Happy summer and welcome to Rangeley! For those of you returning, welcome back! In the following pages you will see that other members of the community from the Chamber of Commerce to the staff at the Town Office, also welcome you.

It’s that time of year again, hurrah! I so love summer in Rangeley. Besides the lupine and the long hours of sunlight (which I so very much need), I look forward to my list of planned activities. Knowing that I won’t have time for all of them doesn’t stop me from making the mental list. It’s as though I forget I have a full-time job or that the garden takes between three to five times longer than I think to maintain and harvest.

Also, I never really know when everyone is coming back. It always seems to be different. At least for me. But no worries, I know I will see my friends and good acquaintances among the snowbirds and we will have time for coffee or a walk or hopefully some tennis or golf. So much to do, so little time.

My summer bucket list is a calendar that is filled with offerings from the many organizations in town (and listed in this summer guide) that work all year to come up with new and enjoyable programming that will appeal to really everyone.

Also, with each summer comes so many changes, and I have to add that into the equation as well. This year there are some bright new spots that you might have already heard of. Some businesses have changed or moved and some are brand new. I seriously can’t keep up with it all as much as I would like to but here are some of the new bits to chew on.

Allied Realty- you can’t miss it, they were located here, and then over there but wow, what a beautiful new building in the center of town. What a significant improvement to that intersection.

Further down the block, woo hoo- a spa. Mountain Miracles Med Spa offers a variety of traditional spa services and medical aesthetics along with a full salon, massage therapy and most recently nails. It’s really a pleasant new addition and boy have some of the gentlemen in town been happy to have a new gift certificate option for those oh my goodness occasions that they didn’t necessarily forget but um well…nobody’s perfect.

Speaking of perfect, next door to the spa is still the Inner Eye, but now it’s hosting SoJo’s Studio and Gallery as well as the Maker’s Space for the entire summer. How perfect is that?! The one and only Sonja Johnson assisted by the ever fabulous Lily Webber, both certified art teachers at Rangeley Lakes Regional School, have filled the space with all kinds of art created by both local and visiting artists. One of a kind paintings, drawing, mixed media, jewelry, prints, sculpture and upcycled furniture is currently on display and will be the perfect complement to this prime location next door to the Rangeley Friends of the Arts Lakeside Theater and Gallery.

The Studio portion will offer matting, framing, commission work and open drawing studio time, sometimes with live models and music for daily or hourly rental. The Maker’s space offers lessons for all ages, as well as workshops, lectures, artists talks, music and a series of alternating creative adventures in the evenings.

Across the street there are some other new creative businesses to mention as well! Kate Philbrick, along with her parents Donna and Joe Van Etten have expanded and fully opened Barn Doors & Burlap. What started out as a pop-up shop quickly grew to a year-round and growing business due to it’s popularity (and probably the charm of the founders). It’s a great spot to purchase creative one-of-a-kind items like barn boards, mason jars, pip berry garland and one-of-a-kind refinished furniture.

In keeping with the theme of creativity on Main Street, Julie Swain of Made in Maine, right next door, offers a wide variety of Maine products that include 1901 Maine flags, clothing, jewelry and of proudly offers the works of artisans from all around the Maine mountain region.

If you are a frequent visitor to Rangeley you will notice that some businesses moved a bit. For example, you can still get your favorite coffee drinks, you just have to go down the road a bit to Moose Alley where Nancy Bessey has set up a charming cafe spot.

Also, you can still get your laundry done at the Village Scrubboard, but they are now offering wash dry and fold options which is a service that has been missed at that location for quite some time. Yay, more time to spend on summer fun activities.

Lastly, there are some changes towards Oquossoc. One of them is Grasshopper Hill Farm. Yes, you know the farm, the big red barn next to the “U.S.A.” field on the way to Oquossoc. This farm stand run by Toby Alves, Doris Santoro and their daughter Natalie will offer seasonal vegetables, fresh eggs and Rangeley-raised poultry on Saturday mornings.

Finally, when you get to Oquossoc, Farmer’s Daughter has a new Shaker Pond ice cream stand. Buy by the cone or buy by the quart. Proprietor Jessica Hill Nichols teased me for getting the vanilla but it’s my summer staple and what goes better with pie? That reminds me, I have rhubarb in the ground and I need to get it out, bake and fully enjoy it asap. As I mentioned, I’m really trying to make time for as much as possible this summer. I hope you do too!