Happy Windjammers week! Thank you to all who joined us at the Merry Barn on Sunday for our first annual Stories of the Sea! Folks from age five to 85 came together to partake in song, story, and art. Round Pond duo Castlebay treated us to a decade of their research in sea shanty history, and sung to us of fisherman, ships, storms and mermaids.

Stephanie read The Sea Chest, a mysterious story inspired by a legend from Southport, and together we painted lobsters, whales, fish, and selkies on a huge mural.

There were jigs, songs, laughter and paint, and a wonderful sense of connection from all corners of the region. We love bringing together our community in this way- to explore all the things that bring out joy, vibrancy, creativity, and curiosity. These Community Literacy Events will be taking a pause over the summer while the barn is filled with other wonderful programs, and will resume in the fall. Save the dates for Community Literacy Events next season:

Sept 17 - International Dot Day

Oct 15 - Indigenous People’s Day 

Nov 5 - Day of the Dead 

Dec 17 - Celebrating the Season 

Community Writes- a Summer Series

In the meantime, join us for Summertime Snapshots, our community writing series, on the first and third Wednesday of each month. 5:30-7:30 p.m., on July 6 and 20, August 3 and 17. The next one is next Wednesday! Feel free to drop in to explore your own unique stories, and be guided to memories that need to be told! $10 at the door.

Kelsy Hartley is Community Outreach & Program Development Coordinator at the Merry Barn Writers’ Retreat in Edgecomb