BLUE HILL — The Marine Environmental Research Institute (MERI) invites children and families to its annual MERI Holidays for Kids on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the MERI Center for Marine Studies on Main Street in Blue Hill.

The open house event will feature ocean-themed craft activities and entertainment with special guest Amy Grant of Peninsula Metamorphic Arts & Learning Center.

During the event, several craft projects will be available for children to enjoy and bring home such as creating seashell ornaments and polar bear magnets, painting sea star ornaments and decorating homemade cookies.

At 3, actress and storyteller Amy Grant will use marine-themed puppets to lead interactive storytelling inspired by books from MERI’s McCrum Sea Library. Children will also have the opportunity to make a holiday wish for the oceans and place it in MERI’s Advent calendar.

MERI welcomes children and their families to explore its Ocean Aquarium Touch Tank throughout the afternoon. Holiday gifts including children’s books, stuffed animals, puzzles and MERI tote bags will also be available for purchase at MERI’s Eco-Store, regularly open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The MERI Holidays for Kids event is open to the public with a suggested donation of $5 per family to help defray the cost of craft materials. Refreshments will be provided.

Grant offers a creative array of after-school workshops, school vacation and summer camps, and other programs for children and teenagers focused on visual arts, theater, creative movement and academic enrichment at the Peninsula Metamorphic Arts & Learning Center.

Last month, the center celebrated the grand opening of its new location at 139 Mines Road in Blue Hill. For more information about the center, visit www.peninsulametamorphic.com.

For information about MERI and its various programs, call 374-2135, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.meriresearch.org online.

For more maritime news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.

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