SOUTH PORTLAND

Rotary tree sale to begin

The South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club’s 51st Annual Christmas Tree Sale begins Friday at  Mill Creek Park, at Ocean Road and Broadway.

The  lot will sell a variety of sizes, from 5- to 9-foot trees, as well as tabletop trees and wreaths.

The club has ordered 2,200 Maine-grown Christmas trees, which will be sold to raise money for community charitable causes

The lot will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 20 or until the trees sell out.

For more details, call Adrienne Murphy at 807-1837.

Doughraiser and toy drive

Local firefighters and police officers will hold the Cumberland County Public Safety Doughraiser and Toy Drive on Friday at Uno Chicago Grill by the Maine Mall.

Complimentary Tim Horton’s donuts and coffee will be served from 6 to 10 a.m. to anyone who donates a toy and buys a $25 gift card.

A portion of proceeds from lunch, to be served beginning at 10 a.m., also will help area families in need this holiday season.

The restaurant also will offer a gift with all gift certificate purchases.

WINDHAM

Wilderness experience talk

Windham Historical Society will present “Maine Wilderness Experience” with Nate Skvorak at 7 p.m. Monday at the Historical Society Building, 234 Windham Center Road.

A Windham High School student, Skvorak will share his Baxter State Park experiences of completing a service project with park rangers, learning about the Penobscot Indian culture, studying the geology and ecology of the park and learning how to lead a wilderness trip.

Admission is a suggested donation of $5.

Light refreshments will be served.

For more details, call 892-1433 and leave a message or email windhamhistorical.org.

SACO

Ninth Festival of Trees

The ninth annual Festival of Trees holiday display begins with a tree lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday at the Saco Museum, 371 Main St.

The event will include seasonal music and hot chocolate.

Dozens of decorated trees and wreaths, based on this year’s theme of “The Holly and the Ivy” – from Sir Henry Walford Davies classic English choral tune and Cecil Sharp’s published text and music – are on display.

A special Guests Day will be held Monday when local retired and extended care facility members are invited to attend a private showing of the festival.

To reserve a spot, email Catherine Glynn at cathmg45@gmail.com.

Additional events to be held in conjunction of the festival include a Children’s Crafts Day from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Deering Room at Dyer Library; Tea with Mrs. Claus from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 14 in the Deering Room; Drawing Contest Awards Ceremony, 11 a.m. Dec. 14 in the Dyer Library; Visits with Santa Claus, noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Saco Museum.

Extended hours for the festival are from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; noon to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Admission is free throughout the Festival of Trees thanks to the generous sponsorship of local businesses and individuals.

For more details, call 283-3861, Ext. 2.

ROCKPORT

YMCA’s 5K Turkey Trot

The Penobscot Bay YMCA 5K Turkey Trot will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the facility, located at 116 Union St.

The course is fast and scenic and features just one hill.

Costumes are welcome and awards will be given to top finishers in a variety of age divisions.

Cost is $25 and includes a pancake breakfast.

Pre-register is at pbymca.sportsoffice.com.

Race day registration begins at 7 a.m. and ends at 8:15 a.m.

For more details, call Jasen Wood at 236-3375 ext. 211.

PORTLAND

Self-defense for teens

The Teen Library at Portland Public Library will offer a four-week Teen Self-Defense and Martial Arts class from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Dec 17 at 5 Monument Square.

The series will focus on self-defense techniques taken from Japanese Martial Arts.

Teens will be taught to develop self-discipline, confidence and a respect for the capabilities of themselves and others.

These classes will aim towards teaching teens how to feel comfortable defending themselves from grabs, punches, kicks and other threatening situations.

Throughout the class, teens will participate in regular physical training.

To register or for more details, call 871-1700 ext. 772.

Library Holiday Open House

Friends of Portland Public Library will host a Holiday Open House from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, offering various activities for children and families at 5 Monument Square.

Mad Science of Maine will host demonstrations in their Science Booth in the Sam L. Cohen Children’s Library (appropriate for all ages) from 2 to 4 p.m.

Refreshments will be served in the Atrium and guests are welcome to view the “Material Matters” exhibit in the Lewis Gallery and participate in a Passport Program to collect stamps for a chance to win a $20 gift certificates, all unfolding from 3 to 6 p.m.

Musician Nick MacDonald will sing and play from 4 to 5 p.m., followed by a performance by FLUKES Ukulele Group from 5 to 6 p.m.

Shoe box donation deadline

Monday marks the final day for Maine residents to donate for Operation Christmas Child, a worldwide campaign to fill empty shoe boxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items to benefit impoverished children overseas.

Collection sites in the Maine area will receive the packed boxes.

The shoe box gifts are then processed, prepared and delivered to suffering children in more than 100 countries using whatever means necessary – trains, airplanes, boats, elephants, bikes and even dog sleds.

To find the nearest drop-off site, call 318-7525 or visit samaritanspurse.org.

