March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Too many angels haunting Dover-Foxcroft store

We don’t know how Angel Tree projects are doing at Mr. Paperback and other bookstores elsewhere, but we do know the prospect for success at the Mr. Paperback in Dover-Foxcroft has people there very concerned.

“We’re getting a little worried,” said store Manager Donna Cleary of Guilford. “We want people to remember the angels on our tree [represent] real children. We want them to have a good Christmas.”

Employee Sherry Brown of Dover-Foxcroft said the third annual project has 167 names from the Department of Human Services and Head Start, “but we’ve sold less than one-third of them, and they’ve been on the tree for three weeks.”

The Angel Tree features names of needy children hung on paper angels, Brown explained. “We have selected books under the tree. People choose a name and purchase a book for that child, or buy a gift certificate.”

Employees wrap the books and deliver them to the agencies “before their Christmas parties so Santa can pass them out,” Brown said. “For the most part, we must have them delivered by Wednesday, December 18.”

Brown said she believes the economy is somewhat responsible for the slow response to this year’s Angle Tree requests. “All the job reductions and penny-pinching people are having to do is making it a little difficult for them to give more, but we are grateful for any amount of help.”

The Dover-Foxcroft store met its quota last year, and staff hopes the same will be true this year. With your help, it will.

Check your local bookstores. If you spot an Angel Tree, take a closer look. Maybe you’ll find a copy of your favorite children’s book that will become another child’s favorite, too.

The bright red fliers are out, but in case you missed them, you have one more day to make Christmas better for patients at Bangor Mental Health Institute.

Volunteer Services director John Spellman requests unwrapped gifts for patients be left at his office today no later than between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you can’t get your gift there, call 941-4023 for assistance.

Among items on the BMHI wish list are beauty and bath products; fast-food restaurant gift certificates; clothing, size 14 to extra large; tapes, videos and radios; playing cards, stationery and games; and watches, purses or tote bags.

On behalf of the patients, Spellman thanks the public for its continued support and wishes you all a happy holiday season.

King’s Daughters Home co-resident director Judy Lambert said after a second drawing that the 3-foot Victorian porcelain doll raffled by the Bangor facility was won by Nora Parker of Dover-Foxcroft.

The first raffle winner declined the prize, preferring to make a donation to KDH instead.

Lambert said the public is invited to view the handmade Victorian holiday decorations at the 89 Ohio St. residence throughout the holidays.

Despite inclement weather last Sunday, residents welcomed more than 120 people to their open house. But they want to make sure those who could not make it still have the opportunity to visit their home.

“Guests are welcome anytime,” Lambert said.

Dart fanciers should be happy to read this news. The Penobscot Dart Association, known locally as DART, has donated $400 to Operation Liftoff of Maine.

“This is our very first fund-raiser for any charity,” said DART spokeswoman Kathy Hamel of Bangor. The check was presented by DART President Earl Shiver of Bangor to John Stubeck, owner of Yankee Chowder House of Brewer. He passed it along to Operation Liftoff.

After being around for 15 to 16 years, Hamel said, 60-plus dart enthusiasts are enjoying their first year as an association. In agreeing to the use of his facility for the group, Stubeck had only one stipulation.

“He asked that DART make one contribution each year to a charity. Since one of John’s favorite charities is Operation Liftoff, he suggested that. We were more than happy with his suggestion.”

Association members welcome anyone to join them, and welcome inquiries regarding leagues and other activities. Call 989-2268 for more information.

Bring out the grooming supplies. It’s time to get Donnie the dog, Kitty the cat, Fido the fish, Slimy the snake, Bobbie the bunny and Henry the hamster gussied up for the holidays if you want your pets to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus.

Saturn of Bangor’s Tom Quirk and members of the Bangor Humane Society invite pet owners to visit Santa in Saturn’s Hogan Road showroom from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday.

For a $5 fee which benefits BHS, you and your pet receive a memento of Christmas ’96. And, for Santa’s sake, be sure all pets arrive on a leash or in a pet carrier.

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


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