EVENTS: Twelve “Chili Amateurs” compete for trophy on Saturday

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The Whitefield Library’s 3rd Annual Chili Contest is Saturday, January 24, from 5 – 7 p.m., at the Whitefield Elementary School. Twelve people have signed up to see whose chili reigns supreme.

In 2023 library volunteer Michelle Finley took the trophy, and last year the top prize went to elementary school secretary Amy Perkins. They are challenging everyone to come and try to beat them this year.

Five judges from the area will taste and rate the chilis to determine the winner. There will also be a People’s Choice award. Competitors have entered a variety of chilis including venison, beef and pork, chicken, and vegetarian.

Besides chili, a ticket includes corn bread, dessert, and various accompaniments. Tickets are $5 per person, or $20 for a family. There will be raffles and a children’s corner with all kinds of fun activities. The Whitefield Elementary School is located at 164 Grand Army Rd., Whitefield.

Tickets are available at the Whitefield Library during open hours, or online at whitefieldlibrary.org. The library is located at 1 Arlington Lane, Whitefield. The Chili Contest is a fundraiser to help support future library programming. For more information, email us at: info@whitefieldlibrary.org.

EVENTS: Skijor coming to Bangor in January

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Photo provided by Skijor Bangor.

by Jodie L Mosher

Saturday, January 31, find your way to an exciting day of skijor at the Hollywood Casino Raceway, in Bangor. Skijoring is an exhilarating winter sport in which a horse and rider tows a skier or snowboarder who navigates 1,000 feet down a track of gates, jumps and collects rings along the way as fast as they can. Teams are judged on their performance and best of two runs, competing for serious cash prizes, swag, and glory. Spectators play an important role cheering on the competitors. Cross Insurance Center is serving food concessions and hosting a beer garden. There will be a few vendors on hand selling goods and don’t forget your cowbells, noisemakers and loud cheering voices!

Skijor Bangor is the first of three competitive skijor events in Maine this winter. Competitors race for the glory of being named the winner of the Triple Crown based on winning times. Skowhegan and Topsham are the sites for the other two events.

There are two divisions; pros and novice, and the racing begins at 10 a.m. Volunteers will be collecting $15 at the main gate for cars located on Bass Park Boulevard and pedestrians only may also enter at Buck Street entrance. Kids 5 and under are FREE! There will be a raffle, merchandise for sale, skijor festive hat contest and plenty of fun and entertainment for every age.

Competitors are urged to register by end of day on January 17. Potential sponsors check out Sponsor Deck at skijorbangor.com for more information. There are no dogs allowed as this is a day all about the horses. Drone use is strictly prohibited.

FMI go to skijorbangor.com or find us on Facebook Skijor Bangor or Skijor Maine.

EVENTS: Chamber to sponsor Maine Civics Bee

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In 2026, the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce will host the first-ever Maine State Civics Bee, taking place at Colby College, in Waterville. This event is part of a nationwide initiative happening in all 50 states and is designed to celebrate and strengthen civic knowledge among middle school students as the country enters the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The Maine State Civics Bee is being brought to the state through a partnership between the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and the National Civics Trust, marking Maine’s first participation in this national program.

Students across Maine are currently being invited to submit essays on real-world civic issues, with a February 3 submission deadline. Winners advance to the state competition, with top students earning recognition, prizes, and the opportunity to represent Maine on a national stage.

EVENTS: Vassalboro Historical Society wants your recollections

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Vassalboro Historical Society

The Vassalboro Historical Society invites you and a friend (if you want) to join us on a Tuesday afternoon to be recorded as you chat about your memories of Vassalboro. We would love to have your recollections of life and times in Vassalboro. If you have a fun or interesting story to share, we want to hear it! Did you ever attend a barn dance at Winston Bradley’s? Did you pick blueberries on Taber Hill? Did one of your parents work at the Mill? Did you go haying? Please call Jan or Susan at (207) 923-3505 to schedule a Tuesday to visit.

