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.

Vassalboro Legion to collect holiday gifts for veterans

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Veterans Administration facility at Togus. (Internet photo)

During the holiday season for the last three years, members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, gathered personal care products, puzzle books, and snacks for veterans at Togus Veterans Home, in Augusta.

The members of American Legion Post #126, Vassalboro, are inviting you to join them as they collect. Once again, the Sew for a Cause group at St. Bridget Center have made and donated more than 250 Christmas stockings for this project. They will fill the stockings on December 9, 2024, at St Bridget Center, 864 Main St., North Vassalboro. All are welcome to sort and fill the stockings. The filled stockings will be delivered to Togus Veterans Home by December 12, 2024. To volunteer and/or make a donation call 207 616-3148.

EVENTS: Veterans urged to take part 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: Explore China’s transportation history at upcoming presentation

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Railroad owner Carson Peck and his party, on an inspection trip, around 1910 or so, in Windsor. (courtesy of the WW&F Museum)

by Eric W. Austin

The China Historical Society is pleased to invite the public to an engaging presentation on the history of the Wiscasset, Waterville & Farmington (WW&F) narrow gauge railway. This event, featuring local experts Bob Wallace and Phil Dow, from the Albion Historical Society, will take place next Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m., at the China Baptist Church.

The presentation will offer a unique opportunity to explore the history of the narrow gauge railway that once played a vital role in connecting China to other towns in the region. Wallace will provide an in-depth look at the railway’s development and its significance to local communities, particularly the Weeks Mills station. In addition to the talk, attendees will be treated to a slideshow of historical photographs, offering a glimpse into the past and showcasing the railway’s impact on the area.

The WW&F railway, launched in the 1890s, was an essential transportation route for residents and businesses, ferrying people, produce, and goods between towns from Wiscasset to Windsor.

However, as automobiles and gasoline-powered trucks became more widespread in the mid-20th century, the narrow gauge railway could no longer compete, and it eventually ceased operations. While the tracks are no longer in use, the history of the railway continues to be an important part of the town’s heritage, offering a window into a time when the railroad was the lifeblood of rural Maine.

In addition to the historical insights provided by Bob Wallace, attendees will have the opportunity to see rare, archival photographs that capture the daily workings of the railway, including images of the Weeks Mills station and the railway’s trains.

The event is free and open to the public, although the China Historical Society encourages donations to support its ongoing work in preserving local history, and attendees are invited to consider joining the society as members. Annual membership dues are a modest $10, and these contributions help ensure that important stories like that of the WW&F railway continue to be shared with future generations.

The China Historical Society’s Narrow Gauge Railway Presentation will be held on Thursday, October 17, at 7 p.m., at the China Baptist Church, at the north end of the lake. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or simply curious about the role the railway played in shaping the town’s development, this event promises to be an informative and engaging look into a fascinating chapter in China’s past.

Attend the presentation to meet other members of the community who are passionate about preserving and sharing China’s rich heritage, and for more information about upcoming events, follow the China Historical Society Facebook page.