Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over 140 years
Hello, friends and neighbors!
I hope you all had the opportunity over the holidays to do something that made you happy. Maybe you spent time with family and friends whom you love. Maybe you received a fun gift from someone or were delighted by a recipient’s reaction to your gift.
As 2017 nears its end, many reflect over the past year, embracing the good times, being thankful that the difficult ones have passed, and considering some necessary changes for 2018.
Every day I’m proud of the work that we do here at Skidompha Library, but there are some weeks when my job is especially cool. This is one of those weeks.
Hercule Poirot hits Lincoln County theaters: After being invited a number of times by Jason Sheckley, who manages Harbor Theater in Boothbay Harbor, to attend technical screenings of films opening at the theater, I finally took him up on his invitation the morning of Thursday, Dec. 14. On tap was the brand-new film “Murder on the Orient Express,” directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh.
Summer visitors very often come and go without leaving many concrete contributions to their communities they inhabit part time. An enormous exception to this idea in our town is the Cooney family, of South Waldoboro.
It is hard to believe that Christmas is on our doorstep. The weather is cooperating somewhat, giving us a little coating of the white stuff. We have received so many wonderful Christmas cards this year, which I have to admit makes me feel a little guilty because I stopped doing them a few years ago. But we certainly do like getting them, and we would like thank everybody that has sent us one.
No matter what I think I know about dogs, I have discovered there is always more to learn. The two lovely boxers I recently pet-sat for reminded me of this fact. They were shy, sweet, and eager to make friends (and very happy to accept treats from me). And, apparently, at least one of them likes to chew on slippers.
Brrr … turn off the freezer. I’m ready for a January thaw right now. I guess we’ll get through it. In the spirit of optimism, did you know that Thursday is the shortest day of the year? Spring can only be just around the corner.
LA choirs shine: Kudos to Lincoln Academy Choir Director Beth Preston for a fabulous concert on Sunday, Dec. 10. Preston led the LA Concert Choir and the school’s Lincolnaires advanced vocal ensemble in the “Sounds of the Season” concert that took place at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle.
You are cordially invited to the annual Christmas candlelight Service at the United Baptist Church in South Jefferson on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. This early evening service promises to fill you and your family with the meaning and beauty of the Christmas season. Afterwards, we hope you will stay and enjoy some fellowship with your neighbors and friends at church. Also, in keeping with our church tradition, the Christmas Cookie Swap takes place. Just bring a plate of Christmas cookies to share, and take home a delightful variety of sweets from the swap.
Folks, I’m listenin’. Lots of you have asked why I haven’t done more scribblin’ about truckin’ lately. Well, a couple of reasons. I haven’t had much to say, as I haven’t been on the road as much, and there have been so many other issues that have occupied my thoughts!
Ah! ’Tis the season of wonder and expectation. Yes, even at Hodgdon Green, the assisted-living home in Damariscotta. May all who read this column have a joy-filled and blessed Christmas.
Kids need a kiln: Whitefield Elementary School’s new art teacher, Hollie Hilton, has hit the ground running as far as making positive changes in art instruction at the school. I learned recently that Hilton started up a DonorsChoose fundraising campaign for a digital kiln for her students.
The following is a “takeover” column by guest author Kyle Tong, Lincoln Academy’s coordinator of curriculum and auxiliary programs.
