“People just want the holiday spirit. It’s such a counter to the darkness.” — Irene Fowle

'Tis the season to deck the halls and give gifts. Still in search for just the right presents for loved ones on your holiday shopping list? Looking for new holiday décor? Do you have another Yule tree or Christmas tree on your mind? Does a theme-decorated tree for yourself, or to give to someone who might not otherwise have one, appeal to your inner angel and St. Nick?

The Boothbay Harbor Region is kicking off the holiday season with a full day of festivities on Saturday, Nov. 22. Following the excitement of the Early Bird Sale & Bed Races in the morning, the celebration continues into the evening with the annual Lighted Firetruck & First Responders Parade, followed by the Chili Cook-Off at Meadow Mall.

Parade begins at 4 p.m.

The Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop in downtown Damariscotta will be open all day on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the shop’s co-manager Rosie Bensen, “A couple of our volunteer shopkeepers thought customers might like an opportunity, before or after giving thanks, to visit our quiet shop, read by the fireplace, enjoy our views of the Damariscotta, or maybe treat themselves to a new book or do some holiday shopping.”

The Eastside Waterfront Park committee is once again holding its Christmas Ornament Decorating Contest. There will be cash prizes for children and adults in five age categories with a grand prize of $250.

The ornaments may be picked up at the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce office during their operating hours between Nov. 17 and Dec. 5.

Tonight, Nov. 14 is Community Night at Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens from 4 to 9 p.m.

The Heather Pierson Trio brings its annual holiday show, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," back to The Waldo Theatre on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. In their annual December offering, The Heather Pierson Trio performs the entirety of the ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ album as recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, as well as other Guaraldi compositions and holiday favorites.

Each December Boothbay Railway Village Museum (BRVM) transforms into a magical Christmas wonderland for families.  The North Pole Express event takes place on Saturdays and Sundays for three consecutive weekends, beginning Dec. 6.  The train visits the "North Pole" eight times daily, with the first train departing at 10:45 a.m. and the last train at 4 p.m.

On Wednesday, Nov. 19, residents at St. Andrews Village will perform the world premiere of "As the Village Churns" at the St. Andrews Village Inn. The original play was conceived, written, and designed by seven performers who participated in the eight-week program led by Storytree Theatre Teaching Artist, Teralyn Reiter and supported by Resident Services Coordinator, Sarah Hackler.  

The Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF) is excited to announce the return of its holiday-favorite exhibition: ART in the Square. This year, don't miss your chance to snag a unique, original artwork and support a great cause, starting Nov. 15 at the BRAF Gallery located at 1 Townsend Ave. in Boothbay Harbor.

Imagine visiting the picturesque medieval village, Bourmes-les-Mimosas in southeastern France, on the Mediterranean Sea. Ahhh, paradise found! Now imagine you are checking in at the Eden Rose Grand Hotel there for a nine-day artistic retreat featuring workshops led by Philippe and Kim Villard of Villard Studios in Provence and Boothbay Harbor, teaching the American Whiteline Woodblock printing technique.

The Waldo Theatre’s upcoming community theatre production Murdering the Mob, which opens Nov. 15, is a silly, fun, whodunit murder mystery co-written by Westport Island resident Cheryl Salatino and her former creative partners Donald K. Baillargeon and Dan Dowling.

Education through newspapers is a very viable way to educate. Especially today when, in this day and age, handheld newspapers are harder and harder to find. Let alone develop and turn them into ongoing reliable news and community information outlets. 

The Blaine House Commission, in collaboration with the Maine Arts Commission, invites Maine artists to submit existing three-dimensional sculptural works for acquisition and installation on the west lawn of the Blaine House, the historic residence of Maine’s governor.

This new public artwork will:

* Honor the leadership of Maine’s governors

*Reflect the land’s storied past, vibrant present, and hopeful future

*Celebrate the creativity and resilience of Maine’s people

River Arts in Damariscotta invites the public to an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 2 to 4 p.m. to celebrate Joanne Tarlin’s dynamic solo show, “Below and Beyond,” in the River Room. Tarlin’s large and expressive acrylic paintings invite the viewer to contemplate more than meets the eye. Come meet the artist at the reception and enjoy light refreshments along with some lively conversation.

Why are so many teens feeling anxious, depressed, and overwhelmed—and what can parents, schools, and communities do to help? Those questions are at the heart of “Screenagers: The Next Chapter”, a powerful new documentary coming to Lincoln Theater for a free community screening on Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.

Walking into Manon Lewis’ classroom at Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) is not unlike viewing Bosch’s painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights." First, the eye is overwhelmed by the colors and scale of the scene, but soon it focuses on the vignettes: the box of mosaic tiles for the week’s lesson, the orange San Pellegrino cans lined on the table edge being saved for a future project, or the handprints from former students climbing the walls.  

This week we kick off Season 8 of our beloved Classic Film Club. We are excited to celebrate Hollywood with all of you over the next six months with six fabulous films! 

Twenty-one of Pemaquid Art Gallery’s talented  artists share their varied styles, mediums and views of the beauty in Maine landscape and wildlife at the Damariscotta River Grill. This comprehensive show opens Nov. 11 and will be on exhibit through April 13. The “Art at the Grill” opening evening is Thursday, Nov. 20. Join us for a special Prix Fixe three course menu that will be offered for $29, with a choice of wine pairings for $10, or choose a selection from the regular menu, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

“Roofman,” R, 2 hours, 6 minutes - A former Army Ranger and struggling father turns to robbing McDonald’s restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs, earning him the nickname: Roofman. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys “R” Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel, setting off a compelling and suspenseful game of cat and mouse as his past closes in. Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2 p.m. (OCAP), Thursday, Nov.

Bob Mitchell (also known as Robert, Mitchell and Mitch) and his wife Susan Endicott have lived in the Boothbay area for over 50 years. Their first home was on Barters Island back in the late ’70s, then they moved to Sherman Street in Boothbay Harbor until, in 2001, the family relocated to Southport, next to the Jean Thompson house and just across Hendricks Hill Road from the Evelyn Sherman family estate.