Michaela Tessier, 7, hands out a hot chocolate with marshmallows Saturday, Dec. 9, to an attendee of the Norridgewock Holiday Stroll. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Volunteer Becki Kirk adds a “Barbie Dream House” to a family’s pile of presents Wednesday as the Capital Region Salvation Army Corps organizes its annual present giveaway in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

A small selection is shown Tuesday of the 50 varieties of colorful poinsettias for sale at Longfellow’s Greenhouses in Manchester. During the winter holidays, the business sells 20,000 pots of poinsettias. But the growing season for them started when they bought 31,000 rooted cuttings to start planting back in the summer, according to Ellie Longfellow Bilodeau. The larger pots contain several plants, she added. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

North Haven girls basketball coach Maddie Hallowell leaps in response to a play during a game Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Augusta Civic Center. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

People roast marshmallows and keep warm around the fire pit during tree-lighting festivities Friday, Dec. 8, at the Manchester Town Office. The event featured the Maranacook Community High School chorus singing holiday songs and Santa Claus arriving on the fire truck before lighting the tree. The Manchester Lions Club gave out cookies and hot cocoa and the event was capped off by a fireworks display. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Nordic skier Olympia Farrell, a member of the Maranacook High School Ski Team, glides in foggy conditions while doing endurance training at Quarry Road Trails in Waterville on Sunday, Dec. 10. Farrell, a 17-year-old senior from Manchester, said she was preparing to compete in the Eastern Cup at Quarry Road Trails, which is a year-round recreation area that uses snowmaking on its 8-mile trail network. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Messalonskee’s Garrett Card celebrates after scoring on Winslow/Gardiner/Waterville goalie Aiden Paradis during a game Monday, Dec. 11, at the Camden National Bank Ice Vault in Hallowell. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Gardiner’s Megan Carver, left, Brynnlea Chaisson and other girls basketball teammates react during a strong third quarter Friday night, Dec. 8, in Skowhegan. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

Ahmad Sharif observes the swollen Kennebec River on Monday, Dec. 11, at Waterfront Park in Augusta, following steady rains that caused flooding across the region. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

From left, Nachshon Ngidi-Brown, 6, Nitzan Isaacs-Weiss, 7, and Meira Shankar, 7, hold candles as they anticipate the lighting of Menorahs during the Hanukkah celebration Sunday, Dec. 10, at Beth Israel Congregation synagogue in Waterville. About 125 people attended the party. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel

Rachel Isaacs, rabbi at Beth Israel Congregation in Waterville, lights candles on the Menorah during a candlelight vigil Thursday night at the Maine State House in Augusta. The vigil, organized by Central Maine Israelis and Friends, was held in honor of Israeli hostages in the Gaza war with Hamas. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel