2015 Holiday Spectacular

For a group of Edgecomb Eddy School second and third graders, what makes Christmas special is spending time with relatives. Whether it’s celebrating Christmas Day at home or traveling out of state, six Edgecomb Eddy students are anxious to spend the holiday with family.

“You see people who you don’t see a lot of,” said third grader Kennedie Murray. “I see my aunts and uncles and they bring over my cousins.”

Second grader Alli Edgecomb has such a big family that she attends four…

Wiscasset Middle High School has helped give Maine military families the Christmases they might never have been able to afford, Brandon Keene of Maine Army National Guard’s 133rd Engineer Battalion told students and staff Friday.

Toys and other gifts the school gathered in its yearly “100 Points of Light” program filled two tables behind Keene as he spoke from the floor of Stover Auditorium, about the “Christmas Across Maine” program that the gifts were going to.

“It’s difficult…

Wiscasset 7-year-old Kylee Smith had a question for Mrs. Claus Saturday morning at Wiscasset Community Center’s Breakfast with Santa.

Yes, she did know all of Santa’s reindeer, Mrs. Claus, or Mattie Welch of Jefferson, told Smith. At Smith’s request, she named Comet, Cupid and the others.

Then she had a question for Smith.

“You know who the most famous reindeer of all is, don’t you?”

“Rudolph,” Smith said. Does Santa have Rudolph, she asked Welch.

Yes, and Santa…

Driving through Wiscasset along Bath Road near Big Al's and coming up on Ship's Chow Hall, drivers might notice a lot of flashing lights on the left side of the road with a big lighted sign telling them to “tune to 88.7 FM.”

If they pull into the parking lot of the hall and adjust the radio, they'll hear the station run by Wiscasset Middle High School senior Avery Thomas, 18, of Wiscasset. Every year, he sets up a complex display of lights that coordinates perfectly with music he…

Looking to sample wine before hosting your holiday gathering? Portland-based distributor Devenish Wines will be doing a free sampling at Rising Tide Community Market this Friday, Dec. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Devenish Wines, one of Maine’s first small, independent wine distributors, strives to sell artisanal wines that “taste like where they are from,” capturing the unique characteristics of the land where their grapes were grown.

According to Bruce Blake, Rising Tide’s wine and beer…

The past few weeks the industrial arts room has been buzzing with activity as Wiscasset Middle High School tech ed. students put the finishing touches to dozens of toy tractors. Most will be donated to the Bath chapter of the Salvation Army and given away to toddlers this holiday season.

Robert Cronk, technology education instructor, challenged his Tech II students to be “innovative, inventive and creative” all in the spirit of giving. The finished product, a handmade wooden toy, would…

Thirty-five families with a total of 95 children applied to Wiscasset’s first Adopt-A-Family program for the holiday season, town staff said.

Administrative Assistant Kathy Onorato wasn’t sure what to expect for a response and, a few days before the cutoff, 10 families had applied. Twenty-five others followed.

“I think that the need is there, and it was a good response,” she said. “I’m very happy.”

Onorato and Selectmen’s Vice Chairman Judy Flanagan were placing wish tags…

The Tapestry Singers, under the direction of Beth Preston, will perform holiday concerts on Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 20 at 4 p.m. Both concerts will be at the Second Congregational Church, 51 Main Street in Newcastle. Sean Fleming will accompany on piano and organ.

The program includes pieces from a variety of traditions by composers such as Ola Gjello, Stephen Paulus, Paul Schoenfield, and William Dawson.

Paulus’ “The Holly and the Ivy” is a refreshing…

Are there still some names left on your holiday shopping list?

No worries! On Wednesday, Dec. 16, the businesses of the Boothbay region have got you covered with Men's Night, a.k.a. Family Night.

Participating stores will be offering discounts across the board, or on selected items. Check the ads on pages 2 and 3 of the second section of the Dec. 10 Boothbay Register or Wiscasset Newspaper for…

The Boothbay Railway Village (BRV) has published a children’s book entitled, “Reginald The Railway Rat.” The story by Paige Pendleton follows Reggie through one day at the BRV Museum, including visits with lots of animal friends including popular Museum resident goats, Coal and Tender. The 28-page, oversized story book measures 9 ¾ X 12 ¾ inches and features both watercolor and pen and ink drawings by Thomas Block.

In July of this year, Pendleton and Block offered a workshop for…

Tri-County Literacy is hosting the 10th annual Candy Cane Train on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13.

The scenic ride leaves from the Bath Train Station, heads to Wiscasset and returns. There are four round trips both days at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.

