The holidays are a joyous time of year, especially when you're a kid. Time off from school, the house gets all festive, there are parties and concerts and isn't it fun?

Well, many of us are adults now (supposedly) and now we know all that joy and holiday spirit doesn't just magically appear. It takes hard work and effort to make happen. Shopping, decorating, planning — it all can be stressful, and stress can take a toll on your health and your ability to make healthy choices.

On Thursday, Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., the Certificate Of Need Unit of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public hearing in the Boothbay Harbor Town Office.

Are you a nonprofit that is collecting Christmas gifts for needy families, or end-of-the-year donations so you can continue to help those in need? If so, the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper would like to know as soon as possible so we can prepare a listing for the website and possibly the print paper.

Please send your contact information via email to kevinburnham@boothbayregister.com

Due to today's storm, the forum on consumer fraud with Attorney General Janet Mills and Sen. Chris Johnson scheduled for tonight, Monday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln County Communications Center in Wiscasset has been canceled and will be rescheduled.

Seeing even a single snowy owl is an exciting moment for just about anyone. But can you imagine seeing 10 in one place? Amazingly, a Maine birder had just that experience last week in Biddeford Pool, and at least six were seen at both Monhegan and Popham Beach.

In just a few weeks’ time, one of the most amazing influxes of snowy owls in recent history has been underway in Maine and beyond. Birds have been seen from Newfoundland to North Carolina.

The final Boothbay selectmen’s meeting of 2013 is scheduled for December 11 at 7 p.m.

Town Manager Jim Chaousis is planning to present the town budget for fiscal year 2015, and the selectmen will review a proposal from the Boothbay Region Land Trust for the Cross River Center property.

This is a night for all ages. The 10th anniversary season at the Opera House in Boothbay Harbor comes to a close this month against a backdrop of twinkling lights, with music and food and an evening of celebration at the annual Community Potluck and Carol Sing on Wednesday, Dec. 18.