Have a 'grape' new year
By Ruth DeCoster
Published on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Owner of The Vault on Lisbon Street Susan Hall, and her dog Malcolm, show off two sparkling wines and one champagne that are great for toasting the New Year and will not break the bank.
- Amber Waterman/Sun Journal
When it comes to wine specials, she said, they offer a Vault pick-of-the-week and a 10 percent case discount when you buy 12 bottles, mix and match. More special pricing is often offered on featured wines during their periodic wine tastings, since she buys in case quantities from her distributors.
She currently spends much of her time learning about the craft beer industry, which she said is the “quickest-evolving business in the beverage industry.”
Be on the lookout for the Vault's first beer tasting in January, at which Hall will focus on four different Maine beer brewers. For more information call 376-4500 or go to www.wineatthevault.com.
European Union laws, followed by most countries, reserve the term "champagne" exclusively for sparkling wines produced from the Champagne wine region, located about 100 miles east of Paris, France.
Because of this, the term “champagne” is not used when referring to a sparkling wine produced from outside this region.
Tiziano
6 servings
Ingredients:
1 bottle Prosecco
1 -1/2 to 2 cups of chilled white grape juice
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Chopped mint
Combine Prosecco and grape juice in a pitcher. Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with lemon slices and sprigs of mint. Add some blueberries or raspberries for added flare.
This is an easy drink to replenish as the evening progresses. A nice twist is to offer is a display of different garnishes — different fruit, berries and mint — “so your guests can serve themselves and top it off with their favorite garnishment,” Susan Hall recommends.
Berry Sparkler
Single serving
Ingredients:
¼ cup of fresh raspberries or blackberries
1 teaspoon sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup chilled Prosecco or Cava
Mash berries and sugar together with fork. Spoon mixture into champagne flute and top with sparkling wine. Add garnish of mint.
White Port Spritzer
Single serving
Ingredients:
2 to 3 ounces white port
Tonic water or soda water, your preference
1 fresh lemon wedge
Sprig of mint
Fill a 6-ounce glass with ice. Fill 1/3 with white port and remaining 2/3 with tonic or soda water. Garnish with lemon and mint. So refreshing!
Bellini
Single serving
Ingredients:
2 ounces peach puree (2 or 3 very ripe peaches, pureed until smooth)
4 ounces sparkling wine
Pour peach puree into champagne flute. Very slowly add sparkling wine. For a special touch, add a splash of pomegranate juice and a sprig of mint.
Note: For an alternate peach option — if those you find at the store are not quite ripe enough — use a jar of peeled peach slices found in the fresh cooler display in the fruit and vegetable section. Drain thoroughly.
Face Time: Making sure every child, teen has a Christmas
By Tony Reaves, Staff Writer
Published on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Allen, the group's president, works with dozens of volunteers and a dedicated board of directors each December to ensure that Oxford Hills children get Christmas presents, regardless of whether their parents can afford to buy them.
Name: Connie Allen
Hometown: South Paris
Occupation: President of Rightstart Inc., treasurer of Oxford Hills Music and Performing Arts Association, treasurer of Paris Public Library, United Way board member.
How did you become involved in nonprofit work?
When my children were growing up, I taught Sunday school, was a den mother for Cub Scouts and a Brownie Scout leader. I worked with my late husband, Woody Allen, as a member of Kiwanis, on many different projects, especially Operation Santa Claus. After Woody passed away, I became involved in Rightstart and we began the Christmas for Kids program in 1979 when Kiwanis retired Operation Santa Claus. Christmas for Teens joined our organization a number of years ago and we are now happy to serve eligible children for Christmas from birth to 18.
Rightstart began as a Kiwanis inspired effort early in 1979 during the International Year of the Child. Rightstart Inc. became its own organization later in 1979 with a board of directors and many subcommittees. Kiwanis continues to be a supporter of the programs and projects Rightstart provides.
I worked for many years in social services at Community Concepts and also served for a number of years on the Maine Human Services Council in Augusta.
How have requests for gifts changed since 1979?
The requests have been pretty consistent. Of course, as our culture and new ideas are added to the mix, so do the requests for particular toys, games, etc. This year we have seen a number of requests for items other than toys. Our projects' main purpose is to provide Christmas. We are unable to fill the many other needs folks have with this program.
