SEASON OF THE FAIR

'Tis the season for artisan talents to emerge from every corner of the State and present their year's worth of creations at market. To market, to market they come and the bountiful holiday fair season is in full swing. Beginning as early as mid-November and continuing to mid-December, one could easily over spend attending them all. So over the years I've formed an allegiance to one, found some new and attempted to practice a bit of fiscal responsibility.

A recent favorite is The Festival of Lights Craft & Gift Market held the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. From white chocolate snowflakes, hand knits and wood carved shells to stockings and hats created from recycled sweaters, the quality of goods offered by the seventy exhibitors at this fair is extraordinary. A $3 donation gets you in for all your shopping pleasure between the hours of 9 to 3. http://www.therealmaine.com/

While in the Mid-coast area, join in the Festival of Lights Celebration , November 28 to 30 in downtown Rockland. Noontime on November 28, Santa will arrive by lobster boat at the town dock. Main Street merchants have afternoon activities and finally the day's festivities conclude with the Lobster Trap Tree Lighting at 6:00pm. http://www.therealmian.com/

In my hometown of Portland, the must visit fair begins at 6pm on the first Friday of December and runs through Sunday. Originating at Maine College of Art as a venue for their students and alumni to sell creative endeavors, this fair has grown to become MECA-SEA (Maine College of Art and Society of Eastend Artists) FAIR held for three days at the East End School on The Eastern Prom. It's a real bustle of activity. Shoulder to shoulder shoppers seeking their favorite artists and artisans. I can't say that bigger is always better but it's heartwarming to see such support for the talented creative community that inhabits Portland. And yes, even though it's not the quaint fair of years gone by and has grown to fill the school gym and lunch room, I'll attend because one never knows what golden nugget will be found amidst all this emerging talent. www.holidaysale@meca.edu.

Two new fairs are on my list this year.

SPACE GALLERY, 538 Congress Street, Portland, ME. will present (yes present is the correct description for this "happening" event) its fun and funky SHOP-A-DO CRAFTASTIC ART SALE on Wednesday, December 10 from 4 to 10 pm. This is where you will find the "really" new creations from the freshest artists and crafts people on the block. Maybe Miss Peacock from the May Tag Sale will be there dispensing good fortunes for 2009! (We can only hope.) For a complete listing of exhibitors, check the web site http://www.space538.org/. Live music by BAM BAM and adult refreshments with proper ID and cash.

PORTLAND POTTERY, 118 Washington Street, Portland, Maine will be opening its doors on December 12, 13, 14 for "products beyond pottery." Yes, they are home to a consortium of brilliant potters, but I'm going in search of duct tape products from Ben and Sam. I first found them at a fall festival and purchased a camo duct tape wallet for my son and a blue and gold duct tape flower pen for myself. These two guys are creative and industrious. Prices are beyond reasonable. www.ducttapeitems@aol.com

I'm also on a mission to find more Carol Marshall pottery. She creates perfect small versions of larger bowls. When first discovered, my initial reaction was that I wanted four or five for a display. I exercised some discipline and purchased only one, which has become my favorite nut bowl. I now realize that more could be used for other condiments and condiments are my favorite food group! Decisions, decisions!

Details are available at http://www.portlandpottery.com/

Oh, yes! Speaking of food groups. Fair food is always home made and prepared with an abundance of love. So indulge in the "Season of the Fair." It comes but once a year. If you feel inclined, send me a note about your favorite fair and/or fair find.

MAINE MORNING DUCK REPORT: FIRST FROST

It was late this year, arriving the night of All Hallows Eve. Halloween morning presented a crystallized white carpet on the brittle, brown sea grass. First frost was upon us. "Late this year," a hardened off Mainer would say. Yes, it was about three weeks past normal. Indian summer had blessed us with an extended stay.

Frost is the final beat, last statement, au revoir to the season of growth. We have now begun the months of slumber where vegetation takes a rest from its silent energy force. No longer swaying and bending with the south eastern breeze, marsh grass crunches and crackles with the north west wind. Button up, hood, hats and mitts on. We're in for the chill. It will last awhile.

Our friends the ducks, now huddle on the iced banks looking like black rocks deposited from the great glacier. The barren clam flats at low tide no longer dispense of that brackish, salty scent indigenous to tidal areas. As temperatures drop, the mud flats and banks harden, ceasing to emit the aromas of sun ripened summer. Anyone not familiar with this natural scent will often ask, "What's that smell?" (Yuck!) For others, the salty-pine essence that permeates our coastal air is forever in our blood.

Although life along the foot path has slowed from its peak summer pace, there is plenty to enjoy. The Great Blue Heron, unaffected by walkers on the foot path, positions himself closer and closer to the shoreline. We are friends. I hope he stays for the winter. Many cultures celebrate the spirit of the heron. Could that be why my camera captures the blue as white? Is it actually "spirit" I am catching with my lens?

At Yardscape, students from Breakwater School give a helping hand by weeding and trimming growth that needs to be put to rest for the winter. They are busy, busy without much direction from their teacher, Mr. J. Coming upon them took me back a few years as my son was a student at that school and participated in nature club. Heartwarming to see that some good things don't change.

Further along the path, a hillside has experienced erosion from the driving rain-wind storm of October 25. It too, needs the helping hand of repair. Winds of 40mph and heavy rain can beat just about anything down. Yet, a good freeze, second frost could harden it off and set it in place for the winter. That's erosion control according to nature.

And finally back to the duck channel where we find a singular "friend" tucked in as the sun sets. late afternoon these days.

Our autumn season is half past. Winter solstice is six weeks from us, yet Indian summer continues to warm most days. We are blessed.