Advertising Supplement to the Sun Journal, Thursday, December 8, 2011
A holiday tale: The story behind the Norfolk Island Pine
T
he traditional holiday fir, t he Nor fol k Isla nd Pi ne, has a back story worthy of a Hollywood movie. When you see these delicately shaped pines at your favorite retail store, you’re taking home a bit of nautical history.
Sma l l enoug h for a t able-top display or large enough to be the dramatic focal point of any room, the pines tuck nicely into tight spaces in apartments, dorm rooms, patios or cozy corners. And, they come in a variety of sizes from 14 to 44 inches tall for a nice floor plant.
Norfolk Island Pines or “Araucaria heterophylla” are native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. Their romantic history involves a famous sea captain and sultry South Sea Islands. In 1774, during his second ex plorator y sea voyage to t he South Pacific, Captain James Cook discovered Norfolk Island. On a wea r y vessel na med Resolution, Cook and his crew also discovered stately 200-foot giant pines they named Norfolk Island Pines. They were prized as a source of pine planks desperately needed for ship building and nearby f lax for making sails. Today, like modern day explorers, a few intrepid seed cone “hunters” from Florida travel to the Hawaiian island of Oahu every two years to revisit the grand Norfolk Island Pines t hat t hrive in t he warm, tropical breezes and coastal soil. The ha r vesters brave dizz y ing heights of 100 feet to pluck the ha rd iest seed cones f rom t he whirling branches. The lime green
“These living trees are affordable, eco-friendly ways to decorate and provide years of pleasure,” said Jose Smith, chief executive officer of Costa Farms, one of the nation’s leading nurseries. After the holidays, you can place the tree in a pretty pot to beautify your spaces and naturally refresh your indoor air.
Other creative gift ideas and decorating tips with a Norfolk Island Pine include: prickly seed cones are then shipped to Costa Farms south of Miami, where horticultural experts plant them, using six to eight seeds per pot to assure consistently superior pines for perfect holiday decorating. The soft and compact needles, strong branches, and natura lly sy m met r ica l shape of t he Norfolk Island Pine make it the ideal holiday tree. It can handle homemade or na ments a nd
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keepsakes, and provide endless decorating and gift-giving options. “Miniature everg reens a re t he trend in home decor, particularly w ith live trees like the Norfolk Isla nd Pine,” sa id Et hne Cla rk of Traditional Home maga zine. “These miniature versions a re elegant in a lovely container on the mantel, or decorated in the children’s room for fun.”
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•H oliday party coming up? The trees make great hostess gifts. Don’t forget your boss, friends, and colleagues. •E x press yourself. Enjoy your family time by encouraging your children to decorate their own tree.
•D on’t forget your kids in college. Nor f ol k I s l a nd P i n e s m a k e perfect gifts for students who want to decorate and add green to their rooms.
Caring for your Norfolk Island Pine •T hey grow best indoors in a sunny location and prefer to be near a window – but away from direct heat. Avoid direct intense sunlight. • I ndoor s t he y f lou r i sh i n 50 percent humidit y so consider running a humidifier or sit them in a tray of pebbles, watering the pebbles during winter months. •K eep the soil moist but don’t let it dry out or stand in water. •A s a houseplant, the Norfolk Island Pine naturally filters the air from indoor toxins and provides much-needed moisture during the dry winter months. For more information and a list of retailers in your area, visit http:// www.costafarms.com. (ARA)
Colors make holiday decorating shine Whether or not you paint the town red over the holidays, the family Christmas tree can be Champagne, pi n k or even black wh i le st i l l getting you into the Christmas spirit. Carrie Chen, vice president of marketing for Treetopia.com, which specializes in colorful holiday trees, offers these tips for introducing a few creative ideas into holiday decorating:
duty as single-colored ornaments by day and whimsical balls of light at night.
Have multiple trees: Let the kids enjoy a colored tree of their choice in their own room, but don’t give up the traditional green tree for Santa. Girls and boys will love a Pretty in Pink, Purple Groove, Tuxedo Black or Candy Apple Red Christ mas t ree. They ca n a lso support their school team with a tree in one of the team’s colors.
