Western Maine Holiday Dec 4 2014

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Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 4, 20142 western maine holiday

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Holidays in Maine downtownsBy Sharon BouchardFeature Writer

RIVER VALLEY AREABreakfast with Santa

Brea k fa st w it h Sa nta, a fundraiser for Dirigo High School Class of 2017, will take place from 8-10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Region 9 cafeteria, 377 River Rd., Mexico. Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Cost is $3 per ticket. Tickets available at Dirigo Elementary School, Dirigo High School and Region 9. Bring your cameras. Photo opportunities available. All children may visit with Santa and will receive a small gift from him.

Festival of Wreaths in Canton

C a n t o n Vo l u n t e e r F i r e

Department Auxiliary will be host i ng t hei r second annual Festival of Wreaths from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 6-7. Ticket cost is six for $5 or $1 each. Consider donating a wreath of your choice/theme to be included in their raffle. Contact an auxiliary member for details. Visit the Canton Fire Department on any of the display dates to view the wreaths and purchase tickets for a chance to win one or more wreaths (depending on the luck of the draw). V isit Facebook at C V FD Auxiliary to contact them or see photos from last year’s festival. Proceeds are used to supplement the town’s fire department budget and disaster relief to fire victims.

Home Made For The Holidays in Rumford

T h e R u m f o r d U n i t e d Me t h o d i s t C hu r c h w i l l

display their Home Made For The Holidays wares from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Christmas in the Valley Craft Fair at Mountain Valley High School. For more information, call 207-392-1285.

Festival of Trees show

Rumford Performing Arts Committee will hold its sixth annual Festival of Trees show on Saturday, Dec. 13 in the Rumford Falls Auditorium. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 :30 p.m. Applications for those who would like to sponsor a tree are available to be picked up at the town hall. Lighted spots are limited. For questions, call 207-418-9067.

Children’s Christmas Celebration in Dixfield

Dixfield American Legion

Family Children’s Christmas Celebration will take place from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. For ages up to fifth grade, there will be a special gift draw ing, for which each child can receive a t icket by bringing a canned good to donate to the local food pantry. Santa will arrive at 2 p.m.

Craft fair in Andover

T he A ndov er Fi r emen’s Association is putting on a craft fair on Dec. 6 at The Andover Fire Station. For more information, call 207-392-1140.

OXFORD COUNTYNorway’s Main Street, one of the longest walking Main Streets in Western Maine, has undergone many ups and downs throughout its history.

T he g r e a t f i r e of 18 93 d e s t r o y e d m o s t of t h e businesses and devastated t h e l o c a l e c o n o m y. A lot of hard work and the devotion and determination of bu si ness people a nd residents alike brought Main Street back to its former glory.

Throughout most of the 20th century the downtown area was the heart of Nor way. D u r i n g t h e C h r i s t m a s season, the colored lights strung across the street, the warm glow from all the retails stores that stayed open in the evening and the sounds of holiday music created a scenic and festive shopping district.

Then came t he shopping malls and box stores enticing shoppers away from Main Street. Small retail merchants couldn’t compete and many had to close. During t he late 1900s and early 2000, Main Street looked deserted with the exception of a few determined merchants.

Once aga i n, ha rd work,

devotion and determination is bringing Main Street back with a healthy heart. The renov ate d Oper a Hou se prov ides some shoppi ng options, but other areas of Main Street are blossoming as well.

Lively Accents, at 310 Main Street, has a vast inventory of handcrafted jewelr y of tourmaline and other Maine stones and sea glass. Owner/oper ator Cat hy Mu r phy desig n s a nd c reates a l l the jewelry and shares her k nowledge w it h jewelr y-making classes.

“I’ve just celebrated my first year here on Main Street,” said Murphy. “And it has been a pretty good year.”

Gif t cert i f icates and lay-aways are available as well as prices to fit every budget.

F o r C h r i s t m a s , L i v e l y Accents allows people to fill out a wish list that husband or whomever can consult to assist in their holiday shopping.

L i v el y A c c ent s i s op en Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. You can find them on Facebook, at w w w.livelyaccents.com and by calling 207-743-0360.

