Avery Woodman, left, tells Santa she would like a "real big" teddy bear for Christmas at Kringleville in the Center in Waterville on Sunday, Dec. 18. Waiting their turn to speak with Santa, at right, are Kaelynn and Aubrey.

Waterville City Engineer Greg Brown, right, confers with Houles Plumbing employees Evan Thurlow, left, and Frank Lizotte on Thursday, near an opened wall at the Waterville Public Library. Brown said cold air seeped into the library at that wall and burst water pipes, causing serious damage last week.

A sign on the shore of Johnson Pond in Waterville on Tuesday warns people to stay off the ice, which may not yet be thick enough despite the recent cold temperatures. The Maine Warden Service also is warning fishermen to be cautious.

Laurie and Rick Pease of Skowhegan erupted in smiles after their $130,000 bid for the Dale Thistle home and lot in Skowhegan was the winning bid in an auction in Skowhegan on Wednesday. The Peases said they plan to restore the Greek Revival mansion and bring it back to its "glory days."

Josh Zayac runs to his ice shelter Monday to collect bait while fishing on Cochnewagon Lake in Monmouth. The Cony High School graduate and Washington state resident said he thinks conditions are safe for activities on lake ice.