March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Concert/auction to benefit gay rights campaign

The Unitarian/Universalist Church of Bangor is hosting a Concert/Auction, “Singing for Our Lives: Bangor Celebrates Civil Rights,” at 4 p.m. Sunday at the church, 120 Park St.

The event benefits Maine Won’t Discriminate. The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and under. However, that is a suggestion only. Planners point out you may donate more, if you can, or less, if you can’t. Tickets will be available at the door for the coffee-house style event beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Featured performers are songwriter-musicians Jean Meike of Ellsworth and Lynn Deeves of Richmond.

Sue Estler, a member of Penobscot County MWD, said the auction is intended to provide entertainment during the intermissions.

Both Meike and Deeves “have CDs out and are beginning to get national recognition,” she added.

Meike’s CD is titled “Connecting the Dots,” and Deeves’ CD is “Dance on Fire.” Estler emphasized that admission is by donation. Everyone is invited to attend for whatever amount he or she can afford.

Among the items to be auctioned will be a Princess Diana Beanie Baby, a Moosehead Adventures kayak trip for two, and assorted books, art and sweatshirts.

Estler said The Lemon Tree Restaurant “is providing the food concessions, with all proceeds to benefit Maine Won’t Discriminate. And The Lemon Tree staff members are volunteering their time as well.”

The event is co-sponsored by PCMWD, Greater Bangor Area NOW, the Peace and Justice Center of Penobscot County, and the Social Action Committee of the Park Street Unitarian/Universalist Church.

Maine Audubon Society volunteer John Anchors invites adults to bring the kiddies to Field Pond Nature Center in Holden at 2 p.m. Sunday to learn about the natural history and ecology of the groundhog, which we also know as the woodchuck.

A “live” giant groundhog will entertain the youngsters and explain about living in fields and underground burrows. The kids can crawl through a simulated groundhog tunnel, and everyone will have the opportunity to view the groundhog mounts and other natural history exhibits presented by the Natural Resource Outreach Programs by students of Nokomis High School in Newport.

The event is $2 for MAS members and $4 for nonmembers. For information, call the center at 989-2591.

A percentage of today’s storewide sales from Borders, opposite the Bangor Mall, will benefit the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross to help support the ice storm disaster relief fund. “The Cat in the Hat” will be there throughout the day and present a special storytime for young readers at 1 p.m.

You can save $3 if you register by today for the annual Snowshoe and Cross Country Ski Romp at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 8, starting at the University of Maine field house in Orono.

Registration fees are $12 up to today, and $15 thereafter, including the day of the race. All proceeds benefit Eastern Maine AIDS Network’s children and families infected or affected by HIV/AIDS.

Registration forms are at the Bangor Ski Rack and the EMAN office, 80 Exchange St., Bangor. All ages are welcome, and prizes offered include gift certificates, snowshoes and outdoor wear.

For information on the event, call Don Sparkman at Bangor Ski Rack or the EMAN office, 990-3626, and ask for Denis Cranson or Carol Higgins.

We have heard from Pastor David Hurst of Pittsfield that the Meals for the Harvest Soup Kitchen could use your help.

Fortunately, during the ice storm, the soup kitchen was able to serve approximately 500 full-course, hot meals; distribute lots of warm clothing and drinking water; and give out countless boxes of food to people who lost their food supplies.

The soup kitchen is back on its regular schedule, open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, but Meals for the Harvest was also an ice storm victim.

Hurst reports the soup kitchen lost one of its freezers due to the storm, resulting in a loss of $1,000 worth of meat. Now, its supplies are low and, while the organization continues to receive donations of food, clothing, furniture and money, even more is needed at this time. Anything you could do to help would be appreciated.

If you would like to make a donation, or if you need assistance, call Hurst, 487-5016, or write him at 8 Manson St., Pittsfield, 04967.

The Grand Lodge of Maine, Free and Accepted Masons, has donated $25,000 from its Charity Fund to the American Red Cross for disaster relief following the ice storm.

Walter Macdougall, Grand Master of Masons in Maine, presented the contribution recently to ARC Pine Tree Chapter Manager Pamela Daigle.

In making the presentation, Macdougall praised the work of the Red Cross and noted that, across the state, individual Freemasons were helping their neighbors and communities, and that four Masonic Lodge buildings in the southern part of the state had served as shelters for those without power.

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


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