Lending a Helping Hand during the Holidays
The holidays are upon us, and what a wonderful time of year it is to remember the things that we are most thankful for in our own lives, and also to remember those who are less fortunate. It's a very busy time of year for Arundel's Social Services Administrator, Wendy Lank, as she organizes the various programs that provide a much needed helping hand to local families. "The need is greater than ever this year," she said. "I'm hearing from families this year that I've never heard from before."
Thanksgiving Baskets are assembled with food donations and handed out to families in need the week before Thanksgiving. In this difficult economy more and more families are finding it harder to come up with the "extras" for the holidays, and Wendy said that 43 families, 10 more than last year, have requested baskets.
Secret Santa is in its eighteenth year of providing Christmas gifts for children of families who otherwise would not be able to do so. The tree with tags on it is up at the Town Office on the Limerick Road and people are encouraged to pick up a few tags and bring the unwrapped items back to the Town Office by December 9th. Wendy said monetary donations are also greatly appreciated, as volunteers will use the donations to purchase wish list items for the children. In addition, the Social Services office is always grateful for cash donations, which will be used for heating oil assistance throughout the winter. For more information or to make a donation stop by Town Hall, call 207-985-4201 or email Wendy at wlank1@roadrunner.com.
Elder Elves is another wonderful program that fills an often unrecognized need during the holidays. The Senior Center in Lower Village, Kennebunk runs the Elder Elves program, which provides gifts to elderly residents who live alone and do not have someone to spend Christmas with. This program relies on donations as well, which can be made through the Senior Center at 207-967-8514.
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Cranberry-Maple Sauce |
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I love this recipe. It is quick and easy and everyone loves the the combination of maple and cranberries. I started making this recipe when I had my first Thanksgiving in my own home. You know the one were you try to prove you can do it as well as your mother. It was a big hit, but I still have to serve the cranberry sauce from a can. I have that one brother who says it is not cranberry sauce unless it is round with lines on it.
Cranberry-Maple Sauce
Makes abou 4 2/3 cups
2 12- ounce packages fresh cranberries  1 1/2 cups pure maple syrup
1 cup (packed) brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3/4 teaspoon maple extract
Combine all ingredients in a heavy large saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring often. Reduce heat to medium; simmer until cranberries pop, stirring often, about 12 minutes. Transfer to bowl. Cool completely. (Can be made 5 days ahead. Cover; chill.)
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Linda Zuke |
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Local Holiday Happenings |
Arundel Tree Lighting Celebration
 Mark your calendars for Friday night, December 4th and come celebrate the start of the Christmas season with your neighbors at the Community Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration. This fun annual event will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Arundel Fire Station on the Limerick Road. Santa will be on hand, and there will be caroling, face painting, snacks and hot cocoa and the ever-popular horse-drawn hay rides!
Community Thanksgiving Service
The clergy of the Kennebunks will be leading a special community Thanksgiving Service at First Congregational Church located at 141 North St. Kennebunkport on Sunday, November 22nd at 7 p.m. The Kennebunk High School Choir will provide special music as part of the ecumenical service for persons of all faith backgrounds. This service is a community service being led by the various pastors, rabbis, and religious leaders of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, West Kennebunk, Arundel, and Cape Porpoise. Come and give thanks for the blessing we share together as a community.
Advent Craft Workshop
First Congregational Church of Kennebunkport is hosting an Advent Craft Workshop for the entire area community on Sunday, November 29th from 4-6 p.m. Come enjoy making fun Christmas decorations and ornaments at the various craft tables with leaders that will teach how to make the various crafts. Dinner and a Christmas carol sing-a-long will follow. Cost is $8 per person or $25 for a family of 4+. Meal and craft supplies are covered in the cost. This promises to be a fun community activity for families and individuals of all ages. No registration required but a call is appreciated to estimate numbers. (207) 967-3897.
28th Annual Christmas Prelude
December 4th through the 13th , Kennebunkport, Maine. Highlights include the Tree Lighting in Dock Square on Friday, December 4th at 5:30 p.m.; Santa's arrival via lobster boat on Saturday, December 6th at 2 p.m. at the Landing Restaurant in Dock Square ; Candelight Caroling on Saturday, December 5th at 6:30 p.m. at the Franciscan Monastery on Beach Street in Lower Village; and Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, December 13th at 8 a.m. at the Nonantum Resort on Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport.
For a full schedule of the many craft fairs and festive events of Christmas Prelude visit www.christmasprelude.com.
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XM RadioProgramming Highlights XM Radio features the
Sounds of the Season |
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TOYS FOR TOTS
In 1947, a group of U.S. Marine Reservists collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children
of Los Angeles on Christmas eve. This pilot campaign was so successful that the U.S.
Marine Corps titled it the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, and expanded it
nationwide the following year. The original mission
of "bringing the joy of Christmas and delivering a message of hope to needy children" continues
today.
Annual Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted each year
throughout the nation from October 1st through December 24th.
From the 1948 coverage of campaigns in 74 communities in 25
states and the District of Columbia, the program coverage
expanded over fourfold by 2003 to campaigns in 456 communities
covering all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
From 1947 - 2003, U.S. Marines distributed 313 million toys to 151 million needy children.
Today, Toys for Tots is the Marine Corps' premier community action program, one of the
nation's flagship Christmas charitable causes and the only charitable endeavor within the
Department of Defense that reaches outside the military to give something back to the communities
from which the nation draws the young men and women who serve in the armed forces of the
United States.
Weirs Motor Sales is a drop off location for Toys for Tots |
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