Santa planning early visit to Washington County

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Everyone knows Santa Claus can appear any time, and anywhere, he wants to.

It isn’t just on Christmas Eve that he’s very busy; it’s every day of the year.

Perhaps that is why Santa and Mrs. Claus have chosen to make an earlier-than-usual appearance in one certain eastern Maine community this year.

I have it on the very best authority that Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and dozens of their wonderful elves, will be leading the annual Calais Lioness Christmas parade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, departing from Johnson’s Hardware parking lot, and ending up at Marden’s parking lot in Calais.

And I know, too, that if you want to be part of the parade, all you have to do is just show up in time for the start.

Otherwise, be sure to secure a good spot along the route so you won’t miss seeing Santa make his grand Calais entrance on a CFD firetruck.

When the parade is over, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will give out Christmas cookies and members of the Lioness Club will offer you an opportunity to have your child’s photograph taken with Santa for just $1, which will benefit Lioness community projects.

Every child who attends may write his or her name on a slip of paper and enter the free contest to win a giant “Santa Stocking” full of toys, and the lucky winner’s name will be drawn that night.

Parade committee member Lorraine Mitchell indicated that parade co-chairwomen Lynne Russell and Patty Connolly have been working pretty closely with Santa, Mrs. Claus and local business leaders to make this a wonderfully festive event.

“All the local stores are doing specials that night,” Mitchell said of the Calais businesses that will remain open for your shopping and browsing pleasure after the parade.

“There will be lots of raffles and giveaways, too,” she said.

So, although it’s not yet December, Santa is ready, and he’s been waiting to meet and greet each and every one of you, down Calais way.

Santa also wants you to know that the Calais Lions Club’s annual Santa’s Helper Fund provides food baskets for hundreds of needy families during the holidays.

You can help raise funds for this special holiday project by participating in the Santa’s Helper radio fund-raiser, which airs 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, on WQDY-AM/FM.

Anyone who wants to participate in this show, which features all local talent, need only come to the Calais Elementary School during those hours to offer your services.

On behalf of the Penobscot Valley Ski Club, Pat Cammack of Brewer invites the public to attend a family dance and potluck supper at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at Peaks Hill Lodge in Dedham.

Admission is $6 for adults; there is no charge for children.

Proceeds will benefit the club’s cross-country and downhill Learn to Ski programs, which are offered to adults and children in Greater Bangor.

If you plan to attend the dinner before the dance, which begins at 7 p.m., you are asked to bring a dish to share.

Music will be provided by Dancing Dutch and His Boogie Buddies.

Members of the Brewer High School Class of 1952 are making plans for their 50th reunion Saturday, July 13, 2002, at Pilots Grill in Bangor.

In preparation for that event, reunion committee members have done an excellent job in locating nearly all of their classmates, but have not been able to learn the whereabouts of four of them.

If you have any information about BHS ’52 graduates Marie Tomlinson, Arnold Groves, Clarence McElwee or Kay McLaughlin Williams, please call Charleen Giffard, 825-3649.

Shadowing WLBZ 2 meteorologist Steve McKay or state Sen. Mary Cathcart of Orono are two unique opportunities up for bid during the AFS 24th annual auction of talents and treasures at 6:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30, at the Orono High School cafeteria.

An interesting and exciting way to do some holiday shopping, the auction benefits the local AFS organization, which offers opportunities for high school students and young adults to study abroad for a year, semester or summer while living with a host family.

Besides shadowing two local celebrities, you also can bid on items ranging from dental work to chair caning to handcrafts made by local artisans.

Looking for an unusual gift?

How about a day of sailing? Or perhaps you will be the successful bidder for University of Maine hockey tickets, an airplane ride or desserts made by gourmet cooks.

Bob Wilson of Stamford, Conn., wonders if any reader can help him locate an old college friend, David Paul Jordan.

According to Wilson, Jordan “lived on Prince Street in Saltwater around 1950.”

“On his own, he later came to Wilmington, Del., lived with his uncle Paul Jordan, graduated from Wilmington High School in 1952, then attended the University of Delaware, where he was awarded a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1956.”

Wilson lost track of his old friend in the early 1970s and has been trying to locate him ever since.

If you can help, he asks you to e-mail him at wilso127@yahoo.com or write him at 100-37 Hope St., Stamford, Conn. 06906.

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