Events - Feb 22 23

We’re back again with full programming after a two-year absence. Join us as we embark on a month-long celebration of Longfellow, poetry, and community. All events are free!

LONGFELLOW DAYS 2023
TRAVEL ABROAD & WITHIN

Longfellow Days is Brunswick’s month-long celebration of the great American poet, who lived here while he was a student and, later, as a faculty member at Bowdoin College. Throughout February – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s birth month – entertaining cultural events all over town will explore themes that are suggested by the poet’s life and work. This year’s event is titled “Travel: Abroad and Within.”

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired by traveling, whether internationally or close to home. His adventures shaped his writing, even when his subject had nothing to do with journeys or locales. Truly, travel can happen over great distances or within our thoughts.

Please Note – Date Change for Longfellow Trivia Challenge – Friday, February 17, 1 PM has been changed to February 24, 1 PM

Thursday, February 2, 2-3 PM
Exhibition Excursion

A docent-led tour of two BCMA exhibits illuminating aspects of HWL’s time in Italy. Antiquity & America: The Ancient Mediterranean in the United States features sculpture and paintings that influenced artists like Longfellow. In Light of Rome: Early Photography in the Capital of the Art World, 1842-1871 reveals the eternal city’s impact on the development of early photography. Co-sponsored by the Pejepscot History Center.

Bowdoin College Museum of Art

Sunday, February 5, 1 PM
The Coursen Readings, Part One

Many superb writers have graced Brunswick and its vicinity through the years. We feature twelve of them in a four-part Sunday series named for the late poet and Longfellow Days’ friend, Herbert Coursen.  We begin with Maine poets Jen Walker Grace, Claire Hersom, and Marcia Simmons. Refreshments.

Fireplace Room, Curtis Memorial Library

Tuesday, February 7, 6:30-8:30 PM
Parsing a Poem: Devilish Dante 

A literary and social event hosted by Gary Lawless, who guides us in exploring the First Canto of Dante’s Inferno, translated by Longfellow, as well as “Mezzo Cammin,” Longfellow’s sonnet written while grieving the sudden death of his first wife. Refreshments and cash bar.

OneSixtyFive, The Inn on Park Row 

Friday, February 10, 1 PM
Poetry Reading with Wesley McNair

Wes, the Poet Laureate of Maine from 2011-2016, will read from his recently published volume Late Wonders: New and Selected Poems.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street

Saturday, February 11, 10:30 AM
Morning at the Movies

Be transported back to Victorian America by I Heard the Bells, the 2022 feature film about Longfellow and the inspiring story behind the beloved Christmas carol. Introduced by Tricia Welsch, Bowdoin College Professor of Cinema Studies.

Eveningstar Cinema, 149 Maine Street

Watch the movie trailer here

Sunday, February 12, 10 AM
A Lyrical Service

Poetry is the focus of this ecumenical service, led by Rev. Kharma Amos and with music from Jud Caswell. Visit the Bible that Longfellow signed and donated to his church in 1878.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street

Sunday, February 12, 1 PM
The Coursen Reading, Part Two 

Maine poets Cate Marvin, Jefferson Navicky, and Jonathan Pessant are featured. Refreshments.

Fireplace Room, Curtis Memorial Library

Wednesday, February 15, 12 PM
Poetry & Travel: Longfellow in Europe

As a Professor of Modern Languages, Longfellow toured Europe, expanding his worldview and his art. Gary Lawless, another continental traveler, speaks about HWL, poetry, and the value of travel in strengthening the creative arts. This event is part of the Midcoast Senior College’s Winter Wisdom program.

Morrell Room, Curtis Memorial Library

DATE CHANGE: Friday, February 24, 1 PM
Longfellow Trivia Challenge

We bet you know more than you think you do and, either way, you are sure to have fun. Trivia master Andrew Hamilton emcees, and there’ll be prizes!

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street

Saturday, February 18, 12:30 & 2 PM
Tours of the Joshua L. Chamberlain Museum

Longfellow Days and the Pejepscot History Center co-host visits to one of Longfellow’s residences in Brunswick – later home of Maine Governor and Civil War General Joshua Chamberlain.

226 Maine Street

Sunday, February 19, 1 PM
The Cousen Readings, Part Three

Maine poets Dennis Camire, Jim Donnelly, and Anna Wrobel are featured today. Refreshments.

