From Santa to S’mores, a Witham Family Hotel’s Charitable Christmas Tradition Brings Holiday Magic to Nearly 1,000 in Bar Harbor.

How a Maine Hotel Has Turned Giving Into an Annual Holiday Celebration. Carrie Jones Dec 14, 2025 BAR HARBOR—The lights came first, then the ornaments, then the sound of children laughing as parents lingered near craft tables, many realizing—perhaps all at once—that they had stepped into a tradition that had quietly become part of their family’s winter. “This is a really beautiful thing,” one woman … Continue reading From Santa to S’mores, a Witham Family Hotel’s Charitable Christmas Tradition Brings Holiday Magic to Nearly 1,000 in Bar Harbor.

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features, news

Behind Bar Harbor’s Holiday Glow: Volunteers, Laughter, and a Very Stubborn Tree

Holiday Preparations Bring MDI Together as Volunteers Deck the Island Carrie Jones Dec 04, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Psychiatry. BAR HARBOR—Jonathan Robles worked Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. He’ll probably do the same tonight. He’s okay with it. That’s because it’s for the holidays and the community. “It’s been a week,” Robles said, smiling, as he stood outside … Continue reading Behind Bar Harbor’s Holiday Glow: Volunteers, Laughter, and a Very Stubborn Tree

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features, news

Why This Homey Meal Is a Yearly Lifeline for Community Connection

YWCA of MDI Cooks Community Thanksgiving Dinner Carrie Jones Nov 26, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops. BAR HARBOR—No one is quite sure how long the YWCA of MDI has been cooking a community Thanksgiving dinner. “It’s been years,” Jackie Davidson, executive director said in 2024 as the smells of turkey and gravy wafted through the entire brick building and out … Continue reading Why This Homey Meal Is a Yearly Lifeline for Community Connection

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Smells Like Thanksgiving: Inside Pemetic’s Beloved Buddy Meal

Gravy, Giggles, and Gratitude Fill Pemetic’s Gym Carrie Jones Nov 21, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre. SOUTHWEST HARBOR—In the Pemetic Elementary School gym Emma Damon Johnson watches everything with a mother’s nurturing eye, the kids, the staff, the tables, who needs apple pie, who needs something gluten free. She and other volunteers and Pemetic Elementary School hustle and … Continue reading Smells Like Thanksgiving: Inside Pemetic’s Beloved Buddy Meal

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features, news

In Northeast Harbor, Santa’s Arrival by Sea Will Once Again Mark the Start of a Cherished Holiday Tradition

Carrie Jones Nov 17, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Paradis Ace Hardware. NORTHEAST HARBOR—Long before Santa’s boots hit Main Street, families in Northeast Harbor know the holiday season has officially begun the moment the Maine Seacoast Mission’s Sunbeam rounds the bend into the harbor, Santa and Mrs. Claus waving from the bow. That beloved moment is just one of many highlights returning Saturday, December 6, … Continue reading In Northeast Harbor, Santa’s Arrival by Sea Will Once Again Mark the Start of a Cherished Holiday Tradition

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features, news

Rest Stops? Not for These Competitors

Bar Harbor’s Bed Racers Went Full Throttle, Saturday Carrie Jones Nov 09, 2025 BAR HARBOR—It’s not every day a piece of toast runs through Bar Harbor next to a waffle and an avocado, all pushing a bed on wheels. Or every day that four carless drivers, all geared up and in uniforms, zip down that same street. Or ever day that Scooby Dooby Doo (and … Continue reading Rest Stops? Not for These Competitors

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The Oldest Ghosts of Bar Harbor and Hancock County

Conners Emerson Parade, Birch Bay & YMCA Photos, Tonight’s Halloween Events Carrie Jones Oct 31, 2025 SULLIVAN AND BAR HARBOR—Sightings of the dead woman began in 1799 at the Blaisdell house in Sullivan. But before they saw her, they heard her. A strange noise in the cellar. Then another. Then another. As the new century arrived, so too did Nelly (Hooper) Butler’s voice. Just her … Continue reading The Oldest Ghosts of Bar Harbor and Hancock County

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From Pancakes to Pearls: Chamber Awards Night Celebrates Bar Harbor’s Best.

David Paine, Window Panes, Dennis Foods, Pick a Pearl, Sarah Gilbert and Liz Graves Among Winners. Carrie Jones Oct 30, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre. BAR HARBOR—There was a theme at the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce Awards Night. It wasn’t about money. It wasn’t about honor. For every person and business that received their honors and spoke, … Continue reading From Pancakes to Pearls: Chamber Awards Night Celebrates Bar Harbor’s Best.

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features, news, schools

Michelle Bailey Brzezowski Is Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year and So Much More

Carrie Jones Oct 22, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—Michelle Bailey Brzezowski, a local educator won the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Maine Adult Education Association late last week. “I am humbled and surprised,” Brzezowski said, Tuesday. “I love my job. I love helping our students find success and joy in learning, and supporting them to find their … Continue reading Michelle Bailey Brzezowski Is Outstanding Adult Education Teacher of the Year and So Much More

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Music. Miles. Magic. Mount Desert Island’s Weekend Had It All.

Carrie Jones Oct 20, 2025 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by The 1932 Criterion Theatre. MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—This weekend, Mount Desert Island hosted a lot of people. There were runners. There were music lovers. There were leaf peepers heading to Acadia National Park. There were people protesting on Southwest Harbor sidewalks and others holding a health fair to help keep their neighbors safe, healthy, … Continue reading Music. Miles. Magic. Mount Desert Island’s Weekend Had It All.

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