It’s almost Christmas Eve and the first day of Hanukkah. I assume most holiday preparations will have been completed – the baking done, presents bought and parties attended. Most people traveling for the holidays will have arrived at their destinations, and I hope families will be gathering together to relax and celebrate with good food and company. That is what the holidays are all about. I want to wish everyone safe and happy holidays as well as a peaceful, prosperous and healthy New Year.

Christmas services

Christmas falls on a Sunday this year so the holiday church service schedules are not too different from the regular schedules throughout the year.

The Rev. Emily Goodnow will celebrate her first Christmas as the pastor of the First Congregational Church, 33 South High St., beginning with a child-friendly service of Light and Joy featuring the Junior Choir at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. A later service is also scheduled the same evening at 7 p.m. with music provided by the Senior Choir. On Christmas Day, there will be an intergenerational service at 10 a.m. There is no Sunday School or child care for that service. A service of hymns, prayer and fellowship will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, to welcome in the New Year. For more details visit www.bridgtonucc.org or call the church office at 647-3936.

St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 South High St., will hold a Christmas Eve Mass at 6:30 p.m. and a Christmas Day Mass at 8:30 a.m.

Blood drive

While it might not seem the most glamorous thing to do, giving blood can help save lives. Blood is needed year round but donations tend to decrease during the holidays. However, patient and hospital demands remain the same. The American Red Cross, in partnership with the Oriental Masonic Hall on Harrison Road (Route 117), is holding a blood drive on Saturday, Dec. 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment. Give the gift of life this holiday season. Who knows, perhaps the person you help will be someone you love.

Thank you, Morning Glory

The Morning Glory diner at 78 Portland Road hosted a free Thanksgiving dinner last month to show appreciation to its regular customers and help raise money for the local food pantry. Diner owners, staff and local volunteers worked hard to create the sumptuous meal, which featured roast turkey and all the trimmings, as well as apple pies from Gyger’s Orchard and homemade Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake. A good time was enjoyed by all and, thanks to the generous tips and donations from diners, the Morning Glory was able to present the Bridgton food pantry with a check for $400.

Young artists honored

Each year, SAD 61 purchases a few pieces of student artwork to become part of a permanent collection at the school district’s Central Office. This year, Devon Guptil of Stevens Brook Elementary School and Grace Ross of Lake Region Middle School each received $25 for a piece of their artwork, while Hannah Baldwin, who attends Lake Region High School, earned $50 for one of her photographs.

Congratulations to the artists. I hope we will see more of your work in the future.

Senior College

Registration is now open for Winter Term classes at the Senior College in Bridgton. Nine classes, which will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, will be offered from Jan. 17 through Feb. 9. All classes are open to Senior College members and, unless otherwise noted, are held in the Magic Lantern Theater Pub at 9 Depot St. Course descriptions and registration forms can be found online at www.seniorcollegeatbridgton.org. Registration forms, which can be found on the website, must be mailed by Jan. 14 to Senior College at Bridgton, P.O. Box 308, Bridgton, ME 04009.

The Senior College always welcomes new participants. Any questions regarding membership, class enrollment or registration should be directed to the registrar at 647-5593.

The Morning Glory diner’s Thanksgiving meal last month raised $400 for the Bridgton food pantry.