Singing in community: There is a lovely, no-cost event that takes place the fourth Saturday of each month at 6 p.m. at Sheepscot General in Whitefield — a community singing circle. Led by singer-guitarist Dan Townsend, who is a member of local band Well Seasoned, the singing circle, as a recent press release put it, invites “anyone who enjoys singing with others.”

Checking out Czech Republic: As some of you know, I was out of the country recently for nine days visiting my son, Benjamin, and his family in Germany. I returned to work this past Monday – somewhat jet-lagged, but happier for the opportunity to have gone on my trip.

Music’s power to heal: In mid-December, I turned this column over to guest columnist Paul Kando, a local lover of the arts and the writer of the weekly “Energy Matters” column in this paper. Readers will remember Kando’s eloquent words about his inspiring arts education growing up in his native Hungary.

Lincoln County represents: Good old Facebook! That’s how I found out about the brand-new issue of the ArtMaine 2020 Annual Guide featuring Damariscotta painter and gallery owner Will Kefauver as one of 88 of Maine’s outstanding artists.

Open mic lowdown: I had the pleasure last Thursday, Jan. 23, of spending time hanging out at Fernald’s in Damariscotta with a handful of local musicians (well, four actually), one of whom recently started working at the LCN as a press assistant and newspaper delivery person.

Art with heart: Last month, I wrote in this column about spending time in the River Arts art studio with the artists from Mobius Inc.’s Creative Expressions program, watching them work and chatting with them about their then-upcoming exhibit at LincolnHealth’s Miles Campus.

Impact in black and white: Petrea Noyes’ large, black-and-white mixed media piece called “String of Pearls” is one of the first pieces that greets visitors to the “Black and White” show currently on the walls of the main gallery at Damariscotta’s River Arts gallery.

Looking forward: It’s a new year, with new things just around the corner at local arts and entertainment venues.

Mobius magic at Miles: Last Thursday afternoon, Dec. 19, I had the pleasure of spending time in the art studio downstairs at River Arts in Damariscotta talking with and watching the artists in the Mobius Inc. Creative Expressions program.

Textile artist to the rescue: This is the story of how an old quilt was rescued and transformed into a beautiful coat. More specifically, this is the story of how a woman named Mary Lavandier Myers bought a $3 bag of rummage sale items at the Miles Memorial Hospital League tent sale in Damariscotta earlier this fall into which was stuffed a pink-and-white quilt that was worn out and stained, and gave the quilt to her textile artist friend Jody Halliday to do her magic on. The result: a lovely (and virtually spotless) “art jacket.”

The inimitable Mr. Kando: Late last month, I wrote in this column about the importance of the arts – or rather, a number of people helped me write about the importance of the arts, sending me thought-provoking responses to the question, “Why are the arts important?”

Community enrichment through the arts: “I’m pleased to display a few of my pieces at the CLC Y because the Y is a major focal point of our community’s resilience,” wrote Bristol artist Winslow Myers in a recent press release for his 10-painting exhibit currently on the walls of the Central Lincoln County YMCA in Damariscotta.