Bring the whole family on board for this enjoyable 90-minute scenic ride with Santa, his elves, cookies,…

This annual holiday event, now in its 11th year, will be held at the home of Jessica Sirois, owner of Jlynne Designs Studio. Come meet the artists, sit by the fire, and have the opportunity to buy beautiful handmade gifts for your loved ones direct from local artists. Show dates are Friday, Dec. 11 – the artist opening reception, 6-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, noon-5 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 14 and Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 5-8 p.m.

Artists in the show, in addition to Sirois…

About four Decembers ago, Boothbay’s Ellen Newton and her Vietnam War era veteran husband Bob Newton brought three of their grandchildren along on a trip with Wreaths Across America to Virginia.

They each laid wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery. To look out and see that sea of white stones change to white, green and red, with the wreaths and their decorations, was stunning, Ellen Newton, whose father Jim Stevens was a World War II veteran, said.

Her family and the…

Gabe Major gave Wiscasset’s tree-lighting two thumbs up Saturday night: One thumb, about getting to meet Santa, moments earlier; one more, in approval of the lit tree.

The Wiscasset 5-year-old let his thumb do the talking while he chewed the candy cane Santa had given him.

Major, parents Eric and Ashley Major and her mother Susan Wood, also of Wiscasset, were part of a large turnout for the annual event that again featured Wiscasset students’ holiday singing; Santa arriving by a…

A holiday tradition continues at First Congregational Church in Wiscasset as the ”Hanging of the Greens” ceremony is held on Sunday, Dec. 6, the second Sunday in Advent. The special service features the presentation of greens in the shape of a star, heart, cross and circle to adorn the sanctuary.

As each wreath is brought to the front of the church, a Bible passage and responsive reading highlights the meaning of the special greenery. The star of greens…

The bribes will soon begin, as bakers and designers do whatever it takes to walk away with the coveted Most Spectacular award of the 2015 Gingerbread Spectacular.

While all the judges - Sarah Foulger, Trish Harrison, Laura Honey, Kelly Robbins and an “unnamed mystery judge” - bring a love of sweets to the table, individually they bring an understanding of divine intervention, child-like inspiration, legendary hospitality, and a competitive spirit to the judging…

Saturday’s craft fair at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset attracted about 100 shoppers, raised about $1,200 and gave inmates in the jail’s industries program a way to build their self-esteem, jail staff said.

Many people who serve time in jail have not had a lot of positive experiences in their life, Lt. Naomi Bonang said near the close of the fourth annual event in a staff training room off the jail’s lobby.

Bonang supervises the industries program where minimum security,…

Bristol Consolidated School's annual holiday fair on Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., features over 35 artisans, crafters and vendors. Choose from a wide variety of items and jump start your holiday shopping. Handmade jewelry, pottery, paintings, rope work, artwork, stained glass, knitted items, glasswork, books and much more will be for sale.

Start the season with a selection of beautiful gifts, festive music and delicious food.

The Bristol Consolidated School is located at 2153 Bristol…

The Damariscotta River Association (DRA) pleased to announce that Sunday, December 6 will be a day of homestead holiday gift making. The three workshops offered will be wax gifts, felt accessories and herbal teas and tinctures. Pre-payment and registration are required for each of the workshops.

The instructor, Kim Scheimreif, is the proprietor of Shepherds and Such Homesteading Farm and her products are sold at the Boothbay, Damariscotta and Bath farmers markets, local stores in the…

On Saturday, Dec. 5, Maine Maritime Museum in Bath will be offering a day of holiday-themed activities, culminating in an outdoor lighting display unlike any other in Maine.

Festive Family Fun Day, 1-4 p.m. Join Santa Claws and Captain Christmas for Maine Maritime Museum's second annual Festive Family Fun Day. Celebrate the season with music, face painting, ornament making, story time and more.…

When Edgecomb’s Tisa Bolduc was raising her children, she noticed that their holiday excitement had started to center on picking out what they wanted in the Sear’s catalog.

“My kids got greedy,” she said.

Living in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the time, she took them to volunteer at a local soup kitchen for Thanksgiving. She hoped it would help them see that the holiday season is about giving.

It worked. She found them one day gathering up goods at home to donate to those in…

Good news for Wiscasset families in need this holiday season: Through the efforts of local businesses, organizations and individuals. the town of Wiscasset announces its own Adopt-a- Family program.

Families seeking assistance are asked to complete an application, which is available at the Wiscasset Town Office or can be downloaded at www.wiscasset.org. All applicants must be Wiscasset residents. The applications…

With every pathway lined in lights, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens' first ever “Gardens Aglow” event premiered to around 200 special guests on Thursday, Nov. 19.

Gardens Aglow is the largest light display in Maine, according to Kris Folsom, director of marketing at the Gardens. The light display encompasses several of the gardens closest to the main building, including the Lerner Garden of the Five Senses, the Great Lawn, Burpee Kitchen Garden, and Bibby and Harold Alfond Children's…

The Damariscotta Region Chamber of Commerce is excited that Santa has accepted our invitation to visit Damariscotta on Sat, Nov 28. Santa is taking a break from making his list and checking it twice to stop by to meet the children from our region.

