EVENTS: Small Business Saturday is Nov. 30

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Small Business Saturday is this coming Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2024. Are you interested in writing a story on the holiday shopping season or want to arrange an interview with a small business advocate in the area? The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business association, is here to help. NFIB State Director David Clough is available to discuss the importance of Small Business Saturday to the local economy and how shopping small benefits consumers, employees, and business owners alike.

NFIB State Director David Clough can be reached at (207) 807-4900, and you can contact Senior Media Manager Mike Donohue at (202) 525-9835.

“In addition to creating good-paying jobs and strengthening the local economy, small businesses shape our communities by volunteering their time and financially supporting charitable organizations,” said Clough. “A recent NFIB report highlights how small business owners and their employees benefit their communities, beyond operating their businesses. As we kick off the holiday season, I encourage all Mainers to shop small, especially on Small Business Saturday, and thank a small business owner for how they enrich your community.”

Sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday began in 2010 as a way to help local stores and restaurants recover from the Great Recession. It has quickly transformed into a Thanksgiving weekend tradition, becoming one of the busiest sales seasons for small business owners nationwide.

EVENTS: China flag retirement ceremony set for Dec. 5

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by Mary Grow

A flag retirement ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Boynton-Webber American Legion Hall, in South China. Transfer station safety officer Cheyenne Houle said it will honor the more than 300 worn-out United States flags that have been left in the flag disposal boxes provided at the transfer station, plus others from Boy Scouts and other local groups.

The event is open to the public. Anyone with a worn-out or damaged flag is welcome to bring it to be added to the ceremony, Post Commander Neil Farrington said.

An on-line document from the National Flag Foundation describes a typical procedure for this ceremony, which honors the used flags. One is selected as representative of all: it is hoisted to the top of a flagpole by a color guard, saluted by the audience, who then recite the pledge of allegiance; and respectfully lowered and folded.

The best-known way to dispose of used flags is by burning them and burying the ashes. Farrington said the Dec. 5 ceremony will use an alternate method, cutting flags in half vertically and again horizontally, without damaging the block of 50 stars. The pieces are returned to the transfer station.

EVENTS: Benefit holiday online auction open to all

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Eileen Ronco, left, and Cindy Shorey holding two of the 14 Boyd’s Bears available during a 10-day online auction to benefit Vassalboro United Methodist Church. (contributed photo)

A 10-day holiday season online auction starts on Black Friday to benefit the Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC) beginning Friday, November 29, at 8 a.m. through Monday, December 9, at 8 a.m. Browse more than 130 items and place bids from the warmth and comfort of your home at ANY time of the day or night during those ten days. The option to “buy now” is included with each item or place bids instead.

A wide variety of entries are being donated and added daily. Some include an overnight at the Iron Fence Inn; a queen size homemade quilt; a microwave, a linkable two-piece slow cooker and a food dehydrator all like new; designer purses by Chanel, Louise Vuitton and Vera Bradley; an Ashton-Drake baby doll and six outfits; a Derby silver tea set; several pieces from a Lang & Wise Colonial Williamsburg Christmas village; Boyd’s bears; books, games and toys; a realistic children’s kitchen set with accessories; medical equipment; books, puzzles and games; new infant sweaters and a fleece coat and pants set; glass paperweights; corning ware and Pfaltzgraff dishes; an eight place setting of stoneware; a Stansport backpack; a Knight golf bag; gift certificates to several local businesses including restaurants, a golf course, car service centers and so much more!

Proceeds from this auction will benefit the VUMC building fund. FMI about the auction visit Vassalboro United Methodist Church on Facebook; call or text (207) 441-9184 or email crossings4u@gmail.com. To browse and bid visit https://new.biddingowl.com/VassalboroUMC.

EVENTS: Parade of Lights set for November 30

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Downtown Waterville aglow in lights, and bustling with activity during the Parade of Lights in 2023. (photo by Galen Neal, Central Maine Photography)

by Mark Huard

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.

The 2024 Parade of Lights will be held on Saturday, November 30, 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. 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.

There is a $25 registration fee to participate, which helps keep the event sustainable. We are limiting the number of floats to 30, so register early to ensure participation. All floats must be decorated and we encourage holiday or winter-themed decorations and lights, lights, lights! The more lights the better! Please note that the official Kringleville Santa is the only Santa allowed in the parade.

If you have any questions please contact the Children’s Discovery Museum at kringleville@childrensdiscoverymuseum.org.

This event will take place, rain or shine! No rain date.

EVENTS: North Pond Association to hold annual fundraiser

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The North Pond Association of Mercer, Rome and Smithfield, is ho- ho- hosting a wonderful opportunity for you to be the highest bidder on gifts for holiday gift giving season! (Of course these items make great birthday, anniversary, wedding gifts, and more, as well.)

Get your tickets early as there are only 80 being sold! $20 per person or $35 per couple gets you appetizers and two drink tickets and live music to enjoy! The event takes place on Friday, December 6, at the Fairview Grange #342, located at 826 Village Road, in Smithfield, on the shore of North Pond from, 6 – 9 p.m. Auction closes 8:30 p.m.

Message NPA on Facebook or Text 207-432-6005 to reserve your spot today!

