Ocean Point personals of note: the delightful photo of David Butterworth and his fiancé, Croi McNamara and the beautiful photo of Holly Horner and Matthew Cleary at their wedding, in last week's Register. They appeared to be taken with a backdrop of Ocean Point. Best wishes to both couples as they begin their married lives and their moments to remember together.

Each family builds a stockpile of priceless moments into a continuity of happy family memories to share with their community. For example, Eric Marden told me that last week the whole family celebrated Scoop's "milestone" birthday at a delicious dinner prepared by his sister, Sharon. Congratulations, Scoop!

As we get out our ornaments and decorations from 50 years together, our own memories come flooding back, seeing the crumpled paper and clay treasures that we keep forever, because we remember the day and year when our children presented them proudly to us to put on "The Tree."

There has been ever-changing weather lately, which most of you have experienced, if you live on the Eastern seaboard, some of it raging with forceful wind off the ocean, with snow, rain, sleet and ice everywhere. It is impressive in strength and inspires pride in our clever survival skills.

Then one evening, there was a gentle sunset that reminded us why we came back here to live. Pink, peach and purple tones illuminated the sky, creating a peaceful feeling of well being, despite the hustle and bustle of the season and the deep concerns in our changing world.

Since I brought back small gifts from the trip, I had decided I was all prepared for Christmas this year, but I was too complacent (think "smug") and forgot the wrapping and mailing cycle until now. Fortunately our Post Office personnel are people-friendly and very helpful.

The Point is now cheerfully lighted up around Grimes Cove, on Shore and Middle Roads, and out along Van Horn Road.

Recently the volunteers for "Wreaths Across America" drove down Route 1 from Harrington in a 40-vehicle convoy with thousands of wreaths to be placed in Arlington Veterans Cemetery to honor American veterans of all conflicts. People lined the highway to honor this generous effort of respect, but the most poignant moment for the drivers was after dark when they saw "… the most amazing image - one guy out there all alone waving an American flag."

There is the constant smell of snow in the air these days. I can remember that white Decembers were an exciting time to go skating, sledding, and slogging through the deep drifts of snow to find the "Perfect Christmas Tree." If my memory serves me well, we found it when Dad's hands and nose got cold. Bundle up and enjoy an old fashioned Christmas this year, like we had in the olden days!

Contact me at: (207) 633-3669 or e-mail: waldman1@roadrunner.

com .