Across the street at 329 Main, t he Green Machine Bi ke Shop of fers hig h-qua l it y bikes for a l l abilit ies and ages and repair services for any make of bicycle. In spite of the name, fans of winter will find a nice selection of alpine and telemark skis and accessories; they a lso do stone-grind ski tunes.

“We do year round rentals,” sa id ow ner John Har vey. “And, new this year just in time for Christmas is the Fat Bike with over-sized tires that can go in the snow.”

Another interesting gift idea is the “Be Cool Trainer” -- a bicycle training simulator on which people can go online

Sharon Bouchard photoCathy Murphy, Lively Accents

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How to save on high-tech giftsBy MetroCreative

Gadgets are among the most popular gifts come the holiday season. In 2013, CreditDonkey.com surveyed shoppers to determine what they planned to give during the holidays, and electronics were second only to gift cards among the most popular gifts to give.

Sixty-three percent of respondents cited their intentions to give electronics, while the survey also found that 76 percent of people planned to request electronics as holiday gifts. Gadgets figure to be popular gifts again this holiday season.

Unwrapping the latest tablet or a big-screen television can be exciting, but electronics can be expensive. Those who plan to give their loved ones the latest gadgetry should be happy to learn there are ways to do so that don't require breaking the bank.

Scale back. Oftentimes people are buying more computer or data than they actually need. For example, when buying computers, it's tempting to go for those that boast the most memory, but that extra memory is only useful to those people who truly need it. A less expensive model that suits your loved one's genuine needs will make for an impressive and more practical gift.

Determine necessity. Some gadgets are more a desire than a necessity. Decide if a particular device will be an asset to your loved one or just another trendy item that soon will be gathering dust. Look for devices that your loved one will make the most of. If the purchase is not warranted, save your money and look for something else.

Consider refurbished items. Don't shy away from refurbished items, as the discounts can be steep. Refurbished items are often just items that were returned to the store because they're not needed or because the item was malfunctioning. Returned items are factory-tested and then repackaged. Opt for refurbished items that carry a manufacturer-backed warranty for greater peace of mind.

Consider open box items. Just because packaging is dented or torn does not mean the merchandise inside is damaged. Purchasing a product that's not inside a pristine box can sometimes yield a 10 to 15 percent discount at retailers that offer open-box specials. Just verify that all cords, manuals and other accessories are inside the box before leaving the store.

Peruse previous generation models. Manufacturers release a new version of their devices seemingly every year. That doesn't

mean last year's phone, video game console or computer is any less effective than the updated version. Models from previous years likely won't be much different from the latest models, but they do figure to be considerably less expensive.

Look for coupon codes. When researching products, search for coupon codes for desired electronics and retailers. Web-based retailers may post coupon codes that add up to significant savings. Just ensure that the total cost after taxes and shipping fees are calculated makes the purchase worth your while.

Skip the warranty. Extended warranties often cost more money than potential repairs. In addition, after a few year's time, your loved one may be looking to upgrade his or her gadget anyway, making the extended warranty an unnecessary expense. Gadgets make for popular yet expensive holiday gifts. But holiday shoppers can save money on electronics by employing a few savings strategies.

Shoppers can employ several strategies to save money on gadgets this holiday season.

holidays on a budget:

A lot with a littleBy Tresa EricksonFeature Writer

T he bel l s a re r i ng i ng , s ig n a l i ng t he s t a r t of another holiday season, and the itch to decorate is setting in. You could buy all new decorations, but what's the point with all of the stuff in your attic. Wouldn't you rather cut some corners with the decorations and put whatever you save toward your gift budget? You can do a lot with a little. Here's how.

Use what you have

P u l l out t he boxe s of decorat ion s f rom you r attic, unpack them, spread everything out on the floor and select a theme from what's there. See a lot of vintage decorations? How about a retro theme? See a lot red and gold? How about a red and gold theme? See a lot of reindeer? How about a reindeer theme? Once you have a theme in mind, you can set aside the items that will bring it to life.

Remember less is more

When it comes to holiday

décor, less can be more. To save on costs, restrict you r decorat i ng to t he rooms you use the most. Think about all of the areas guests would frequent if you were to have a party a nd focus you r ef for t s there. Go sparingly in the kitchen and bathrooms to avoid interfering with the business that takes place there. You don't want to have maneuver around a lot of garland to whip up a batch of cookies or brush your teeth.