Choose a color theme: Select a color that complements the home’s decor. Treetopia.com’s C hoc olate Tr u f f le- or W i nter White-colored trees, wreaths and garlands make a festive statement, and they break from the traditional red and green.
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•S tumped on a teacher’s gift and refuse to buy another candle? Many table-top trees come fully decorated with a gift tag and fit nicely on desks.
Create theme trees like a “tropical Christmas” for your dining and family rooms – adorned with mini flowers, tropical fish ornaments and seashells.
Make holiday decorations work for more than one holiday season. A black, silver or Champagne-colored tree can work from Ha lloween through New Year’s. Dress up the tree with Halloween decorations and candy in October and Christmas
Jazz up the traditional: ornaments for a modern look in December. These trees will still look festive through New Year’s Eve.
Stay simple: I f decor at i ng a home for t he holidays feels like too much to ha nd le, keep decorat i ng to a minimum. Tr y trimming a tree with single-colored glass balls for a uniform look. Treetopia.com’s Happy Fun Ball Lights do double
In keeping with a semi-traditional a ppr oac h, C a nd y A pple Re d, Cranberry Crush or Oz’s Enchanted Emerald green-tinsel trees add a new twist on red-and-green holiday decor. Showing holiday spirit can be subtle or full throttle, whether it is a silver-colored tree or just a Champagne wreath for the home. For some fresh holiday ideas or to view the entire collection, visit www.treetopia.com. (NAPSI)
Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tips for taking great pictures Get closer. Often the key to giving a photo pi z za z z is to move i n and capture the details of your subject, leav ing out extraneous things in the background. When you’re photographing people, have patience. Let people get used to you before shooting pictures. Before you shoot, frame the background first through the v iewf inder. Ma ke sure t he cor ners and edges of the photo frame are interesting, not just the center. Fi nd i nterest i ng a nd complementary shapes along the edges to keep the shot from looking either dull or too cluttered. Once you frame the background, then place the subject. Avoid the “jungle effect.” This happens when surrounding shapes and colors compete for attention with the subjects of the photo. One trick is to leave the background out of focus by staying close to the subject and moving them forward, away from walls or other distracting backgrounds. Don’t use flash if you can avoid it. The light looks unnatural and washes out colors and facial features. If you’re using film, try 800-speed films, which are widely available and allow you to take sharp indoor photos without a flash. Avoid outdoor shots in broad daylight. Instead try capturing your subject in the rich tones and long shadows at sunrise and sunset. If you must shoot during the day, move your subject into a shaded area out of direct sunlight. Try more night pictures. Nighttime offers interesting shadows and light for taking unique shots. At night you can use f lash, a street lamp or even holiday lights if they’re bright enough. In low light you can use a tripod to allow longer exposure. For more interesting shots, don’t insist on having people pose. Instead, capture them in the middle of an activity so the photo says something about their personalities or interests. One main advantage of digita l photo g r a phy i s y ou c a n s e e t he resu lt s i m med iately. T he d isadva ntage is, for t he more i nex pen sive c a mer a s, t here’s a time delay bet ween pressing the shutter and when the actual picture is taken. One solution is to see whether your digital camera ca n prefocus by pressi ng t he shutter halfway before you take the shot. Prefocusing can cut the time it takes to shoot the picture because t he lens is a lready in position. Source: www.sfsu.edu
Progressive dinner parties put a retro spin on holidays
W
ant to put a new spin on your holiday party this year? Tr y a throwback from the 1970s: progressive dinner parties. Progressive dinner parties are a great way to get together with neighbors, f riends a nd fa mily, and the best part is, you’re only responsible for one course. To pla n a prog ressive d i n ner p a r t y, t a l k t o f r i e n d s a n d neighbors to gauge their interest and w illingness to participate. T h e s e p a r t i e s w or k b e s t i n neighborhoods where people can walk from one house to the next. Experts recommend scheduling no more than three or four courses, otherwise the evening becomes too complicated for all involved. Plan on at least a three-hour evening with 45 minutes at each home. If you’re part of the organizing tea m, you’l l not on ly wa nt to consider the menu, but the décor and arrangements as well. Jamie Hu r d , a c a de m ic de p a r t me nt d irector of inter ior desig n for T he A r t Inst it ute of Por t la nd, recommends creating a design theme that can help tie the whole evening together.
