Kitchen shower for Ronald McDonald House

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Staff and volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Bangor are in the process of a renovation that, when complete, will allow two flexible units to be used as either four individual rooms or as suites for two families during extended hospital treatments, and you can help with that process.

Executive Director Pat Beckwith called to report that “we going to have a shower” to outfit the kitchens of those units.

The shower is planned for 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20.

“We’ll have volunteers there to open the presents, and refreshments will be served,” Beckwith said.

However, to be included on the guest list, you must call ahead.

Beckwith said that “people need to call me if they want to be invited to the shower” so she can provide them with a list of items that are needed.

“When they decide what they are going to purchase, they can give us a call to make sure whether we need it or not,” she explained. If you want to help complete those kitchens, and attend the shower, call Beckwith at 942-9003.

While camping in the Bar Harbor area during Labor Day weekend, Phyllis Read had one of those experiences that adults caring for children fear most.

During a visit to town with her two granddaughters, the 6-year-old disappeared while the trio was purchasing ice cream.

“I started searching up and down the street. I felt my knees go weak and my heart start pounding because I was so scared,” Read wrote the Bangor Daily News. But help was on its way.

A woman approached Read, asked for the girl’s description, and started searching for her.

One of the local merchants came outside and yelled repeatedly, “There is a little girl missing! She is 6 years old, wearing yellow, and her name is Donna. Please, everyone, take a moment and look around you.”

As the street became quiet with people searching for Donna, a gentleman offered to call the police, who arrived in just minutes, Read reported.

Finally, a woman on the hill by the park called out “I found her! She’s up here!”

Read, understandably, is extremely thankful “there are people in this world who are willing to help others.”

“A very grateful Grammy” expresses her thanks to everyone who helped locate her granddaughter.

“Because of you, my story has a happy ending.”

Book donations are now being accepted for the Down East Community Hospital Auxiliary Fall Book & Bake Sale, which takes place 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Centre Street Congregational Church in Machias.

All donations of paperback or hardcover books will be gratefully accepted. For drop-off sites, or to have your books picked up, call Lillian Hanscom in Marshfield, 255-4916; Dorothy Gaddis in East Machias, 255-3728; Nonie MacBride in Lubec, 733-4315; or Elizabeth Day in Wesley, 255-6289.

While an offering will be accepted, admission is free to attend a contemporary Christian concert featuring professional guitarist and composer Michael Lewis at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at St. Joseph Church, 531 North Main St. in Brewer.

A composer of commercial jingles and music for film and television, the Nashville artist’s music is heard on radio and television broadcasts throughout the world.

In recognition of Mental Illness Awareness Week, Oct. 6-12, the National Alliance of the Mentally Ill-Bangor Affiliate is hosting its 2nd annual Candlelight Vigil at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor, 120 Park St.

NAMI Bangor affiliate President Nancy Grimes reported that last year’s first-ever vigil was very well received.

“We had a great turnout,” she said of the 120 in attendance. “We really didn’t expect such high numbers, but there they were!”

And she’s very excited about this year’s program, which features special guest speaker Rep. John Baldacci, whom she describes as being “interested in helping NAMI and other disability organizations improve the services to children in Maine’s communities.”

Discussions about the changing mental health system, a two-minute video of a television interview with a mother and daughter discussing how families and patients cope with the difficulties of living with mental illness and the discrimination that surrounds it, also will be offered.

The Noteables, a 25-member choir organized by Community Health and Counseling Services, will entertain, and local professionals and individuals will discuss coping aspects of mental illness. The evening concludes with a candlelight vigil and social hour.

For more information about NAMI, call Grimes at 223-5686.

Maine Public Broadcasting invites you to attend “A Fabulously Fun Family Day,” 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at 65 Texas Ave., Bangor.

The event celebrates the 40th anniversary of Maine PBS and will feature television characters Arthur and Zoboomafoo and also will provide you an opportunity to talk with staff, learn about digital technology and register for raffles.

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