Oh, holy night!

..Oh night divine, indeed. After helping out make latkes for Hannukah the night before, my work supervisor had invited me to her Christmas spectacular, a yearly glam show at the East Auburn Baptist Church. So, what else could I do- besides catch it? We got there just in time, as the entire room was packed to capacity with oh, say, around 700 people, scrambling to get the best seats for the hour-and-a half long performance.

The exhibit started with a bang- of a synchronized Christmas light show to music, and ended with a bigger, better, and badder one. There were nutcracker militia, who seemed very flexible for a tin soldier,  ribbon-dancing and performing gymnastics. Horses decked in jingle bells sauntered across the stage; in fact, the atmosphere was so jovial that one refused to leave the room. In addition to seeing my supervisor as an angel (religiously speaking, as well), my favorite was the cast’s remake of Jesus in a manger: through a webcam broadcast on a live screen, a shepherd in a barn revealed two actual twins lying in a wheelbarrow (although the “Away in a Manger” scene didn’t go as peaceful as expected).

Although I wasn’t actively helping out the community as opposed to last year, I’m grateful that I got this opportunity to once again both feel and be part of a vibrant neighborhood- that I know will leave an impression as homey, warm and sweet as a cup  of hot chocolate resting by the windowpanes of my soul, on a frosty night like this one.

A Taste of Lewiston-Auburn

This afternoon I embarked on yet another culinary adventure. Local restaurants from the area presented their savoriest dishes in an array of global cuisines- representing those of Mexico to Thailand, through China to India, and Italy to the Realm of Sweets (especially of macaroons, chocolate chip cookies, ice cream, and brownies). Gray Cage was as usual, packed with both locals, staff, and students eagerly anticipating to satisfy their palate- and what a palatial pallet of pallates it was (sorry, as an English major, couldn’t resist throwing in a few literary devices) Admission was $5 for 10 tickets (each booth typically required a ticket in exchange for a taste), and I regret to announce that I had a few left over as there was not enough room to digest and time to leave for class (I wish the event could have lasted longer!).

For many, there were both old and new sights. I’m glad I not only got the opportunity to eat, but to mingle and learn a few tips for a few recipes. Better yet, I’m grateful that although I spent only $5, I know that my proceeds are to be donated to the Flood Relief in Pakistan. I sincerely hope that through the “Annual Taste of Lewiston-Auburn” (the sixth one!) the community and college can continue to collaborate, and that the tradition will be here even after I’ll be long gone.

PS- Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

A Scoop of Bates, with A Cherry on Top

Life at Bates is pretty fresh, sweet, and chockful of sugary (and nutty, in a good sense) moments that caramelize in and permanently stick to your memory . We’ve got not just one, no, but mountain loads of cherries on top. As our school is notorious for sustainability in its maintaining local resources  (read more here for what a Batesie did with our yogurt cup lids: http://www.bates.edu/x202873.xml), it’s crucial that we  actively collaborate with our community in Lewiston.

And so- this just in- GELATO IS NOW IN STORE. As if that weren’t enough in addition to our unlimited options of food. Through partnership with local Brunswick company “The Gelato Fiasco”, gelato flavors are now available at Milts to be sold and sampled. This brand’s gelato is not only produced organically:

“made with natural Maine milk and cane sugar; no corn syrup” (http://www.gelatofiasco.com/about-our-gelato/)

As Maine is not only known for spectacular lobster and natural scenery, its blueberries are a decadent reward to all senses.


Fresh fruits are also thrown in as a kick for flavor into the gelato.

For more information, visit: http://www.gelatofiasco.com/locations/bates/

The website of “The Gelato Fiasco”  beckons:

“Hey Batesies. Life just got a little more delicious.”

In addition to the already scrumptious Bobcat-flavored experience, sprinkled with delectable courses, students, and events? Deliciously gross understatement.