THE WINNING TICKET. The staff of the Shore Road Market hold up two tickets to the upcoming Patriots-Jets game that were raffled off at a customer appreciation drawing held on Nov. 24. Over 5,000 entries had been put in for the two tickets. Although an anxious crowd of regulars showed up for breakfast ahead of the drawing, the winning ticket went to a visitor to York from Syracuse, N.Y., who had been in town for her daughter's wedding. Happily for Pats fans, the winner then gave the tickets to her now-married daughter, who resides in Charlestown, Mass., and is presumably a worthy citizen of Patriot Nation. While the Shore Road Market is closed for the holidays, you can enjoy their honest, home-style cooking again when they reopen on Jan. 2. Pictured here, from left, are Shore Road's Cook Richie Hayes, Manager Paul Orben and Owner Bill Bastian.
Photo by Steve Rasche
SOUNDS OF THE SEASON. A Festival of Lessons and Carols will be held Sunday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at St George's Episcopal Church in York Harbor. The evening will feature musical offerings by the St. George's Parish Choir and the St. George's Mega Choir as well as other music by members of the St. George's community and special guests. There will be a dessert reception immediately following the program. All are welcome! St George's Episcopal Church is located at 407 York St. in York Harbor. FMI: http://www.stgeorgesyorkharbor.org/ or 363-7376.
Courtesy photo
MEMORABLE DEDICATION. Members and friends of Union Congregational Church in York Beach are seen here on Dec. 2 as they gather to dedicate the new front entrance of the church in memory of Arthur Fernald. Arthur was a well-loved member of the church who contributed funding for this project, which was dear to his heart.
Courtesy photo
GO FISH! Looking for a unique holiday gift? Go "Fishing" with Heartwood College of Art's online auction, "The Fish Art Project," and bid on one-of-a-kind fish designed by well-known local artists through Dec. 31. Pictured here is "Rainbow Trout" by Suzanne Payne, just one of the many fish that have been created. There are landscape fish, fish painted to look like an entrée, abstract fish, flowered fish and even fish disguised as crustaceans! To bid at the online fish auction, simply log onto the Heartwood Fish Art Auction at http://www.heartwoodcollege.cmarket.com/ or go straight to Heartwood's website at http://www.heartwoodcollegeofart.org/ and hit the "Fish Art Auction" button. For more information, contact Heartwood at 985-0985 or hca@heartwoodcollegeofart.org.
Courtesy photo
EVENTS
Christmas Pageant and Birthday Party for Jesus will be offered by St. Christopher Church on Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. The pageant will be held in St. Christopher's Church and the Birthday Party for Jesus will begin in the church hall immediately after the pageant. Cake and punch will be served at the party, and everyone is asked to bring items for a Baby Shower for babies in orphanages in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Kenya. Dr. Nicki Verploegen and Karen Duffy will be working in Africa and we will be supporting their efforts. FMI: call Rose Cronin at 363-4177.
Christmas Through the Years, a concert of Christmas music from the Renaissance through the 20th century, will be presented at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Kennebunk on Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. Admission is open to all, with a suggested donation of $10 for adults, $5 for children and a non-perishable food item for the York County Food Bank. There will also be opportunities for audience participation in singing carols. FMI: http://www.kennebunklutheran.org/.
Fine Arts Craft Fair at York Art Association in York Harbor will be held Dec. 7 and 8. One-of-a-kind pieces by well-known local artists will be available. Items for sale will include quilted and woven fiber art, silver, enamel and beaded jewelry, tinware, papier-mâché and wooden boxes, watercolors and photographs, wooden toys, as well as pottery and glass mobiles. As an added bonus, enjoy coffee, cake and sandwiches with the artists.
Holiday Grief Support Group Meeting from Hospice of York will be held on Dec. 13 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., downstairs in the York Hospital Medical Office Building. These meetings are open to anyone and as always, are free of charge.