A unique list of items have been donated and the NPA encourages you to check out their Facebook page to find out more auction item details. The following is the list of items that will be up for bid:

Saint Marten Timeshare Week 2025, Lynch Landscaping – LakeSmart Certified Gift Certificate, Lakewood Golf Course, Belgrade Golf Course, Waterville Country Club, Natanis Golf Course, (all golf gift certificates are greens fee and cart inclusive), 122 Corson On Farm Dining Gift Certificate, Table for 4 Rooted Dinners Farm to Table Dining, Portland Pie Company Pizza for a Year, Float Plane Ride over North Pond , Bob, Check It 4 Me – Camp Service , Bigelow Brewing Company Basket, Sunset Cruise on North Pond, Kevin James Oil Painting, Carole Storro Giclee Print.

All proceeds go to the NPA’s Remediation Fund! www.northpondmaine.org.

EVENTS: Festival of Trees set for upcoming weekends

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Alfond Youth & Community Center and Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce combine efforts to present Festival of Trees this holiday season, continuing a proud tradition.

Participation in this year’s event continues a fabulous holiday tradition. At the same time, money raised supports families in the community experiencing food insecurity through the services of Alfond Youth & Community Center and funds workforce development services and assistance through the Mid-Maine Chamber of Commerce, meeting a need existing throughout our region.

Who doesn’t love a beautiful holiday tree? Imagine over 50 trees, each uniquely decked out in holiday cheer. This wonderful family event will be held at Waterville Elks Banquet & Conference Center, 76 Industrial Rd., Waterville from November 22 – 24 and November 29 – Dec. 1. Hours on both Fridays and Saturdays are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Festival of Trees will provide a magical experience that the whole family can enjoy. Admission for ages 12 and over is just $2 per person; children 12 and under are admitted for free. Children are also given a free book upon arrival.

Purchase and drop your individual tree tickets (just .50 each) into the bucket of your favorite tree and you could go home with a beautifully decorated tree complete with all trimmings, gift cards and merchandise displayed. Tree winners will be drawn after 5 p.m., Sunday, December 1, and notified that evening. Trees will be available for pickup the following Monday and Tuesday.

This year’s 50/50 experience has also been enhanced by increased prize amounts, with a maximum payout of $10,000 daily. Winners will be drawn each day and you do not need to be present to win. A note: in each of the cases of winning a tree or 50/50 amount, winners are responsible for any tax implications and a 1099 Form will be furnished for values exceeding $600.

Whether you visit to view the trees on display or are willing to volunteer some time to help staff the event, it will be time well-spent – and you will be helping support your community through your participation. It takes a substantial number of volunteers for an event of this magnitude. Several slots remain open, particularly for the weekend of November 29-30. For more information about volunteering for a shift, or shifts, please visit www.festivaloftreesmaine.net.

EVENTS: Palermo planning board to meet November 13, 2024

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The Palermo Planning Board will meet at the Palermo Town Office, at 6 p.m., on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, to review the preliminary documentation for a proposed subdivision on Hostile Valley Rd.  The property is shown on Palermo Tax map R-11, lot 27C.

EVENTS: ‘Murder by the Book’ back by popular demand for final show

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Actors pictured, from left to right, Becky Paradis, Candy Clark, Gina Krummel, Brian Stanley, Ethan Sargent, Ashton Erving, Grace Pirri, Jan Clowes. (contributed photo)

Murder by the Book returns by popular demand following the sold out shows in mid-October. Join them for an epic final night if you missed it before or want to catch it again. The final show will be held on Saturday, November 2, at 7 p.m., at the Vassalboro Grange, 353 Main St.

Overflow parking is available at the Historical Society (327 Main St.) or the Vassalboro Library (930 Bog Rd.) for those who can walk.

Murder by the Book was written by Canadian playwright, Laura Teasdale, and sponsored by novelist Louise Penny, alongside special arrangements with the Playwrights Guild of Canada. The play is a fundraiser for the Vassalboro library. Cost of tickets: $10 adults, $2 children. Refreshments and snacks by donation. The theatrical play showcases Vassalboro actors as well as starring roles from members of the Waterville Creates community.

EVENTS: Local vets invited to march in Veterans day parade

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All veterans and community members are invited to participate in the Waterville Veterans Day parade on Monday, November 11, 2024. Lineup begins at 10 a.m., at The Elm, 21 College Ave. Waterville. A ceremony will be held at Castonguay Square, on Main St., at 11 a.m. It will be followed by lunch at MacCrillis-Rousseau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8835, on Veterans Drive, in Winslow.

EVENTS: Fall Fest in Vassalboro

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Eileen Ronco, left, and Nancy Adams, both of Vassalboro, are among those who are planning and will be baking for the “Fall Fest”, at Vassalboro Methodist Church, on Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. (contributed photo)

by Dale Potter-Clark

A “Fall Fest” will be held at Vassalboro United Methodist Church (VUMC), on Saturday, October 26, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., when crafts and homemade pumpkin and apple baked goods will be for sale. During the same hours, a variety of “To Go” hot soups, chili and mulled cider will be available to take home. The “To Go” food items will be available to purchase by folks who drop by as well as to shoppers attending the crafts and bake sale. Two of the planners and cooks, Eileen Ronco and Nancy Adams, both of Vassalboro, des­cribed the Fall Fest as a great time to start early holiday shopping and to buy special sweet treats for your family and weekend guests.

FMI about Vassalboro United Methodist Church and their Sunday services, activities and programs visit their Facebook page; phone Pastor Karen Merrill at (207) 873-5564 or email info.vumc@gmail.com.