Thu, 12/18/2014 - 9:30am

Mary Ellen Barnes

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, your generosity throughout the year is really a gift to our community, to families young and old, and new and long-time neighbors. Many thanks from the HRC!

Please, please stop into the lobby of The First in Wiscasset. You’ll see a beautiful tree lovingly decorated with mittens — yes, mittens. All sizes, colors and color combinations created over the past several months by Cheryl Greenleaf. Apparently Cheryl has so much fun grabbing this yarn and that, that she ended up knitting well over 400 pairs to give to organizations and area families — 388 pairs were donated to The First (not all on the tree!).

The staff there has delivered mittens to local schools, New Hope for Women, and other groups. Many of you know Cheryl, who’s been knitting (along with sister Senie) since she was pretty young, taught by her mom (Beatrice) and Nana (Verlie Colby Greenleaf).

She’s made mittens and hats for youngsters and families for years, and loves mixing colors, making a heckuva lot of very unique pairs. It’s so neat to see the tree, and to learn about the mittens now making their way onto children’s hands! A big hug and shout-out from everyone, Cheryl.

Trying to simplify shopping? How about giving someone the big wide outdoors or the huge ocean? Hunting and fishing licenses bring a lot of smiles as presents — and registering a family boat is always appreciated! Catch up with Dedee or Gaye at the Town Office to pick up these easily-wrapped presents: Tuesdays noon to 7 p.m., or Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or call 207-882-8477.

While you’re visiting the town office, don’t forget to license your pup. All dogs over 6 months of age must be licensed by Jan. 1; late fees ($25) will take effect on Feb. 1. Bring your dog's rabies certification if a current certificate is not on file at the town office. Licensing spayed/neutered dogs cost $6, and un-spayed/neutered dogs cost $11.

Westport’s fire department and EMTs were pretty busy this past Sunday. You’ll read about the details elsewhere. Deputy Chief Jason Abbott, Captain Stacey Hutchinson, Libby Fairfield (first call as a member of the department — wow!), Roger Quandt, James Richardson, Earl Grant, Stan Lane, and Roger Higgins worked with the sheriff’s department and Wiscasset Ambulance on a land search and eventually a water rescue of an individual off Heal Cove.

Not that long ago, Jason and Stacey completed 300 hours each for the Firefighting I and II training, and now Stacey and Libby are putting about 150 hours of their own time into EMT training. Experience, up-to-date training, common sense, and courage — hard to thank this crew enough. Still, we’re so grateful for the timely response, professionalism and dedication.

You probably noticed new songs in the Christmas Program. Wendy and Carol found three songs they wanted to add along with traditional favorites. Wendy’s always thinking about what to include for the next year, and talks with friends who run similar programs to find new music. She picked up the jazzy tune, “Christmas is Coming,” from a program she did with the Y-Arts Chorus in Boothbay Harbor in 2012.

A piece by John Rutter was added this year — “Angels Carol” — and a different Rutter song is likely to be added for 2015. Carol suggested the song “When a Child is Born” and once Wendy heard it, she also loved it (this was the song that the congregation joined in on the last verse). Wendy and the choir are open to your suggestions of old favorites or a new and different Christmas song for next year — please give Wendy or Carol a call or send an email.

Officially dialing for Christmas songs on the radio — what fun to rock out to Brenda Lee, Stevie Wonder and Mannheim Steamroller on a short car ride home!