The Old Town Grinch

10/29/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CTMt5MM2d/

10/29/2025

And, it's another book that I didn't plan on writing. Short version: "Talked about Food Drive and a few decisions have been made," and "I would be willing to offer helping, out of character or in if requested, for any organization planning a meal during next month, dates limited but explained." Now, if you're in for the long read, please continue lol

Had a good talk with a member of Downtown Old Town tonight, who is helping get some legwork done for the food drive. I do realize and accept that trying to do something on this scale is not an easy task, so getting help and support from Downtown Old Town, Rand•May Foundation for Children and Families, and page viewers who are sharing the posts about it are undeniably appreciated. I mentioned during our talk that I would like to have the flyers we put up also have the logos of all the businesses that are willing to have a drop box. Time is running short, so trying to get this all done this week may be a little harder than anticipated. I was hoping to start the drive on November 1st, but we may have to wait until the 8th to have the official start happen. I will say that Rand•May Foundation for Children and Families has already stated they will take drop-offs at their drop-off location for used sporting equipment at 145 Brunswick St (Across from the OTPD) so if you want to get an early start, feel free to start donating there. We plan on taking donations up to the 28th at locations, with the final day of donations being at the Kayak Tree Lighting on November 29th. The initial goal was to help restock the Caring Community Cupboard after Thanksgiving.

When a box is filled, we will take a photo and drop it off. This way, we can keep track of it all to present the overall donations received while still being able to help throughout the month. With what is going on (We do not discuss politics here, so that is all I am stating), a decision was made to get the help there as soon as possible, as holding onto it all until the 29th seemed cruel. We have two people willing to do pickups as boxes fill, so it will stay neat at any locations where they are set up who know to take a picture and note the location. We would like to do a representation of all the donations at the final drop-off location with boxes to represent each box and each location, using the final donation box as the "Topper." We feel this, with the p[photos, can show how generous people are while still being able to help through what looks to be a very difficult month for many residents in our area.

In closing, I would also like to offer my help at any event anyone else throws as long as it is on a date I am not previously engaged. While this will limit days to mostly weekdays, as my weekends are pretty much booked until Christmas, I would happily doi so. I will be doing it "Out of Character" as myself. Any meal preparations that I can assist with for any benefits, I will happily offer my services. Outside of the costume, after my military service, I spent a long period in the food industry so I would be happy to volunteer those services to any charity that may need them. If you plan on a Saturday event, even if I am booked, I can come help on Friday with any prep you may need.

10/27/2025

Got three boxes ready. Just waiting to hear back from a few places before we can announce where drop-off locations will be. As of now, the Rand May Foundation has stated you can drop off your non-perishable food items in our used sports gear donation box located at 145 Brunswick Street (across from OTPD).

We will still be accepting donations at the Kayak Tree Lighting after the Parade of Lights in Old Town, so you can still drop off that night as well. Last year, The Old Town Grinch won, so this year, he's looking at going after your stockings or maybe even your tree, so don't let him win...

10/25/2025

Looks like a full month and a half of weekend events. No worries, I plan on still be around to give a surprise smile and doing the last few days of school washing to the kids as the busses head out for winter vacation.

10/24/2025

Halloween (early) Trunk or Treat at The Old Town Orono YMCA. Two years in a row, "Best Decorated". We had some friends join us this year, so thank you to our special pirates, Kelly and Gabby. We had a blast and would like to thank everyone who came and those who set up their trunks :D

In two days, we will be at the Orono Trampoline Park and, unless plans change, we will be at the United Baptist Church for their Trunk or Treat on Halloween night.

10/19/2025

And I knew there was a reason I called the last one a rough draft lol This has the corrected date (November 29th) for the final donation chance to Ward Off The Grinch this year. We look at setting out food donation boxes sometime around November 3rd. If more locations get finalized, it may take a couple of days to get them out, as I may have to scrounge up some more boxes lol.

Last year, The Grinch won, so if you thought you were getting a certain gift.... well, you did, but since I was allowed to steal Christmas last year, I guess I should say "Thanks for the gifts." This year, I am looking at getting those stocking items you love so much, along with that gift you really wanted, so Ward Off The Grinch ;)

10/19/2025

In advance: Sorry, it got wordier than I had originally anticipated lol

Getting ready for next weekend's Trunk or Treats. We will be at the Old Town Orono YMCA on Friday and the Orono Trampoline Park on Sunday. We are tentatively going to also be at the United Baptist Church on Halloween as well. We should know a day or two ahead of that date.

After Halloween, we will be gearing up for the "Ward Off The Grinch Food Drive" during the month of November. We are working with some local businesses and trying to find more willing to allow a donation drop off box at others. The final results will be displayed at the Canoe Tree Lighting/Parade of Lights on November 29th. Donations can also be brought there on that date.