Fireplace Room, Curtis Memorial Library

Wednesday, February 22, 2 PM
Community Poetry Reading at the Highlands

Local bard David Sloan will read from his work and host this informal poetry-sharing gathering for the community.  Bring yours or favorites by others. Refreshments.

Georgetown Parlor, Maine Lodge, The Highlands, 30 Governors Way, Topsham

Thursday, February 23, 12:30 PM
Community Poetry Reading at Thornton Oaks

Poet David Sloan shares his own writing and hosts this informal verse-sharing session for the community. Bring yours or favorites by others. Refreshments.

Merrymeeting Room, Thornton Oaks, 25 Thornton Way (off Baribeau Drive)

Sunday, February 26, 1 PM
The Coursen Readings, Part Four

Maine poets Kara Douglas, Valerie Lawson, and John Reinhart are on deck for our final Coursen Reading. Refreshments.

Fireplace Room, Curtis Memorial Library

Monday, February 27, 6:30 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HENRY!

He’s a mere 216 today – and always deserving of a fuss. Ren Bernier hosts our popular poetry open mic, and we invite you to add your voice! Come share your poem or another’s that you love, and enjoy some delicious cake, courtesy of Union Street Bakery.

Unitarian Universalist Church, 1 Middle Street

Longfellow Days is an annual program of the Brunswick Downtown Association, with support from Bowdoin College, Nathaniel Davis Fund, Eveningstar Cinema, OneSixtyFive: The Inn on Park Row, Union Street Bakery, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick. 

Check out this site and our Longfellow Days Facebook page for updates.

And Joyful New Year Wishes to All!

https://www.uubrunswick.org/longfellow-days-2023/

Slot Car Junction & Fascination Station Toys

GET READY FOR SPRING FISHING SEASON

Free Fly-Casting Sessions at Brunswick Recreation Center.  Every Wednesday Through March 29; Sponsored by Trout Unlimited.

Casting a fly rod got you all tied up in knots?  Want to practice that cast?  Looking for a new hobby?

Join the Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited for free weekly fly-casting sessions every Wednesday until March 29, 2023, from 2:30-3:00 at the Brunswick Recreation Center, 220 Neptune Drive.  If you’re already proficient, join for the practice. If fly casting is new to you, we will work with students of any age and skill level. TU instructors will put a fly rod in your hands and teach the basics and the finer points of fly casting as we count down to spring fishing season.

These sessions are free, open to the public, and no pre-registration or Rec Center membership is required. 

Casters will have hula hoops and other items to target.  Fly rods and related gear will be available if needed.  The sessions are free; donations are accepted.  For more information, contact Jeff Bush at jbush@tumaine.org

Merrymeeting Bay Chapter of Trout Unlimited

Brunswick’s Merrymeeting Bay chapter of Trout Unlimited is the local chapter of this national cold-water conservation organization. Members and the public are invited to attend monthly meetings as we gather sportspeople and conservationists on the third Tuesday of each month, September through May, at Joshua’s Restaurant, 123 Maine  

Street, Brunswick. Social hour begins at 6:00 pm, presentations start at 7:00 pm. The monthly meetings are free; dinner and drinks can be purchased.

More info at FB or online.

Our mission is to conserve, protect, and restore our area’s cold-water resources and the watersheds on which they depend. Trout Unlimited?is the nation’s oldest and largest?cold-water?fisheries conservation organization dedicated to caring for and recovering America’s rivers and streams so our children can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional, and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, science-backed policy muscle, and legal firepower on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters,  and vibrant communities. 

Photo: Learning to Fly…Cast.   Merrymeeting Bay Trout Unlimited chapter President Jeff Bush helps eager Brunswick youth learn her way around a fly rod at the Brunswick Rec Center Fly Casting Sessions every Wednesday through March 29. 

Join us for Live Music Every Wednesday from 6 pm – 8 pm

$5 Jack Daniels Drinks
Black,Honey,Fire and Apple
$2 off a glass of Wine
Grab a friend and we will see you soon!

Adam Babcock – January 18 & Feb 1

Char Reilly – January 25 & Feb 8

Tj Swan – February 15

Tristin & Mike – February 22

Pat’s Pizza Brunswick