EVENTS: Cabin Fever quilt show and luncheon at VUMC

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A “Cabin Fever Quilt Show and Luncheon” will be held in Vassalboro on Saturday, February 14 (storm date February 21), at the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), 614 Main Street.. “What better way to spend a mid-winter Saturday than taking in a display of beautiful new and vintage quilts,” said one of the event coordinators, Dale Potter-Clark. “Quilts of all sizes, ages, patterns and skill levels will be draped over the pews and elsewhere in the sanctuary, producing a rather breathtaking display.” A lasagna luncheon and other surprises are in store that will add to the enjoyment of the day.

Some antique quilts from the Vassalboro Historical Society’s collection will be among those on display as well as others, both old and new, from church members and local families. Information about the quilts’ histories will be provided and there will be people on standby to answer questions that may arise. Those who attend the Quilt Show will be eligible to win door prizes. Some newly-made quilts will be available for purchase, a percentage of which will be designated to the VUMC building fund as will be all proceeds from the day.

The quilts will be on display 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., and a choice of meat or vegetable lasagna and salad luncheon will be served 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., to include special desserts and sweets with Valentine’s Day in mind. Quilt Show admission is by donation and the luncheon is a $10 donation per person.

Anyone with interest in entering a quilt, whether vintage or newer, can email jgoodrich1954@gmail.com or call or text (207) 530-1564. There is no fee to enter a quilt in the show. Follow this and future special events and public luncheon and suppers on the Vassalboro United Methodist Church Facebook page.

ShineOnCass Blue Christmas invites community to remembrance ceremony on Winter Solstice

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by Monica Charette

The ShineOnCass Foundation will host its 5th Annual Blue Christmas Ceremony for grieving families and friends and those who support them on Sunday, December 21, at sunset, starting at 4 p.m., on the Winter Solstice – the longest and darkest night of the year. Blue Christmas at the Oakland Gazebo will feature music, speakers, and a reading of submitted names of loved ones who have died and the lighting of memorial blue candles.

Blue Christmas ceremonies are held around the world in acknowledgement that the holiday season can be especially challenging for many who are grieving.

“While the world celebrates, many are simply just trying to find their way through December while grieving the loss of someone they love – a sharp contrast to the joy of the holidays.” said Monica Charette, founder and executive director of the ShineOnCass Foundation. “Our hope is to bring together bereaved individuals and those who support them to offer a compassionate space where people can hear their loved one’s name, be supported, and feel less alone during the holiday season.”

In addition to the blue light ceremony, the evening will also feature music by local musician Will McPherson and the return of award-winning country recording artist Joan Kennedy, and her daughter Grace, who will perform Candle in the Window and other selections. The event is free of charge and open to everyone.

Charette said the idea to host a community Blue Christmas Ceremony came from a gathering organized by her friends after the passing of her 17-year-old daughter Cassidy Charette 11 years ago. Cass, for whom the ShineOnCass Foundation was created to honor, was a Messalonskee High School student and longtime community volunteer, who died in a tragic hayride accident on October 11, 2014.

Anyone can participate in the Blue Christmas Ceremony by sharing their loved ones’ names being remembered and receive a blue candle to light at the ceremony. To complete the online form, visit Blue Christmas at shineoncass.org. Deadline to submit names is Saturday, December 20. People are also welcome to attend in silent remembrance and offer support to others. To participate virtually via livestream, follow the ShineOnCass Facebook page.

EVENTS: Sanitary District meeting rescheduled

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Vassalboro Town OfficeThe Vassalboro Sanitary District board of trustees meeting that had been scheduled for Dec. 15 is rescheduled for 1 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 18, in the town office meeting room.

EVENTS: Mid-Maine Chamber promotes Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 29

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Join Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce and area businesses for Shop Small Saturday Mid-Maine – and shop ‘til you drop!

What better way to enjoy a Saturday, get some holiday shopping done, and know that you are helping your friends, neighbors, and business owners at the same time. So, grab your friends and family members – and head to the great outdoors for some much-needed activity.

Shopping locally keeps your money in the area and supports the businesses that serve and support you. Take some time this season to check out special offers, new merchandise, or a business you have not visited in the past. They will make it worth your while!

Participating businesses will include great discount offers in a special Shop Small – Save BIG coupon book and will have shopping bags for your convenience, and entry forms for a chance to win a $100 Chamber gift certificate to be used at over 180 local businesses. A list of participating businesses, as well as extra coupons, will also be available on www.midmainechamber.com.

