Portrait of a Community
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The giveaway of the CHRISTMAS HOUSE, planned for December 21 at the Portland Pirates game was postponed until this Sunday, December 28th at 3:45 pm because of the weather conditions. The HOUSE has been on display at Post Office Park in Portland.
Due to the overwhelming response to the essay contest, company president, Glen Holiday, is giving away two houses rather than one – one to a boy and one to a girl.
For more information, please call Rhonda Berkbeck at (207) 847-3332 at Berkbeck Events.
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.
“We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,”
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December.
By Carol McCracken
Local artist Lisa Ferreira invites you to shop at her gallery to either start or finish your holiday shopping – as your individual case may be – for that special lady on your list who needs an inexpensive but quality gift. Ember Grove, at 247B Congress Street, is open special hours on Tuesday and Wednesday (from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m.) to accommodate your busy schedule in the next few days before Christmas Day.
It’s a gallery of functional art – which means that it can be used as well as appreciated for its creativeness and beauty. Lisa’s speciality is lovely jewelry – bracelets, earrings and necklaces for that special someone who will be delighted to find her jewelry under the Christmas Tree or in her stocking on Christmas Day. The gracious Lisa represents 30 local artists in her gallery. Many of them are family members, friends or long-time neighbors, but her quality control is right up there and clearly not influenced by nepotism! Her work represents 30% to 40% of the total inventory in her gallery.
Growing up as an only child with two working parents, Lisa developed her own world of creativeness in which she reveled- and fortunately for consumers is quality and beautifully expressed in her creativeness. Home is the Maine coast and so nature is often integrated into her creations. Consider putting Lisa on your holiday shopping list as well as on your new year’s 2009 shopping list. Prices are moderate.
Please visit www.embergrove.com or call Lisa at 761-0408
By Carol McCracken
One of the warmest places on the Hill Saturday afternoon was at the annual Trott Family Christmas party for underprivileged children. About seventy-five children from the area were treated to games, food and a visit with Santa Claus. Each child received a present from the Old Guy! The party was held at the Root Cellar on Washington Avenue from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
While the Trotts cleaned up after the party, they took some time to reminisce. When Marie Trott, (her maiden name was Gladu,) was ten years old, she attended the Policemens Ball on Newbury Street on the Hill. Her parents were divorced at the time. She saw a doll she wanted SO badly that one of the police officers made certain that she got it. It was then that she decided that when she grew up she’d try to give underprivileged children on the Hill a toy, jacket and mittens that they might not otherwise have. Marie and her family have done that since 1972 – with her children dressing up as the Nine Elves most years to help keep the tradition going.
Diana (Trott) Burton, 48, got her early training as one of those Nine Eelves. She remains very committed to the annual party to this day as is the company she works for in Westbrook. In early November, she mailed out donation letters. With the crucial help of Diana’s employer, Artel Inc., the Trotts raised $800. this year. Jean Russo donated cash as well as helped fund raise. The money was used mostly to buy toys for the party guests. Domino Pizza donated pizzas and Pepsi Co. donated soda. Diana starts planning next month for the 37th Trott Family Christmas. That’s when she finds the best bargains at the toy stores.
And from the smiles on the faces of everyone participating, it’s a Christmas tradition that isn’t going away soon! For more information, please call Marie at 772-8799 or visit the web page of Artel-USA-com. See blurb describing MHMC. (Please see MHN’s previous article on the subject dated, 12/7/08, “Meet Your Neighbor: Marie Trott – Making A Big Difference During The Holidays.
The event also goes by the name sometimes “Munjoy Hill’s Mother’s Club”.)
