In a big white house

Perched beside the Atlantic,

With tidal water

As the backyard,

That was the site

Of my childhood.

It’s where I could

Row a boat

Before I could

Ride a bicycle.

We timed the coming

And going of the tide,

As the inner harbor was

Our summer sandbox.

Lifting seaweed,

Combing eelgrass,

Searching tidepools,

And digging in the flats

Revealed crabs, minnows

And objects to keep

In milk-carton aquariums,

Community Lunch Dec. 15 was hosted by Norm's Used Cars with yet another huge crowd attending and a special guest appearance by the Grinch!

Smiles were the catch of the day as faces lit up, and everyone laughed heartily as Mr Grinch made his way around the room giving everyone hugs. Norm and Bev, along with Lisa and Kris, served the group by table as Steve again was the caller for table bingo! Caroline manned the kitchen, Nancy, Lori and Judi waited on all the tables greeting the new attendees and introducing them to regulars.

As the year comes to a close, I would like to share with you the ways that Lighthouse Education & Nautical Studies (LENS) "Lit the Way" for learners of all ages. Attached you will find the "News Flash" that focuses on experiential learning on Burnt Island for children in the local school system, Maine's teachers, and our new endeavor - the Boothbay Harbor Treasure Hunt.

Janson's Clothing, $25 gift card, Riley Sullivan, Natalie Allen, Kelly Camp and Monica Swan.

Mama D's, $40 gift certificate, Daphne, Christmas ornament, Cindy.

Mung Bean, $100 gift certificate, Tiffany Tsang.

Three Buoys & Souvenirs, Dionis skincare gift basket, Martha Schnepp.

Sweet Bay, $25 gift card, Megan Guertler and Suzanne Norton.

Pier 1 Pizza, $25 gift card, Rachel Eimen.

Gimbel's/Smiling Cow, $200 gift basket, Bonnie Wormwood.

The Hutch, knit hat, scarf and four pair of socks, Cherise Bishop.

Men's Night. Why is there a men's night? Because some men leave holiday shopping, or any shopping, to the last minute. According to The Good Men Project website, Canadian retail analyst David Gray said some men in North America, including him, have maybe put it off because they are "not fans of the shopping experience." 

Monday's Community Lunch at Brady's hosted by Wiscasset Ford had a massive turnout even with a little snow on the ground.

Chef Super Dave outdid himself with stuffed meatballs, slow cooked sauce, pasta, Lisa's winter salad, garlic bread, and homemade mini deconstructed cannoli by Super Wife Paula! Chef Stan Hornsby of Linekin Bay was on deck to give a hand feeding the big crowd.

A volunteer at the Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop has offered to gift-wrap books bought at the shop, for free, during designated times before Christmas.

The service will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, then from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day between Saturday, Dec. 20 and Wednesday, Dec. 24.

For most of us, the thought of teaching ballet to a group of toddlers might seem daunting. How do you encourage a group of 3-6 year olds to plié? Or tendu? For Y Arts instructor Imij Armstead, it's all part of the program offered at the YMCA. 

Armstrong, who graduated from high school in June, has been teaching ballet at the Y Annex for about three years after being a student in classes there.

The Boothbay Register/Wiscasset Newspaper's wonderful contributing photographer Mike Leonard once again captured the Boothbay Lights' Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks display to end the Saturday, Dec. 6 festivities. Thank you Mike.

According to the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce Facebook site, these are this year’s winners: 1st place: Wild Thing; 2nd place: Miss Madeline; 3rd place: Motivation.

Schedule of Christmas services  

32 Emery Lane, Boothbay Harbor 

Please support the Boothbay Region Fire Auxiliary’s biggest fundraiser of the year by buying raffle tickets to win wreaths made of $250, $100, or $50 in scratch ticket face values. The names of the big winners will be drawn at noon on Dec. 18. Winners will be contacted by phone. Tickets are $5 a piece, or $20 for five tickets.

To purchase raffle tickets, please contact Auxiliary President Jennifer Manson at (207) 350-0429, or by VENMO at: @Jennifer-Manson-19.

On the coldest morning of fall thus far, our intrepid staff member Steve Edwards braved the single-digit weather to capture sea smoke and the stillness of the various waterfronts around the region on Friday, Dec. 5.  Hope you enjoy the scenes.

The Waldo is excited to have The Bearly Dead return to the stage Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m. after last year’s SOLD OUT show. Not just another Grateful Dead cover band- this is a cosmic exploration of the Grateful Dead catalog! Bearly Dead, a Boston-based quintet, performs a concert-style show that celebrates the journey of the Grateful Dead from their earliest records until their final tours.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust naturalist Sarah Gladu will lead a hike at Plummer Point Preserve in South Bristol from 2 to 3:30p.m. on Friday, Dec. 12. 

Jimmy Merril, Teresa Orne, and members of the Boothbay Region Dart League hosted Community Lunch Dec. 1 featuring an amazing pulled pork casserole prepared by Jimmy. The slow roasted pork was combined with veggies, topped with cornbread and all baked together. The meal was a big hit with everyone and was accompanied by homemade mac and cheese by Teresa.

League members Stan Hornsby, Nick Christopher and Todd Plummer were in attendance as well to help. (Okay, Todd just ate!)

Sarah Sherman hand delivered the first copy of Dr. Barclay Shepard's memoir, "A Surgeon's Slice of Life," to him on Friday, Nov. 28 and by Saturday afternoon, Nov. 29 he was at Sherman's Bookstore for his first book signing, which was very successful. Copies of Dr. Shepard's book can be ordered through Sherman's at 207-633-7262 or online at shermans.com.

Volunteers and friends of the Skidompha Secondhand Book Shop include a number of crafters who are currently donating their work to be sold at the shop for the benefit of the library.

Their creative pieces are on display in the shop’s center room. They include items like knitted scarves, gloves, and socks; greeting cards; photo bookmarks; book pins; art prints; an oil painting; Christmas tree ornaments; women’s jackets; gourmet paprika; and other items that will be donated as the season progresses.

Come celebrate the holidays with us at the Southport Memorial Library! We have an exciting line-up of events in the month of December, and will be kicking off the season with "Decking the Halls" of the library on Dec. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. Hot cocoa, treats and plenty of good cheer to go around! Check out our other upcoming exciting festivities. Hope to see you there!