Autumn Harvest: With this theme, you can use gourds, pumpkins and other foods of the harvest. Buy stalks of corn to tie to columns outside of each house, or stack them on the corner of each porch. For table arrangements, scatter brightly-colored leaves around the table (make sure they are fresh) as well as a few acorns or pine cones. Ice Cold: Pick up sparkly white netting or tulle from a f loral or craft store, and place throughout each participating house. Use cool blues, transparent glasses and candlesticks as decor in each home to emulate the chilly winter months. Single Color: If you don’t want to be season-specific, you could choose one color and repeat it in different tones from house to house. The same color could be replicated in items such as table linens, plate ware, drinks, glasses, candles and more. For something different, try replacing a few key light bulbs in each house to match the color theme of the party. Color Block Party: Each house can take on a different color as its theme. This way, hosts will have freedom in choosing the décor,
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For progressive party food, there are plenty of options. but there’s still some continuity as guests go from house to house. According to Chef Joseph Zoellin, academic chairman of the culinary department, The Art Institute of California-Los Angeles, the key to a great progressive dinner party menu is “make ahead-ability” of t he dishes. “Select appetizers, soups, salads, main courses or desserts that can be made ahead and still look fresh and wonderful when your guests arrive,” he said.
As a chef instructor at a culinary school, Zoellin said many of his young students were not even born when prog ressive dinner parties first became popularized, “so this is a new concept to them.” However, when he int roduced t he idea to h is st udents, t hey were so eager that they almost i m med iately sta r ted pla n n i ng parties amongst themselves. FMI, visit www.artinstitutes.edu/nz.
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Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
Christmas Carolers Another creation from Teleflora’s celebrated Flowers-in-a-Gift collection, the beautifully sculpted, hand-painted cottage lights up inside and plays the carol Deck the Halls. A treasured collectible that will bring joy for years to come.
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Enjoy a gluten-free holiday season with almonds Fol low i n g a g lut en-f r e e d ie t during the holiday season can be stressful and daunting. Almonds, in t heir various forms, are t he ideal solution to elevate the flavor and texture in gluten-free recipes without sacrificing taste. “Staying gluten-free during the holiday season can be challenging, but with almonds, navigating the dinner table is simple,” said John Csukor, chef and CEO of KOR Food Innovation. “Almonds are a safe and delicious choice that enhances any sensory experience without limit.” Naturally gluten-free and versatile, a lmonds of fer a w ide ra nge of gluten-free solutions that bring a balance of interesting flavors and unique texture to a whole host of recipes w ithout the worr y t hat those with gluten sensitivities face during the holidays. While gluten-free living requires planning and preparation, it also encourages the exciting discovery of new foods and flavors. So rethink some of your favorite recipes – from entrees to desserts – and substitute ingredients with various almond forms to add f lavor, crunch and sophistication to dishes. For ex a mple, you ca n i nspi re guests this holiday season with
an Almond Sacher Torte that will tempt them to begin dinner with dessert instead. For more recipes a nd i n for mat ion, v isit ht t p :// www.AlmondBoard.com/glutenfree.
Gluten-Free Almond Sacher Torte Yield: 1 single or split double layer 10-inch frosted cake 6 large eggs, separated 1/2 cup white sugar 1 st ick (1/2 cup) butter, sweet unsalted 1 tablespoon almond extract 1 cup confectionary sugar 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted 3 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon xantham gum 1/2 cup potato starch 1/2 cup almond flour 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 2 cups sliced toasted almonds
Ganache Frosting: 1 cup heavy cream 12 ounces 60 percent chocolate 2 tablespoons agave nectar
Torte instructions: W hip egg whites to soft pea ks, add in white sugar and continue to whip into a firm meringue then set aside. Cream butter, almond extract and confectionery sugar until the mixture is light in color and smooth. Add melted chocolate to but ter m i x t u re u nt i l f u l ly incorporated and then add egg yolks one at a time. Fold but ter-chocolate m i x t u re into the meringue. Once mixed, sift together dry ingredients and slowly add to wet ingredients until mixture is completely blended. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit in a 10-inch spring form pan t hat has been lig ht ly coated w it h butter a nd dusted with almond flour.
