoreland zoning laws, while Bridgton looked to the University of Southern Maine to conduct a survey regarding how local residents wish to see the town developed. After a lengthy search, Bridgton also landed a new Community Development director, Linda Lacroix.

• The opioid crisis was felt here in several ways. Police investigated a teen’s death caused by an overdose, and a local man was recently indicted by the grand jury. Meanwhile, the state’s first Opioid Response director visited Bridgton.

• There were few dull moments on the Bridgton municipal front from reaching a settlement regarding a walking path to Salmon Point Beach, to seeing over a year-plus deliberation on a hotel project on Bacon and Kennard Streets achieve Planning Board approval only to see the decision reversed by the Appeals Board (sending the issue to Superior Court) to embarking on a $23 million wastewater system upgrade and streetscape project, which work will continue in spring 2020.

• Plenty of ideas were swirling. Could the former C.A. Snow School become senior housing space? Creation of senior living projects emerged as part of possible Bridgton Hospital campus expansion, as well as a private group voiced interest in developing here.

Another ambitious project to surface is the purchase of the Magic Lantern by 4-H, with the idea of creating an Innovation Lab. Fundraising continues.

• People always shape the news, and 2019 was no different. There were changes in the guard — Matt Markot became the new Loon Echo Land Trust director, succeeding Thom Perkins, while Erika Rowland was selected the new Greater Lovell Land Trust executive director.

Retirement called for longtime Casco Town Manager David Morton (who was succeeded by Courtney O’Donnell), as well as local business owners Judith Evergreen of Craftworks along with Phil and Marlise Libby of Sportshaus.

•  There were moments when people stood up for others — Lake Region seniors fought for a homeschooled student’s chance to march and cross the stage with them (it failed); and some Molly Ockett School female students shaved their heads in support of a friend battling cancer; and a Denmark family still holds out hope that one day they will find answers to what happened to their son, Tony Torres, who disappeared years ago.

• Despite plenty of negativity across the country, local people showed what kindness can achieve — serving meals at the Community Kettle, volunteering at local food pantries (whose numbers continue to swell over 100 families per week being helped), and helping with or donating to drives to assist families struck by illness or tragedy.

What does 2020 have in store? Stay tuned.