December Greendrinks

By Melanie Brooks

The December Bangor Greendrinks was a smashing success! Zeth and Betsy Lundy hosted the party at their new store, Central Street Farmhouse, in downtown Bangor. On the menu was a delicious Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, root beer, wine, cider, and more -- all made right on site. All of the brewing, wine making, and cheese making goes on on the first floor of the Lundy's three-story building. The second floor is baby-central. Organic clothes, cloth diapers, toys, and nursing bras galore -- all for the eco friendly mom. The Lundy's are renovating the third floor as their living space. Way to cut down on your commute guys!

Take a look at some of the faces that showed up:

What's Happening This Weekend...

The Velveteen Rabbit
December 9-20
Penobscot Theatre
The classic “toy story” comes to life in this modern theatrical adaptation of the favorite children’s book. A holiday treat for the whole family. $20.
www.penobscottheatre.org

Holiday Celebration
December 10
Southwest Harbor
This daylong event includes a craft fair 9 am–3 pm, a community tree lighting with Santa at 5:30 pm, photos with Santa at the Harbor House 6–7:30 pm, and late night sales at select Southwest Harbor merchants 8–midnight.
244-3713

Searsport Victorian Christmas
December 10-12
Searsport
Head to this quaint seaside town for open houses at museums, homes, and bed and breakfasts.
548-6372

Candy Cane Capers
December 11
Belfast United Methodist Church
This is an opportunity for children ages 5–12 to shop for their families at little cost. Each child is given $1 in candy cane money and each gift is tagged and wrapped for them. Refreshments served. 9 am.
www.belfastumc.org

Bar Harbor Merchants Association Open House
December 11
Downtown Bar Harbor
Sigh up for raffles and enjoy the holiday cheer. Santa is in town 12–3 pm and carolers will be singing in the streets and in the shops.
www.barharbormerchants.com

Downtown Family Festival
December 12
Downtown Ellsworth
Sponsored by the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, this family friendly festival features food, live music, caroling, and more. 11 am.
www.ellsworthchamber.org

The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candlelighting
December 12
Cary Library, Houlton
One of only four sites in Maine to hold this international event, it honors families who have lost their children. 7 pm.
532-1302

Down East Singers Present: A Holiday Concert
December 12
Camden Opera House
The works of Kirke Mechem are featured in this year’s show, including “The Seven Joys of Christmas,” and “Birthdays in Round Numbers.” Also on the program will be Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria” and Heinrich Schütz’s “Also Hat Gott die Welt Geliebt.” 2:30 pm.
www.camdenoperahouse.com

Holiday Open House
December 12
Abbe Museum, Bar Harbor
Don’t miss the 4th Annual Holiday Open House and all the crafts, games, and holiday treats that go along with it. Free.
288-3519

Verdi's Don Carlo
December 12
Collins Center for the Arts
In this Metropolitan Opera Live Broadcast, director Nicholas Hytner makes his Met debut with this new production of Verdi's profound, beautiful, and most ambitious opera. 1 pm. $24.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Christmas by the Sea

By Melanie Brooks

This past weekend, Camden celebrated their annual Christmas by the Sea celebration. My mother, Mary, sister, Jennifer, and niece, Ayda headed down to put a little jingle in our step. Luckily the rain held off so we could walk around town without getting wet.

There were Christmas wreathes up on every lamppost and on most storefronts. I wish we had been there at night to see what kind of light display the town had. We just missed Santa Claus, so we stopped into Cappy's for some lunch before heading out to Cellardoor Winery's vineyard in Lincolnville to catch him there.

What's Happening This Weekend...

The Nutcracker
December 3
Camden Opera House
The Atlantic Ballet Company presents this colorful holiday production. A tradition during midcoast Maine's Christmas by the Sea, this beloved classic story is a seasonal feature at the Camden Opera House. Accompanied by the sparkling music of Tchaikovsky, ABC's talented professional and student dancers create a magical performance to entertain audiences of all ages. 7:30 pm. $12–$16.
www.camdenoperahouse.com

Christmas by the Sea
December 3-5
Camden
A weekend celebration of the holiday season. Shopping, musical entertainment, community tree lighting ceremony, horse-drawn wagon rides, Holiday house tour of private residences and inns. Enjoy sales and dining specials, as well as photos and children’s story hour with Santa.
www.visitcamden.com

Plaid Tidings: A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid
December 3-23
Penobscot Theatre, Bangor
The boys are back in the sequel to Penobscot Theatre’s most successful production of all time. Plaid Tidings is a brand new show that offers the Plaids tied up in a nifty package with a big Christmas bow on top. $35.
www.penobscottheatre.org

30th Annual Christmas Parade
December 4
Downtown Ellsworth
Sponsored by the Downtown Business Association, this annual parade is a must-see. 11:30 am.
www.ellsworthchamber.org

Holiday Light Parade
December 4
Presque Isle
Celebrate the Christmas season with a variety of activities in Presque Isle. The light parade starts at North Street and proceeds south on Main Street ending at the University of Maine, Presque Isle. Warm refreshments will be served at UMPI. 7–9 pm.
www.pichamber.com

Holiday Bazaar
December 4
Merryspring Nature Center, Camden
Shop for a variety of fresh seasonal greens, plain and decorated wreaths, live rosemary plants, arrangements, and items for giving and decorating. Merryspring members receive a 10% discount. 10 am–4 pm.
www.merryspring.org

5th Annual Christmas Craft Fair & Benefit Raffle
December 4
Belfast Boat House
Local Maine-made arts and crafts, baked goods, and much more is in store for you at this annual craft fair. Find the perfect handmade or homemade gifts for the holidays. Hourly door prizes and lively entertainment. 8 am–3 pm.
525-4421

19th Annual Poinsettia Ball
The Ramada, Ellsworth
This semiformal charity ball benefits the Maine Coast Memorial Hospital. There will be music, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and cocktails. Appetizers start at 5:30 pm. Dinner is served at 7 pm. $90.
www.mcmhospital.org

General Henry Knox Museum Annual Holiday Open House
December 4 & 5
Thomaston
Families and friends are invited to walk through the 1790s kitchen where several women with their spinning wheels welcome conversation. Rooms on the salon level of the Museum will be decorated with traditional Christmas greens and fragrant fruits. 1–4 pm.
www.generalknoxmuseum.org

Holiday Stroll
December 5
Downtown Skowhegan
This annual family events includes a parade, retail promotions, Santa’s Village, special lighting and window displays, and more. Sponsored by Main Street Skowhegan.
www.mainstreetskowhegan.org