The Memphis Belles invite you to ring in the new year with them at their 10th-anniversary party from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2000, and Jan. 1, 2001, at the Isaac Farrar Mansion on Union Street in Bangor.

The event features hot hors d’oeuvres, a midnight buffet breakfast, champagne toast and cash bar. Proceeds benefit the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross in Bangor.

The only hitch is that the invitations are limited to 150 people, so you need to purchase your tickets now if you want to attend.

Tickets are $50 per person or $100 per couple and are available at Bangor Letter Shop in Penobscot Plaza, Patrick’s Hallmark Shop in the Broadway Shopping Center, the Bangor Mall gift-wrapping booth or by calling the Pine Tree Chapter of the American Red Cross at 941-2903.

Ten years ago, Bangor Community Theatre presented a 1940s USO show with the ARC.

It was during rehearsals for the show, written and directed by Robert Libbey, that Darlene Mogul, Penny Weinstein and Pat Cummings were christened by Libbey as The Memphis Belles.

They were an immediate hit with their Andrews Sisters style, especially when they sang “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” and have been delighting audiences with their talents ever since.

One of the nicer aspects of holiday parties is chatting with people who have news to share that we know will make the season even more enjoyable for everyone.

Such was the case last weekend when we met Cummings who, when she’s not a Memphis Belle or volunteering in the community is director for reunion giving at the University of Maine Alumni Association in Orono.

She told us, briefly, about the New Year’s Eve benefit, and we followed up that conversation with a phone call this week.

“There’s serendipity here,” Cummings said of the entire Memphis Belles story.

Libbey had named the trio for the famous B-17 bomber that flew during World War II, and it was later, Cummings said, when they learned Col. Robert Morgan and his crew “had been stationed here during World War II.”

In fact, on Sept. 25, 1942, the Memphis Belle left Dow Air Force Base in Bangor and headed to France on its first bombing mission. The Memphis Belle was the first bomber to complete 25 combat missions in Europe and was the subject of a movie by the same name that included actual combat footage filmed by the crew.

When our Memphis Belles released their first CD in June 1996, Morgan and his wife came to Bangor for the party. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of that CD, by the way, also benefited the ARC.

The connection between these women, the American Red Cross, its USO shows, the plane, the era and all that represents is perhaps best summed up by their unwavering support of the American Red Cross.

Not only do they perform for its benefit, but Darlene Mogul’s husband, Steve Mogul, is on the board of the State Coordinating Chapter of the ARC, “and Penny and I have each served on the boards in the past,” Cummings said.

“But it’s not our service that’s important,” she added.

“We’re glad to be back doing this for the Red Cross, because of what it provides.

“It provides aid to military families, especially when communication is an issue, and it provides respite care and training for people who provide respite care.

“It also provides disaster services – which is especially important at this time of year with ice storms – and spring floods and fires. It comes in when it is needed and helps its neighbors.”

She also pointed out that the American Red Cross was founded by a woman: Clara Barton.

That is just one more reason these women have chosen to spend their New Year’s Eve entertaining you, so you can help the American Red Cross help others.

Speaking of the American Red Cross, don’t forget the Christmas blood drive is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the ARC Northeast Region Donor Center on Hammond Street in Bangor. Good food, great gift-wrapping and the gift of life will make your holiday complete.

The Bangor Lodge of Elks Local 244, in cooperation with Manna Ministries of Bangor, again is offering its Christmas Feed for the Needy from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25, at the lodge on 108 Odlin Road, Bangor.

Elks manager Dave Brewer said Manna provides most of the food, “but we provide manpower, some food, and most of the cooking.”

Additionally, members of the Elks will deliver a Christmas meal to those who are unable to get to the meal site.

“We’re going to deliver to the handicapped and shut-ins, if they call us, at 942-6977 between 10 a.m. and noon that morning. We will deliver their meal between 1 and 2 p.m.,” he said, emphasizing that the deliveries are for those individuals only.

“The idea, really, is for everyone who is able to come here,” he said.

That is why Manna also makes transportation arrangements for this meal.

According to information provided by Manna, pickups will take place beginning at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Day at Manna, 180 Center St., at the parking lots of the convenience stores located at the corner of Ohio and Hammond streets and in the Capehart section of Bangor.

We also have learned that those attending the dinner who previously signed up with Manna will be receiving much-needed and anticipated, Christmas gifts provided by thoughtful community members.

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