Rightstart does have the Coat Room where we provide good clean used coats and sometimes clothing for anyone who comes in. We began with just children’s coats but realized there are many other folks who need a coat. We work in cooperation with Hannaford to collect the coats and Norway Laundry which picks them up, cleans them and gives them to our Coat Room which is supervised by Wendy Williams. We have regular hours on Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Wendy is available to meet someone if they can’t make those hours. Rightstart’s programs are all volunteer. Everything donated to Rightstart goes to the program.
Have children helped by your programs ever come back to volunteer later?
Yes, we have been helped by children served by our program. We also have been helped by parents who have been served and who are in a better situation in later years and will send us gifts or other contributions telling us how much they appreciated help during a difficult time in their lives. While many folks are proud and will not ask for help for themselves and will struggle to do the best they can, when it comes to Christmas it is so hard to see your children go without. Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens shows families who are struggling that their community cares for them.
How many people would you say volunteer for Rightstart over the course of a year?
It is difficult to say because we have efforts and contribution particularly in the Christmas programs that provide resources for the Christmas for Kids and Christmas for Teens. Our board is a hands-on board that works at regular board meetings but also chairs various programs and projects.
Are there any moments you're proudest of in your work?
There are many moments when I feel so proud to be a member of the Oxford Hills community. Oxford Hills folks are very generous. Every year we begin with the faith that we will be able to fulfill our goal and, sure enough, every year we do! All of our programs are supported by many caring folks in the community.
What would you say to someone in the area interested in doing volunteer work?
I would encourage anyone who has time and energy to give back to the community to select something that is of interest to them. There are so many places where one can volunteer. When you volunteer on something that has meaning or is of interest to you, both sides benefit and I believe everyone wins.
treaves@sunjournal.com
Talk of the town
By Mark LaFlamme
Published on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Friday, Dec 23, 2011 at 10:10 pm
Stocking stuffers
I know where you are right now. You're at a Rite Aid, a 7-Eleven or a corner gas station, looking for last minute gifts with all the terrified determination of a contestant on Fear Factor. You've become so desperate to finish your shopping, inane objects are starting to look like viable gifts. Do you think mom would like this Fram oil filter? Would Little Timmy find joy in a box of feminine napkins, with optional wings? Is there anybody left in your social circle to whom you have not yet gifted a Chia Pet from CVS? You're screwed. Totally screwed. But settle down, Sally. I got your back. Here are a few last minute shopping ideas to get you through. They may not be perfect, but I guarantee they beat the heck out of that box of tongue depressors you were thinking of giving to your wife.
Restraining orders
For at least two area men who, for one reason or another, have fixated on Taylor Swift. One of these poor souls was found squatting in a vacant house. Why? Because his dog told him that Swift was coming to marry him in a ceremony that would be witnessed by Jesus himself. Another local man was freaking people out by wandering around and staring into trees like some kind of mutant squirrel in a hoodie. His explanation? He was certain that Taylor Swift was hiding in a tree and he was determined to ferret her out.
Get over it, gentleman. Go on with your lives and leave Taylor Swift alone because she's mine. Mine, I tells you! I know because a dumpster-diving unicorn told me so.
Faith in your fellow man
Several people called the cops after a scoundrel was seen making off with Christmas presents heaped high in a wheel barrow. The fiend was so audacious in his thievery, he made little effort to conceal himself as he went a-wheeling down Buttonwood Lane in Lewiston. A mob formed. The gendarmes were dispatched. The holiday hoodlum was located. Turns out he was just a saintly fellow toting donated good from one place to another. That's Lewiston for ya. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets accused of larceny.
Christmas balls
Seriously, I don't know what you can do with these. I just get a kick out of writing it.
All aboard!
For Honorable Mayor Jonathan Labonte, a 44-piece toy choo choo train, with realistic suspension bridge and stone arches and four stations that can be assembled anywhere along the circular track. The young mayor is bent on getting train service moving between Portland and Auburn and then on to Bethel, Montreal and . . . Oh, I don't know, Jupiter and whatnot. With those train snobs snubbing the Twin Cities in favor of Brunswick and uppity places like that, this is likely as close as we'll get. I call conductor!