Frosting instructions: Bring heavy cream to a boil on the stove, then pour over the chocolate and agave nectar in a large mixing bowl and mix with a whisk until smooth. Allow ganache to set up overnight before use. When ready, spread ganache over top and then sides of cake in a thick layer. Garnish sides of cake with toasted almonds.
Chef Tip: Lightly brush cake with your favorite liquor before icing. This allows the cake to stay moist longer, and adds a little extra flavor.
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Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
Gift giving ideas: Thumbs up for themed baskets By Rhonda Addy Feature Writer Gift baskets are a simple, creative way to personalize your gift-giving. After selecting an applicable theme, you can search for a variety of items within your price range to fill an appropriate container. By starting your selection early in the year, you can usually find bargains at seasonal close-out sales, yard sales and dollar stores. The whole process of personally selecting items, positioning them and wrapping the gift clearly says, “I care about you.”
sma l l pa n s a nd a brow n ie m i x c ou ld brighten someone’s kitchen. Use a tackle box for the fisherman and update his hobby w ith a fishing hat, lures and a net. Your options are endless. When putting your items into the basket, box, bag or bowl, first place filler in the bottom to elevate the gifts and help position them. Filler can be t issue paper, newspaper, straw, fabric or shreds (Easter basket g rass, cel lopha ne, t issue paper, heavy paper, even wood and crinkle cut).
If using newspaper, lay another fabric or paper on top to prevent the ink from bleeding onto the gifts. Fabric filler could be a towel, blanket or themed cloth cut from a bolt.
film that shrinks as it is heated; available in sheets or rolls, it also comes in a variety of tints. Tulle can be purchased in craft or fabric stores.
When your items are well positioned (glue dots may come in handy), wrap the gift in cellophane, shrink wrap or tulle (the sheer, fine netting seen most of ten i n vei l s). You c a n purchase cellopha ne as bags or in sheets and rolls; it comes i n clea r, colors or prints. Shrin k w rap is a t ra nspa rent
Add a bow (cloth, paper, straw, ribbon, etc.) and a personalized gift card, and you have a one-of-a-kind gift that is sure to touch someone’s heart. With thoughtful selection, you will present a gift that will be professional look i ng at a f ract ion of t he cost-a nd undoubtedly remembered for years to come.
There is a great variety of themes from which to choose. Movie-lovers would appreciate mov ie passes or mov ie renta l coupons, packets of microwave popcorn, two-liter bottles of their favorite soda and concessionsized boxes of candy.
The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce has set its sights on providing a holiday meal to 130 Franklin County families this December. Last yea r, w it h t remendous support from area businesses, individuals, and numerous volunteers, t he program helped 110 families come together over a warm meal during the holidays.
Those who love to read would enjoy a book or a gift card to a bookstore along with a book light, bookmarks and perhaps a mug with a couple packets of hot chocolate. Coffee drinkers would appreciate a coffee grinder along with a pound of whole bean coffee, an appropriately themed mug, packets of f lavored creamer and biscotti or specialty cookies.
The Chamber seeks donations of food and monetar y contributions in preparation for this community service project. The Basket Drive is named in honor of deceased loca l resident, Gerr y Wiles, who died in 2010. Donation and basket request forms a re ava ilable online at http:// w w w.frank lincount y maine.org. Please submit request applications and donations of food/funds to the Chamber no later than December 9 at 4 p.m.
