Archive for the ‘Events’ Category

Rangeley Friends of the Arts will sponsor two programs to celebrate the Christmas season:  December 7^th Christmas Concert by the Rangeley Community Chorus and December 11^th “Walk to Bethlehem” pageant.

The 34th annual “Walk to Bethlehem” to be held in Rangeley on Sunday, December 11^th is a gift to the community from The Rangeley Friends of the Arts. Walkers and carolers are invited to join the beautifully costumed pageant participants as they stroll through the streets of Rangeley, stopping at each of the four churches (Catholic, Baptist, Congregational, Episcopal) asking for a place to stay.  Each year, this reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem more than 2000 years ago is a joyous evening in Rangeley.

Each year, a local couple with their new baby portrays Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus.  Many townsfolk portray shepherds, angels, Three Wise Men.  The elegant costumes created by Barbara Meservey decades ago are still used today.  The celebration begins at 5:30 PM on the steps of The Rangeley Inn as the proclamation is read: “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ^] the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” (Luke 2:1-15)

The evening concludes at the Church of the Good Shepherd with a program that highlights local musicians and performers.  This year’s program will feature the Rangeley Bell Ringers, Rangeley Community Chorus, Young Children’s Choir, the RLRS Choir and a dance number by the Lakeside Dance Academy.  The pageant participants will process to the front of the Church of the Good Shepherd as the Christmas scripture is read.  “Silent Night” will conclude the program as everyone will then gather in the Undercroft for refreshments and continue the celebration as a community.

2010 Photo of Walk to Bethlehem Pageant

Mary, Joseph and the Babe..                                                          Lindsay, Brad, Elyse Kennett

Three Wise Men……………Rudy Davis, Les Hoekstra, George Washington

Shepherds…………………. Ian Lillis, Nash Gagnon, Joseph Emerson

Angels…………………….…Sophie Chu-O’Neil, Amber Morrill

RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley

The 2011 RFA Home Tour and Taste of Rangeley will take place on Tuesday afternoon, August 2^nd from 1-4PM.  Homes have been chosen which capitalize on Rangeley’s beautiful setting of mountains and lakes as well as excellence in architecture, construction and interior décor.  As you tour the four homes showcased in this year’s event, you will observe an array of life styles which share the common element of a passion for the unique quality of life afforded by Rangeley’s natural beauty and resources.

This year’s homes include:  DON AND MARTY THOMPSON HOME at 17 Pine Grove Heights, JACK LOUNSBURY HOME at 1 Green Drake Lane Ext. (Saddleback), JANICE ADLER HOME at 112 Dorset Road, and GARY AND JACKIE PATNODE HOME at  90 Cottage Avenue.

The tour of homes will culminate at the Country Club Inn with THE TASTE OF RANGELEY, an appetizer extravaganza catered by local restaurateurs at 4:15PM.  More than 12 restaurants will provide appetizers that will delight the festive crowd as they gather to celebrate Rangeley and the quality of life and events we are privileged to enjoy each year.  During the celebration, guests may place their raffle tickets in the basket accompanying their favorite item.

Home Tour Personal Choice Raffle includes:1).  Portland Christmas Package:

(Cross Jewelers Gift Certificate & Tickets to “The Magic of Christmas”), 2).  A season’s pass to RFA 2012 Season, 3).  12 CD package from Schooner Fare, 4).  Framed print from John Swan, 5).  2 One Day Passes to Mingo Springs Golf Course. 6).  One Day Pass to Evergreen Golf Club, 7). 2 front row seats for 2011 Walk to Bethlehem.

Tickets are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce at 6 Park Street.  Two options are available: 1..Home Tour (with one raffle ticket) and Taste of Rangeley beginning at 1PM ($15),  2. Taste of Rangeley beginning at 4:15PM (with one raffle ticket) ($10).

RFA DIVA

Rehearsals are well underway and the excitement is building.  Award Winning Divas sing award winning songs!–The RFA Diva shows will be held July 27, 28, 29 at the Saddleback Base Lodge in Rangeley at 7:30 PM.  This very popular show has a new location with beautiful sunsets and expansive views and new time.  Reserved seat ($20) and general admission ($15) tickets are available at the Rangeley Lakes Chamber of Commerce 6 Park Road– stop by to select your seats (864-5364). The extremely talented performers have been rehearsing and preparing a very powerfully entertaining show that you will not want to miss.  Doris Day, Peggy Lee, Carrie Underwood, Queen, Rosemary Clooney and many more will delight the audience.  One thing is for sure; this show will explode with talent and be filled with many surprises