OBIFD Seeks Donations for Annual Auction and Yard Sale

June 17, 2014

The Orr's & Bailey Islands Fire Department is looking for donations for its annual auction and yard sale to be held August 9 and 10 at the fire station on Orr's Island.

Items may be dropped off at the fire station at 1600 Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays leading up to the big weekend. Donors can also call 833-5199 to arrange for free pickup of larger pieces or multiple items. The fire department asks that no donations be left unattended at the station.

Over the years, the department has found that many items are difficult to sell or even give away and asks people not to donate microwave ovens, vacuums, dehumidifiers, electric stovetops, computer equipment, ski gear, couches or other stuffed furniture, mattresses and box springs, exercise equipment, aquariums, building materials, bath fixtures, appliances, lighting fixtures, metal bed frames, baby equipment, particleboard furniture, plastic storage containers and cups. Books can be donated to the Orr's Island Library for its August sale.

Items accepted for donation will be up for sale at either the yard sale held throughout the weekend or at the live auction on Sunday, August 10.

The yard sale will be held from 8 a.m. to at least 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 9, and again Sunday morning on the grounds of the fire station and inside the adjacent old Orr's Island Schoolhouse on Harpswell Islands Road, Route 24.

The live auction of some of the finer items will begin at 10 a.m. on Sunday, with preview starting at 9 a.m. A wide variety of antique and fine furniture, historical artifacts, artwork and many other items will be up for bid as usual, with lots of interesting surprises along the way.

A silent auction of a variety of goods, services and experiences donated by area businesses will be open on both days. Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be offered for sale.

All proceeds from the event help fund the nonprofit volunteer department, which provides fire and rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island east of the Mountain Road bridge and south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24. 

For more information, visit www.obifd.org or call fire Chief Ed Blain at 833-5199.

Artists Prepare Lobster Buoys for 'An Evening of Art'

June 16, 2014

These four lobster buoys specially decorated by local artists will be among a series up for sale at thefourth annual An Evening of Art on Saturday, July 5, at the historic Orr’s Island Schoolhouse on Route 24.

The iconic buoys were distributed to area artists to transform into unique pieces to be sold at the benefit for the old schoolhouse building. Dozens of other items, including paintings, prints, photographs, jewelry and more will also be auctioned off at the event, to be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on July 5 at the schoolhouse, located at 1594 Harpswell Island Road, Route 24, Orr’s Island. Preview will begin at 6 p.m. Light hors d'oeuvres, desserts, soda and wine will be served.

The former two-room schoolhouse, now managed by the adjacent Orr's and Bailey Islands Fire Department, is used for a variety of community, public and private events. The schoolhouse is self-supporting, depending on income from event rentals, fundraisers and donations to maintain the building and grounds.

For more information, please contact Venise Minkowsky at 833-7386 or Tim McCreight at 761-8217, visit orrsislandschoolhouse.com or email artauction@orrsislandschoolhouse.com.

Fun Time Had by All at OBIFD Open House

June 10, 2014

Hands-on fun was the order of the day at this year’s annual open house at the Orr’s and Bailey Islands Fire Department.

Visitors got a chance to operate and feel the power of a live fire hose, check out rescue tools as they tore into a wrecked car and climb aboard fire trucks and other emergency vehicles at the open house, held on June 7 at the Orr’s Island fire station.

“This annual event gives us a chance to show the community what we do and how we do it, and expose people to the benefits of helping their neighbors by volunteering for a variety of roles in the fire and rescue department,” said OBIFD Chief Ed Blain.

“It was a fun time for us and our visitors.”

Many of the department’s volunteers were on hand to demonstrate the use of fire hoses, rescue tools and fire extinguishers. Firefighters showed off the rescue tools by tearing apart a junked car as they would in an actual rescue, removing the doors and then cutting off the roof to reach occupants inside.

Children and adults got a chance to see the tools up close and even feel the power of the cutting jaws.

Many people also got the opportunity to operate a powerful fire hose hooked up to one of the department’s engines which blasted water as it would while fighting an actual fire.

The open house also included a visit from the Brunswick Fire Department fire safety trailer, in which visitors got to experience what it would be like in a smoke-filled home and how to get out safely, and a presentation by Chief Blain on safety tips when filling up at a gas station. There were also gifts for children and free refreshments for everyone.

“We enjoy putting on this event every year and appreciate the support we receive,” said Mike Helfgott, president of the OBIFD Board of Directors. “Our volunteers are proud of what they do for the community and love to show off their skills to our neighbors and friends.”

OBIFD is an all-volunteer department which provides fire and medical rescue services for Orr's and Bailey Islands and portions of Great Island south of Stevens Corner Road on Route 24, including Long Point, and Mountain Road east of the Ewing Narrows bridge.

For more information on OBIFD or joining the volunteer crew, visit www.obifd.org  or the town-wide recruitment and information site at www.harpswellfireandrescue.org.