Shop at home

L ook to c a r r y out t he theme in the rooms of your choice with the items you have on hand. Use what you set aside earlier and supplement it with items you find around the house. If you are going for a rustic theme, for example, grab some pinecones from your yard, spray paint them gold and stack a few of them with some ornaments in a bowl on the f ireplace mantel. At tach some r ibbon to

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Gift exchange dos and don'tsBy MetroCreative

Chanukah, Christmas and New Yea r's Eve a re r ig ht a rou nd t he cor ner. T hat m e a n s n e i g h b o r h o o d s , buildings and stores will soon be awash in holiday splendor. Socia l schedu les w i l l be full, and men and women e v er y w here w i l l s hu f f le to complete t heir holiday shopping.

Grab bags are a staple of this season of giv ing, and the following are a few dos and don'ts to ensure participation in gift exchanges is fun and friendly for all involved.

DO set a gift amount limit. H o l i d a y g r a b b a g s a r e

more about having fun and exchanging a little something w it h f r iend s a nd fa m i ly m e m b e r s t h a n w a l k i n g away with amazing prizes. Establish a spending limit so everyone receives a gift of roughly the same value and no one feels slighted or left out.

DON'T exceed the spending limit. It can be tempting to spend more to make your gift appear more impressive. But overspending defeats t he purpose of the gift exchange. Gr a b ba g s t y pic a l l y a re anonymous, so being overly generous will not win you any style points.

DO make it a game. Tossing gifts in a bag only to have

others reach in and grab one is certainly effective. But the concept can be even more fun if you make a game out of it. Try passing wrapped gifts around in a circle to a holiday song. When the music stops, the gift you are holding is the one you open. Experiment with your own variations to make gift exchanges more fun.

DON'T let anyone see the gift you bring. The idea is to keep things as secretive as possible so as not to sway the selection of presents.

DO ensure your gift is unisex. Unless you know specifically that only men or women will be opening t he presents, select items that will appeal to both genders. Food, gift cards, music, or home staples make great grab bag gifts.

DON'T forget to consider ages as well. Gift exchanges

may include both children a n d a d u l t s , s o i n c l u d e gifts that appeal to all ages when necessary. When the exchange has ended, allow participants to swap gifts if they want to.

DO expect some grab bag gifts to be gag gifts. Such gifts are entertaining and may make

up the majority of the grab bag gifts. Keep your sense of humor and you're likely to enjoy grab bags a lot more.

DON'T regift items to use as grab bag picks. Should the person who gave you the gift participate in the grab bag, he or she can trace that gift back to you and may be offended.

DO make sure everyone is aware that there will be a grab bag gift exchange, as there needs to be an equal number of gif ts to participants so everyone gets a treat. Hosts may want to have a few extra wrapped gifts around just in case someone forgets to bring their contribution.

Gift exchanges in the form of grab bags, auctions, swaps, and other games make for fun additions to holiday festivities. They also can be a part of any family or friends gathering to add excitement and entertainment to the occasion.

whatever pinecones are left

and hang them on your tree. Remove your plaid throw from the back of the sofa, wrap it around the base of your Christmas tree, and

voila, your theme is all set.

Get crafty

You may discover you still need somet hing in spite of a l l of the reusing and repurposing. Before you go out and buy it, try making it first. Need a new wreath? St r i ng s ome or n a ment s together and add a bow and ha nger. Need some new stockings? Make some from scraps of fabric and felt. Need some new garland? Try strands of ribbon or strings of popcorn and cranberries.

Look for bargains

Occasionally you may have to buy something new. Shop around for the best deals. C heck out con sig n ment shops and flea markets. Look for sales and coupons. Take advantage of whatever offers are available to keep costs low.

Follow these cost-cutting strategies, and you're sure to save a bundle on your holiday decorating, perhaps even enough for a gift for you. Wouldn't that be nice?

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Holiday crafting:

Be inspired by traditions from around the worldBy Family Features

Bring the joy and celebration of holiday traditions from around the world to your home this season.

From t he qua int custom of placing ha nd-pa inted lu m i n a r ie s i n w i ndow s throughout Ireland, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores has created this craft project to share with your loved ones. It's so simple, the whole family can lend a hand. For more crafting inspiration, project guides and supplies, visit www.joann.com.

