What's Happening in the Wiscasset area

The St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Newcastle will hold a Christmas Fair on December 1 and 2. Vendors are welcome. For more information, call Carrie Watson at 633-2621.

Girl Scout Troop 615 is hosting a "Jingle Bell Bash" holiday party for children ages preschool (three years old) through the fifth grade at the Dresden Elementary School on Saturday, December 1 from 1 to 4 p.m.

There will be games, crafts, movies, refreshments and much, much more. There is no admission fee, but there is a suggested donation of $5 per child (RSVP if you plan to come

by calling 737-8450.)

Girls Scout Troop 615 includes girls from ages 11 to 16 from Boothbay, Damariscotta, Dresden, Jefferson, Newcastle and Nobleboro. The girls are hosting the party as a service to their communities.

Shaw's in Wiscasset is sponsoring an open house on Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to collecting donations for Toys For Tots, Coats for Kids, and the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, there will be music, food demonstrations, cider tasting, cookie decorating for children, and a raffle drawing every half hour.

There is also a rumor circulating that Santa Claus will be visiting the store between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. We have it on good authority, that this is not a rumor (in Wiscasset???) and that Old Saint Nick will be arriving as planned.

The Woolwich Recreation Committee and the Historical Society will be sponsoring the 15 th annual Yule Sing and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 2, at 5 p.m. at the historic Nequasset Meeting House.

This year the program will be dedicated to Bud and Betty Reed - two strong supporters of Woolwich activities - who will light the tree.

The program will feature several musical performers including Charlie Durfee, Clementine and Caddie Eberhart, Cliff Smith, Sharon Pyne and Doug Protsik and the Woolwich Central School Chorus.

The message of the season will be brought by Franklin Hayward. Ann Pierson & Friends will present the traditional "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the evening will close with the expected arrival of Santa Claus.

Photo ops with Santa and refreshments will be provided.

The Historical Society building will be opened at 4 p.m. for a free tour.

Fresh coastal Maine greens will again be featured in over 100 holiday baskets and centerpieces that will be on sale at the annual Holiday Bazaar Friday, December 7, sponsored by the Mid Coast Hospital Auxiliary in Brunswick. The Bazaar will be in the Café Conference Rooms from 8 am to 3 p.m.

Donations of all kinds of greens, holly and other berries may be left at Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at 12 Atwood Lane. All greens will be in watered containers to prolong the life of the fresh greens.

Fresh wreaths may be ordered by calling the Gift Shop at 373-6018, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5 p.m. Wreaths may be charged to a credit card. The price is $12 with a red bow and $10 without a bow. Pick-up is December 7 during the bazaar.

Topsham resident Dorothy D. Moore will sign copies of her children's book, "Mischievous Molly," from 9 to 11 a.m. Staff members of the hospital's Health Information Management department will also have their recently published cookbook for sale.

The very popular baked goods table will feature all kinds of homemade fudge, pies, assorted Christmas cookies, cinnamon rolls, Christmas coffee cakes, breads, jellies and jams. All will be wrapped in cellophane bags and tied with ribbons for gift-giving.

The new hospital fleece blanket will be on sale as well as antiques, treasures, hand knit scarves, partridge berry bowls, lotions and soaps. All day in the Gift Shop, there will be a 10 percent off sale on Christmas items.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and supper will be available from 7 am to 6:30 pm in the hospital's Café. For more information, please call the Volunteer Services office at 373-6015.

On Saturday, December 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Philip's Episcopal Church, 12 Hodge St. in Wiscasset will have its Christmas Fair. There will be handmade wreaths, sprays and swags, decorative containers, local crafters, baked goods and much more. Soup and sandwich lunch available. Bargain Basement Thrift Store will also be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Sat., Dec. 15, the Lincoln County Animal Shelter (LCAS) will hold its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served and gifts for the animals are welcome, especially food for the dogs and cats and toys for all, plus any amount of monetary gifts.

From noon until 2 p.m., pictures will be taken with Santa and your pet -- all pets will be greeted with love at the party.

LCAS Stars for the Spay/Neuter program can now be purchased at local businesses -- you can write the name of your pets, past and present on the stars, and at the open house you can help decorate the tree with your stars. At this time there will be a Blessing of the Animals past, present and always by Father Picard, from St. Patrick's Church.

Children of all ages and their parents are invited to come and have milk and cookies with Santa Claus on Saturday, December 15 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Alna Fire House on Route 218 in Alna.

This event is sponsored by the Alna Alders 4-H group. Don't miss your chance to talk with Santa, make some reindeer food and decorate a cookie.