Something new is happening this holiday season at Wiscasset Community Center, a Thanksgiving dinner that two area couples have organized.

The meal is free and is open to anyone, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. or until the food runs out, Thanksgiving Thursday, Nov. 27, said Bob MacDonald, manager of recreation and facilities for the Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department. 

MacDonald, of Wiscasset, wife Valerie MacDonald and their friends Brian and Tisa Bolduc of Edgecomb have planned the dinner and hope to make it an annual event.

“We thought it would be a great thing to do for the community, for people who can't cook or don't have the means, or if someone just needs a change of scenery,” Bob MacDonald said Nov. 20. The town is donating the use of the senior center at the community center for the dinner.

The couples are planning to make enough turkey, stuffing, squash, peas and carrots, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, apple and pumpkin pie and homemade rolls to serve 150 to 200 people.

“It's a traditional Thanksgiving meal,” he said.

While there is no charge for the meal, anyone is welcome to make donations, which will go to Wiscasset's Santa Fund, MacDonald said. The fund is used to buy boots, mittens and other presents in cooperation with Family Holiday Wishes, Sue Varney, Wiscasset assessor’s agent, said.

MacDonald said other volunteers will be joining him, his wife and the Bolducs at the event, but anyone else who would like to help is welcome. Leave a message for MacDonald at the center, at 207-882-8230.

Along with the new dinner, those seeking to celebrate the holiday season will have several returning events to enjoy. Preregistration is required for the Teddy Bear Sleepover, set for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, to 7:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at the community center. Activities include movies, gym, an open swim, and a pizza party. The event is for grades one through six, or kindergarten if a parent accompanies the child. Participants should have with them a bathing suit, towel, pajamas, a sleeping bag and a pillow. Contact the center about costs and signup.

Santa and his friends Frosty and Rudolph will once again arrive by boat at the waterfront, at about 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Hot chocolate, cider and baked goods will be for sale at the waterfront from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. that afternoon, and the warming barrels will be in use, said Parks and Recreation Director Todd Souza. Then at 4:30 p.m., the tree-lighting ceremony will take place on the town common. The department and the Town Appearance Committee are sponsoring the event.

“Enjoy holiday music performed by the Wiscasset Band and Chorus. Cocoa and sweet treats will be served after the tree-lighting,” the department’s announcement states.

Have breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at the community center. (Santa is slated to join the breakfast at 8:45 a.m.) For costs and other information, contact the center.

Several area organizations are also planning craft fairs, bake sales and other holiday themed-events. Find them on this newspaper’s Home for the Holidays page at www.wiscassetnewspaper.com.