Moonlit Owl Prowl will be offered on Dec. 21 from 4:30 a.m. onward as Paul Dest leads a moonlit morning owl prowl at the Wells Reserve. The local owls are often active before dawn at this time of year, but they also can be elusive. Each owl prowl costs $2 for members of Laudholm Trust and $4 for nonmembers. Reservations are required. The Wells Reserve is located at 342 Laudholm Farm Road in Wells, just off Route 1 near the Kennebunk line. FMI: 646-1555.
New England Language Center's International Gallery Russian Christmas Bazaar will be held in Rochester, N.H., on Dec. 15 from 11a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free of charge, open to the public and will include storytelling, Russian cartoons and an exhibit of works by Russian artists and traditional Russian icons. FMI: call Marina Forbes at (603) 332-2255 or e-mail marina@anylanguage.org.
The Tourists are Back, an original Christmas drama, will be presented by the Cape Neddick Baptist Church on Dec. 16 at 10:15 a.m. Travel back in time to the Bethlehem B&B as the innkeeper and his wife recall that very first Christmas. The presentation will be at the Cape Neddick Baptist Church and all are welcome. FMI: Pastor Carsten Lotz, 363-3566.
Un-Schooling Club offers a chance to meet, socialize, have fun and take field trips. On Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. all boys ages 9 and up are invited to join the Mt. A. Boy's Club, where it's all about being a boy. Hang out and play video and computer games, build stuff, run remote-controlled vehicles, spend time outside, explore, hike, play games and have fun. On Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon, join the Computer Game Club and Un-Book Club. On Dec. 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. join us and tour the USS Albacore, http://www.ussalbacore.org/, in Portsmouth, N.H., and with a group of 10 or more we'll get a discount rate of $4 for adults, $2.50 for ages 7 to 17 and free for those under 7. The submarine does not have heat, so dress accordingly! On Dec, 14 from 1 to 4 p.m., make, bake and decorate cookies. You may bring your favorite recipes and supplies or pre-made batter or store-bought cookies to decorate. On Dec. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m. join us at York Hospital for a "Parade of Balloons" where we'll spread some cheer and get-well wishes while giving out balloons. The cost is $1 per child to cover the price of the balloons. On Dec. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. enjoy the Flea Market of Fun and Pot Luck of Fun. Take some time to kick back, relax and catch your breath amidst the Holiday hustle, or you can drop your kids off and finish up your last-minute Christmas preparations. The choice is yours! Anyone interested in some "old fashioned" Christmas Caroling later that evening? Let us know! There will be no programming On Dec. 27 and 28. Simply register your children for any of our events and activities! Register with Janalee at 361-2116 or janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com.
York County Republican Committee Annual Christmas Party will be held Monday, Dec. 17, at 5:30 p.m. at the Coastal House on Route 1 in Wells. The price is $25 per person and advance registration required by Dec. 14. Chairman David Bowles and the York County Republican Committee are thrilled to have Mr. Vaughn Stinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Maine Tourism Association, join us as our guest speaker, and are particularly enthusiastic that Maine Republican Party Chairman Mark Ellis, Vice Chairman Scott Kauffman and First District Congressional hopefuls Dean Scontras and Charlie Summers - represented by his wife Ruth - will be joining us for this event as well! This event is open to all members of the Republican Party. Generously sponsored by Scontras for Congress and Summers for Congress. FMI: 439-3904 or lcpollard@comcast.net.
EXHIBITS, MUSIC, THEATRE AND MORE
Evenings at the Piano with Elliott Schwartz will continue at the Portland Conservatory of Music, 116 Free St., Portland, on Dec. 10 from 7 to 9 p.m. Admission is $10, free for conservatory members, and tickets will be available at the door. FMI: 775-3356 or pcm-exec@maine.rr.com.
Inn on the Blues is featuring many upcoming events in the weeks ahead, including the New Year's Party with The Bruce Marshall Group to ring in 2008 on Dec. 31. Want to know more? Check out http://www.innontheblues.com/.
