Christmas by the Sea Comes to Ogunquit for 22nd Year

OGUNQUIT –
The Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce announces the schedule for the annual Christmas by the Sea celebration, December 12-14, 2008. Many of the favorite events will come back, but we have also made some new additions, including the sailing of Santa in the Ogunquit Dory, and a craft show. Also added this year is a special event from the Ogunquit Lifeguards. Please take a look at the schedule, and join us for an exciting, fun-filled weekend!
Friday, December 12
CAROLERS. 5:30pm - 7:30pm. Stopping throughout town.
CONCERT. 7pm - 8pm. Barbershop quartet. Ogunquit Baptist Church.
BONFIRE. 8:30pm. Ogunquit Main Beach. By Meadowmere Resort.
Saturday, December 13
HAY RIDES. 9am - 3pm.
SANTA ARRIVES AT PERKINS COVE. 9am. Watch as the Ogunquit Heritage Museum’s dory sails Santa into Ogunquit! Then Santa will be whisked away by fire truck to the Fire Station for a 9:30 appointment with children.
VISIT WITH SANTA. 9:30am - 11am. Upstairs at the Fire Station. Have your picture taken with Santa! Photos courtesy of Ogunquit Camera Shop. Treats courtesy of Harbor Candy. Santa courtesy of Clay Hill Farm.
4TH ANNUAL ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW. 10am - 4pm. Fire Station, downstairs. Free admission. Proceeds benefit Ogunquit Fire Rescue.
BASEMENT BAZAAR. 10am - 3pm. Dunaway Center, downstairs. Craft show with a free raffle.
THE “GIVING TREE” SILENT AUCTION. 10:30am - 2pm. Dunaway Center, downstairs. Theme-decorated artificial trees have been donated by local businesses, groups, and individuals, to be silent auctioned. Come bid on the popular Lottery Tree.
KIDS’ ORNAMENT MAKING. 11am - noon. Ogunquit Baptist Church, downstairs.
CHOWDER & CHOCOLATEFEST. 11:30am - 1:30pm. 19th Annual Chowder Tasting Competition. Dunaway Center, upstairs. Area restaurants compete - you are the judge! Bring a non-perishable food item to enter to win a prize. Admission: $10.
OPEN HOUSE. 1pm - 5pm. Ogunquit Heritage Museum. 18th century decorations, special Santa and angel exhibit, menorah exhibit and holiday refreshments.
STORYTELLING. 2pm - 3pm. Ogunquit Library.
THE OLD OCEAN “PLUNGE” - 2:00pm to 2:15pm. Main Beach, Watch the Ogunquit Lifeguard Service parade into the chilly Atlantic Ocean in their lifeguard gear in order to raise toys for disadvantaged kids. All proceeds to benefit Toys for Tots.
CHRISTMAS PARADE. 3pm. Presented by the Village Spirit Committee. Beginning at the Main Beach and ending at Perkins Cove.
TREE LIGHTING & CAROLING. 5:30pm - 6:00pm. Rotary Park, Perkins Cove.
CANDLELIGHT WALK to the LIVING MANGER. 6:00pm - 6:30pm. Perkins Cove to Ogunquit Baptist Church.
LIVING MANGER. 6:30pm-6:45pm. Sponsored and performed by Ogunquit Baptist Church.
CONCERT. 7pm - 8pm. Barbershop Quartet. Ogunquit Baptist Church. Doors open at 6:50pm.
TOWN TREE LIGHTING. 8:15pm. Veteran’s Park. Announcement of the town-wide decorating contest winners.
Sunday, December 14
HAY RIDES. 10am - 2pm.
FREE GIFT WRAPPING. 11am - 1pm. Gypsy Sweethearts Restaurant. Purchase your holiday gifts at our members’ shops; we’ll wrap for free! Sponsored by Harbor Candy Shop, Gypsy sweethearts, and Rockmere Lodge.
OPEN HOUSE. 1pm - 5pm. Ogunquit Heritage Museum.

Christmas Prelude Celebrates 27th Anniversary

KENNEBUNK / KENNEBUNKPORT –
This year’s Christmas Prelude will be held from December 5th through December 14th in the Lower Village of Kennebunk as well as in Cape Porpoise and the Dock Square of Kennebunkport. The following is a summary of events for the second weekend, provided by the event’s website www.christmasprelude.com. Please note that programs and events are subject to change.

Photo caption: Tree Lighting Ceremony in Dock Square (www.christmasprelude.com photo)

Commander Roberts and The USS Dallas Arrive at Shipyard

KITTERY –
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD: USS Dallas (SSN 700) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on December 3, 2008. While at the Shipyard, Dallas will complete various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. Built by the Electric Boats Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Dallas is the first United States Naval Ship to bear the name of the City of Dallas, Texas.
Dallas’ Commanding Officer, Commander David Roberts is a native of New Providence, New Jersey and a 1985 graduate of Westerville North High School in Westerville, Ohio. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture. In 1996, he received a Master of Engineering Management degree from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Following nuclear propulsion and basic submarine training, Commander Roberts reported to USS New York City (SSN 696) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he served in a variety of division officer assignments during three western Pacific deployments. In February 1994, he was assign to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Arlington, Virginia as a submarine Junior Officer Detailer. In 1996, Commander Roberts reported to USS Miami (SSN 755) in Groton, Connecticut as Engineer Officer. During this tour, the ship completed three deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf and participated in Operation Desert Fox, conducting Tomahawk missile strikes against Iraq. From 1999 to 2001, Commander Roberts was assigned to the staff of Commander, Submarine development Squadron Twelve as the Material Officer. Commander Roberts’ Executive Officer tour was aboard USS Nebraska (SSBN 739 Gold) in Kings Bay, Georgia. He completed three strategic deterrent patrols on Nebraska and was then assigned to the Operations Directorate on the Joint Staff in November 2003. Most recently following the Submarine Command Course, he was assigned as a Middle East liaison officer in the Center for Submarine Counter-Terrorism Operations.
Commander Roberts’ awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various campaign and unit awards.

Photo caption: USS Dallas (SSN 700) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on December 3, 2008. (Courtesy photo)