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Friday, December 11, 2020
Volume 16 • Issue No. 50
Wreaths Across America Gets Own Day Norton Lights Sparkle and Rolls On with Escort of Wreaths Again with New Hope Tree STATEWIDE Wreaths Across America (WAA), is a national non-profit whose Mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, is in part carried out with the placement of sponsored veterans’ wreaths at 2500 participating locations across America, most notably, at Arlington National Cemetery, each December. To honor this organization and the work they do, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King designating Saturday, December 19, 2020, as “Wreaths Across America Day.” “Wreaths Across America is a powerful demonstration of respect and appreciation for our veterans – both those that we’ve lost and those still with us,” said Senators Collins and King in a joint statement. “We are so proud that this heartfelt expression of gratitude originated in the great State of Maine and has become an enduring symbol of our nation’s gratitude for veterans’ valor and sacrifice. This resolution remembers and honors America’s veterans this holiday season, while also teaching generations to come of the sacrifices
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that have been made to secure our freedoms and to defend our liberty.” Another highly anticipated piece of this annual event is the weeklong, miles-long parade of tractor trailers, wrapped vehicles carrying veterans and Gold Star Families, law enforcement and motorcycle riders, leading the escort of wreaths to Arlington for placement. This year’s annual escort of wreaths will have a different look and feel due to the necessary changes being made throughout the country for health and safety. The physical journey – which will include one tractor trailer load of wreaths hauled by Gully Transportation professional driver JD Walker, who is also a Gold Star Father and Navy Veteran, 11 wrapped Chevy vehicles carrying Gold Star Families, and nine police cruisers – will take place from Tuesday, December 15, through National Wreaths Across America Day, Saturday, December 19. “For those who have had the opportunity to participate in the escort of wreaths over the years, it is truly an experience of a lifetime,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, WAA. “The way we have been welcomed into communities, over the years, with flags waving and streets lined with children and veterans, is something we always wished every American could witness. And now, thanks to PenFed’s support, we’ll be
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able to offer this incredible journey to all those who wish to participate. We are both grateful and excited to safely share the mission with all who want to participate.” This year’s escort will also be shared virtually for the nation to join along from the safety of their own homes. PenFed Digital and WAA are overcoming pandemic-related challenges to ensure fallen heroes are honored safely. During the escort and leading up to its deparSee WREATHS page 5...
WELLS Although the entire program is yet to be finalized, the Norton family of local Norton Lights fame, wish to tell the public that the “show must go on” in 2020. As with everything this year, safety is the utmost concern so with the help of Make-A-Wish of Maine they’ve added some safe ways to donate like text-to-give and online donations. Although they will miss the cherished tradition of giving out candy canes and chatting with visitors this year, the Norton family is glad to be able to give a safe and happy holiday memory. This year as you pass by, in addition to the light show, they will be handing out extra (masked) smiles, cheerful waves and heartfelt well wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season! Brand new this year is a Hope Tree in loving memory of their niece Frankie Hope, who passed away on February 14. She “was the most beautiful little girl, filled with love, laughter
and hope – and she loved to wear tutus! Every year, Frankie will have the brightest, most beautiful tree at Norton Lights,” they wrote on their website. The Norton lights can be found at 213 Canterbury Road in Wells with designated times in December on Sunday-Thursdays, 5-9 p.m. and Friday-Saturdays, 5-10 p.m. For updates, schedules, directions and new additions to the show, visit www. nortonlights.org or find them on Facebook.
Meteor Shower & Lights This Weekend STATEWIDE The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak this weekend, December 13-14 with the peak occurring Sunday evening to dawn on Monday. According to the American Meteor Society, a meteor shower is a celestial event in which a number of meteors are observed to radiate, or originate, from one point in the night sky called Radiant. These meteors are caused by streams of cosmic debris called meteoroids entering Earth’s atmosphere at extremely high speeds on parallel trajectories. The Geminids are usually the strongest meteor shower of the year that provides good activity prior to midnight and meteor enthusiasts are certain to mark
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their calendars. The Geminids are also often bright and intensely colored. For more information, go to www.amsmeteors.org/ meteor-showers/meteor-showercalendar/. Also, due to an increase in solar flares, the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights may also be visible in the night sky in the days to come. According to Space.
com, the best time to see the phenomenon is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. and that active periods are typically about 30 minutes long and occur every two hours if the activity is high. The aurora is sporadic phenomenon occurring randomly for short periods. You can get an idea of how active See METEORS page 2... Don’t forget the 34th Annual
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FINANCE & CAREER 20
Christmas By The Sea Reimagined in Ogunquit
Dec. 11-13