Jane Morrison Memorial Film Fund Fellowships are now available. Filmmakers in the early stages of their careers are encouraged to apply for a Morrison film fellowship through the Maine Community Foundation. The deadline for applying for the fellowship is Jan. 15, 2008, and recipients will be notified in late February. For complete guidelines and a list of 2007 winners, visit http://www.mainecf.org/. FMI: (877) 700-6800.
Just Us Chickens Artist Co-op is located at 29 Government St. in downtown Kittery and is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. Joyce Tracksler will be reading from her new book and signing copies on Dec. 14 from 5 to 7 p.m. There will be refreshments and all are welcome. FMI: 439-4209.
The La Dee Da Party by Danie Connolly, a holiday play in two acts, will be performed at the Kennebunk Free Library on Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. Who could have imagined the chaos a dozen free lobsters would create for two hubby-hunting spinsters throwing a last minute holiday party to showcase their homemaking skills to 10 "lucky" bachelors? Connolly is a children's storybook author, columnist and playwright.
Portland Conservatory of Music Noonday Concerts continue Dec. 13 as Robert Russell conduct "Seasonal Music for All" at 12:15 p.m. at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 425 Congress St., Portland. This final concert of the season is free and open to the public. FMI: 775-3356.
Tiny, featuring over 300 works of art from no less than 80 artists from Maine, Boston and New York, continues at Whitney Art Works in Portland through Dec. 22. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Whitney Art Works is located at 492 Congress St. in Portland.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
Cancer Community Center, a gathering place for activities, wellness and support, offers Reiki Healing on Dec, 10, open group on Dec. 19 and Rejuvenation and Movement on Dec. 27. Cancer Community Center, 778 Main St. South Portland. FMI: 774-2200 or http://www.cancercommunitycenter.org/.
Look Good Feel Better Program is being offered in York by the American Cancer Society. Sessions will be held in York every month, at alternating locations. FMI: (800) 227-2345.
WORKSHOPS AND INFORMATION
Belly Dance Demonstration Class at the Seacoast YMCA will be held Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to noon. This class is free to YMCA members and $3 for nonmembers. Childcare will be provided. FMI: (603) 431-2334.
Essentials of College Planning Workshops are offered with MEOC Advisor Tina McDonald. This free, interactive workshop outlines the four steps in the college process: admissions, financial aid, career planning and study skills. FMI or to register: (800) 281-3703.
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging has produced a DVD to help people eligible for Medicare choose and enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan. The do-it-yourself DVD is for those who have a DVD player and a computer, so the DVD can be paused while steps are taken on the Medicare.gov website. "Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage" is available free by request. FMI: (800) 427-7411 or http://www.smaaa.org/.
York County Master Gardener Volunteer Training applications are now available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the deadline for applying is Dec. 20. Participants will receive 50 hours of in-depth horticultural training at the Anderson Learning Center, Springvale, on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m., staring on Jan. 15. FMI or an application packet: 324-2814 or (800) 287-1535. You may also apply online via: http://www.umaine.edu/umext/york/MG/MGhome.htm.
ONGOING
ART, DANCE, EXHIBITS, MUSIC, THEATRE
Barefoot Boogie Portsmouth 2007 at the Portsmouth Ballroom Dance Studio on 948 Route 1 Bypass in Portsmouth, N.H. FMI: (603) 659-5009.
Bel-Tek, an annual free music festival held in Belmont, includes visual and performing arts, fire-breathers, dancers, painters, sculptors, a graffiti art competition and video installations. In addition to all of the art, expect to see several vendors offering services and goods including coffee, food, fabric, jewelry, hand-blown glass art and much more. Organizers are seeking visual and performance artists to display their work or perform at the 2008 festival, which will be held Aug. 2 and 3 FMI: 664-8993.
Dance Street Studio, York and Kittery's local dance and theater studio, offers an array of classes. FMI: 363-1222 or wdancest@yahoo.com.
