Lora Briggs, 86, directs her son-in-law, Howard Cooke, how to display ribbons recently at her Monmouth home. Briggs said that Cooke mows, trims, and hangs the holiday ornaments with only limited supervision. “He’s really improved the last 10 years,” she joked.

Karen O’Neil holds on to a lamp post Sunday while walking back to her Augusta home. Snow and ice covered Kennebec County late Saturday into Sunday, as temperatures remained below freezing.

Gardiner Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Pat Chadwick hangs a wreath Wednesday on Water Street. Gardiner crews were preparing the downtown for the annual Christmas tree lighting, scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m.

Volunteers assemble evergreen floral centerpieces, decorate boxwood trees and wrap wreaths Thursday at the Manchester Lions Club. More than 50 people from a variety of community groups are assembling the holiday floral designs to be auctioned off Sunday at Manchester’s annual fuel assistance fundraiser at the elementary school. The 2 p.m. auction will be followed a tree lighting ceremony. All proceeds will be donated to winter heating fund for Manchester residents.

George Brown, left, starts a chainsaw Monday, with Wayne Cross on the loading dock of Gardiner Feed. Cross sells saws, which Brown services, at the livestock supply store he’s operated for 40 years, at the confluence of Cobbossee Stream and the Kennebec River.

Cole Perry, 12, replaces a bantam rooster after feeding him along with the flock of chickens, ducks, geese and guinea fowl, that reside in his family’s Hallowell coop. Perry and his sisters feed the menagerie every day after getting home from school.

Dane Wing, right, and Aaron Moody lug a tree Monday they cut at Moody’s lot in Pittston. Wing planned to put the evergreen up in his home for Christmas.

Felicity Whitten, of Readfield, rubs the back Sunday of one of the three equines she pastures at her family’s Manchester field. Whitten said she feeds the two horses and a pony a bowl of grain every day to supplement their diet of hay.

Farrier Scott Hickey examines a horseshoe he pounded Tuesday for a pacer, in the stalls at the Windsor Fairgrounds. Hickey, 22, of West Gardiner, said that the metal arches have to be level before being nailed to the hoof.

Thomas Blancato reads recently at the entrance of the waterfront park in Gardiner. Blancato said he reads outside every day he’s not working. “It’s a nice spot right here,” he said.