December 2009

Santa Claus Relaxing With A Good Book!

B y Carol McCracken  (Post # 352)

Downtown Portland invites the public to shop at its 8th annual Merry Madness on Thursday, December 17th from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.  Over 70 local stores will extend their business hours to accommodate the public’s shopping for that special gift to finish (or begin) holiday shopping.

Merry Madness kicks off at the Eastland Park Hotel, 157 High Street, from 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with free hors d’oeuvres, etc.  Free bus service from the Eastland Park Hotel will be provided between 5:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.  Merchants on Commercial Street, Congress Street, Exchange Street, Fore Street, High Street, Market Street, Middle Street, Milk Street and more are participating in this holiday event.

“There is nothing to get you ino the holiday spirit like walking through downtown Portland’s famuous shopping district.  Merry Madness brings back the tradition of supporting local shops and experiencing persnjal customer service,” says Jan Beigtzer, Executive Director of Portland’s Downtown District.

Merry Madness is a Portland Downtown Distrit event.  PDD is a non-profit business improvement district.  It’s a leader and facilitator in the support and promtion of the economic vitality of downtown Portland.  PDD produces special events and marketing programs throughout the year to attract people to the downtown district.

Share on Facebook

Poet Longfellow Is Ready For Christmas!

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 351)

For the 37th consecutive year, Marie Trott and her family will be hosting their Christmas Party for children between the ages of six months to eight years old.  This traditon is held in the basement of the Root Cellar at 94 Washington Avenue;  Saturday, December 19 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  It will happen with support from the community – that is!

About 100 children are expected to attend this year which is the largest number ever.  Domino supplies pizza, pepsi is supplied with hot dogs and potato chips as well by others.  Each child receives a new toy given to him by Santa Claus when he arrives toward the end of the party.

However, this year Trott and her family are finding it much more difficult to raise the cash needed to rent the Root Cellar basement and to come up with new  toys needed to be certain that each child receives a gift of comparable value.  If you are in a position to help the Trott family with either new toys or cash, please get in touch with Marie at 772-8799 or drop off a gift at her home at 27 Merrill Street on the Hill.

“We will do this somehow, I’m not just sure how right now,” said a determined Marie Trott early last night.  She’s the founder of the Munjoy Hill Mother’s Club.  “This is the hardest its ever been,” she added.

Share on Facebook

Lee Farrmington, chef and owner of FIGA restaurant

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 350)

Due to the record high amount of interest on the MHN blog concerning the opening of FIGA,  it seems an update is appropriate!

Although the brown wrapping paper is down from the windows at Figa, the restaurant still has a  hurdle to jump before it can legally open its doors.  Lee Farrington, chef and owner, said this afternoon that required  inspections of the property are imminent.  Following that, she expects a series of soft openings ending in possibly a Grand Opening on New Year’s Eve.

Plans are still evolving,  so details can change.  However, the interest is high!

Please visit previous post # 346, dated December 8th for background info.

Share on Facebook

Holiday Decorations On The Hill

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 349)

The steps of First Parish Church, 425 Congress Street, will be the backdrop for a Copenhagen Candelight Vigil tomorrow, Friday, December 11th at 6:00 pm.  Maine Interfaith Power and Light  is hosting the event.

Its intent is to call upon world leaders in Copenhagen to take action on climate change.  The public is invited to attend the candlight vigil to call on leaders from around the world to take action, find consensus and finish a global climate change treaty.

For more information, please call: 207 721-0444 or email info@meipl.org

Share on Facebook