Home for the Holidays 2014

October is just around the corner, the evenings are drawing in, and all over Maine craftspeople and artists are preparing for the busiest shopping season of the year.

As in previous years, a number of them will join the crafters of St. Patrick’s Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov.…

The Animal House, with locations in Damariscotta and Westbrook, donated over $3,000 in products on behalf of their customers during the 12 Woofs of Christmas event, to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter and Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.

Customers selected a shelter dog or cat to sponsor, and The Animal House customized bags specific to their needs, at wholesale cost.

All packages were delivered on Christmas Eve.

I heard a rather strange noise coming from the other side of the house yesterday afternoon and decided I'd better investigate. Through the dining room, into the living room, a peek out on the lanai — nada.

Back through the living room and out to the front porch, where not a creature was stirring not even (oops, we're over that one for another year.)

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White Gift Sunday, which will be celebrated at First Congregational Church, UCC Wiscasset, on Jan. 4, 2015, has been a part of Christian churches’ celebrations for over 100 years.

In 1904 Ohio, the wife of a Methodist minister sought a way to help people in need around the church community. She was familiar with the story of the people of China who revered their emperor — the Kublai Khan — so much, that they would bring him gifts…

The Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN) announces the launch of its annual Ski Bum Promotion to be held in January 2015 looking for the “Ultimate Ski Bum Family.” The Grand Prize drawing will be drawn on Jan. 28, and will include a ski and stay at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort for a family of four during school vacation week in February, and gear for the entire family from Gorham Bike and Ski.

Each week in January, MPBN will release a new “MPBN LIBS” Challenge on its website, www.mpbn…

Chewonki's annual Winter Vacation Camp for students in grades 1-8 give students and their families an opportunity to explore the outdoors in winter during the week of February vacation, Feb 16-20.

Students in grades 5-8 can build their own toboggan and sleep over in a heated tent on Thursday night. Students in grades 1-8 will enjoy learning outdoor skills including cooking a community lunch outdoors.

Families are invited to enjoy Chewonki…

I had my heart set on sharing a photograph of my only Jan. 1 “Trap Day” on Monhegan, but do you think I could find that folder.

Maybe I couldn't find it because even to this day, I get chills thinking about how cold it was.

I contacted Doug and Harry Odom to see if I could stay with them. Not a problem they said, and then they gave me a grocery list. They offered me the guest bedroom, which I thought was pretty darned nice.

Little did I know that the guest bedroom was an…

This year, as you hang the twinkling lights and decorate your mantel with sprigs of holly, remember that not everyone has gotten the message that it’s a season of peace.

The holidays can be an even more dangerous time than normal for those at risk for domestic violence.

From the financial stress of gift buying to an overall increase in alcohol consumption, to a flurry of emotions — and sometimes stress — that accompany a plethora of family togetherness time, there are many…

The Wiscasset Church of the Nazarene will be hosting a Christmas Eve Communion Service at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 24.

We welcome you to come and celebrate the Savior with us. 

Every year for the past four years, Avery Thomas of Wiscasset has spent over 20 hours setting up a Christmas lights display next to Ship's Chow Hall in Wiscasset.

He says the project is a lot of work, but a lot of fun and a lot of people have said how much they enjoy the display.

“It takes about 10 hours to do the lights, and another 10 to set up the sync with the music,” Thomas said.

Thomas matches the light display up with a list of songs played on 88.7 FM. If someone…

You have to give the big guy a lot of credit. Fame can be a heavy burden. Over time the spotlight’s glare tends to reveal our less than lovely features, and he’s been in the spotlight longer than almost anybody.

He’s been riding high (literally and figuratively) since long before the arrival of Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, Charlie Brown and The Grinch who stole Christmas.

With his lush white beard, plump profile and boundless…

Wassail, wassail, all over the town: Edgecomb Eddy grades 4-6 students went caroling and delivered pet foods, toys, other things they have been collecting to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, and foods to our local food pantry. Bravo! And the school thanks you, Michael and Cara Gaffney, for your donation of five pairs of new gloves for students.

