Southernty’s n York Cou
Sentinel The Weekly
ws Good Ne
ECRWSS PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID Seacoast Media Group Portsmouth, NH POSTAL CUSTOMER
Your Community Newspaper Serving: ARUNDEL, BERWICK, CAPE NEDDICK, ELIOT, KENNEBUNK, KENNEBUNKPORT, KITTERY, KITTERY POINT, MOODY, NORTH BERWICK, OGUNQUIT, SOUTH BERWICK, WELLS, YORK & YORK HARBOR
Friday, December 5, 2025 Volume 21 • Issue No. 49
Bring on the Holiday Season with Christmas by the Sea OGUNQUIT For the third year in a row, Ogunquit has been named one of the “25 Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.” by Travel + Leisure magazine. When the holidays arrive, the seaside village transforms into a sparkling coastal wonderland, blending classic New England charm with festive cheer. In 2025, Forbes also recognized Ogunquit as one of the world’s “50 Most Beautiful Villages.” Twinkling lights, ocean views, and a strong sense of small-town community make Christmas in Ogunquit unforgettable. The 39th annual Christmas by the Sea festival invites the public to experience the warmth,
joy, and coastal holiday magic that make Ogunquit a cherished destination for visitors and residents alike. Taking place Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14, the festival features tree and bridge lightings, concerts, craft shows, children’s activities, a parade, a bonfire, fireworks, appearances
by Santa, and more. Festivities occur throughout the village, including downtown, Main Beach, Perkins Cove, Footbridge Beach, Shore Road, and Beach Street. Additional holiday events are hosted by member businesses in nearby Cape Neddick, Wells, North Berwick, and Ports-
mouth. The weekend’s highlights include the Footbridge Bridge lighting, Rotary Park tree lighting, an Atlantic Harmonies concert, Downtown Sip & Stroll, and the Veterans Park tree lighting on Friday. Saturday’s activities feature craft fairs at the Dunaway
Center and Fire Station, a visit from Santa at the Fire Station, the Christmas parade, and a bonfire and fireworks display at Main Beach. The Wells Festival of Trees, Santa Meet-and-Greets, Holiday Open Houses, “Dinner with Dickens” at Clay Hill Farm, and the Holiday Market are just a few events rounding out Sunday’s festivities. For more information and a complete list of events, visit www. ogunquit.org/christmas-by-thesea, or pick up a program guide at the Ogunquit Chamber Welcome Center, 20 Shore Road, and at participating businesses throughout Ogunquit.Croppied photo by C.A. Smith Photography.
2nd Annual Festival of Trees Supports WAA WELLS The Wells Rotary Club will host its second annual Festival of Trees fundraiser at For the Love of Food & Drink at Salt Water Farm, 411 Post Road in Wells. The festival will run five days, from Wednesday, Dec. 10, through Sunday, Dec. 14. To kick off the festivities, the Wells Junior High School Select Chorus will sing holiday carols, and the Wells Fire Department’s ladder truck will display the American flag over Route 1. Both events will take place at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.
Local Average Tide Chart Date High Low am pm
am pm
Sat 6 11:33 5:09 5:56 Sun 7 12:18 12:28 6:03 6:50 Mon 8 1:13 1:23 6:59 7:45 Tue 9 2:09 2:21 7:57 8:42 Wed 10 3:07 3:20 8:59 9:40 Thu 11 4:05 4:20 10:03 10:37 Fri 12 5:02 5:22 11:08 11:34 Sat 13 5:58 6:24 12:11
Sun Rise Sun Set Sat 6 Sun 7 Mon 8 Tue 9 Wed 10 Thu 11 Fri 12 Sat 13
The Festival of Trees is an annual holiday fundraiser held by Wells Rotary. The event features a raffle of decorated trees, sponsored and created by local businesses and organizations. Proceeds support area families in need and Wells Rotary’s Wreaths Across America (WAA) program, which places wreaths on veterans’ graves at Ocean View Cemetery. Last year, the club featured more than 50 trees, which were available for purchase, and it expects to exceed that number this year. Businesses that do not sponsor a tree may instead con-
Festival of Trees, helping wherever needed, and also participated in the Wells Junior High School Wreaths Across America ceremony. The boys have since been promoted multiple times within CAP and now look forward to participating in the 2025 Wreaths Across America, escorting wreaths from Maine to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. They will make stops along the way for ceremonies, taking part in the color guard and honoring Gold See WELLS on page 11 . . .
Christmas Prelude Continues into Next Week 5:30-6 p.m., Dock Square, Kennebunkport. Tree lighting ceremony, Christmas caroling with the Women of Note. Sponsored by Alisson’s Restaurant.
KENNEBUNKPORT The following schedule covers the second weekend of Prelude events and highlights. For a complete list of events happening Dec. 11-14, visit www. christmasprelude.com/schedule.
14th Annual Christmas Fireworks Display
Thursday, December 11 Storybook Christmas
4-6 p.m. at Emmons Preserve, 57 Gravelly Brook Rd., Kennebunkport. Free cocoa from Mornings in Paris while Santa reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Cookie decorating and photo ops galore! Free. Sponsored by KBA Members Kennebunk Savings, Kennebunk Kennebunkport Arundel Chamber, Kennebunkport Conservation Trust and Mornings in Paris.
7:00 4:06 7:01 4:06 7:02 4:06 7:03 4:06 7:03 4:06 7:04 4:06 7:05 4:06 7:06 4:06
Arts & Entertainment 15-18
Home & Business
Calendar
Library News
7-11
12-14,22,28
20-23
Classifieds
27-28
Obituaries
11
Dining
29-30
Pets
5
19
Puzzles
19
Finance & Career
tribute gift cards, gifts, or gift baskets to be placed under the Community Tree for a raffle. This year’s Festival of Trees is even more special because event chairs Melissa Busick and Kathy Kaschuluk-Dusza both have freshman sons, Noah Busick and Gavin Dusza, at Wells High School, who will be participating in this year’s national Wreaths Across America. Since joining the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) in August 2024, Busick and Dusza’s commitment and passion have been inspiring to many in their community. Both volunteered at last year’s
PAGES
Friday, December 12 Prelude Family Street Festival
4-6 p.m., downtown Kennebunk. Strolling carolers, live music from Women of Note and Sir Don and others, food vendors, ice carving
Health & Fitness
A section concerning your health.
23-26
and more. Streets will be closed to traffic from Dock Square through Lower Village. Sponsored by Kennebunk Savings.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Dock Square
6:15-7 p.m., Dock Square, Kennebunkport. Enjoy a Prelude extravaganza in the cove! Best viewed from the Mathew Lanigan Bridge and surrounding areas. Sponsored by Kennebunkport Resort Collection, Portside Realty, Kennebunk Outfitters, and Lark Hotels.
Upper Ocean Avenue Festival
6:30 -9 p.m., 128 Ocean Ave to Downtown Kennebunk. Why
See PRELUDE on page 31 . . .
food & drink! Tour our
Real Estate section!
31-32
Our page all about food and drink!
6