Century-old symphony calls fund-raising tune> New book traces Bangor orchestra’s history through pictures, prose;art auction set for May 1

It goes without saying all activities involving the Bangor Symphony Orchestra are important to those served by this marvelous community treasure, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. To adequately recognize that longevity is reason enough why as many people as possible should be as supportive as possible of all symphony fund-raising events in this, the BSO’s centennial.

For example, up next on its nonmusical schedule is the BSO’s second annual auction beginning with a 6 p.m. social hour Wednesday, May 1, at Pilots Grill in Bangor.

From the office of Susan Jonason, BSO marketing director, we learn this function is the BSO’s major fund-raiser, drawing people from throughout the eastern Maine area. The response has always been good, but organizers are hoping it will be even better this year and reach a new goal by raising $18,000.

Among noted Maine artists donating works for the auction are Bill Bracket, Paul Black, and Bangor Daily News editorial cartoonist George Danby.

Bids can be made on a season pass or ski weekend at Sugar- loaf/USA, for radio and television advertising, airline tickets, sports tickets and multiple gift certificates.

Admission to the auction, which includes hors d’oeuvres and dinner, is $30 and reservations may be made by calling the symphony office at 942-5555 or 1-800-639-3211.

An ongoing centennial fund-raiser could become a collector’s item for BSO fans. “First 100 Years, A Story of the Nation’s Oldest Community Orchestra” is a 128-page paperback compiled by Jonason and former NEWS arts reporter Robert Newall.

Edited by Cindy Reilly, the book traces BSO’s history from its origins in 1896 to today using old pictures, “programmes,” photos and news clippings.

It’s a fun book to peruse and one that will make many people smile as they come across photos of old friends proudly sporting clothes and hairstyles of a few decades back.

Despite the fact the book fails to recognize members of the board of directors which serves the symphony so well, purchasing the book is a tangible record of the orchestra’s history and your contribution to its centennial celebration.

For $15.95 plus $3 for shipping and handling, “First 100 Years” is available through the symphony office at the numbers above.

Remember the Good Sam RVers’ aluminum tab collection project? That yearlong effort is fast coming to a close. Local club member Brenda Bowden of East Holden said the final date to turn in those tabs to her is Friday, May 24.

But remember, other types of aluminum products are also acceptable such as pie and salad plates, and cat food cans. The club will transport all the collected aluminum to a Massachusetts recycler Memorial Day weekend.

The group’s goal is to collect 8,000 pounds and beat the Vermont clubs so the Maine state director doesn’t have to spend his “Samboree” weekend wearing a pink tutu. All funds raised will go to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children-Springfield Unit and the Shriners Burns Institute in Boston.

The latest big donation came from Betty Gibbs of Calais, president of the St. Croix Wanderers, who delivered 13 bags containing 3,840 tabs plus one bag with 1,290 for a total of 51,210. “She also had a 2-pound bag of cat food cans so we figured they collected 40 pounds,” Bowden said.

“That club previously donated 90 pounds. It’s a very small chapter and they’ve done so much; probably more than any of the other chapters.”

Bowden said the Massachusetts chapter which started the project reports “any aluminum is acceptable. They even have people giving them old aluminum foil. I guess the recycling company will take anything.”

If you can help the Maine RVers collect the most tabs and beat their Vermont counterparts, call Bowden at 989-1030.

If you can type and have time to volunteer that skill, the Joshua L. Chamberlain statue committee of the Brewer Historical Socity needs you.

“We just plain need typing help,” said committee member Brian Higgins, who even enlisted the aid of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in seeking someone to take on this most important task.

“We’re in the process of preparing letters to go to organizations from our fund-raising committee,” Higgins said, “and we’d love to find someone who can help us. In exchange for the typing, we can offer experience learning the Mac and a computer.”

Sounds like a pretty fair exchange, especially if you type but are not yet computer literate. If you can help the committee working to recognize Brewer’s most famous Civil War hero, call Higgins at 989-7468.

The Standpipe, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.