A long w ith themed items, your choice of a complementary container will add a special touch to your gift. Baskets are always appropriate, but you could use a terra cotta pot for a gardener, filling it with gardening g loves, seeds, ga rden i ng tools a nd a n ornamenta l plant sta ke. A cooler would make a great family gift when filled with beach towels, tote bags, beach toys, beach mats and sunscreen.
Applications will be reviewed by the food basket committee, and granted based on eligibility and availability. If contacted, baskets w ill be available for pick up on December 15 from 1-4 p.m. at the FCCOC Welcome Center, 248 Wilton Rd., Farmington. Arrangements may also be made for Friday, December 16, if needed.
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Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
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Family fun time: Games that stimulate logical thinking skills
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puzzle pieces must be manipulated to fit on the game board in each of 60 challenges. Children ages 6 and up must make sure that both the game pieces fit and that the penguins on top of each game piece are in the right place. SRP $19.99
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Smart/Tangoes USA, has a product line of challenging, single-player games that are appropriate for children of all ages, with varying levels of difficulty that are easy to take on-the-go for travel and make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season.
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Smart/Tangoes USA games stimulate the development of logical thinking skills through play for all ages. Each multi-level challenge game is carefully designed and tested to move players through levels of game play, from very easy to extremely difficult. The varied levels of difficulty help to build confidence a nd menta l agilit y in players. Durable and sturdy trays make them easy to take on the go and store to ensure years of game play.
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Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
Do pets make good gifts? To t he m i l lions of pet ow ners across the globe, pets are more than just furry friends around the house. Pets put many people in a good mood and can also make for a valuable addition to families with children, instilling a sense of responsibility in kids they might otherwise never learn. But pets are also a very personal choice. Such a reality makes giving a pet as a present during the holiday season a difficult proposition – one that requires careful consideration of the pros and cons before making a final decision.
The Pros Companionship: Pets make fine companions, and many people think giving a pet as a present during the holiday season is a great way to put a smile on a lonely friend or relative’s face. However, when giving a pet in the hopes it will provide companionship, be sure to find a pet that’s known for liking attention, such as a golden retriever, and not a pet that doesn’t require much care or appreciate the attention. The surprise element: Oftentimes, when a family pet dies it takes awhile before the family is ready to get a new pet. However, if sufficient time has elapsed, t he surprise element of a new pet at the holidays ca n ma ke it one of t he more memorable holidays ever. The same can be said when giving a child their first pet. For moms and dads who have decided the kids are ready for their first pet, the holidays make a great time to surprise them with a Fido or Morris of their own.
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Cost: Particularly in the current economy, not all families can afford to adopt or buy a new pet. While they might be able to afford to feed and care for a pet, the initial costs (some adoptions can cost several hundred dollars) might be well beyond their budget. For gift givers who can afford the costs of adoption or the purchase price from a breeder, giving a pet can be a gift the family will greatly appreciate.
The Cons Personal choice: Pets don’t take long to become a member of the family. And that’s often because pets are a deeply personal choice made by the pet owner and his or her family. Giving a pet as a gift might be a nice gesture, but many people would prefer to pick their own pets. Timing: Not all families are ready for a pet. Even parents who want to add a pet to their home should consider if the timing is right. Are kids ready for the responsibility of a pet? Is the family ready to add another member?
Ti m i ng shou ld a lso be a consideration for those thinking of giving a pet to someone they don’t live with. It might be a nice gesture to give newlywed friends a pet, but they might also be trying to have a baby and might not have the time to care for a pet. Allergies and additional health considerations: Not everyone can have a pet in their home. Many people are allergic to animals. It could prove a disaster to give a kitten to someone who is highly allergic to cats. Shoppers who are unsure if a friend or loved one has a pet allergy should avoid giving a pet as a present. In addition to pet allergies, another medical concern is some people might not be physically capable of caring for a pet. Dogs, for instance, need to be taken on daily walks or, at the very least, taken outside to relieve themselves. What’s more, training a puppy is no small task. If a friend or family member does not appear capable of caring for a pet, consider a different gift.
Holiday shoppers should carefully consider the pros and cons of giving pets as gifts before making any decisions this holiday season.
