Sunday, December 7th, 2025
Good morning, Portland. Here's your local news at a glance for Sunday, the 7th of December.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Today, Wreaths Across America begins its procession in Maine with planned stops in Milbridge, Ellsworth, Hermon, Gardiner and Portland where volunteers honor military veterans; the journey continues Monday from Biddeford before heading toward Arlington for National Wreaths Across America Day on Dec. 13. WMTW
- ➤ The Toy Fund has seen a surge in holiday toy and book requests that now benefit over 4,800 Maine children; organizers report a year-to-date total of $41,267 (up from last year's 3,800 requests) and are ordering more gifts while urging local contributions. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ A parade in Westbrook honored Westbrook High’s first state championship football win and its gold-winning marching band while community members, city police, and fire crews gathered along Main Street to celebrate the teams’ achievements (a historic first for the school). WGME
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ More than two dozen Maine schools have added nature-based playgrounds featuring logs, rocks, and gardens to encourage outdoor play and learning; Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School (Brunswick) used a $350k grant to create a space where students explore nature. Experts say these spaces help build problem-solving skills and environmental awareness. Portland Press Herald
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A Maine community is rallying behind 3-year-old Bailey battling brain cancer with the fundraiser 20 for Bailey running from Dec. 5 to Jan. 14, as participants donate $20 and perform 20 acts of kindness to help offset treatment costs. WMTW
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Pleasant Mountain in Bridgton opened its slopes the earliest ever this season on Saturday after running snowmaking machines for hours. Additional snow expected on Sunday will extend terrain for skiers (promising a strong season). FOX23
- ➤ Deering girls basketball won 52-47 over Portland Friday, with Angelina Keo scoring 19 points and Blake Gayle adding 15 (the team outscored its rival 31-19 in the second half). Portland Press Herald
- ➤ The Maine Celtics won their seventh straight game Saturday at home against College Park, pulling away in the third quarter with standout plays from Amari Williams, Kendall Brown, and Ron Harper Jr. who scored 32 points while Boston Celtics owner Bill Chism and Brad Stevens attended. WMTW
- ➤ UMaine men's hockey lost to UNH 3-2 at Alfond Arena on Saturday. Coach Ben Barr said culture issues cost the Wildcats in a game that saw early scoring fade — they now prepare to face UMass Lowell on Wednesday at Cross Insurance Arena. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Cheverus girls basketball beat South Portland 51-46 on Friday in Portland after erasing a 16-point deficit in a season opener. Senior guard Kylie Lamson led the comeback with 17 points in a rematch of last year’s state final. Portland Press Herald
- ➤ Ron Harper Jr. scored 32 points & Amari Williams had a double-double as the Maine Celtics won 117-95 in a G League game on Saturday in Portland. The teams will face off again today at 1 p.m. at the Portland Expo. Portland Press Herald
-
DIY Holiday Cork Ornaments & Mod Podge Votives
6-8 p.m. — Hardshore Distilling Company — Ages 21+ — Craft your own festive cork ornaments and decorative votives for the holiday season.
-
Joe DeRosa Live
7-8:30 p.m. — Empire Comedy Club — General Admission available — Catch a night of laughs with acclaimed comedian Joe DeRosa as he performs live in Portland.
-
Maine Mariners vs Worcester Railers
6:00 – 7:30 PM — Cross Insurance Arena — Check event page for ticket pricing — Celebrate Portland Pirates night with specialty jerseys and alumni appearances.
-
Magic of Christmas Concert
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM — Merrill Auditorium — Ticket info not provided — Experience the festive celebration of joy and music featuring the Portland Symphony Orchestra and special guests.
-
A Victorian Nutcracker
7-8:30 p.m. — Merrill Auditorium — Tickets available — Experience the magic of a classic ballet in the heart of Portland.
-
Bess Jacques & The Strays Performance
7-8:30 p.m. — Blue Portland Maine — Ticket info not provided — Experience an eclectic mix of jazz, Americana, and faux-tango-pop with Bess Jacques & The Strays.
-
2025 The Polar Express™ Train Ride
5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing applies — Experience the magic of the holiday season with a delightful ride to the North Pole inspired by the classic story.
-
Disney on Ice: Into the Magic
7-11 p.m. — Cross Insurance Arena — Tickets available — Experience your favorite Disney characters realizing their dreams in a spectacular ice skating show.
-
Maker's Market
10 AM – 3 PM — Thompson's Point — Free entry — Explore local Maine artisans, enjoy mimosas, and embrace the community spirit.
-
THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride
5:15 p.m. — Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad — Premium pricing — Experience a magical journey to the North Pole on a festive train ride filled with holiday cheer.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Daily Portland
Welcome to the Daily Portland, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Portland, Maine community. If you like the Daily Portland, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Portland.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Portland and across Maine. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Daily Portland
A free Portland community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://dailyportlandnews.com/sitemap