Carol & Chantey Sing on December 17 at the Pembroke Library on Old County Road Pembroke, Maine from 7 PM to 8:30 PM, free admission, refreshments, All Welcome. The Pembroke Library’s monthly Sea Chantey Sing will take a seasonal turn on Thursday, December 17th, combining chanteying and songs of working the sea in cold weather, with Christmas caroling and the lighting of the Library’s indoor Christmas tree.

The library’s regular chantey crew, Jim Sherman, and Susan and Stephen Sanfilippo, will present a program that includes two very different versions of the traditional carol "I Saw Three Ships," as well as songs about ice eeling, winter clamming, and a winter shipwreck with unusual results, as well as a recitation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem "Christmas at Sea." A medley of traditional Santa Claus songs will be played on the button accordion, accompanied with a dancing limberjack. Song sheets will be distributed for a sing-along of some familiar carols. People of all ages are invited to join in the celebration, singing "O, Christmas Tree" when the tree is lit, and enjoy refreshments and holiday fellowship.

The Caroling & Chantey Sing will start at 7 PM. Admission is free. The Pembroke Library is located on Old County Road, Pembroke. For additional information please call the library at 207-726-4745, or send and email to seasongs@207me.com .

As you rush about this holiday season from store to store and shopping cart to shopping cart, St. Joseph Healthcare is here to remind you about the important thing on your list - good hand hygiene. Every object, surface and person touched is an opportunity to pick up germs and bacteria - including cold and flu viruses. Avoid getting more than you shopped for and follow these simple steps to keep hands clean and germ-free.

It just takes one person with a cold or the flu touching a shopping cart handle, cash or change, check-out counter or other surface to spread those germs to potentially hundreds of other shoppers during this busy time of year. Keep this in mind as you head out to the mall or favorite shop - and stay home if you’re feeling sick.

If you do decide to brave the crowds, carry a personal supply of alcohol-based hand sanitizer to fend off germs. Hand sanitizer is an effective and easy fix while out and about - apply enough to wet hands completely, cover all surfaces including the back of your hands, wrists and between fingers. Rub together for 25 seconds or until dry. Antimicrobial wipes are also a good option for cleaning shopping cart handles, other areas of carts where children may be sitting or touching, and other surfaces, though they are not as effective for hand washing.

The best and most effective way to clean hands is with soap and water. Wet hands, apply soap, lather well and rub vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Remember to scrub all surfaces. Rinse well and dry thoroughly.

Of course good hand hygiene is important no matter what your activity: always wash your hands when handling and preparing food, eating, after using the rest room, touching a sick person, blowing your nose or coughing or sneezing. Germs on your hands spread when you touch your eyes, nose or mouth - so if you can’t wash hands immediately, avoid touching your face until you can.