Kripalu DansKinetics at Spinnaker Point Recreation Center, Spinnaker Way, Portsmouth, N.H. DansKinetics is a unique blend of yoga and dance. FMI: (603) 436-2313.
Pontine Theatre in Portsmouth, N.H., offers an array of public events. FMI: (603) 436-6660 or e-mail info@pontine.org.
The Portland Museum of Art offers exhibits and special events. FMI: 775-6148.
The Red Door Gallery Shop is now open at 44 Government St. in Kittery, featuring pottery, handmade jewelry, weaving, used books, sports memorabilia and more on display Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of December. FMI: 439-5671.
RiverCurrent Studio/Art Gallery on the corner of Lindsay Road and Mill Dam in York Village features assemblage, collage and mixed-media sculpture and is open daily and by appointment. FMI contact Rosalind Fedeli at 351-3262 or visit http://www.rosalindfedeli.com/.
Seacoast Undercurrent, a gallery devoted to contemporary art in downtown Portsmouth, N.H., showcases emerging artists working with all kinds of contemporary media and practices. FMI: http://www.ellogallery.com/.
CLUBS and ORGANIZATIONS
Catapult is the Seacoast's first networking group specifically dedicated to young professionals. Catapult is a nonprofit organization, and membership is free. FMI: http://www.catapultseacoast.org/.
The Diverse Business Advantage Chapter of BNI meets every Thursday at Sentry Hill at 2 Victoria Court, York Harbor. Meetings are held from 8 until 9:30 a.m. and all visitors are welcome. FMI or reservations: call Catherine Bosbach at 363-2418.
The International Women's Club of New England (IWCNE) meets for lunch on the fourth Saturday of every month with an international speaker. IWCNE is non-profit, non-political, non-sectarian, and its mission is to foster goodwill, friendship, and understanding amongst members from different countries and to support charities which assist women and children. FMI: 985-7433.
The Sanford/Springvale Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT) Council meets every third Tuesday of the month from 2 to 3 p.m. All are welcome to attend. FMI: call SALT President Michelle Matt at 490-7606.
York Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Grant House, Route 1, York, at 7 p.m. and all are welcome. FMI: 363-7382.
ENRICHMENT
Child Light Yoga offers Itsy Bitsy Yoga for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Little Families, Family Yoga and Kids Yoga. FMI: www.childlightyoga.com or call Lisa at (603) 781-3323.
The Family Resource Center on Route 1 offers many special programs, weekly and monthly events, classes and activities throughout the year. FMI: 451-9291 or http://www.connectingfamiliestogether.org/.
Kindergym is offered by York Parks and Recreation Department and no pre-registration is required. FMI: 363-1040.
The Southern Maine Agency on Aging facilitates a monthly support group for people assisting older adult loved ones. Unpaid family and friends who are helping spouses, parents, siblings and friends are invited to come and talk about the challenges and rewards of care-giving with other people in similar situations. The group meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Rice Public Library in Kittery. FMI: 439-6989 or (800) 427-7411.
York Parks and Recreation Department offers a variety of sports and activities. FMI: 363-1040 or http://parksandrec.yorkmaine.org/.
HEALTH
Know Your Numbers is a cholesterol screening offered by SMMC Visiting Nurses on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. An appointment is necessary and there is a $15 fee for this service. FMI: 985-1000.
The Heart Health Institute offers classes including weight management. FMI: call 351-3700.
PUBLIC MEALS
Coffee Shop at the Wells-Ogunquit Senior Center is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 11 a.m., serving regular or decaf coffee, pastries, Congdon's and Dunkin' Donuts, and their own blueberry muffins for $1.50. Thursday's Coffee Club occasionally has a guest speaker.
SUPPORT
A Safe Place, a non-profit agency, has been providing support services and emergency shelter to victims of domestic abuse for over 28 years. A Safe Place has offices in Portsmouth, Rochester and Salem, N.H. FMI or to reach an advocate call 1-(800) 854-3552.