As of now, upcoming events are looking to be pretty open if anyone wants to have a Grinch drop in. Currently, we will be doing the Bangor Craft Fair on November 8 and 9. We plan on hitting the Queen City Expo on the 15th with a possible stop by the Bangro Craft Fair that day, time depending. We will be returning to the craft fair on Sunday as well. Next planned events are the Bangor Tree lighting on Novemebr 28th and then the Old Town Kayak Tree Lighting on the 29th as stated above. December 6th, I will happily be joining the Holiday of Lights Parade in Bangor, and on the 19th from 9pm to 11pm, I get to have fun being a "Judgemental Guest" at The Main Tavern's "Ugly Sweater Contest."

We are pretty much open for requests on most dates not listed. As always, I do not do this for monetary gain and do not ask for money or goods. However, we did decide that tips would be allowed only to help with the costs of travel and costume upkeep. Tips are NOT required or expected, so please do not feel obligated. The upkeep isn't that bad unless something needs to be replaced instead of a simple repair. I only mention it because we have had offers to be paid for our services, but I have a strict "Not for Profit" belief in what I do. I started all of this to spread happiness and for the "cost of a smile," and that tradition is and always will be the foundation of how I will do things :D I find it is easier to say this than try to argue with them, saying "I do it for free," and I don't want to seem insulting when someone offers something, if that makes sense.

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10/14/2025

To any businesses that would like to set up a drop box for our "Ward Off The Grinch" Food Drive, please let us know. I have a few boxes I can wrap to make "Festive Drop Off Boxes."

Also, to any businesses that get decent-sized cardboard boxes, if you would like to donate some, we would happily accept them. We would be using them for drop off boxes as well as to store good we may have to pick up. I would like to separate them into places they were picked up so we can display the donations and credit each place at the Canoe Tree Lighting for their support.

Thank you.

10/12/2025

So I think I solved my "Maine Hockey Jersey" issue in a more "Grinch-like fashion if we happen to get to go to games during the holiday season. Luckily , I already have the perfect sunglasses for it, although there is the temptation to get those oversized ones instead lol

I got the nametag, but now comes the fun of trying to find a way to get a single patch made for the right front pocket area to offer a nod to Downtown Old Town, that is, if they don't mind me making fun of referees lol

10/11/2025

Just a little rough draft. I will happily add a banner with the logos of any group, company, or organization that would like to help with collection boxes towards mid-November. I know it will be a bit confusing, as many people also do food drives for Thanksgiving, but our goal is to help resupply our local Caring Community Cupboard after the Thanksgiving Holiday. There will be tables set up at the Canoe Tree Lighting for people to bring donations that day as well. We will announce if the Grinch wins again this year or if Old Town can win the challenge. At this time, Pepper's Landing and Downtown Old Town have both agreed to help. If you are a business and would like to participate, I will be manning the table so we don't need people, just donations. Challenge your employees, your customers, and your friends to help ensure that The Grinch and his shrunken heart is forced to grow this year. We will be accepting non-perishable items (IE Canned Goods, cereal, jarred foods) and please check expiration dates if you are bringing them from home. Making a donation that can't be used is even more Grinchy than even a Grinch would be.

10/11/2025

This is a bit wordy, but it's a little bit of an update/upcoming events announcement. Sorry, I edited it as much as I could to try to cover it all as best as I could

I talked about the first event request of the season and was going to wait to announce it, BUT... why wait :D I will be a "Judgemental Guest" (instead of a Guest Judge lol) for The Main Tavern's Ugly Sweater Contest on December 19 from 9-11pm in Bangor.

We are also planning a 2nd Annual "Ward Off The Grinch" Food Drive for Caring Community Cupboard. We are proud to be partnering with Downtown Old Town and will be reaching out to local businesses as well. Pepper's Landing has also offered to assist, and we would love to have other organizations join in passing on the word or help collect goods in the week leading up to it. The goal will once again be to beat The Grinch's Personal Donation. Last year, the Grinch won, so the "Friendly Grinch" is taking this year off and gets to be the Grumpier Grinch. It's up to you to get The Grinch to be nice from the Canoe Tree Lighting in Old Town through to next year. Failure to do so means he gets even grumpier. Can you help make his heart grow again, or will it shrivel up even more?


I would also like to remind people that, unless I have another engagement, I am more than happy to stop by a local business, organization, or local Holiday Party. Just shoot me a message, and if I am free that day, we can see what magic we can make happen.

Everything I do is free. IF someone offers a tip, there's not much I can do about that, but please never make it excessive. All it would be used for is to help offset upkeep costs for repairs and repainting of cosplays I do. This is not a business, and I don't do it for monetary gain. I feel that diminishes my goal of just trying to give people an unexpected smile or the confusion that leads to one asking, "Did I just see that?" This is simply cosplay and a hobby I am willing to share with the community, businesses, and organizations to spread happiness.

Watch the page as I have been busy working up some new visuals for the events, including a little "Suessing" to tell the story of the event, which I will happily do for free as well for any event I am asked to participate in that is open to the public. I find it makes it a little more magical if it has a fun little story/rhyme to go with it :D