Hand-Painted Holiday LuminariesSkill Level: No experience necessaryCrafting Time: 1 to 2 hours

It's an Irish tradition to place

lit candles in windows. Let this quaint holiday custom add warmth and joy to your home. Glass containers with hand-painted designs and flameless candles look welcoming in windows or on a table.

Supplies and Tools:• Black marker• White computer paper• Computer and printer• Provided templates• Scissors• Square and rectangular glass

containers• Tape• Enamel paint: red, green and

white• Flat brush• Detail brush• Flameless or wax candles

Create templates using a black marker to draw snowflakes a n d o t h e r d e c o r a t i v e holiday motifs on paper. V i s i t w w w. j o a n n . c o m /

luminarytemplate to print out additional templates. Cut the templates to fit inside the desired glass containers.

Tape templates securely to the inside of glass container with design facing out. This will act as a guide when painting.

Using enamel paint colors, paint over template designs on g lass sur face. Create snow f lakes, trees, words,

deer, etc. It may take several coats of paint to attain desired coverage. L et pa i nt d r y between coats.

When finished, let the painted de s ig n d r y c omple t e l y. Remove templates from the inside of containers. Fill the container w ith f lameless or wax candles to display. Note: If using wax candles, do not leave burning candles unattended.


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Is it really a deal?By MetroCreative

Things to consider before buying this holiday season

Few holiday shoppers can resist a great deal. Whether it's heavily discounted merchandise on Black Friday or last-minute sales for shoppers who procrastinate, there are deals to be had from the start of the holiday season until its unofficial end sometime around New Year's Day.

But not all deals are what they seem. Many a shopper has swiped their card on a gift for a loved one only to find out later they overspent or didn't read the fine print and subjected themselves or their friends and family members to potentially costly fees.

The following are a handful of things shoppers should consider before making any purchases this holiday season.

Restocking feesAs thoughtful as holiday gifts may be, many are ultimately returned. Recipients may already have similar items at home or find a particular gift does not suit their personal styles. Because returns are so common, shoppers should read the fine print before buying gifts to ensure their purchases are not subject to restocking fees if they must be returned.

Restocking fees can apply to any product, but they are most often applied to electronics. A restocking fee is a charge the person returning the gift must repay upon bringing the gift back to the store or mailing it back to the warehouse.

Restocking fees often apply to items that are not returned in their original factory-sealed box, and these fees can be exorbitant, sometimes as much as 20 percent of the cost of the product. So before buying that big-ticket television or

appliance, holiday shoppers should ensure the item's recipient will not be subject to a considerable fee if he or she decides to return the gift.

Extended warrantiesMany items come with manufacturer warranties that cover damaged items for a predetermined period of time. But many shoppers want to go the extra mile and buy extended warranties that protect the products for longer periods of time.

While that's good in theory, studies from Consumer Reports have shown that products rarely break within the time period covered by extended warranties, meaning shoppers are simply buying a false sense of security they're unlikely to ever use.

When considering an extended warranty, first research the product you want to buy by reading customer reviews of the product on popular sites such as Amazon.com. Such sites can offer valuable insight with regard to how reliable products are.

If multiple reviewers note that a given product has never given them a reason to reconsider their purchase, then you likely don't need an extended warranty. If you still want the extra protection, read the fine print of the extended warranty so you know just what it does and does not cover.

Return policiesBecause so many gifts are returned once the holidays have come and gone, it's important to understand a retailer's return policy before buying a gift for a friend or family member. In-store purchases may be subject to different return policies than items bought online, which may need to be returned via the mail, a potentially costly expense for the gift's recipient

depending on the size of the gift.

Try to shop only at stores with f lexible, consumer-friendly return policies so your friend or family member does not have to jump through hoops just to return the gift.

MS photoResisting a holiday deal can be difficult. But shoppers should first read the fine print before making any purchases so they can rest easy knowing they made the best decision possible.


By MetroCreative

Sp e n d i n g i s sy nony mous w it h the holiday season. Ac c ord i ng to t he

U.S. Census Monthly Retail Trade Su r vey, spend i ng rose throughout the holiday s e a s on i n 2 013, w h e n consumers spent more than $300 billion in the month of December alone.

