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

Gift Wrapping at the Bangor Mall

Heading to the Bangor Mall for some holiday shopping? Stop by the gift wrapping center to have them wrapped before you leave!

UCP of Northeastern Maine is calling on volunteers to help with the wrapping. All proceeds benefit the important work that this group does for our community. It's a worthy cause -- and it's fun!

UCP is looking for individuals as well as groups to volunteer in three-hour slots from now until Christmas Eve. They're there every day of the week so you can volunteer more than once if you want to. If you are interested in helping out, contact Tish Pendergast at 992-0606 or email her at tish.pendergast@ucpofmaine.org.

What's Happening this Weekend...

Comedy Show
November 19
Spectacular Event Center, Bangor
Three Boston comedians will take the stage for a night of laughs. There will be appetizers and a cash bar. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.; show starts at 8:30 p.m. $10 in advance; $12 at the door.
www.spectaculareventcenter.com

Primo Cubano
November 19
The Grand, Ellsworth
Come listen to Maine's own salsa band and benefit The Grand and WERU at the same time. 7:30 p.m.; $12; $10 Grand and WERU members.
www.grandonline.org

Alison Chase Performance
November 19
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
Alison Chase is a well-known choreographer and founding artistic director of Pilobolus Dance Center. Don't miss the multidimensional performance featuring fusions of film and dance. 8 p.m. $27.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Artfull Gifts at Point Lookout
November 19-21
Northport
Don't miss the Midcoast's premier invitational show for fine Maine-made holiday gifts. Exhibitors will show a variety of work including gold and silver jewelry, woven silk, stoneware and porcelain pottery, ash baskets, blown glass, and more. Gala opening is Fri. 5 to 8 p.m. with cash bar and hors d'oeuvres. The show runs Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Adults $3 per day to attend the fair; $10 includes both days of the fair and the gala. Children under 16 free.
www.artfullgifts.com

Annual "Fowl" Shooting Contest
November 20
Brewer Auditorium
Each participant will get 10 free throws, plus three additional "bonus FOWL shots" which consist of a basketball with a bird attached. There are four divisions for all age ranges -- from kindergartners to adults. One person will win a Thanksgiving turkey. 10:30 a.m. $1 donation.
www.brewerme.org

Early Bird Sale & Bed Races
November 20
Bar Harbor
Shop at your favorite local stores in your PJs 6 to 9 a .m., then catch the bed parade starting from the Village Green at 10 a.m. Head to Cottage Street to find your seat for this fun annual even, sponsored by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
www.barharborinfo.com

Donizetti's Don Pasquale
November 20
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
A Metropolitan Opera Live Broadcast, this production has been called "brilliant" and "wonderful" by The New York Times. 1 p.m.; $24.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Mariachi Los Camperos
November 21
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
This 10-piece band is led by Natividad "Nati" Cano, a traditionalist and a visionary who has mirrored and shaped the history of mariachi music. The ensemble employs the finest musicians from Mexico and the U.S. and has performed for audiences worldwide. 3 p.m. $27.
www.collinscenterforthearts.com

Bach & Forth with Stephen Prutsman, Piano
November 21
Rockport Opera House
In a fascinating program that will debut here before heading to Lincoln Center in New York, the brilliant pianist Stephen Prutsman connects and juxtaposes the timeless music of J.S. Bach with works of virtually every style since his day. 2:30 p.m. $25-$45; $8 for youth 18 and under.
www.baychamberconcerts.org

What's Happening This Weekend...

Holiday Arts & Crafts Show
November 11-14
Aroostook Centre Mall, Presque Isle
Get a jump on your holiday shopping by browsing the wares of local artisans and crafters.
www.pichamber.com

The Savoy Family Band
November 12
The Strand, Rockland
This four-piece family band brings the raw energy of Cajun music of southwest Louisiana to Rockland. 7:30 pm. $15; $18 at the door.
www.rocklandstrand.com

Christmas Fair
November 12 & 13
Belfast United Methodist Church
Homemade crafts and gifts, ornaments, baked goods, gift baskets, plants, jewelry, cookbooks, and a luncheon. $5.
www.belfastumc.org

The Gifted Hand Fin Art, Craft, and Gift Show
November 12 & 13
Acadia Park Hotel, Ellsworth
This 5th annual show features over 50 juried Maine artisans in a benefit art and craft show for Schoodic Arts for All in Winter Harbor. There will be painters, bead makers, illustrators, weavers, and many more. Fri. 11 am–7 pm; Sat. 9 am–4 pm. $2; free for children under 12.
www.giftedhandshow.com

Glam-Rock Hamlet
November 12-14
Gates Community Center, Bar Harbor
A new approach to Shakespeare’s enduring classic. Fri. and Sat. 7:30 pm; Sun. 2 pm.
www.coa.edu

Annual Harvest Craft Fair
November 13
Acadia Christian School, Trenton
This annual craft fair features a bake sale, silent auction, book fair, and tons of kids activities. 9 am–2 pm.
664-0182

Dvorak & Sibelius
November 14
Collins Center for the Arts, Orono
The spectacular performance of Sibelius’ Violin Concerto conducted by Edward Cumming features Stefan Jackiw on violin. 3 pm. $18–$42.
www.collincenterforthearts.com