Think About Gardiner Community Info & Brainstorming Event
Share Your Ideas Questions Feedback Help Shape Gardiner's Future!
THINK ABOUT GARDINER
Saturday, March 12th, 1pm-4pm
Several Downtown Gardiner Locations
Learn about your community – who's in it and how things get done.
Gardiner Main Street invites community members who live, work or play in Gardiner to an informative brainstorming event on Saturday, March 12 from 1 to 4pm. Held across several downtown locations, this interactive Think About Gardiner event will share resources and information about Gardiner and also collect feedback on how to keep a thriving community.
Areas of focus include supporting our youth, maintaining and celebrating public spaces, doing business in Gardiner, community events, local foods and the arts. The interactive and informational stations will be open from 1pm-3pm with a casual meet and greet gathering afterwards at Bateau Brewing.
Explore all that downtown Gardiner has to offer as you have your voice heard. Share your input as Gardiner Main Street shapes its priorities and plans for the year.
Information and feedback gathered at the event will be used to discover initiatives the community values and supports. The organization will use the data to focus its efforts on developing initiatives which align with its mission. Help shape the future of downtown Gardiner by joining us!
Think About Gardiner is a great event for those new to Gardiner and unfamiliar with all that it has to offer. Individuals looking to meet new people and make more local connections will also benefit from the event.
Long standing residents and active members of the community are also invited to attend and share their knowledge and feedback. Teens, and families are also encouraged to participate as the event seeks to find out how downtown Gardiner can welcome our younger generations.
Begin the event at the Gardiner Public Library
Start at the Gardiner Public Library to check in. Get a name tag and event map to plan which locations and topics interest you. Gardiner Main Street board president and Assistant Library Director Dawn Thistle will greet you in the Hazzard room where you can learn about Gardiner Main Street’s mission, its teams of volunteers, and also the City of Gardiner’s committees.
GMS Promotions Team and Gardiner Greeters volunteer Cheryl Clark will be there to especially welcome our newest residents to the Gardiner area.
Think About: Doing Business In Gardiner
How can we support our local economy and how can we keep it thriving and growing? Share your suggestions and learn about doing business in Gardiner at 207 Water Street, where a new wine business is preparing to open. GMS treasurer and SCORE counselor Mike Gent will provide information about starting new businesses as well as resources to support Gardiner’s existing businesses.
Think About: Gardiner Events
Gardiner might be known for its annual Swine & Stein Brewfest event, but there are many other events and activities held in Gardiner throughout the year. Discover all that is happening as we think about events at Monkitree, 263 Water Street. GMS board member and Promotions Team member Clare Marron will lead discussions about events and you’ll have opportunities to share your all-time favorite events you have experienced and what has made them so great. Help us discover new, fun events that could be established in Gardiner.
Think About: Local Foods
Stop in to the Gardiner Food Co-op at 269 Water Street and discover all the local food producers in the area. Taste free samples of some of the offerings found at the Co-op and join in the discussion on local foods and farmers markets with GMS Program Coordinator Tonya Gorman. Pick up a handout on local foods, learn about community supported agriculture programs (CSAs) and more. Share what your favorite local items are, and discover some new offerings you may not have known about.
Think About: Gardiner's Great Outdoors
With a multitude of parks and recreation opportunities within walking distance, Gardiner has one of the most green downtowns in the state. Discover Gardiner’s great outdoors at Johnson Hall, 280 Water Street with representatives from Gardiner’s Gardeners, the GMS Streetscape Team, Upstream and Crossing the Cobb. Share your favorite spaces and outdoor activities as you learn about current programs like the downtown planters and public gardens. Find favorite walking trails. Discover exciting projects in process such as the restoration of the Palmer Fountain at the Common and the Cobbossee Trail extension.
Think About: Art in Gardiner
Come to Circling The Square Fine Art Press at 275 Water Street for a discussion on how we can support and showcase the many creative talents in our community. Learn about the ArtWalk program and share your thoughts with artist John Carnes on the importance of art in the community.
Think About: Welcoming Youth Downtown
How can we create a more welcoming downtown for younger populations? Teens and families are encouraged to join us at Niche Inc, 307 Water Street, for questions and discussions on supporting youth in the downtown. Students and teachers from the high school will be showcasing their book art projects and share how to make your own book art. Learn about upcoming youth art exhibitions and share your thoughts on programs and businesses needed to help our youth feel valued, appreciated and welcomed downtown.
Join Us After To Meet & Greet At Bateau
All locations will be open 1pm to 3pm so you can stop in and out of all the topics which are important and of interest to you. To keep the conversations going an informal meet and greet will be held at Bateau Brewing, 149 Water Street beginning at 3pm. Join us by the fire pit, grab a beer and a bite to eat from Miller’s Pride to meet others from the area and share your thoughts from the event.
Think About Gardiner aims to bring the community together, discover new things about Gardiner you never knew about and wants your feedback on how to support a thriving downtown. Gardiner Main Street is looking forward to connecting with you downtown on March 12th!