If spending and the holiday season go hand-in-hand, so, too, does January and t he f i na ncia l ha ngover that results from having spent so much in November a n d D e c e m b e r. M a n y consumers find themselves in considerable debt come t h e n e w y e a r, h a v i n g decided to put many of their holiday purchases on plastic when the season was in full swing.

B u t j u s t b e c a u s e t h e holidays are a season of spending does not mean the first months of the new year need to be an exercise in extricating yourself from debt. The fol low ing a re a few ways shoppers can ef fectively manage their credit this holiday season.

Don't use credit just to earn bonuses. One way to fall into significant debt is to justify your use of credit ca rds as a great way to earn miles, points or cash-back bonuses. While such rewards can be appealing, i f you're afraid that you will overspend this holiday season if you put everything on plastic, then don't do so just so you can earn bonuses.

Credit cards should only be used when you have enough money to pay off a balance in its entirety before you incur

any interest charges. Those rewards might be tempting, but they're not as valuable if you overspend and end up paying substantial interest charges.

Avoid retailer credit cards. Retailer credit cards also entice shoppers with deals. W hen purchasing items in-store, customers often are asked if they would like to earn a percentage off of their purchase by signing up for a retailer credit card. Such discounts may fa l l anywhere between 10 and 20 percent, a deal that many men and women may find too tempting to resist.

However, reta i ler credit c a rd s of ten come w it h m u c h h i g h e r i n t e r e s t rates than standard credit cards. Unless you k now you can pay off the balance immediately, decline the offer to sign up for a retailer credit card, opting instead to pay for your items with cash or a preexisting card that carries a much lower interest rate.

Use only one card. Using

multiple cards when making holiday purchases is a great way to lose track of how much you have spent. Even though the Internet makes it easy to check balances on all of your cards multiple times per day, managing credit is still easier if you only need to log in to a single account to monitor your holiday spending. Make a daily effort to monitor that spending, as it's free to view your balance online and such monitoring can greatly reduce the likelihood that you will overspend.

Don't exceed your credit l imit. One of the biggest y e t m o s t p r e v e n t a b l e mistakes consumers make come the holiday season is exceeding their credit limits. Exceeding your credit limit not only means you will have a rough month of January when the bills come due,

but such a mistake also has a more long-term effect, as your credit score suffers anytime you exceed your limit.

Know your interest rates. Though it's best to only use a credit card when you know you can repay the balance in full when the bill arrives, some consumers simply must carry a balance. In such instances, know the interest rate held by a particular card before you swipe that card to make a purchase.

Some cards hold variable interest rates, which means the interest charged back in June may be far lower than the interest you will be charged in January. Before using any of your credit cards, determine which one holds the lowest interest rate and use that one when making holiday purchases.

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Effectively manage your credit this holiday season

Though spending might be synonymous with the holiday season, consumers need not accept credit card debt as a harsh reality of January. Taking steps to manage credit effectively when holiday shopping can make January a more enjoyable time of year.


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Bikes and skis can be put on lay away and gift certificates are also available.

“Pe ople c a n c he c k ou r Facebook page for upcoming events and holiday specials,” sa id A ngela Ha r vey, co-owner with her husband.

Winter hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 10 :30 a .m .-5 p.m . a nd Fr iday 10 : 3 0 a . m .- 6 p. m . a n d S a t u r d a y 10 : 3 0 a . m .- 3 p.m. The website is w w w.greenmachinebikeshop.com and telephone 207-739-2324.

R ig ht nex t door at 333 Main is the Great Kingdom Emporium. A mother-and-daug hter tea m of Glor ia Jean Mulcahy and Lisa-Jean Veyera, who have created, in their words, an “Almost magical, clearly whimsical” store environment of hand-painted furniture, decorative pi l lows, v i ntage fabr ics, c o l l e c t i b l e s a n d s o m e antiques.

“We buy unloved furniture and make it loveable again,” said Veyera.

“This store is what we have always dreamed of for the two of us,” added her mother.

For t he hol iday sea son, Mulcahy has made a variety of whimsical and beautiful Christmas stock ings a nd Veyera has made a n ice a s s or t ment of f u n a nd i n t e r e s t i n g C h r i s t m a s ornaments.

S h opp e r s c a n bu y g i f t cer t i f ic ates or do a lay away at the Great Kingdom Emporium. Store hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Check their Facebook page for Sunday hours or call 207-570-9899.

A l it t le fa r t her up Ma in Street shoppers can satisfy

a sweet tooth at Jennicakes Bake Shop at 434 Main Street where they will be tempted by the delicious variety of cupcakes and other pastries.

“We make everything from scratch and bake it r ight here,” said Jennifer Billings, owner and head baker.

As wel l as cupca kes a nd pastries, chicken, turkey and pork pies are available on Thursdays and homebaked Jacob’s Cat t le Bea ns on Saturday. There is the soup of t he day ser ve d w it h homemade bread that can be consumed there or to go. Custom ca kes for a l l occasions can be ordered.

Jen n ic a ke Ba ke Shop i s taking orders for Christmas pies, which include pork pie made f rom a French Canadian recipe, pecan pie made without corn syrup for a healthier alternative and traditional fruit pies.

Jennicakes also does catering and will do office Christmas parties with dessert platters and other savory goodies.

Store hours are Monday thru Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. You can find them on Facebook or call 207-739-2138 to place order s a nd to sche du le catering.

FRANKLIN COUNTYOn Saturday, Dec. 6, Chester Greenwood Day, our annual celebration of Farmington resident Chester Greenwood, the inventor of earmuffs will take place with a holiday movies theme. Greenwood

was only 15 years old when he designed the first pair of ear protectors out of wire, beaver fur, and cloth.

At the age of 19, he acquired a U.S. patent. By age 28, t he C he ster Gre enwood & Compa ny factor y wa s produci ng a nd sh ippi ng cha mpion ea r protectors worldw ide. In 1936, t he company had its biggest year producing 400,000 pairs of earmuffs.

T h e a n n u a l C h e s t e r Greenwood Day is hosted by t he Fra n k l i n Cou nt y Chamber of Commerce and takes place the first Saturday i n D e c e m b e r, br i n g i n g thousands to the area to watch and/or participate in the hour-long parade. Cash prizes are awarded for f loats entered in the parade. This yea r’s t heme is “Holiday Movies” and earmuffs must be worn on participating floats.

S a m p l e t h e c h i l i i n Meetinghouse Park after the parade, and warm up from the inside out as you enjoy the annual Chili Challenge. Or head to Bangor Savings Bank on Main Street to view the wonderful gingerbread houses that many have spent hours creating in the annual Gingerbread House Contest. Those who attend may also enjoy a tasty piece of cake in honor of Chester Greenwood.

As you stroll through the downtown area, you’ll see folks of all ages having great fun while shopping, enjoying food from t he wonderf ul eateries, or viewing the trees at the Rotary Club’s Festival

of Trees event at the historic North Church. You may even run into one of Greenwood’s family members as many make the trek to Farmington each year to participate in the parade and visit with relatives who still live locally. Musicians and carolers from Mt. Blue High School and the University of Maine at Farmington w il l l ine t he streets and corners sharing beautiful songs and carols for passersby.

Visit the Chamber website to lea r n how to become

i nv ol v e d i n t h i s y e a r ’s Chester Greenwood Day, including parade registration forms, Chili and Gingerbread contest ent r y for ms a nd more!

Other events taking place on Saturday, Dec. 6, include a Gingerbread House Display at Bangor Savings, a Chili Contest in the Gazebo at Meetinghouse Park, and a Polar Bear Dip in Clearwater Lake at 3 p.m.

S a t u r d a y, D e c . 1 3 - - Santa Loop in Downtown

Farmington. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free horse draw n wagon r ides to a rea dow ntow n businesses for chi ldren’s events. Visit Santa at the Homestead Bakery (photos available for a small fee). Mr. Claus will be available from 10 a.m - 1 p.m at the Home ste ad to l i s ten to children’s requests, and for photo opportunities. Keep up with all the downtown events by l ik ing t heir Facebook p a ge a t f a c e b o ok .c om /downtownfarmingtonME.

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Submitted photoChester Greenwood Day

Sharon Bouchard photoJohn and Angela Harvey of Green Machine Bike Shop

Sharon Bouchard photo Lisa-Jean Veyera and Gloria Jean Mulcahy of Great Kingdom Emporium

Western Maine Holiday Dec 4 2014

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