Elves and reindeer will accompany the jolly gent.
Mary Delamater
Mary Delamater has lived in western Maine all her life and started her career at the Sun Journal as a proofreader, freelance writer and photographer. Eventually, she moved to an editing position, reading staff-generated stories and laying out pages for the Oxford Hills region. With changes to the publication over the years, she has continued on the copy desk, ensuring stories reflect the paper's values of truth, fairness, excellence and compassion. She is a graduate of Oxford Hills High School in Paris and has attended and/or led workshops on reporting and editing. She's one of 14 children and aunt to dozens of nieces and nephews. She enjoys family gatherings, hosting the annual Merrill Family Christmas Open House, cooking, home decorating, reading, boating, daily walks and chairing the Sun Journal Fun Committee.
Special Advent service in Mexico this Sunday | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Mexico Congregational Church, UCC, 163 Main St., will hold a special Advent service Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. The Rev. John Hogue will offer a sermon titled, “Thumb Island Elephants,” based on a true story from 1909. The congregation will have the opportunity to sing many carols. Communion will also be observed. […]
Pie crust recipe a favorite for years | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: You asked about pie crust recipes and here is one I’ve used for years that has been great: In a large bowl, mix together 4 cups flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 teaspoons salt. Add 1 3/4 cups of vegetable shortening at room temperature and stir with a fork until crumbly. In a separate […]
Reader offers Christmas tree ‘free to good home’ | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m writing in hopes of finding a new home for a perfectly good Christmas tree we no longer need. We’ve got a fantastic 6-foot white Christmas tree that’s pre-lit and ready to sparkle for someone’s holiday season! It’s still in great condition, and the best part is, it’s absolutely free to a […]
Who still sends Christmas cards? | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Regarding the Dec. 10 Sun Spots, I still send Christmas cards! I actually send cards for many different things. I know how I feel when I receive a card so I like to make others feel good as well. I don’t send out as many as usual either, but I believe I’ve […]
Red Cross blood drive set for Lisbon Falls | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: The Knights of Columbus Council 10019 will sponsor an American Red Cross blood drive Monday, Dec. 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the parish hall of Holy Trinity Church on Frost Hill Avenue in Lisbon Falls. Call 1-800-733-2767 or go to https://www.redcross.org/ to make an appointment. All donors from Monday, Dec. 8, until Thursday, Dec. […]
Is common law marriage recognized in Maine? | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Do you know if Maine recognizes common law marriage? How would one find out? — No name, Lewiston ANSWER: No, Maine does not recognize common law marriage established within the state. You must have a formal license and ceremony for a legal marriage, but Maine will recognize a valid common law marriage if […]
Reader wishes to gift recipe collection \ Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Where else would one ever go with an odd request? Sun Spots, of course! I have two “recipe boxes” that were my deceased partner’s, and they are filled with hundreds of index cards of recipes, fairly well organized in food categories. He was a gourmet cook and I am not! Many of […]
Mexico church holding Advent service | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Mexico Congregational Church, UCC, 163 Main St., will hold a special Advent service on the Sunday before Christmas, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m. The Rev. John Hogue will offer a sermon titled, “Thumb Island Elephants,” based on a true story from 1909, and the congregation will have the opportunity to sing many […]
Reader says cheery ‘sun spots’ bring joy | Sun Spots
DEAR SUN SPOTS: Because I’ve been going through a difficult time lately, I’ve decided to find cheery little “sun spots” as I go about my day. Today I saw four things that brought me joy: a Charlie Brown Christmas tree complete with a red ornament on the bridge overpass near downtown Brunswick, a vintage Ford […]