Join Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s Community Engagement Manager, Tyler Pascocello and Maine Master Naturalist volunteers for a winter bird walk at Reid State Park on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m.

"I encourage people to come in and eat in and sit down and meet someone new, and maybe, pick up with an old friend ... It's the time of year when we need to come together," Dave Sawyer of Lincoln Lodge of Masons in Wiscasset said about a free, Thanksgiving-style meal this Sunday, Nov. 23 at Wiscasset Community Center, 242 Gardiner Road (Route 27).

“We’re going to cook and carve 12 turkeys,” 12- to 15-pound ones, Sawyer said. “It’ll be all picked and ready to serve (along with) stuffing and the Thanksgiving vegetables,” and 150 donated servings of dessert, he said. 

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.”

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

The Shamrock members of St. Patrick's Church are busily preparing for its annual Christmas Fair, planned for Saturday, Nov. 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Chevrus Hall.

They will be joined by Maine craftspeople and artists who offer a variety of creative items, including wood products, jewelry, and knit gifts.

The Shamrocks are taking wreath orders now before and after Mass and will include their fabulous crafts, bake table, plants, religious items, a re-gifting table, and three raffle baskets. 

Lincoln Home staff and residents recently gathered to wish Jamie Baribeau well in his retirement and welcome Chef Shana York in her new role as culinary director.

Jamie brought great leadership and vision to the culinary team over the last five years, encouraging creativity in our chefs and bringing his commitment to serving healthy, locally sourced food.

When Wiscasset's William Cossette Jr. took a special trip for veterans last summer, he took a photo of fellow American Legion Post 54 member Wally Pitcher with him. Pitcher was supposed to go with him on the Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C. area sites that honor veterans. "He died two weeks before" the trip, Cossette told attendees of the Post's Veterans Day observance Nov. 11.

The popular Bremen Library Wreath Sale Fundraiser will be taking place this month, in time for the winter holidays.

Looking for some good deals at great prices for everyone on your holiday list? Get yourself over to the Edgecomb Community Church Thrift Store, which is againoffering its Holiday Sales beginning on Saturday, Nov. 15 and continuing through to Saturday, Nov. 29.

Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust is pleased to announce the recent acquisition of a 19-acre property in Newcastle, an addition that expands the Marsh River Bog Preserve and extends the River~Link trail and wildlife corridor northward. The new property, purchased from the Penny family in October, adds to one of the region’s most distinctive wetlands and secures an important wildlife crossing along Route 1. 

A Thanksgiving food distribution for anyone in need will be held at St. Philip's Church, 12 Hodge St. in Wiscasset, on Thursday, Nov. 20 from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Check-in will start at 4 p.m. Attendees will be able to choose from a variety of Thanksgiving foods and receive a Shaw's gift card toward the purchase of a protein of their choice. No reservations are required; first come, first served.

In preparation for the 19th annual Gingerbread Spectacular, the Boothbay Harbor Opera House is offering a free class in the fine art of designing and building gingerbread houses. The class is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. in the main performance hall at the Opera House.

Mark your calendars and join Cape Newagen Farm on Southport for a special free Holiday Open Farm Day, a festive celebration for the whole family on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Ready to chill out with Hearty Roots? Registration is open for this year’s Plunge for a Purpose on New Year’s Day at Pemaquid Beach. All are invited to take the plunge while having a great time and supporting programs that guide local kids off the grid and into their hearts. Hearty Roots offers year-round school partnerships, campouts, and day camps, creating meaningful mentorships and connecting kids to the natural world. 

In celebration of national “Take a Hike” day, Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust naturalist Sarah Gladu will lead a hike at Salt Bay Farm in Damariscotta from 2to 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17.  

The past few months have brought four new faces to the Hearty Roots team page on its website! In response to the growing need for programs in local schools, three field instructors have joined the Outdoor Adventure crew. And the demands of tending and expanding the 115-acre campus in Bremen led to the addition of a full-time facilities manager.

Rev. John Hogue, pastor of First Congregational Church of Wiscasset, will reach back into history in his sermon on Nov. 9, as he recounts the story of four chaplains. 

It was another successful Nightmare on Federal Street for Wiscasset Oct. 31 with the annual parade, food and other festivities. Our thanks to photographer Bob Bond of 40 Federal Studio for these moments from the event. 

All First National Bank branches are collecting items for local food pantries throughout the month of November. 

If you would like to help, First National Bank welcomes donations to your local branches. Most-needed items include: canned meats/fish, chili, soup, skillet meals, cereal, canned vegetables, and fruit.