We are looking forward to a full 63rd annual Candle Light Christmas Eve Service again this year at the OWC. Some families will have been coming for three generations. Are there families who have come for four generations?
Our insurance company of many years will no longer allow us to have stove fires in the Old West Church.
With a little preparation you can keep warm and comfortable with the ideas below.
If we do light the stoves, our insurance will be voided. We are looking for another insurer and/or another solution.
The loss of our tradition of wood stoves for the Christmas Eve Service is attracting a lot of attention and suggestions of what we can do in the future. We are collecting ideas and considering other options that would be historically consistent with this oldest original public building in Calais. We will keep the Calais community informed of our progress in this matter.
When the Meeting House was originally built 1823-1825, there was no plan for wood stoves; that is why 6 pews in the back of the house had to be cut out to make a place for them. The OWC did not have wood stoves until 1831. Our greatest concern is for keeping June’s hands warm so that she can play her piano during the service.
Tried solutions that worked at 6 degrees above zero last Sunday morning (12/11/2016), without long underwear:
• A scrap of 1” builder’s foam to sit on was the greatest help (1 ft X 1 ½ ft) Sitting on bare wood is cold.
• Good mittens (much warmer than gloves)with hand warmers (iron powder hand warmers radiate 110 to 116 degrees or more for up to 9 hours). Check children to make sure they are not too hot.
• Warm hat
• Insulated boots. Foot warmers.
Places to buy hand & foot warmers:
• The Maple Corner Store sells Hand Warmers
• Lenny's sells Yactrak Hand Warmers:
o (1 pair) Yactrak (whole) Foot Warmers @ $3.00 per package
o (1 pair) Yactrak Toe Warmers @ $2.00 per package
• Walmart sells HotHands Hand Warmers:
o (3 pair) HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers @ $1.97 per package
o (3 pair) HotHands Hand Warmers @ $1.97 per package
o (1 pair) HotHands insole (whole) Foot Warmers @ $1.97 per package
o (10 pair) HotHands Body & Hand Super Warmers @ $5.00 per package
Jan 11, 2025, 10 AM to 1:30 PM
Django's 10 Years Sober Celebration at Plainfield OperaJan 11, 2025, 6 to 8 PM
Unhoused Community Committee Agenda Jan. 15Jan 15, 2025, 5 to 6 PM