Remembering veterans with wreath ceremony

The South Buxton Cemetery Association will hold its annual Wreaths Across America observance at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, at the cemetery, at the intersection of routes 202 and 112.

The event, with patriotic music, will be held for the 10th year simultaneously with the Wreaths Across America ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

“We had a great turnout last year,” Richard “Sandy” Atkinson, president of the cemetery association, said Tuesday.

Atkinson said 551 wreaths will be placed in advance on Thursday, Dec. 15, on the graves of veterans in the cemetery. Veterans’ graves in other Buxton cemeteries will receive wreaths as well, he said.

The wreaths are to arrive 8-10 a.m. on Dec. 15 and volunteers will lay them.

The ceremony on Dec. 17 will include the Bonny Eagle Select Chorus, a bagpiper, opening remarks by Selectman Chad Poitras and a moment of silence in conjunction with ceremonies at noon across the country.

James Libby will deliver the keynote address and Atkinson take care of the closing remarks.

Groups attending include Scouts, municipal employees of Buxton and Hollis, the Dorcas Society, Masonic motorcycle club, Buxton Masonic Lodge 115, churches, Rolling Thunder motorcycle group and military organizations in addition to representatives of the uniformed sevices.

‘Blue Christmas’ set for Dec. 15

The First Congregational Church of Buxton will hold its “Blue Christmas Service” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15.

On Christmas Eve, the church will hold a candlelight servie at 5 p.m. for families and another service at 11 p.m. There will be no services on Christmas Day.

The church is located at 1197 River Road, at the intersection of routes 202 and 112).

Special events at Bar Mills church

The Bar Mills Community Church, 13 Hermit Thrush Road, has several events coming up.

They are: Blue Grass with Tim and Bonnie Joy at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17; Christmas cantata, 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 18; and a Christmas sing-a-long/violin concert, 6 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21.

Decorated trees are on display in the church through Dec. 27. Tree viewing will be held from 2-3:30 p.m.on Tuesday,  Dec. 20 and 27; and 2-3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15  and 22.