Meanwhile, another bravo to Edgecomb Congregational youth who went…

There will be a special Christmas Eve service for all ages, "Opening the Stable Door," in the Skidompha Library Atrium (Damariscotta) at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24.

The Rev. Erika Hewitt of the Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will honor the ways we invite ourselves to be changed, personally and as a community, by opening or entering the figurative doors we encounter.

…

Merry Christmas to all. It seems that times are changing. In recent years it seems that many were substituting the term “holidays” for “Christmas” in order to be sensitive to others. Now many are using “Merry Christmas” and taking pride in their Christian heritage while accepting all others whether Christian, Jew, Islamic, etc.

There seems to be more discussions of backgrounds and…

The Wiscasset Sno-Goers snowmobile club held their first-ever Christmas party at the club house at 8 Recycle Way, near the Recycle Center. It was kicked off with a potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. Members enjoyed dishes brought by members and two pizzas donated by Wiscasset General Store.

A Yankee Swap was enjoy by all members. The Swap was followed with the business meeting. Many trail items were discussed. Several bridges need to be worked on and trees and limbs need to be trimmed from…

Come join in the celebration this Christmas Eve at Faith Baptist Church of Newcastle at 7 p.m. This special service will be filled with the singing of time honored Christmas carols.

The Echoes of Faith is a Southern Gospel Trio featuring Bill and Cindy Campbell Frith (formally from The Campbell Family singers ) and Julie O’Donnell, as well as others, will be sharing the story of Jesus’ birth in song.

This is an evening you won’t want to miss…

Last week I asked what is happening at the Senior Center. Unfortunately, I was unable to get to the Wednesday evening dinner, but I was able to find out a little bit. Many things are being considered but there are no specific plans. Everyone seems to be involved in getting set for Christmas and the new year so specific planning for activities is delayed until January.

There are many…

A Ceremony of Carols, Opus 28 by Benjamin Britten will highlight the service on the fourth Sunday in Advent at the First Congregational Church of Wiscasset.

Because of the special choir music, the prelude to the service on Dec. 21 will begin at 9:45 a.m.

A Ceremony of Carols is based largely on 15th and 16th century English poems. Originally conceived as a series of…

The Newcastle-Alna Baptist Church in Alna will hold its annual candlelight service on Sunday, Dec. 21 beginning at 6 p.m.

There will be a Christmas message by The Rev. Richard Newell, traditional carols, and musical presentations by choir members and soloists.

All are welcome to attend. The church is located on Route 194 (Head Tide Road) near the Alna Post Office.

Calendars are jam-packed these days. The Island Cottage Pantry is open this Saturday, Dec. 20, from noon to 2 p.m., and next Monday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Human Resources Committee wants to thank everyone for their donations of food, bathroom and kitchen cleaning items, and more over the past months. Whether it’s boxes collected from the Community Association’s events or thoughtful neighbors dropping turkey or spaghetti off at Althea Cromwell’s,…

The Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department Afterschool Adventures staff members will be leading a group on Monday, Dec. 29, our Monday Funday Daycamp!

Join Heather and the staff for a trip to the Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine. Kids will participate in one and a half hours of free play time and a choice of one activity: “Meet the Turtles” or “Camera Obscura.”

If your children want to learn about our “Timmy the Turtle,” this is a great activity. Camera Obscura is a room…

On Thursday, Dec. 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Stephenson Fiber Arts will host a holiday reception at Stephenson Fiber Arts Gallery (formerly the Salt Marsh Schoolhouse), 245 River Road in Edgecomb.

Lots of amazing fiber and works of art will be on view, and to purchase (Think Christmas!). Refreshments will be served. Please come and join Susie for her first event!…

The Animal House, with locations in Damariscotta and Westbrook is hosting ‘12 Woofs of Christmas’ to benefit the Lincoln County Animal Shelter in Edgecomb and the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland in Westbrook.

Photos of 12 dogs and cats from the shelters are displayed at each store. Customers may then choose which they would like to sponsor for the holiday for $5, $10 or $25. The Animal House will customize a package based on the health needs of the sponsored pet including food…

Area families put the Wiscasset Community Center on their itinerary Saturday, Dec. 13, for “Breakfast with Santa.”