KENNEBUNK

Library fun for youngsters

The Kennebunk Free Library will offer the following programs this week.

Peek-a-Book Babies, a storytime geared for ages birth to age 2, will be offered on Monday and a Family Storytime for all ages will be offered on Tuesday, both beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Friday at 1 p.m., a children’s movie will be offered, including free popcorn.

Saturday at 11 a.m., children ages 5 to 8 are invited to participate in a Music and Movement session. Space is limited.

The library will be open from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and closed all day Thursday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

All events are free and wheelchair accessible.

Kennebunk Free Library is located at 112 Main St.

Call 985-2173, ext. 5 or visit www.KennebunkLibrary.org.

CUMBERLAND

Origami and more at library

Prince Memorial Library will host two events this week at 266 Main St.

A Holiday Origami workshop will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Tuesday for children ages 8 to 12, who must be accompanied by an adult, and for ages 13 to 19. Supplies and instruction will be provided.

The session is free.

Also, Peter Miles will be the featured performer at the Music & Muffins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

The concert is free.

Muffins, coffee and juice will be served.

For more details, call 829-2215.

DAYTON

Dynamics of domestic abuse

Caring Unlimited and the Maine State Police Department will lead the second of three planned Dayton and Hollis Community Conversations about domestic abuse and violence at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Town Office, at 33 Clarks Mills Road.

This free session will feature information about the dynamics of domestic abuse and violence as well as how to be helpful to a friend, family member, neighbor or coworker who is being abused by a partner or family member.

Caring Unlimited, York County’s domestic violence resource center, provides direct support and safety planning services to women, their children, and men whose lives are affected by domestic abuse.

Their 24-hour, confidential, toll-free hotline is (800) 239-7298.

For more details, call Lt. Nyitray at 459-1333 or email Louis.L.Nyitray@maine.gov.

BRUNSWICK

Downtown tree lighting

The Brunswick Downtown Association will hold its Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday on the Town Mall.

The event will include horse and carriage rides, hot cocoa, coffee, Christmas cookies, visits with Frosty and Santa in the gazebo and a community sing-along to be led by a local choral group.

FREEPORT

Creative economy show

The town’s Seventh Annual Creative Economy Studio Show & Sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Studio on the Hill at 21 Pleasant Hill Road.

The event will showcase the works of more than 40 Maine artists, offering everything from prints to garden art and jewelry to home furnishings.

Refreshments will be available and daily raffles held to benefit the Brunswick Area Respite Care.

For more details, call Cat Schwenk at 865-0605.

ORLAND

Harvesting holiday trees

Two Great Pond Mountain Wildlands Christmastree Harvest events will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday and again Dec. 8.

Families are invited to come and select and cut the tree of their choice for $25 with a $10 fee for greens.

The events will include hayrides, bonfires, hot cocoa and cookies. Cutting help and handsaws will be available; no chainsaws please.

Proceeds benefit GPMCT and the cutting helps thin overcrowded forest.

Visitors can access the Wildlands from North Gate on Bald Mountain Road or South Gate on Route 1.

If it snows, see updates at www.greatpondtrust.org or call 469-6929 for changes or cancellations.

RAYMOND

Tree lighting ceremony

The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Raymond Village Library, at 3 Meadow Road, Route 121.

Co-sponsored by the Raymond Lions Club, the event will include carolers, refreshments and a special story time, beginning at 4:30 p.m., presented by Lisa Davison, youth services assistant.

For more details, call Sheila Jacobson at 655-5217.

SANFORD

‘Look Good Feel Better’

A new session of the “Look Good Feel Better” program will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Monday at the Cancer Care Center of York County.

This program, offered by the American Cancer Society, provides education, information and support materials to help women look great and feel better while undergoing cancer treatment.

Trained volunteer cosmetologists will teach attendees how to cope with skin changes and hair loss by offering practice make-up techniques with skin- care products, information on free wigs and turbans, and complimentary cosmetic products to take home.

Pre-registration is required by calling Gina at 459-1601.

NEW GLOUCESTER

Annual tree lighting event

The 2013 New Gloucester Annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the New Gloucester Town Hall, at 385 Intervale Road, Route 231.

The program includes the lighting of “Tiny Timber,” seasonal songs by the Gray-New Gloucester High School Chorus, an open house and refreshments at the library as well as an open house at the History Barn. Kevin Fowler will be the master of ceremonies.

All are invited.

For more details, call Leonard L. Brooks at 926-3188.

 

YORK

Wedding showcase event

The Fall in Love Wedding Showcase will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Union Bluff Meeting House at 4 Beach St.

Engaged couples are invited to mingle with York area wedding professionals to get ideas for planning their special day.

The event will include champagne, raffle prizes and complimentary admission for couples who register online at www.weddingsinyorkmaine.com

For more details, visit www.weddingsinyorkmaine.com.