GARDINER — After two years during a global pandemic that squelched public gatherings and events, Gardiner Main Street is looking for ways to reconnect people.
On Saturday, the organization is hosting Think About Gardiner, a community brainstorming event.
“We’re hoping to create some connections,” said Melissa Lindley, executive director of Gardiner Main Street. “We want people to feel more connected to the community. It’s about being more informed about what Gardiner has to offer, and also meeting others who share interests.”
From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., people who live, work or play in Gardiner are invited to explore different stations in downtown Gardiner to meet people while learning about what Gardiner has to offer.
People in a drum circle play in Johnson Hall Mini Park on April 16, 2016, on Water Street in downtown Gardiner. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal file
“If they pop into these stations, they will get an idea all the things Gardiner Main Street touches throughout the year,” she said.
The organization, which is focused on strengthening the city as a hub for community, commerce and culture, is widely known for the events it sponsors. Its biggest annual event is the Swine & Stein Brewfest, held every October.
Gardiner Main Street is focusing particularly on supporting youth, maintaining and celebrating public spaces, doing business in Gardiner, community events, local foods and the arts.
In past years, Gardiner Main Street set its priorities at its annual meeting, where dozens of people would gather and work in teams to review accomplishments, identify priorities and generate ideas about how to accomplish them.
But this year, with the pandemic on the verge of entering its third year in Maine, Lindley said the idea of putting a lot of people together in one room didn’t seem like a good idea.
“We thought about making walkable downtown events, where you can walk in and out of discussions,” she said.
Clare Marron, owner of Monkitree, a Water Street gift shop and gallery, is hosting the station focused on events in Gardiner.
“That’s everything from Gardiner Main Street events to the different trivia nights,” Marron said. “I’ll have information on dance and art classes that are offered — what can you do in Gardiner.”
She said it’ll be a two-way street. As she’s giving out information on Gardiner activities, she’ll also collect information from people about what events they go to in other communities and what they like about them so that can be incorporated into Gardiner events.
Both Marron and Lindley noted that Gardiner has attracted a lot of new residents during the pandemic who now want to connect with their community.
“Some people have jumped right in,” Marron said. “But a lot of people haven’t seen other people very much. It’s hard to find your people if you don’t see people.”
After Saturday’s event, Lindley said the information collected will be evaluated and used to help develop priorities for the organization and all of its teams for the year. That kind of input has been put on hold during the pandemic.
Lindley advises those who are interested to stop in at the Gardiner Public Library first to get a name tag and pick up a map, but people are welcome to start anywhere they like.
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