Children took turns meeting with the jolly old elf, who heard their wishes and whatever else they had to say.

Before Karlie Reith, 8, of Dresden read him her list, she told him about the family’s slippery driveway that morning.

Overnight snow and lingering morning snow showers gave Wiscasset a coat of white again in time for the annual event, but did not appear…

Join Lincoln County Spark on Sunday, Dec. 21 for the Santa Shuffle!

Due to inclement weather, as is this season's trademark, the Turkey Trot was canceled but the local need is still there.

“Our food pantries are seeing more and more need and this year is no exception. We want to do what we can to ensure that no one is going hungry in our own communities. Our events are an opportunity to not only come together for fun, but to make people more aware,” Spark committee member Cerina…

The office will be extra busy the next few weeks. Besides training a new deputy clerk, dog licenses need to be done.

Amy starts getting ready for the end of the year reports for the different Maine departments: BMV, hunting and fishing, ATVs, snowmobiles, vital statics and dogs (each has separate report).

We also start getting lists, etc., for the annual report; the town report is a lot of written work.

Chris Cooper puts a lot of volunteer hours in, doing the pictures,…

Have you ever wondered what you would have if you crossed the high intensity Irish step dance of Riverdance with good humor and fast paced Celtic fiddle music?

Mix thoroughly, then blend in a perfect measure of Gospel seasoning and you’d have The Sky Family from Prince Edward Island.

Fun and inspiring are two words that fittingly describe their high-energy Celtic dance…

Boogie your way to 2015 with Biscuit Miller and The Mix at the Trade Winds Motor Inn in Rockland.

The New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) bash is $199 per couple, plus tax. Price includes: room, use of hot tub and pool, dinner from 7-8:30 p.m. (choice of vegetarian lasagna, lobster stew, prime rib or salmon), party favors, champagne toast and a buffet breakfast. The band takes the stage at 9 p.m.

David “Biscuit” Miller, originally from the south side of Chicago, picked up a four-string…

Leave the kiddos at Grandma’s or find them a play date.

Studio Theatre of Bath President April Purinton calls ‘Twisted Christmas,’ a “festive evening full of stress-busting, mood-lifting unpredictable comic relief for grownups,” on Friday, Dec. 12 and Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Winter Street Center in Bath.

Songs, skits, audience participation and classic Christmas themes with a twist, make this a fun evening and a new favorite tradition.

Audience members of Twisted…

The Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington Railway Museum has put nine years and about $130,000 into restoring a locomotive that holds a lot of meaning for the all-volunteer museum in Alna.

The Portland-built, 1891 locomotive used to run from Wiscasset to Albion for the same railway the museum commemorates, museum officials said. It’ll be on display Dec. 20 during the museum’s Victorian Christmas event, and could be ready for use on train rides as soon as next summer.

“It’s a…

Brighten your winter days by printing monotypes with the Midcoast Printmakers, Inc. Classes are 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, Dec. 5, 12, 19, and from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, 15, 22.

Kay Miller will show you how to create cards or pictures using a printing press with natural materials, cut out stencils, or other found objects.

Call Kay at 207-644-8849 to sign up. All classes are held at Midcoast Printmakers’ studio at 648 Main St. (Business Route 1) in Damariscotta.

If you'…

Signs of Christmas are a-building: For one, parents and friends of Edgecomb Eddy School students and staff, remember next Thursday, Dec. 18, to come enjoy the kids' All-School Winter Concert, 6 p.m.

For a tantalizing, goodies-holic pre-Christmas treat, check out the 8th annual Gingerbread Spectacular at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday Dec. 14, each day opening at 10 a.m. Just don't try to nibble the M&M roof tiles or the Tootsie Roll log cabins, or…

Savory Maine Dining and Provisions is pleased to exhibit the “Katahdin Fantasies” of Yarmouth watercolor artist Harry Beskind from Dec. 4 through Jan. 12. This colorful exhibit of the artist’s recent work, with a focus on Katahdin, is in Savory Maine’s main dining room. The public is invited to attend the opening reception to be held on Friday, Dec. 12 from 3 to 5 p.m., with beer, wine and finger foods.

