Whenever I think about Christmas decorations, wreaths are always one of the first images that come to mind. The smell of pine, the lush circle of green — perfectly paired with the season of giving. Imagine my surprise when I found out the origins of the wreath actually go back 800 years before Christmas was […]

Some events require tickets or are subject to other limitations. If in doubt, we recommend you contact the venue. Night Life listings must be e-mailed to [email protected] and received no later than Thursday. Tonight Sunday Night Dance Party with Steve Colella, 8 p.m., Mixers, Sabattus Karaoke, 8 p.m. to midnight, Schemengee’s Bar and Grille, Lewiston […]

Get ready, set, sprint to Christmas! This joyous time of year always induces a hectic scramble — for gifts, holiday menus, parties, and traveling — so much so that we quickly forget why we’re moving at light speed. Because of inevitable crises that accompany a whirlwind season, you’ll end up paying far more for food […]

DETROIT — Jerry Reiser married his high-school sweetheart. But that ended after 14 years. A softball umpire introduced him to his second wife. That, too, ended in divorce. Then two years ago, Reiser, now 58, decided he wanted another long-term relationship — but found singles dances weren’t cutting it. He turned to online dating. Reiser […]

There’s nothing like a handmade gift. And one that is knit will last longer and have fewer calories than one from the oven. The recent do-it-yourself trend has given a boost to knitting, and many new knitters may be ready this holiday season to apply their skills to the holiday gift list. With the season […]

The season of giving Went to Shaw’s the other day to pick up… Oh, I don’t know. An emollient facial cream and some figs for a salad. But before I got through the door I had to pass through three separate groups asking for money. The Salvation Army lady was there ringing a bell with […]

Roland Nadeau drew a long knife across the slab of meat, carving with the care of a surgeon with a confident hand. Before my eyes, an inch-thick cut of prime rib unfolded itself into view, brown around the edges, beautiful pink in the center. The steak was eased onto a plate and then drippings from […]

As owner of Percy’s Burrow in the Auburn Mall, Laurie St. Pierre knows toys. Old-fashioned wooden toys. Special edition Hotwheels. Calico Critters (one of the hottest, hard-to-find gifts this Christmas season). The best thing about selling toys? Making people happy. The worst thing? Well, if you’ve ever seen parents try to get their 5-year-old to […]

But don’t plan on hopping in the car and browsing her stores. You won’t find them in Portland, where she lives, or in any other Maine town. They’re located on Etsy.com, a increasingly popular 4-year-old Web site that has become the eBay of handmade products — including many Maine products. Think candles, soaps, fiber art […]