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Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011
See your participating dealer for details. Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment. (c) 2008 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualified electrician. (c) 2008 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
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Kid-friendly projects fuel holiday family fun Colder temperatures mean more indoor time, making it a challenge to find activities that will keep kids happy and engaged. The good news for parents is that even common household items can create hours of fun time. These child-friendly arts and crafts projects will allow you to spend quality, memorable time with your family this winter season w ith things you a lready have around the house.
Arts and crafts ideas Q-tips cotton swabs can be used in a variety of craft projects. Use them to: Replace expensive paint brushes. Perfectly-sized for children’s small hands, you can use a different cotton swab for each color and simply toss when finished. Apply glue to small areas on models and crafts. Use one tip to apply the glue and the other to remove any excess glue before it dries.
Touch-up hard-to-reach areas on freshly painted model airplanes and cars – or even dollhouses.
Cheery Snowman Skill Level: Intermediate Prep Time: 2 hours Dry Time: 30 minutes Materials: 1 Standard pack (500-count) of Q-tips cotton swabs 3 Styrofoam balls; 1 large, 1 medium, 1 small, (no smaller than 2 inches in diameter) 1 brown pipe cleaner 1 sheet wax paper 1 Popsicle stick or floral stake Child-safe scissors Child-safe, non-toxic black paint Child-safe, non-toxic orange paint Have an adult cut the bottom off the largest Styrofoam ball, so the piece can lay flat upon a table or surface.
Using a Popsicle stick or f lora l stake, stack all three Styrofoam balls from largest at the bottom, to smallest at the top to form one standing figure. Fold and twist 5 cotton swabs in half; dip 9 halves into the black paint and 1 into the orange paint. Lay flat on wax paper to dry. Cut pipe cleaner in half; insert into sides of middle St y rofoam ba ll as a r ms. Beg i n fold i ng cot ton swabs; insert into foam balls until completely covered. Insert black cotton swabs into top ball for coal eyes and mouth. Insert orange cotton swab as the carrot nose. Find step-by-step photos for this project, additiona l k id-friendly crafting ideas and household tips at www.qtips.com. Or, share your own tips or craft ideas at http:// www.Facebook.com/qtips.
Have fun with your family making this adorable snowman that’s simple for children to create with a little help from mom or dad.
Join us for worship during the Advent Season Sunday Morning at 10 a.m. for Church and Sunday School
COLBY’S INC.
For more information about us contact: Reverend Don Mayberry
Authorized Sales & Service
First Congregational Church 17 East Main Street, South Paris, Maine phone: 743-2437, email congo@megalink.net www.southpariscongregational.com Broadcast at 10 a.m. on AM 1450 and AM 780 The church is handicap accessible
Rt. 26 • P.O. Box 277 South Paris, ME 04281 Phone: (207) 743-0886
Give the gift of good taste...
CHUCK WAGON GIFT CERTIFICATES
Her Breath Away" "Take Ladies come in and fill out your Christmas Wish Card!
Tuesdays 2for1
Wed.&Thurs. Economy Specials Only $999
Free Banquet Facilities Available!
Mainestone Jewelry 179 Broadway, Farmington • 778-6560
Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm Friday 10am-8pm Saturday 10am-5pm Sun 10am-3pm
316 Main Street, Norway
(207) 739-2664
Gift Certificates
Unique Rug Hooking Supplies Beautiful Yarns for Knitting Classes for Beginner to Advanced
HOURS: Wed. & Thurs 10-7 pm; Fri. & Sat. 10-5
artfulhandsfiberstudio.com artfulhandsfiberstudio@gmail.com
OXFORD MILL-ENDSTORE
HOLIDAY SPECIAL BuyASewingMachine
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971 Main Street Oxford, Maine 04270
539-4451
HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm • Sat 9am-1pm
Livermore Falls • 897-4031
www.oxfordmillendstore.com
www.chuckwagon-restaurant.com
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WESTERN MAINE HOLIDAY
Advertising Supplement, Sun Journal, Lewiston, Maine, Thursday, December 8, 2011