Hospice of York's Living with Loss is a bereavement support group offered free of charge, and you need not have had a loved one serviced by Hospice. Hospice of York encourages pre-registration; however, you may attend any or all of the classes as you see fit. Sessions are held seasonally on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the basement conference room of Medical Office Building 16 on the grounds of York Hospital. FMI: call 363-7000.
The Special Needs Parent Network (SNPN), a group of parents from the KEYS region dedicated to providing support, resources and information to families who are raising a child with Special Needs, meets the last Friday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Family Resource Center at Landmark Hill in Kittery. FMI: contact Marcia Flinkstrom at 384-5041 or mflinkstrom@comcast.net or Lisa Richard at 324-5501 or bugsnlola@msn.com.
The York Hospital Breast Cancer Survivor Group, which meets the third Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Ellis Conference Room at York Hospital, welcomes new members. Those who attend survivor groups cope better, heal more quickly and live longer. New members, whether or not their treatment was at York Hospital, are invited to come to the meetings and be with women who share their story. Friends are welcome too. During these meetings the members share information, coping tips and strategies, explore complimentary therapies, hear guest speakers, support each other, experience sisterhood, plan the Annual Walk for Hope and celebrate living.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The 10th Annual Mary's Walk and Kerrymen Pub Road Race is now underway with early-bird registration. In its nine-year history, the event, which is slated for March 16 in Saco, has raised over $900,000 for Maine-based cancer research, education and patient support. Named in honor of Mary Kerry Libby, who lost her battle with cancer in March 1997, the event has grown tremendously each year. In 2007 as many as 2,000 people participated in either the 2.5-mile walk or 5K run, and another 200 volunteered. Mary's Walk is an enormously successful event with hopes, in 2008, that the $1 million dollar mark for funds raised will be reached. FMI: visit www.maryswalk.org or call (866) 627-2411.
The American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program is seeking volunteer drivers to offer cancer patients safe and friendly transportation to treatment appointments. FMI: (800) ACS-2345 or http://www.cancer.org/.
Caring Unlimited, York County's domestic violence program, is looking for the help of supportive volunteers, specifically in the Biddeford and Kittery areas. Every year Caring Unlimited helps thousands of women and children find safety after they leave abusive homes. Once those children are physically safe, they still need a lot of support and help in other areas. All volunteers will be thoroughly trained for free by specialists. We ask that our "Kidworkers" be at least 16 years old and willing to provide a safe, nurturing and playful environment for children of all ages during day and evening support group meetings that happen between one and four times each month in Sanford, Biddeford, Limerick and Kittery. FMI: 490-3227, Ext. 126, or e-mail jarena@caring-unlimited.org.
Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women, a nationally known non-profit organization, is looking for volunteers to assist victims of intimate partner violence. Volunteers are needed to cover our toll-free crisis line. Full training is offered. FMI: http://www.dahmw.org/ or call (866) 786-0758 or e-mail communityresourcecoord@dahmw.org.
Manatees Make Splashy Holiday Gifts and make it easy to "green up" your holiday gift-giving. Eco-friendly shopping is more popular than ever, and a unique gift that also says you care in a huge way about the world around you, is a manatee adoption from Save the Manatee Club. To adopt a manatee for loved ones this holiday season, contact Save the Manatee Club at 500 N. Maitland Ave., Maitland, FL 32751; call (800) 432-JOIN (5646) or visit http://www.savethemanatee.org/.
The Melanoma Education Foundation is seeking volunteers to help raise melanoma awareness. FMI: (800) 259-1633, e-mail MEF@skincheck.org or visit http://www.skincheck.org/.
