This is the week our stretch pants have been waiting for: Thanksgiving is on Thursday. If you need some last-minute recipe ideas, read Paula Anderson’s latest What’s Cooking column (or you can bite the bullet and call the Butterball hotline).

On Tuesday, Nov. 26, pick up a homemade Thanksgiving pie at Ames True Value from 9 a.m. to noon, baked by members of the Alpha Iota and Preceptor Chapters of Beta Sigma Phi. There’s also a Community Lunch at noon on Tuesday at the Congregational Church on Cross Point Road, sponsored by the Edgecomb Thrift Shop.

There are some other cool events and lectures this week, too, including one on Monday, Nov. 25 where you can learn about the oldest building in Damariscotta.

If you just want a laid back “Black Friday” and have no interest in shopping, day trip down to Bath for Irish music at the Chocolate Church on Friday, Nov. 29.

On Saturday, Nov. 30, four well-known authors will be helping booklovers pick great reads at Maine Coast Book Shop. You can also take a ride on the North Pole Express at the Boothbay Railway Village, come see Santa on the Common or “shake off the turkey” with a Zumba class at the Lion’s Club at 10 a.m. ($10/person).

Enjoy the beginning of the holiday season!

Note: The papers have an early deadline because of the Thanksgiving holiday.