December

Trees and Trains – 12/11 – 12/14 – Come visit the McLaughlin Barn decked out for the holidays! Inside you’ll find a variety of dwarf and full-size conifers and models of Grand Trunk, Maine Central and Bridgton /Saco train stations built by SAD 17 kids and an extensive garden railway system set up by the Maine Garden Railway Society. Shouldn’t be missed. 10AM-5PM. Tickets: $3adult, $1children under 12. McLaughlin Foundation Garden & Horticultural Center, South Paris. 207.743.8820 www.mclaughlingarden.org

Snowboard Series -12/13 – High Roller Snowboard Series Big Air at Sunday River Ski Resort. 207.824.3000.

Annual Christmas Cantata -12/13 – The Annual Christmas Cantata will be held at the Locke Mills Union Church on Sat., December 13 at 4:00 p.m. The choir will consist of people from several area churches and will be directed by Beverly Melville. FMI – 674-2259.

A Christmas Holiday Performance -12/13 –Spring Street Dance Theater of Bethel,

presents a Christmas Holiday Performance on Saturday, December 13 at 6:30 PM. Helen C. Berry Auditorium Telstar High School, Route 26, Bethel. Admission for Adults $3; Children 12 and under free. All proceeds will benefit the Telstar HS Softball Team. FMI Contact the Studio at 824-6522.

FIS Men’s Eastern Cups -12/18 – 12/21 – at Sunday River Ski Resort. 207.824.3000.

Yulefest -12/19 – An evening of holiday music performed by Gould Academy student musical groups. Friday, December 19th at 7:30 PM. 207-824-7700.

Mt. Abram Family Resort Opening Day! -12/20 –Mt. Abram Family Resort opens for its 44th season. 207.875.5000

Sleigh Rides Every Saturday -12/20 – 01/31 – Every Saturday this winter ~

Sleigh rides at The Bethel Inn and Country Club. Trips leave every hour starting at 6pm from the Cross-Country Ski Shop. Call 824-6276 for more details.

The Living Nativity – 12/21 – on the Bethel town common on Sunday at 5:00pm. A wonderful inspiring performance, as local people re-enact the Christmas story. A community event with live animals, Christmas carols and great performers. 207.824.2289.

Annual New Year’s Bethel Celebration -12/31 –Lots of great fun & entertainment at several different venues throughout historic Bethel village. Bonfire on village common. Fireworks at midnight. Call 207-824-2908 for info & tickets.

New Year’s Eve Extravaganza -12/31 – The New Year is rung in at Sunday River with a host of parties across the resort and a spectacular fireworks display at Sunday River Ski Resort. 207.824.3000.

January

20th Annual “Carter’s Last Stand” – 01/01 – A celebration of cross-country skiing. Potluck lunch at 1pm. 207.539.4848. Carter’s XC Ski Center, Intervale Rd., Bethel.

Sunday River Cross Country Ski Center Weekly Events – 01/01 – 02/29

Ski & Soup Group – Guided tour on our trails with a soup lunch to end the morning. Wednesdays, 10:00 to Noon. Cost: $6 or $3 with Season’s Pass.

Night Skiing – Lanterns light a wooded loop to a traditional bonfire with marshmallows and songs. Equipment rentals are available. Cost: $3 or $8 with rental.

Fireworks Snowshoe Tours – Enjoy a refreshing walk to the best view on the mountain. Saturday nights at 7:00 PM. Cost: $18 Adult and $9 Child including snowshoes. Please call in advance.

Maine Handicapped Skiing – Instruction and programs for children and adults with disabilities. Call MHS for details 207-824-3018.

K’s for Kids – A merit based ski program for kids under 12. Count your kms and earn rewards! Cost: Free with trail pass.

Ski Fest 2004 – International Nordic Skiing Celebration – 01/10 – Free lesson clinics, equipment demos, and good family fun at Sunday River Inn & Cross Country Ski Center. 207.824.2410. www.sundayriverinn.com

National Championship – 01/11 – For the second year in a row, Black Mountain in Rumford will host the top men’s and women’s cross country skiers in the country for a national championship event. Fees: Free for spectators. Location: Black Mountain of Maine. Telephone: 207-364-8977 Write: Glover Road, Rumford, ME 04276. E-mail: mailto:Blackmtn@megalink.net www.skiblackmtnofme.org

2nd Annual “Old Timer’s Event” – 01/11 – Get-together with Nordic Skiers from the 50’s, 60’s, & 70’s. Old Movies, pictures, Nordic Museum. 1 pm: Potluck Lunch. 11 am: 5km + 10 km classic race. Carter’s X-C Ski Center, Bethel. (207) 539-4848.

XC Ski Community Day – 01/11 – Community Day at The Bethel Inn Cross Country Center. Free skiing after 12noon for all residents of SAD 44, 43 and 17. Rentals are not included. Please call the Ski Shop at 824-6276 for more information.

Children’s Festival & Family Week – 01/12 to 01/16 – Weeklong activities for children and families. Family entertainment, juggling workshop, torchlight parade, fun with Snow Monsters characters, and a Kid’s Night Out. Location: Sunday River Ski Resort. Telephone: 207-824-3000. Write: PO Box 450, Bethel, ME 04217. E-mail: mailto: info@sundayriver.com www.sundayriver.com

Tubbs Winter Adventure Day & Winter Trails Day – 01/17 – Free Tubbs snowshoe demos, guided tours and fun for the whole family. Sunday River Cross Country Ski Center. 207.824.2410.

Celebrate Martin Luther King Day – 01/19 – at Mt. Abram Family Resort. 207.875.5000. www.skimtabram.com

Martin Luther King Day Celebration – 01/19 – Educational events and discussions at Sunday River Inn & Cross Country Ski Center. 207.824.2410.

Oscar Lopez – 01/22 –“powerful, fiery hot guitar.” Bingham Auditorium, Gould Academy. Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. 207-824-7700.

Rangeley Snowmobile SNODEO 2004 – 01/22 to 01/24 -One of the largest annual gatherings of snowmobilers in western Maine. Good food and fun activities for young and old. More than 150 miles of well-groomed trails to explore. Location: Rangeley. Contact: Rangeley Chamber of Commerce. Telephone: 207-864-5364. Write: PO Box 317, Rangeley, ME 04970. E-mail: mailto:mtlakes@rangeley.org www.rangeleymaine.org

2nd Annual Maine Telemark Festival – 01/24 and 01/25 -A weekend featuring clinics, demos, and competitions. Fun races, rentals, and ski parties for telemark skiers from throughout New England. Fees: Free with the purchase of a lift pass or by purchasing special lodging packages. Location: Sunday River Ski Resort. Contact: Telephone: 207-824-3000. Write: PO Box 450, Bethel, ME 04217. E-mail: mailto: info@sundayriver.com www.sundayriver.com

Annual Bethel WinterFest 2004 – 01/30 – 02/01 – The celebration of winter includes the 4th Annual Snowmobile Show & Grooming Rodeo, 3rd Annual Radar Run – on Sunday only, 4th Annual Androscoggin River Polar Bear Plunge, Saturday at noon. hot air balloon festival, ice sculpture display, and lots more events being added. Come join in the fun! 207-824-2282.

4th Annual Androscoggin River Polar Bear Plunge – 01/31 – at Bethel Outdoor Adventure & Campground at Noon. Raise money for area organizations by taking the plunge.

For a complete listing of statewide events, visit the Maine Office of Tourism Web site at www.visitmaine.com.