…

For those who ask, “What exactly is a Dough Ball?” the answer is that it’s either the start of a great gingerbread house creation, or it’s the name of the kick-off party for this year’s Gingerbread Spectacular at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor.

This year’s Dough Ball on Friday, Dec. 12 features music, food, drinks, a silent auction, a spectacularly decorated venue and the stars of the show, the first glimpses of dozens of gingerbread houses…

Nine degrees Fahrenheit? I had to look twice at the thermometer Monday morning — it’s kind of early to be so cold. A mess of gloves, mittens and scarves are finally near the door!

So good to see the church full Sunday night, especially with new families and little ones! Wendy Thompson, Carol Blake and Dan Quinion teamed up to lead the fine singers and musicians: Mara Abbott, Dick Barker, Newt Blakesley, Darlene Daniels, Libby Fairfield, Dewey Harris, Cyndy Lewis, Joseph McGrath, Susan…

Down East Singers, a choral group that regularly changes its musical style each year in December, is planning to warm up the chilly weather with a Latin-American holiday celebration entitled, “Navidad Nuestra” (Our Nativity). The program will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 380 Academy Hill Road, Newcastle, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at Camden Opera House.

A combo of guitar, two flutes, two percussionists, string bass and electric…

If you still have Christmas shopping left to do, you’re running out of time.

Of course, you may be one of those well-organized, plan-ahead types who loves to remind the rest of us that you purchased all of your gifts “ages ago.”

This message is for both those still shopping and those already finished.

We get so caught up in…

A red beacon guided Santa to the town common for Wiscasset’s tree lighting on Saturday night. However, the beacon wasn’t that of a red-nosed reindeer.

Rudolph was already there along with their mutual friend Frosty. The two greeted event-goers and danced as members of Wiscasset’s school choruses sang “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty the Snowman” and other holiday hits on the steps of First Congregational Church.

Then jazz musician Jeff Grosser, the event’s longtime emcee…

Mid-Coast Audubon has scheduled three Christmas Bird Counts for the 2014 holiday season. These counts are as follows: Sunday, Dec. 14, Pemaquid-Damariscotta with Dennis McKenna as compiler (207-563-8439), Monday, Dec. 15, Bunker Hill with John Weinrich as compiler (207-563-2930), and Saturday, Dec. 20, Thomaston-Rockland with Don Reimer as compiler (207-273-3146).

These bird counts are conducted in every state of the union and many international locations during the holiday season. The…

T-shirt days are over, I guess. With the second mess of snow in a month, the road crew, Central Maine Power, and inventive cooks truly stepped up!

Lots of Thanksgiving Day gatherings and familiar dishes went sideways, but I’m hoping you had a safe, if not warm, holiday.

Maybe not the day you planned, but at least a good day that came your way. The entire town was out of power for two days, some of us maybe a little longer, and it took long hours to get things right. For one story…

I hope you all enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday, and that the snow storm was not too disruptive for you. We are now into December and that brings Christmas and many things to do. In all your rushing about, do take time for things like the Wiscasset Town Tree Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 6 and the Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13.

At the 12th…

Savory Maine in Damariscotta announces its December music series featuring local musicians. Every Thursday and Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m., musicians from around the Midcoast entertain diners at Savory Maine.

On Dec. 4, Kathi Nordone and Sylvia Tavares kick the month off with Kathi's Americana folk, country, inspirational and gospel tunes while Sylvia brings classic folk and original music to the stage.

Heather Hardy, a stand-up bass guitarist and mouth trumpeting songwriter, will…

Our wonderful community of local artists and the presence of loyal fans have all contributed to a successful first weekend of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation's (BRAF) annual Art in the Square exhibition. And to keep viewers on their toes, new works are arriving every day. At this time, the exhibit has 140 squares on view. This translates into 20,160 square inches of eye candy!

New canvases are always welcome, so pick up a blank canvas at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF)…

Get your holiday shopping done and support local artists at the same time!