He will arrive at noon in a festive parade from Newcastle through downtown Damariscotta. The parade will feature a lively performance on Main Street by our local dance troupe, Renys Rockets, led by Midcoast Dance Studio’s proprietor, Faye…

The Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce announces its 30th annual Harbor Lights Festival to be held the weekend of December 4-6. The festival will offer a variety of joyous events throughout the weekend, in conjunction with several Boothbay Harbor region businesses and the town of Boothbay Harbor.

Beginning on Friday, Dec. 4 the Boothbay Region Garden Club will sponsor its annual Festival of Trees at the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, featuring…

This Saturday, Nov. 21 the quiet streets of Boothbay Harbor will be bustling once again. It's the annual Early Bird sale, where discounts are everywhere starting as early as 5 a.m.

Most stores will have door prizes, and some will have more than one, such as Harbor-Tech Solutions in the Meadow Mall. They are drawing for six gift certificates: one for $100 at Boathouse Bistro, $100 for Oak Street Provisions, $100 to Hawke Motors, and three $50 gift certificates to Colby & Gale.

Phippsburg’s Lynda Doughty knew exactly what she wanted when she got up for the Wiscasset Early Bird Sale on Saturday morning.

With a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee in her hand, and without the friend who didn’t wake up in time, Doughty shopped for pocket knives. “There are choices,” she said when she saw the selection. She planned on buying two as presents, one for her father, the other for her brother.…

The annual Christmas Fair at St. Patrick Church will, once again, feature the Shamrock Café! The Shamrock Café will provide a quiet respite after shopping and Maggie Conger and Betty Ann Frederic are promising an exciting choice of soups to tempt your taste buds. Homemade pastries will be a special addition to your luncheon break.

The Café will open at 10 a.m. and offer beverages (warm and cold) as well as a…

When the Candy Cane Train takes Woolwich’s Reed’s Pass en route to Wiscasset then back to Bath, Dennis Youland plans to be where he has been in Decembers past, outside his home in a Santa hat, next to his model train track. The Maine Eastern Railroad-themed cars on it will be in motion as the Tri-County Literacy fundraiser goes by in the real MERR cars.

“I love watching the train go by and ... the children ... with their noses pressed to the glass, watching the model train going around…

Holiday shoppers, beware! The three floors of artistic wares by local artists, artisans and authors in Studio 53's Gifts For Giving holiday event will dazzle.

This annual event will be held over four days, Thursday, Nov. 19 through Sunday, Nov. 22, with a gala reception on Friday, Nov. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring entertainment in the guise of Aaron Robinson on harpsichord (and CDs for sale). Robinson will also…

Miss Wiscasset Diner co-owners Mark Suarez and Robert Harris expect some of their first customers Saturday morning, Nov. 14, will be women wanting a good meal to shop on.

There will also be men looking for a meal because their wives didn’t cook, so they could make the sales, the two men predicted.

The Wiscasset Early Bird Sale is Saturday. Several businesses are opening before dawn and cutting prices for the pajama-clad and others.

Whoever comes to the diner at 762 Bath…

The Union Church of South Bristol will hold its annual Harvest Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall on Middle Road.

Plan to start your holiday shopping at the fair, which will feature local crafters, Christmas cookies, holiday items, a white elephant table, pies for Thanksgiving, and many other baked goods. A light lunch will also be available.

To request a table for crafts, or for any other further…

Don’t forget to shop the early bird sale in Damariscotta this weekend.

Some of the earliest deals will be when Damariscotta Hardware opens at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. King Eider’s Pub also opens at 5:30 a.m. and will be serving coffee and breakfast treats.

The Animal House opens at 6 a.m. with 30 percent discounts for everything (except food, which is 10 percent off). The discount will drop to 25 percent at 7 a.m., then 20 percent at 8 a.m. There will also be a deep discount…

With Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens officially closed for the season, it is all hands on deck for the winter lights display Gardens Aglow. This magical event will be taking place at the Gardens from Saturday, Nov. 21 until Thursday, Dec. 31, Thursdays through Sundays from 4 to 8 p.m.

Putting on the biggest and brightest light display in Maine is no small task. To lend a hand with the many moving parts, Boothbay Region High School senior Lisa Pawlowski is wearing many proverbial hats.…

The Early Bird saves the cash on Saturday, November 7, from 6 to 9 a.m. , when shops and restaurants throughout the Damariscotta Region open their doors early to offer deep discounts to shoppers. This is a great opportunity to get a jump on holiday shopping and spend your dollars locally, supporting businesses in your own community.

In addition to all the other great bargains that morning, the Chamber will start…