LINCOLNVILLE — As the sun began to inch further toward the horizon, Christmas by the Sea’s activities moved to Lincolnville Beach, where revelers had built a monster bonfire in anticipation of the arrival of Santa Claus and the lighting of the beach Christmas tree.

With his band of elves standing nearby, Andy Young lit the fire, which grew fast in the breeze.

As he has for many years, and having already made grand entrances in both Camden and Rockport, Santa Claus this time arrived at the scheduled hour aboard a Lincolnville Fire engine. He greeted the kids at the beach and sang a few carols, and then retreated out of the cold up the hill to the Lincolnville Improvement Association building for cookies, cocoa and photos with kids. And yes, he did listen to hear their Christmas wishes, too.

Meanwhile, back in the center of town, another band of merry elves were busy decorating the newly renovated Community Building for the inaugural Christmas Social. Organized by Briar Lyons and Ladleah Dunn - who are also working together on renovating, reinvigorating and reopening Lincolnville General Store - the Christmas Social included music by Rosey Gerry and Friends, dancing, a cash bar, food and a silent auction.

Admission to the Christmas Social was a food donation for the local food pantry, and Lyons reports that just under 400 pounds of food and personal needs items were donated. The silent auction also raised just shy of $2,500, and Dunn said all of that was destined for the Lincolnville Historical Society.

In her column this week, Diane O’Brien had this to say about the Christmas Social, among other holiday events she attended in Lincolnville Saturday: “We hear a lot about how community-minded our town is, and I believe we are. An out-of-town family member who attended Saturday's festivities with us said her daughter never experienced anything like it during her growing-up years in a Midwestern suburb. At least two couples, brand-new to Lincolnville, were at Saturday's Social, and both said they were overwhelmed by the welcome they were receiving; within such a short time they'd met so many people I'm sure they couldn't keep them all straight.”

As for the donation from the Social, O’Brien said in an email Monday: “It's quite a windfall for us....we haven't ever had a real fund-raiser before....I'm sure we'll find some good uses for it .... the board (there are nine of us) will have a good time discussing the possibilities.”

“Happy to be here,” indeed.

Reach Editorial Director Holly S. Edwards at hollyedwards@penbaypilot.com and 207-706-6655.