Rising Tide's annual Holiday Gift Show kicks off with an artists reception and free wine tasting on Friday, Dec. 5 from 4 to 6 p.m. Come down to the Rising Tide Cafe for a festive atmosphere while you check out art and crafts made by your friends and neighbors. Refreshments will be served, and there’s a free wine tasting for those 21-plus.

The Holiday Gift Show will continue through most of December.

The Nor'easters Barbershop Chorus of Brunswick, will be presenting an a cappella Christmas concert on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. The show will be presented at the Lincoln County Assembly of God Church, 672 Main Street in Damariscotta.

Barbershop quartets In the Mix and Frost on the Pumpkins will also perform, as well as the Assembly of God music team and its men's trio.

Selections will include “Go Tell it On the Mountain,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” “We Need a Little…

In the waning days of autumn, the Maine woods are fairly bursting with hunters. They come in all shapes and sizes. In addition to father and son teams, you’ll find moms, aunts, uncles, sisters and daughters. And it wouldn’t be hunting season without a good selection of colorful out-of-state state “sports.”

Yet, whatever differences there are, come sunrise they’re all headed in the same direction. If you want to pack in sufficient calories for a long day of hunting, you’d best stop at…

Saturday, Dec. 6, is the day of the annual Boothbay Harbor Lights Craft Show, held at the Fire Station. This year it will include the opportunity to have your family’s portraits done in cut paper by Maine only full-time professional silhouette artist, Ruth Monsell of Artful Heirlooms. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monsell depicts over a thousand people of all ages every year, about half from live 5-minute sittings and the rest from photographs or through her…

More children at Wiscasset schools will soon be going home with weekend food, thanks to the community’s continued support and a cut in the food’s cost, Wiscasset Feed Our Scholars Chairman Gretchen Burleigh-Johnson said.

Good Shepherd Food Bank has lowered its rate from $250 a year for each student served, to $225, Burleigh-Johnson, of Edgecomb, said.

In January, Feed Our Scholars will expand from its current count of 56 primary and middle school students served, to 80, including…

The Bath Area Family YMCA presents its 20th annual Festival of Trees on Dec. 9 and 10.

This year’s fundraiser is at the Maine Maritime Museum, 243 Washington Street, Bath. Come view 26 trees decorated by area businesses and non-profits with the theme of “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

A silent auction will take place with many wonderful items.

Several decorated trees will also be auctioned.

The…

Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary members are now searching for greens and other natural materials to be gathered from local homes, farms, fields, forests and shores, for the annual “Holiday Bazaar” at Mid Coast Hospital Thursday and Friday, Dec. 4 and 5, at the hospital, 123 Medical Center Drive.

It takes place on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lovely baskets of greens, wreaths, centerpieces and decorated country antiques, will be among the offerings this…

Two Bridges Regional Jail is holding a Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the facility on 522 Bath Road, Wiscasset, just off of Route 1.

Inmates at Two Bridges Regional Jail have been putting their time and creative talents to good use while incarcerated by producing small items for sale for $5 and up.

A partial list of items includes tail gating games, house wares, hostess gifts, toys, puzzles, men’s gifts, women’s gifts, novelty items and much, much more…

It’s that time of year. With loads of parties, lots of entertaining, hostess gifts aplenty, what would be great to have on hand for such occasions?

Why, sweets from Feed Our Scholars bakers, of course! There will even be some gluten-free items.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Shaw’s of Wiscasset, there will be scrumptious goodies for purchase. Take them away for a donation to the fund that provides weekend packs of food to Wiscasset school children who need a…

Thanksgiving is often associated with the meal rather than an occasion to give thanks. We gather around the table with family and friends and consume many of the foods we have come to associate with autumn and Thanksgiving — turkey, squash, turnip, potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and a variety of other goodies.

While some authorities are convinced that the 1621 feast included turkey, which were known to be plentiful on Cape Cod, others lean toward deer meat as the most logical…

This year, how about giving a gift that changes the life of a Lincoln County resident: the gift of a healthy mouth, and a smile.

Some of our neighbors have difficulty eating, are suffering with infected or broken teeth, and long ago became too self conscious to smile. To date, there are more than 30 people waiting to be able to eat comfortably, smile, and feel confident whether having a conversation with friends and family, or applying for a job.

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…