Bangor Area Children’s Choir raises voices, funds

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The raffle is continuing as the Bangor Area Children’s Choir works to raise funds for its spring appearance in Washington, D.C.

The choir has been invited to represent Maine in the Festival of States Celebration of the 225th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, which takes place in April in our nation’s capital.

“We still have a way to go, but we are feeling a little less overwhelmed,” said BACC fund-raiser Sophie Seavey of Bangor. The group is working to raise $35,000 to cover costs of the trip.

Recent contributions include $1,500 from Fleet Bank; $1,000 from Bangor Savings Bank, $1,000 from Miller Drug; $500 from Merrill-Merchants Bank; $250 from Lemforder Corp., $250 from H.O. Bouchard and $250 from WBRC Architects, Seavey reported.

“We’ve raised $5,000 from fund-raisers, and parents are contributing as well,” she said.

A raffle, featuring a weekly drawing, now includes four $60 gift certificates for landscaping or snow removal from Arbortech Landscape Co. and a gift certificate from Dr. Muscle Rehab and Massage.

But, right at the moment, the focus of the recently reorganized chorus is on its first public concert as a two-choir organization.

The Bangor Area Children’s Choir will perform at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at All Souls Congregational Church on Broadway in Bangor.

Michele Hall will direct the choir; Jean Sigler will direct the Youth Chorale; and Alison Moore will provide the accompaniment.

Among the offerings of the Youth Chorale will be Franck’s “Panis Angelicus,” with Karen Pendleton as the guest soprano.

The choir will feature “Gloria Tibi,” with guest tenor Ludlow Hallman.

Flutist Patricia Eames and oboist Louis Hall will also accompany the choir.

Admission to the concert is free, but donations will be welcome at the door.

Through this concert, the BACC and its supporters are able to thank you for your continuous support.

The day after enjoying the wonderful music of the voices of our area young people, you have the opportunity to hear area adults sing for you.

“Voices of the Season” will be presented by the Bangor Community Chorus at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St. in Bangor.

Dave Kroehler of Bangor is the conductor of the BCC.

Tickets for this concert are $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students, and they are available at the door.

The 33-year-old organization offers this traditional holiday concert for your pleasure. This year it will feature WLBZ-2 news anchor Ric Tyler as the master of ceremonies.

Several members of the chorus will perform solos, Kroehler said, including Lois Morin, Carolyn McKinnon, Irma Smith, Marion Tozier and BCC newcomer Pam Martin.

If you have questions about this particular performance, or about the chorus in general, you are welcome to call Kroehler at 947-2486.

We thank Lynda Rohman, director of volunteer services of Eastern Maine Healthcare in Bangor, for providing us with this information.

Today is International Volunteers Day and the official launching of International Year of the Volunteers 2001, the yearlong celebration of volunteering sponsored by the United Nations.

Rohman said that the Maine Society of Directors of Healthcare Volunteer Services is heading the effort to recognize those who volunteer in our state.

According to Steve Hurd, chief of volunteer services at the VA Center at Togus and MSDHVS president, more than 5,000 people donate 600,000 hours a year to Maine health care facilities.

Facilities throughout our area will be hosting events today to honor and recognize those who freely serve them.

Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor will host an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the Volunteer Services Office. Light refreshments will be served, and the public is welcome.

Volunteers at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor will be attending a celebration breakfast in the hospital cafeteria, arranged by Sister Mary John, St. Joe’s director of volunteers.

At Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth, volunteer director Terri Swanson will preside over a morning coffee at which volunteers will be honored.

The United National General Assembly had the backing of 123 countries when it declared 2001 to be the International Year of the Volunteers.

Today is the final day crafters can reserve a table for the In-Tyme Programs Holiday Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, at In-Tyme Programs, Cushman Plaza, 1606 Hammond St. in Bangor.

Donna Smith of the sponsoring organization promises “something for everyone” on your holiday list.

To reserve a table, call her at 262-7277 or 848-7424.

We were pleased to learn from Ruby Parker that the Castine Grange is once again extending a generous offer of good food and fellowship for the elderly and those who live alone in the Castine area.

Parker told us that the Castine Grange will be host for a Christmas dinner at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Grange on Route 166A in Castine.

“There will be turkey and all the fixings,” Parker said.

“This dinner will be just like the one we had for Thanksgiving last year.”

That means, first and foremost, that the dinner is free, and that no reservations are necessary.

“People just need to show up,” Parker said, “and, if they need a ride, they can call me at 469-2153.”

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.