According to its Web site, the purpose of the international nonprofit organization SERRV is to promote the social and economic progress of people in developing regions of the world by purchasing and marketing their handcrafts in a just and direct manner.

Formerly called Sales Exchange Refugee Rehabilitation and Vocation, SERRV markets crafts in the United States through churches, socially responsible retailers, community groups and by direct mail.

The Church of the Brethren launched SERRV in 1949 to aid World War II refugees.

If you live in, or are headed to, Aroostook County this weekend, you have the opportunity to really learn what SERRV is all about.

Members of the Congregational Church Women of the Presque Isle Congregational Church are sponsoring a SERRV International Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at the church, 27 Church St. in Presque Isle.

A food sale, sponsored by the women’s group, will be conducted at the same time.

Rebecca Griffiths is a member of the committee organizing the sale, which she said includes such things as “musical instruments, beautiful bookends, Christmas decorations, and beautiful jewelry from Kenya, India, El Salvador and the Philippines.”

The way this program works, “we get the products from the SERRV office in Maryland, and then sell them to the public,” Griffiths explained.

The profits from the sale are used for mission projects selected by the local church.

“The first time, we sent all of the profits back to SERRV,” Griffiths explained about what the women voted to do with the proceeds from that sale.

But, this time, the profits will stay at home to help meet needs here.

“There is a dual benefit,” Griffiths explained. “We buy the products and sell them, so SERRV benefits, and our profits help meet local needs.”

The Presque Isle church is one of many throughout the country participating in SERRV sales, Griffiths said.

“Any church can participate, and church members can even go to the SERRV international headquarters, as some of our women did, and help pack up orders or stock shelves.

“It’s really quite a sale,” Griffiths said of the event, which also features furniture and clothing.

She and members of the committee hope you will enjoy the opportunity to purchase items made by people throughout the world.

If your church or organization is interested in learning more about SERRV, visit info@serrv.org, call (800) 422-5915 or write SERRV, P.O. Box 365, 500 Main St., New Windsor, Md. 21766-0365.

Because there are more than 9,000 Boy Scouts in the Katahdin Area Council in the six counties of eastern and northern Maine, don’t be surprised if you see a slew of Boy Scout uniforms on Friday, Nov. 9, and Saturday, Nov. 10.

Andy Hamilton, president of the Katahdin Area Council, has announced that Friday, Nov. 9, is “Scout Spirit Day.”

The purpose of the day is to encourage Scouts to serve others during this time of national crisis, and to demonstrate scouting’s commitment to citizenship, values and character.

Scout uniforms may be seen at school, at work or throughout the Katahdin Area Council communities because Scouts also participate in an annual food drive on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Hamilton has announced that several local schools will join with the Scouts in conducting patriotic ceremonies to show support for emergency personnel and to honor our nation’s veterans.

An active member of the United Way of Eastern Maine, the Katahdin Area Council was founded in 1910.

If you wish more information about the activities of the Katahdin Area Council, call 866-2241.

Many people, including such well-known Bangor residents as Tabitha King, recognize that being able to have free access to the wonders of the Bangor Public Library has had a very positive impact on their lives.

So much so, in fact, many people often tell librarians of something special connected with the library that actually changed their lives.

Now, the staff at the Bangor Public Library wants you to write those stories, explaining what special thing happened to you because the library was there for you.

Perhaps one of its books changed your outlook on the world.

Perhaps you found a better job reading a newspaper at the library.

Perhaps its computer access significantly enlarged your world vision.

Whatever it was, the BPL would like to hear from you.

Forms on which to write your stories can be obtained in the main lobby of the library at 145 Harlow St. in Bangor.

Entries are requested by Saturday, Dec. 15.

Your answers will be used to tell others why the BPL is an important community asset.

Five of the letters will be selected to be sent to the Maine State Library in Augusta.

Most Maine libraries are involved in this project, and each will contribute five entries to be printed in a book, which will be given to all state-elected officials.

For more information about this project, call the Bangor Public Library at 947-8336.

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

990-8288.