Monday, May 27th began with a parade organized by American Legion Post 103. The parade route was lined with residents and visitors as part of the Memorial Day festivities. In between the veterans, school bands, antique cars and fire trucks, The Neighborhood House mustered together a group of enthusiastic kiddos who helped hand out American flags and other patriotic items along the route. Many of the kids even took to their bikes and scooters to zoom along Main Street, eventually wrapping up at the harbor.

We feel like we say this every year, but it still rings true— can you believe it’s already Memorial Day? Before we’re fully enthralled in the summer season though, it’s always nice to have the opportunity to gather as a community and take stock of what makes us so lucky to call this place home. For years now the “Community Cookout” has done just that. This year’s gathering once again falls on Memorial Day— Monday, May 27th. We hope you can join us!

Our Main Street neighbors at Good Design Here are holding an online auction full of all sorts of unique items including furniture, artwork, rugs, and more. Best of all, a few of the items are being auctioned off on behalf of The Neighborhood House!

Apparently Mother Nature didn’t get the memo that it’s April, as the weather “experts” are predicting a combination of snow, rain and wind for the second half of the week. Therefore, we have decided to postpone the Community Cafe luncheon scheduled for this Thursday to NEXT THURSDAY (April 11). In case of slippery road conditions, we want to help keep everyone safe, including our volunteers who help make it all possible.

On Friday, March 22nd The Neighborhood House hosted the “Spring Fling” dance for girls and their “dates.” After years of holding the wildly popular “Sweetheart Valentine Dance” in February, the event got a little shake-up and was moved back in the calendar with a new name and way to welcome the arrival of spring. Apparently Mother Nature did not get the memo, because the weekend included one last gasp of winter precipitation. Luckily, the weather cooperated on Friday evening and a fun time was had by all.

For nearly twenty years, each February we’ve busted out our dancing shoes and party decorations to host the “Sweetheart Valentine Dance.” Each and every year the event continues to draw a large crowd from around the community. One thing about hosting a gathering in Mid-February however is the uncertainty of the weather. On several occasions over the last two decades, Mother Nature has forced us to postpone the festivities, and during one particular two-day blizzard we had to cancel it altogether. In an effort to have one less variable in the equation, we’ve opted to push the fun back by a few weeks. It’ll be the same event… just a new name and date!

On Friday, Dec. 9, children are invited to come Christmas caroling with The Neighborhood House prior to a free public performance of “The Grinch” by the Frogtown Mountain Puppeteers. This free all ages show is co-sponsored by our friends at the Northeast Harbor Library.

On Saturday, December 2nd, over 40 runners and walkers (and a few canine companions as well) took to the streets of Northeast Harbor for the annual Frosty 5K. The event served as the kickoff to the Northeast Harbor Christmas Festival which welcomed hundreds of folks to town for a day packed with activities, shopping, a visit from Santa, and an abundance of community spirit.

We’re cooking up something new this fall— Cooking Classes for Kids! Young chefs in grades 5-8 are invited to join some familiar faces from around our community for this four-part series. Participants can register for individual classes, or all four. Each session has a suggested fee of $15, and will run from after school until approximately 4:30.

The Neighborhood House “Halloween Treat Truck” will hit the road once again on Tuesday, Oct. 31. The idea started over a decade ago when the building was under such heavy use there literally wasn’t enough time in the schedule to set up and decorate for a traditional Halloween party. That’s when the decision to take the trick-or-treating on the road was made, and we’ve never looked back!