March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Benefit for YMCA offers something for everyone

One of the nicer aspects of having Stephen and Tabitha King a part of our community is that they are just that: part of our community. The Kings, unlike some others of their status across the country and throughout the world, are active participants in the life of the Greater Bangor area, contributing to the improved quality of our living here, as neighbors, and neighbors who respect each other.

From the Bangor Public Library to the university to athletic facilities, the Kings share themselves with us, and for that we are grateful. For our part, I believe we make it comfortable for them to live among us as normally as any celebrities of their stature can.

Stephen King’s community participation extends to the Bangor YMCA, where he is an active member of its board of directors and an enthusiastic supporter of its programs, which is why he has been working with others to help prepare for the Bangor YMCA Fund-raising Auction at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Elks Club, on Odlin Road in Bangor.

Hundreds of items are up for bid, including dinner with King, books autographed by him, actor Will Smith’s sunglasses from the movie “Men in Black,” round-trip plane tickets to Orlando, Fla., and NFL football player Justin Strezelczyk’s used sneakers.

Also included in the auction are a Princess Diana Beanie Baby, tickets to sporting events featuring the University of Maine, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Bruins and the Portland Pirates, as well as a getaway package at Sugarloaf Mountain.

Tickets are $12.50 each and can be obtained by calling the Bangor YMCA at 947-2815.

If you are unable to attend but would like to bid anyway, bids will be accepted until 5 p.m. Wednesday through a Web site address at www.iamdigital.com/ymca, and, yauction@mint.net. The auction list will be updated as donations are received, and the complete list is available in the Bangor YMCA lobby at 127 Hammond St.

From the parents of Corey Nuss — who would have been the valedictorian of the Ellsworth High School Class of ’98 were it not for his tragic death in an automobile accident earlier this month in Lexington — comes this thoughtful letter “to the community.”

Marcel and Donna Nuss write, “We cannot express how much it meant to hear and receive all of the kind, thoughtful and comforting words from friends and loved ones concerning the loss of our son, Corey, and the well-being of our daughter, Christy.

“The caring and generosity shown by you has truly lifted our spirits when we needed it the most. You have helped carry the load and share the burden of the great loss we all feel in Corey’s physical absence. Your prayers and sharing of our grief has helped to give us the needed strength to carry on.

“We were blessed for 18 years with a son who we couldn’t have been any prouder of. Until we’re with Corey once again, we’ll find comfort knowing that his presence will live on in the many lives that he touched.

“We would also like to extend a prelimiary thank you to those who choose to remember Corey by supporting other talented students through the Corey C. Nuss Scholarship Fund c/o The Maine Community Foundation.

“Please remember that we are always there for you, too. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

You can count Feed America of Levant among the many ice storm victims.

The group that supplies food to needy from Augusta to Aroostook County lost power for six days, resulting in the loss of 3,000 pounds of meat.

“We’ve been doing home deliveries and giving out what we can but, without power, we just lost a lot and our supplies are low,” said FA director Gil Peavey.

If you can help resupply that loss in any way, please call 884-8793 or drop off donations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the FA facility, 8155 Pine Tree Road, Levant, or mail a check to Feed America, Route 1, Box 8155, Levant 04456.

“Any help will be greatly appreciated,” Peavey said.

People who know about home food production, such as vegetables and fruits that can be kept in a cool place but not necessarily a freezer, were among the lucky ones during the ice storm. They didn’t run out of good things to eat.

You have the opportunity to be part of that group if you take advantage of the Penobscot County Extension Office 1998 Master Gardener Training Program. This year’s program will include basic soils, botany and pest management training. The fee is $50 for which participants receive a 700-page reference manual, an opportunity to work with other gardeners and on a variety of volunteer projects. Part of the program includes 40 hours volunteer work.

The registration deadline is Jan. 30.

For more information you may also contact Gleason Gray, Extension educator, at 307 Maine Ave., Bangor.

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


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