Woodsong benefit features lumber camp music

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Living in a small town has immeasurable rewards. That, we all know. But for the young people of Willimantic, living in their town has measurable rewards as well.

For example, every young resident who graduates from high school receives a $100 savings bond, said Ellen Woodall, acting president of the Willimantic Civic Association.

The WCA has been around for more than a quarter century, Woodall said, and its sole mission is to be of service to the community and its residents.

Whenever there is a disaster in the town, the WCA is there to lend assistance.

If a local family is burned out of their home, for example, the WCA comes forward with clothes and a gift of money to help tide the family over, Woodall said.

If a resident loses a spouse, the association offers money to help defray expenses.

“We work for the town and for the children, especially,” Woodall said. “Every Christmas we give each child in town a gift. We have a pizza party, and each child goes home with something. And we make mittens for everybody, if they care to have them.”

In short, the WCA exists to help meet the needs of those who live in this very close community 12 miles north of Dover-Foxcroft.

According to the 2000 census, 135 people reside in Willimantic.

To help support the work of the association, occasional fund-raisers are conducted, such as an upcoming concert.

Members of the Willimantic Civic Association invite the public to enjoy the lively music of Woodsong at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at the Willimantic Town Hall.

Woodsong, Woodall explained, consists of a group of local folks “who make music that people used to have in lumber camps. It’s very nice to listen to and, if you don’t have your foot tapping, then there’s something wrong with you,” she said.

Woodsong has developed its own loyal following, I understand, and has become quite the attraction.

Indicative of its support for the work of the WCA, Woodall said, the group “is not charging us for this concert, so any money we receive goes to the association.”

Admission is by donation but the refreshments are free, and proceeds benefit the community.

“Everybody has a good time.

“It’s lots of fun,” Woodall said of the music you will hear and the company you will enjoy.

She hopes many of you will attend the concert and find out just what “lumber camp music” is all about.

For women who have appearance-related side effects from chemotherapy or radiation during cancer treatment, and wish to participate in the “Look Good, Feel Better” sessions in Bangor, here is some pertinent information.

According to Randa Shirland, who oversees the meetings at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, the next session is Monday, Sept. 17.

However, all sessions in Bangor are by appointment only, and that session is already booked, Shirland said.

The next session is planned for Monday, Nov. 5, and then on Monday, Jan. 14, and Monday, March 11.

“We always meet on a Monday,” Shirland said, “and it works out to just about every other month.

“But people do need to call me to be put on the schedule. However, that is not a problem.”

If you are interested in attending the next “Look Good, Feel Better” session in November in Bangor, call Shirland at 973-8108.

“Look Good, Feel Better” is a partnership of the American Cancer Society, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association.

Best wishes are extended to Herb Hopkins who has been installed as lieutenant governor of the New England District of Kiwanis.

As a 30-year-member of the Kiwanis Club of Brewer, Hopkins has served that club as president, secretary and youth chairman.

Hopkins, a member of the New England District board of directors, will serve as the Division 3 lieutenant governor for the 2001-2002 year and oversee the Kiwanis clubs in the local area.

His installation took place Saturday, Aug. 25, at the New England District of Kiwanis Annual Convention in Hyannis, Mass.

Earlier this month, a mural painted by students who received Camp Bangor Scholarships was presented to the Bangor YMCA Camp Peirce Webber Day Camp in Hermon.

Painted as part of the celebration after the two-day, citywide cleanup last May, in which the Camp Bangor youngsters participated, the mural was one of four painted by the campers.

The other murals were donated to the Bangor/Brewer YMCA, Bangor Parks and Recreation building and Camp Capella Special Needs Summer Camp.

The Camp Bangor Program offers $1,000 scholarships to children in grades three through six who attend Bangor’s public schools.

Funded by the Libra Foundation and administered by United Way of Eastern Maine in Bangor, the Camp Bangor Scholarships enabled 1,182 children to attend the Maine camp of their choice.

One of the requirements to receive the scholarship includes participating in a community service project.

More than 800 Bangor children, and their parents, took part in the citywide cleanup, working in 18 area parks, neighborhoods and schoolyards.

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