Seacoast Democrats C.F.L. Program serves Kittery, Eliot, York, South Berwick, Ogunquit and Wells. The Seacoast Democrats, a regional collaboration of the six town Democratic committees, in partnership with the grassroots organization Demcorp, is raising awareness of clean, alternative energy in Southern Maine. Through their C.F.L. (Compact Fluorescent Lamp) Program, volunteers help provide free energy-saving light bulbs to affordable housing units across the six towns. The result is lower energy costs for the residents and better standards for our environment. You can help continue this successful project by donating $5 and receiving your own CFL. The money raised from these donations allows us to continue to provide affordable housing units with free bulbs. CFLs are available at the Seacoast Democrats Headquarters located in the Meadowbrook Plaza on Route 1 in York. FMI: 363-9235 or info@seacoastdems.com.
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine's Crisis/Support Hotline is in urgent need of volunteers to train as advocates for the 24-hour crisis and support hotline. FMI or an application, call (800) 313-9900, e-mail infosars@sarsonline.org or visit http://www.sarsonline.org/.
Support Victims of Domestic Violence by collecting old cell phones and ink jet cartridges and mailing them to the Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women free of charge. FMI: (866) 786-0758 or dahmwdirector@gmail.com.
Un-Schooling Club Seeks Support. Do you own a business in town, have a special talent, have an interesting job or have a wealth of information that you're interested in sharing about any subject? Could you spare a few hours and enlighten some really great kids who'd love to take a tour of your business, learn a new talent, learn about your job, listen to your insight and experience what you have to offer? Our Un-Schooling Club-A LA CARTE would love to talk with you! FMI: call Janalee at 361-2116 or e-mail janaleemoquin8@yahoo.com.
York Hospital's Bridges Program is currently seeking volunteers to help assist patients with the transition from the hospital to home. Volunteers have various duties and a flexible schedule, and help make a difference in a person's life. FMI: call Greg Perchik in York Hospital's Volunteer Office at 351-2221.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Baha'i Faith holds Sunday morning devotional meetings and fellowship. FMI: 363-4591 or 361-1722.
Cape Neddick Baptist Church's Sunday School is at 9 a.m. for all ages; 10:15 a.m. for worship service and junior church, nursery for toddlers. Tuesday is Women's Home Bible Study from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday Evening Prayer Service is at 7 p.m. FMI: 363-3566 or http://www.cape-neddick-baptist.org/.
First Parish Congregational Church's worship services are at 9 a.m. FMI: 363-3758 or http://www.firstparishyork.org/.
Ogunquit Baptist Church's Sunday service is at 9:30 a.m. FMI: 646-2160.
St. Christopher's Catholic Church holds Masses on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 7:30 and 11 a.m. FMI: 363-4177 or visit http://www.stchristopheryork.com/.
St. George's Episcopal Church's schedule is Sunday at 7:45 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, spoken; 8:45 a.m. for Spiritual Formation; 9 a.m. for Family Eucharist service; 9:45 a.m. for church school; 10 a.m. for spiritual formation for adults, and 11 a.m. for Holy Eucharist, Rite II, with music. Tuesday at 9 a.m. is silent prayer and 9:15 a.m. is Morning Prayer. Thursday at 10 a.m. is Holy Eucharist, with healing optional. FMI: call 363-7376, e-mail office@stgeorgesyorkharbor.org or visit http://www.stgeorgesyorkharbor.org/.
Union Congregational Church in York Beach offers year-round Sunday services at 10 a.m., followed by a time for fellowship with refreshments. Sunday School, nursery care and parking are provided. Also offered are opportunities to join adult studies and discussion groups. This small, friendly church welcomes new people, new ideas and any who choose to be involved with a God-loving community of faith. FMI: 363-4821
United Methodist of York/Ogunquit worship and Sunday School are at 10:30 a.m. Fellowship and coffee hour follow the service, with nursery provided during the service. FMI: 363-2749.
York Street Baptist Church's Sunday Worship Service is at 9 a.m. with fellowship time in the gym at 10:30 a.m. Sunday School for all ages is at 10:45 a.m. Evening service is at 6 p.m. FMI: 363-2177.