Slinky
Seriously, you can't go wrong with Slinky.
Silly Putty
Seriously, you can't go wrong with Silly Putty.
Yule log
I don't really know what this is, but if you get it for the man in your life, he will titter like an idiot.
Merry Christmas
And pleased be advised that Mark's Quik Stop will be closing in 10 minutes so you should just go ahead and buy that ice scraper and motor oil for the wife. What's the worst that could happen?
mlaflamme@sunjournal.com
I know where you are right now. You're at a Rite Aid, a 7-Eleven or a corner gas station, looking for last minute gifts with all the terrified determination of a contestant on Fear Factor. You've become so desperate to finish your shopping, inane objects are starting to look like viable gifts. Do you think mom would like this Fram oil filter? Would Little Timmy find joy in a box of feminine napkins, with optional wings? Is there anybody left in your social circle to whom you have not yet gifted a Chia Pet from CVS? You're screwed. Totally screwed. But settle down, Sally. I got your back. Here are a few last minute shopping ideas to get you through. They may not be perfect, but I guarantee they beat the heck out of that box of tongue depressors you were thinking of giving to your wife.
Restraining orders
For at least two area men who, for one reason or another, have fixated on Taylor Swift. One of these poor souls was found squatting in a vacant house. Why? Because his dog told him that Swift was coming to marry him in a ceremony that would be witnessed by Jesus himself. Another local man was freaking people out by wandering around and staring into trees like some kind of mutant squirrel in a hoodie. His explanation? He was certain that Taylor Swift was hiding in a tree and he was determined to ferret her out.
Get over it, gentleman. Go on with your lives and leave Taylor Swift alone because she's mine. Mine, I tells you! I know because a dumpster-diving unicorn told me so.
Faith in your fellow man
Several people called the cops after a scoundrel was seen making off with Christmas presents heaped high in a wheel barrow. The fiend was so audacious in his thievery, he made little effort to conceal himself as he went a-wheeling down Buttonwood Lane in Lewiston. A mob formed. The gendarmes were dispatched. The holiday hoodlum was located. Turns out he was just a saintly fellow toting donated good from one place to another. That's Lewiston for ya. Every time a bell rings, an angel gets accused of larceny.
Christmas balls
Seriously, I don't know what you can do with these. I just get a kick out of writing it.
All aboard!
For Honorable Mayor Jonathan Labonte, a 44-piece toy choo choo train, with realistic suspension bridge and stone arches and four stations that can be assembled anywhere along the circular track. The young mayor is bent on getting train service moving between Portland and Auburn and then on to Bethel, Montreal and . . . Oh, I don't know, Jupiter and whatnot. With those train snobs snubbing the Twin Cities in favor of Brunswick and uppity places like that, this is likely as close as we'll get. I call conductor!
Slinky
Seriously, you can't go wrong with Slinky.
Silly Putty
Seriously, you can't go wrong with Silly Putty.
Yule log
I don't really know what this is, but if you get it for the man in your life, he will titter like an idiot.
Merry Christmas
And pleased be advised that Mark's Quik Stop will be closing in 10 minutes so you should just go ahead and buy that ice scraper and motor oil for the wife. What's the worst that could happen?
mlaflamme@sunjournal.com
FIGST TIENRWNBORBIMABLSAAGNLRDAGOEGNG
What Santa’s young helpers learn in school:
The _ _ _ - _ _ _ _
IllustratIon by
Susan
b roadbent
cHUMBLE: A Christmas scramble
cHadlib:‘Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer’
Rudolph the ___________ _____________ed ______________had a very _______________ _____________________and if you ever saw it,you would even say it _________________________All of the other _______________________used to _____________________ and call him _____________________. They never let ______________ Rudolph, join in any _______________ _____________s. Then one ____________ Christmas EveSanta came to say _______________Rudolph with your _______________ so ________________won’t you guide my _____________________ tonight. Then all the _________________ ___________________ed himand they ________________ with ________________Rudolph the ____________ ____________ed ________________you’ll go down in ______________ .