Mix 107.9 will be making the rounds in the area with sponsored live remotes, highlighting additional opportunities to join in the fun, and other sales and promotions being held in our towns.

Mark your calendars to join us on Saturday, November 29, and shop ‘til you drop, with Shop Small Saturday Mid-Maine! Your small purchase will make a BIG difference to our local businesses!

Sponsors for this event include: SBS Carbon Copy and Allen Insurance & Financial, Major Co-Sponsors; Central Maine Motors Auto Group; Kennebec Savings Bank; Damon’s Beverage; Oliver & Friends Bookshop, Huhtamaki; Skowhegan Savings Bank; Best Western Hotel and Front & Main/Lockwood Hotel.

EVENTS: KPAC concert December 6, 2025

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The Kennebec Performing Arts Company (KPAC) will “Celebrate the Season” at its annual holiday concerts on Friday, December 5, 7 p.m., at Winthrop High School and Saturday, December 6, 5 p.m., at Cony High School in Augusta.

The KPAC Wind Ensemble, directed by John Neal, will present festive favorites such as Celtic Carol by Robert W. Smith and A Christmas Celebration. A special highlight will be Log Cabin Blues, featuring xylophone soloist Sophie Komiega. Assistant Director Dan Gilbert will take the podium to conduct The Eighth Candle by Steve Reisteter, a symphonic treatment of traditional Hanukkah themes. Holding with tradition, the group will close this portion of the program with Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride.

The concert will continue with the KPAC Jazz Band, led by new director Russell Caverly, featuring the premier performance of a specially commissioned work by Terry White, a noted Maine music educator, composer, and bandleader.

The evening will conclude with the KPAC Choir, directed by John Neal, performing a beautiful selection of seasonal works, including Candlelight Carol by John Rutter, Ose Shalom (The One Who Makes Peace) by John Leavitt, the traditional Hispanic carol A La Nanita Nana, Glory, Glory, Glory to the Newborn King by Moses Hogan, Festival Gloria by Craig Courtney, and He Watching Over Israel by Mendelssohn.

Admission is free and open to the public, thanks to KPAC’s generous sponsors and a grant from the Onion Foundation.

EVENTS: Parade of Lights November 29: A message from Santa

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I’m delighted to share that I’ll be arriving in Kringleville, Maine, on the evening of Saturday, November 29, 2025!

This year, my reindeer and I will make our grand landing in Waterville, where we’ll shine up the sleigh and join the sparkling Parade of Lights on our way to Kringleville. What a festive way to begin the season!

The elves have been hard at work getting my cozy cabin ready just for you. They’ve promised there will be steaming cups of cocoa to keep you warm, cheerful holiday activities to brighten your day, and a beautiful book for every child who visits.

They’ve also teamed up with the friendly folks at the Waterville Post Office to make sure your letters reach me quickly. You can drop them off at the Post Office or in the Kringleville mailbox, and I’ll do my very best to send a reply before the season’s over.

I can hardly wait to see your smiling faces and rosy cheeks as we celebrate the magic of Christmas together.

Remember, Christmas miracles are all around us – just keep the holiday spirit in your heart.

With love and joy,
Santa

2025 Parade of Lights

The 2025 Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, November 29, at 6 p.m. It will start on College Ave., and travel down Waterville Main Street.

The Children’s Discovery Museum is excited to be collaborating with the city of Waterville to host this wonderful event.

While we have loved partnering with Winslow each year for the parade, due to ongoing bridge construction, we believe it is safer to keep the parade on one side of the river. We look forward to bringing the parade back across the bridge in the future!

The 2025 Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, November 29, at 6 p.m. Floats will assemble along College Ave, travel down to Main Street, stopping at Castonguay Square for the lighting of the giant spruce and Santa’s arrival at Kringleville. A map will be provided closer to the event. We would like to invite all area schools, businesses, churches, organizations and municipalities to participate in the parade by entering a float, marching band, or other appropriate entry.

The Parade of Lights and Kringleville is generously made possible with the support of the City of Waterville, Central Maine Motors Auto Group, KSW Federal Credit Union, Selah Tea Cafe, Chase Toys, Kennebec Behavioral Health, Skowhegan Savings Bank, Day’s Jewelers and United Ag & Turf.