Here’s a doubly delicious holiday event you might like not only to enter, but attend as well: Joan Anderson e-mailed to inform readers that Winterport Winery and Pairings Food and Wine Education Center are sponsoring a benefit for Manna Ministries.

The sponsors are asking local professional bakers and chefs, homemakers and “anyone interested in sharing in the holiday spirit” to enter a gingerbread house contest titled “Build a House for Their House.”

All proceeds will benefit Manna’s new home for women and children, Anderson wrote of the contest, for which there is a $20 entry fee.

Prizes and ribbons will be awarded in five categories: under 17, historical building, traditional gingerbread house, fantasy and other.

The entries can be viewed during a night of fun and entertainment that begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at Pairings, 279 South Main St., Winterport, where you can enter a raffle to win one of the contest entries.

All entry fees and ticket sales proceeds will benefit Manna, and more information about how to enter the competition or purchase tickets can be obtained by calling Pairings at 223-0990.

Leigh Butler reports the Bangor Art Society will hold its sixth annual holiday art auction 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, at Wellman Commons, 300 Union St. on the former Bangor Theological Seminary campus.

The festivities include live entertainment, a cash bar, a silent auction until 7:45 p.m. and a live auction beginning at 8 p.m.

For more information, call 942-3868 or 512-0866.

Millinocket Regional Hospital Auxiliary president Joyce Given reports its 15th annual Love Light Tree project benefits three scholarships for graduating seniors of Stearns High School, Millinocket; Schenck High School, East Millinocket; and Stacyville’s Katahdin High School.

The purchase deadline is Saturday, Dec. 6, and the donation is $3 for one light, $5 for two lights, $8 for three lights and $10 for four lights. There is no purchase limit.

Order forms are available at Millinocket Floral Shop, the Millinocket Regional Hospital Lobby, the East Millinocket Library or by writing MRHA Treasurer Terry Given, 106 Prospect Street, Millinocket 04462.

The Tree Lighting Ceremony will be at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in the hospital’s main lobby entrance.

Woodlawn Museum executive director Joshua Torrance announces the 2008 Christmas season theme is “A Dickens Christmas at Woodlawn,” and the museum is reintroducing its holiday high tea at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, and continuing at the same time Dec. 10 and Dec. 17 on Route 172 in Ellsworth.

The cost is $18 for members, $20 for nonmembers. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Call Woodlawn at 667-8671.

Reservations also are recommended for a holiday open house, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, and can be made by calling the number above.

The public can view the rooms decorated by area florists and Ellsworth High School and PeaceKids students 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and at the same time Dec. 7, Dec. 13, Dec. 14, Dec. 20, Dec. 21, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28.

Admission is $5 for adults, $1 for children five to 12, free for children under 5. Group and school tours can be made by appointment.

For more information about these activities, visit the events page at www.woodlawnmuseum.org.

Paula Baines reports St. James Episcopal Church kicks off its Days of Warmth fuel assistance fundraiser for Crossroads Ministries of Old Town on Monday, Dec. 1.

Your donation can sponsor an hour of warmth for $1.25, a day of warmth for $25 or a week of warmth for $175. All proceeds benefit Crossroads, which serves residents of Orono, Old Town, Milford, Stillwater, Hudson and Veazie.

Checks may be made payable to Crossroads Ministries, 2 Wood St., Old Town 04468, noting Days of Warmth fuel fund on the memo line.

Sponsor sheets are available at St. James and Crossroads, and more information is available by calling Baines at 947-0087 or e-mail prbaines@yahoo.com.

Jill Reeves of the MDI YMCA in Bar Harbor invites you to bring your favorite holiday recipes at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, to the MDI YMCA where Kathy Mulligan of Mount Desert Island Hospital will offer tips on how to make your dishes more healthful.

Free and open to everyone, you should RSVP by calling Heidi O’Connor at 288-3511, ext. 103, or e-mail heidi@mdiymca.org.

It’s time to visit our Minnesota family. My column returns to this section Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; javerill@bangordailynews.net; 990-8288.