The First Universalist Church in Rockland will hold "The Longest Night: Blue Christmas Service", Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m., for those who find the holidays difficult because of a loss or other struggles.

This special evening service will be a meditative time that will provide space for grief, for reflection and remembering, and for taking the time to simply be and seek out stillness. An offering of hope and healing, it is open to all.

The First Universalist Church is located at 345 Broadway in Rockland.

In Saturday morning, Nov. 29, Waldoboro fisherman Clint Collamore pulled up in front of the Waldo Theatre, in Waldoboro, with more than a few dozen lobster traps on the back of his truck.

Three hours later, with the help of fellow fisherman Buddy Murray and his wife Sierra, Theatre board member Barbara Boardman took on the lights, unrolling wheels of them that were draped and threaded through the traps.

The tree is the brainchild of Barbara Boardman, who remembered how Waldoboro used to have a gigantic tree in the center of the village festooned with lights.  

Rockland Main Street is ready for the annual Festival of Lights to get underway Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.

On November 14, the Rockland Main Street board, along with several community members and organizations, kicked off preparations for the upcoming holiday season with “Build Day.” That included setting up Santa’s workshop, supplied by Shed City for over two decades, festooning in traditional red, green, and gold, with a focus on classic holiday favorites, including candy canes, Christmas trees, and gingerbread.

Some people who get up at 6:30 in the morning to run post-Thanksgiving-themed marathons.

Then there's the rest of us, staring into our refrigerators on Friday, November 28, thinking, "What am I going to do with all of these leftovers?"

The most common ways to reuse Thanksgiving leftovers are making sandwiches, casseroles, and soups, but today we're going to elevate that concept with individual mini turkey pot pies, made super posh by substituting pie crust for puff pastry.

The 99th annual Pageant of the Nativity will take place Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, at 5 p.m., at First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 425 Congress Street, in Portland.

In a time when acts of goodness and kindness are overshadowed by less altruistic reactions, a story of two small coastal towns communicating and reaching a neighborly decision is worth noting.

December 1 is the 37th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

A candlelight vigil will be held Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 4:30 -5 p.m., in front of the Post Office in Belfast, to remember those we have lost and honor those who are living with HIV/AIDS.

"The Good Tern Co-op wishes Happy Holidays to all with a visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus at the Good Tern’s Hole In The Wall Bagel Shop, 754 Main Street, in Rockland, on Sunday, December 14, from 9 to 11 a.m.," said Good Tern, in a news release.

Children of all ages and their families are invited for breakfast and a special meet n' greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Kids will be able to share their Christmas wishes with Santa Claus, decorate Christmas cookies and experience the joy of the season.

Belfast Senior College will host a tour of the Waldo County Technical Center, at 1022 Waterville Road (Rt.137), on Wednesday, Dec. 3, from noon to 1:45 p.m.

The tour will begin with a light lunch prepared by the Culinary Arts students in their newly refurbished cafe. Tour participants will then be given a tour of the areas where eleven technical programs are taught.

This event is free and open to the public. To register, or for information, go to https://belfastseniorcollege.org or call 207-707-6010.

An effort in St. George to place wreaths on veterans' graves throughout town continues to grow, and organizers are asking for help this Dec. 13 to accomplish the goal.

Linda Cousins had already picked her Medicare plan when she qualified last year, but then she received a call from a woman claiming to be from the insurance company. Cousins, of Limington, said the caller pressured her into switching to a private Medicare Advantage plan with a different company. 

With the holiday season approaching, kitchens and living rooms are not only popular for gatherings, but can also represent burn risks, especially in curious and eager-to-help children, according to Shriners, in a news release. Healthcare workers can see an increase in pediatric burn injuries during this season, and Shriners Children’s wants to highlight simple precautions parents can take to help ensure the holidays stay joyful and burn injury-free. 

STEAM Team Youth Community Science Explorers Group is a monthly program focused on exploration of climate change. For youth ages 7-12.

December’s meeting will cover Maine wild blueberries and will be held Thursday, December 4, from 3:30 - 5 p.m. 

Teachers and caregivers across Maine can now register for the 2026 WinterKids Winter Games Play-Along Track, a free and ready-to-use program that helps schools and early learning programs bring movement, outdoor exploration, and wellness into the classroom during the heart of winter, all without the need to compete.

Belfast Area High School announces its first quarter Honor Roll for the 2025-26 academic year.

Grade 9

HIGH HONORS: Elizabeth Bahner, Zackery Bailey, Ella Chase, Pierson Dietz, Sophia Dong, Eliot Fowler, Charlotte Martinelli, Alexandra Massey, Lillian McCue Hafford, June Noyes, Adelle Robbins, Kamynn Wadsworth, Rose White, Jessica Zhu.

More than a hundred VEX V5 Robotics Competition students and mentors from across the state will unite at Searsport District Middle/High School on Saturday, November 22, for the first annual Midcoast Maineiacs’ Turkey Bowl VEX V5 Robotics Competition, “Push Back”.

Knox Service Unit Girl Scouts Troops honored local veterans through heartfelt participation in several community Veterans Day events this month. 

During a ceremony at Appleton Village School on November 7, members of Troop 1875 and 1820 took part in the opening program by reading and performing In Flanders Fields by John McCrae. The event was beautifully organized by staff member Ms. Billings.