(color)(body part)
(type of animal)(adjective)(an automobile brand)(something a baby does)(a different type of animal)(an emotional response)(a relative)(adjective)(large retailer)(adjective)(common churchceremony)(adverb)(same auto maker)(adjective)(common breakfast item)(same type of animal)(method of cooking a fish)(verb, past tense)(under garment, plural)(color)(body part)(type of animal)(noun)
By Susan Broadbent, Sun Journal Designer and Erin McCarthy, Special to the Sun Journal
Fill in the blanks and get ready to laugh!
Frosty the (Maine) Snowman
________________________ the _________________-headWas a _____________ _______________ soulWith a corncob _________________ and a ___________________ noseAnd two eyes made out of _______________._________________________ the ____________________-headIs a fairy tale, they _____________________He was made of _________________But the children knowhow he came to _______________________one day. There must have been some _______________________in that _____________ _______________________ ____________________________they foundFor when they placed it on his ______________He began to _______________________ _______________ .(well-known L/A person)(food product)(adjective)(emotion)(body part)(small woodland creature)(a Maine fruit)(same well-known L/A person)(same food product)(another verb for burp)(a Maine seafood)(favorite L-A restaurant)(refrigerator leftover)(adjective)(characteristic of bread)(famous L.L. Bean product)(body part)(reaction to something scary)(adverb)
Word search: So you think you know Christmas movies
By Maxwell Mogensen, Special to the Sun Journal
Published on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 at 12:12 am | Last updated on Saturday, Dec 24, 2011 at 12:12 am
P U T B O B C R A T C H I T E H W L
Z M S U U M Z R B C O S T L R O H A
S X E E F H T E V L L W G V R C O N
L R H B P F T K I L R N S I I U V H
L N C O R H N D A I A R Y D J S I G
A V Y U E E A B V J H E O V Y P L H
F C O L G Y W J D X O D T D E O L I
D D T E I O D N Q V S R T K T C E Y
R T S N N N A A W L D Y I X H U U J
O N N S T E U L A L V D F F N S F W
F L A Y L X I T S G W E S Y C A M Z
D K C G S T E V E C H R I S T M A S
E R N N I P K S M N Z B M A U U F N
B I U Q S L A Y F M V B Y V T N U Y
J T D U N B U R U H B G B J C Q I R
R S Z B U R L I V E S U F T J F J L
V U S M S K M B K H C N R U V S I J
Z T E N W O T S A M T S I R H C O A
First, answer each question below, then find each answer in the grid above. Answers to both parts of this puzzle are on page b3.
1. What George Bailey finds in his pocket at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life."
2. The name of the rabbit in the magic hat in "Frosty the Snowman."
3. What Ralphie wants for Christmas in "A Christmas Story."
4. Tiny Tim's father.
5. The toy store that Kevin visits in "Home Alone 2."
6. Where Doris Walker works in "Miracle on 34th Street."
7. Sam the Snowman in "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was voiced by this actor, who also sang "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas."
8. Who is Arthur Christmas's brother.
9. The "12 Dogs of Christmas" was partly filmed in this Maine town.
10. The song "White Christmas" was not written for the movie "White Christmas," but for what film, released 12 years earlier?
11. These lonely characters are ruled by King Moonracer in "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
12. In "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Jack Skellington goes through a tree-shaped door into this holiday-themed realm.
13. Dr. Seuss's story "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" takes place around this fictional town.
14. He helps Charlie Brown realize what Christmas is really all about.
15. In "The Year Without a Santa Claus," these two elves have to find people who still believe in Santa.
16. "It's a Wonderful Life" is set in this small, fictional New York town.
17. Elf defeats the bullies by hurling these seasonal projectiles.
Answers to the clues:
1. Zuzu's petals
2. Hocus Pocus
3. Red Ryder BB gun
4. Bob Cratchit
5. Duncan's Toy Chest
6. Macy's
7. Burl Ives
8. Steve Christmas
9. Bethel
10. "Holiday Inn"
11. Misfit toys
12. Christmas Town
13. Whoville
14. Linus
15. Jingle and Jangle
16. Bedford Falls
17. Snowballs
Answer to the word search:
+ + T B O B C R A T C H I T E H W +
+ + S + + + + + B + O S + L + O H +
S + E + + + + E + L L + G + + C O +
L + H + + + T + I L + N S + + U V +
L + C + + H + D A + A R Y + + S I +
A + Y + E + A B + J + E O + + P L +
F + O L + Y W + D + + D T + + O L +
D + T + I O + N + + S R T + + C E +
R + S N N + A + + L + Y I + + U + +
O + N S + E + + A + + D F + + S + +
F + A + L + + T + + + E S Y C A M +
D + C G S T E V E C H R I S T M A S
E + N + + P + + + + + B M + U + + +
B I U + S + + + + + + B + + + N + +
J + D U + + + + + + + G + + + + I +
+ + Z B U R L I V E S U + + + + + L
+ U + + + + + + + + + N + + + + + +
Z + + N W O T S A M T S I R H C + +
Z M S U U M Z R B C O S T L R O H A
S X E E F H T E V L L W G V R C O N
L R H B P F T K I L R N S I I U V H
L N C O R H N D A I A R Y D J S I G
A V Y U E E A B V J H E O V Y P L H
F C O L G Y W J D X O D T D E O L I
D D T E I O D N Q V S R T K T C E Y
R T S N N N A A W L D Y I X H U U J
O N N S T E U L A L V D F F N S F W
F L A Y L X I T S G W E S Y C A M Z
D K C G S T E V E C H R I S T M A S
E R N N I P K S M N Z B M A U U F N
B I U Q S L A Y F M V B Y V T N U Y
J T D U N B U R U H B G B J C Q I R
R S Z B U R L I V E S U F T J F J L
V U S M S K M B K H C N R U V S I J
Z T E N W O T S A M T S I R H C O A
First, answer each question below, then find each answer in the grid above. Answers to both parts of this puzzle are on page b3.
1. What George Bailey finds in his pocket at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life."
2. The name of the rabbit in the magic hat in "Frosty the Snowman."
3. What Ralphie wants for Christmas in "A Christmas Story."
4. Tiny Tim's father.
5. The toy store that Kevin visits in "Home Alone 2."
6. Where Doris Walker works in "Miracle on 34th Street."
7. Sam the Snowman in "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was voiced by this actor, who also sang "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas."
8. Who is Arthur Christmas's brother.
9. The "12 Dogs of Christmas" was partly filmed in this Maine town.
10. The song "White Christmas" was not written for the movie "White Christmas," but for what film, released 12 years earlier?
11. These lonely characters are ruled by King Moonracer in "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer."
12. In "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Jack Skellington goes through a tree-shaped door into this holiday-themed realm.
13. Dr. Seuss's story "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" takes place around this fictional town.
14. He helps Charlie Brown realize what Christmas is really all about.
15. In "The Year Without a Santa Claus," these two elves have to find people who still believe in Santa.
16. "It's a Wonderful Life" is set in this small, fictional New York town.
17. Elf defeats the bullies by hurling these seasonal projectiles.
Answers to the clues:
1. Zuzu's petals
2. Hocus Pocus
3. Red Ryder BB gun
4. Bob Cratchit
5. Duncan's Toy Chest
6. Macy's
7. Burl Ives
8. Steve Christmas
9. Bethel
10. "Holiday Inn"
11. Misfit toys
12. Christmas Town
13. Whoville
14. Linus
15. Jingle and Jangle
16. Bedford Falls
17. Snowballs
Answer to the word search:
+ + T B O B C R A T C H I T E H W +
+ + S + + + + + B + O S + L + O H +
S + E + + + + E + L L + G + + C O +
L + H + + + T + I L + N S + + U V +
L + C + + H + D A + A R Y + + S I +
A + Y + E + A B + J + E O + + P L +
F + O L + Y W + D + + D T + + O L +
D + T + I O + N + + S R T + + C E +
R + S N N + A + + L + Y I + + U + +
O + N S + E + + A + + D F + + S + +
F + A + L + + T + + + E S Y C A M +
D + C G S T E V E C H R I S T M A S
E + N + + P + + + + + B M + U + + +
B I U + S + + + + + + B + + + N + +
J + D U + + + + + + + G + + + + I +
+ + Z B U R L I V E S U + + + + + L
+ U + + + + + + + + + N + + + + + +
Z + + N W O T S A M T S I R H C + +
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