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Alton

Busy church cooks

A church group in Alton has an interesting motto: “Come Start Your Day with the Cooks of Alton United Methodist Church.”

For instance, try the public fish chowder dinner, with hot rolls and pies, set for 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Nov. 3, at the church hall on Bennoch Road. Tickets are $6. Afterward, browse the craft tables and offerings of baked goods.

Proceeds will benefit expenses of church, which has been very busy.

The church has been involved with Heifer Project International, the IMA Healthy Family Kit, prison ministry and the Angel Tree ministry.

Fruit baskets for senior citizens and shut-ins are given at Christmas time, and a senior citizen dinner is sponsored at 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Also, the church sponsors a child in Ecuador.

The second Saturday of every month, the church holds a public breakfast to help play the cost of paving the parking lot. The next one will be held 7-9 a.m. Nov. 9, with tickets at $3.50.

Bangor

Voter registration

In addition to regular office hours 8 a.m-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, Bangor residents may register to vote at City Hall 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 30-Nov. 1, and on Election Day 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, when the polls are open.

In addition to regular hours, the city clerk’s office will be open 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 2, for absentee voting.

Concert at Union Street Brick Church

Four Shillings Short, a duo whose music is rooted in Celtic and American folk, will perform in Bangor at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Union Street Brick Church. The cost is $10, or $8 for WERU members. For ticket information, call 469-6600 or visit the Web at www.weru.org.

The Four Shillings Short duo, Aodh Og O Tuama of Cork, Ireland, and Christy Martin of California, play music inspired by Indian raga, jazz and ethnic idioms, and features traditional songs from England, Ireland, Scotland, India and America.

Instrumentation includes the tinwhistle, banjo, mandolin, hammered dulcimer, bodhran, spoons, dumbek and the North India sitar. Four Shillings Short performs a broad repertoire which appeals to a variety of audiences.

A special guest will be SONiA, an American grass-roots, folk-pop singer-songwriter.

SONiA’s career began in 1988 with Disappear Fear, which she started with her sister, Cindy Frank. Cindy left for full-time motherhood and SONiA went solo. With her acoustic guitar, she had performed for audiences in several countries, doing more than more than 200 performances a year.

Country music awards

Community Radio WERU-FM 89.9 in Blue Hill & 102.9 in Bangor recently won two major awards at the 2002 Downeast Country Music Association Awards Banquet.

The 2002 Downeast Country Music Association Media Award is presented to a media entity that has made a significant contribution to the promotion of country music in Maine.

In addition, Tommy Dean, co-host of “Down Home Country” and host of “Independent Country with Tommy Dean,” received the Bill Clements Memorial Award, recognizing a significant contribution to the promotion of country music.

The 2002 Downeast Country Music Association Awards Show were held Oct. 6 at The Roost in West Buxton.

WERU-FM program director Joel Mann said, “We’re really proud of Tommy Dean and his dedication to bringing traditional and alternative country to the ears of Maine listeners.”

In addition to Dean’s two programs, midnight-2 a.m. and 9-10 a.m. Thursdays, WERU-FM also features country music on other programs.

Other offerings include coffeehouses on weekend mornings, “Morning Maine” weekdays, “Truck Stop” on Wednesday nights and “Bronzewound” on Thursday nights.

White Cane Safety Day

The Bangor City Council proclaimed Oct. 19 White Cane Safety Day to raise awareness of Maine law, which requires motorists to yield the roadway to blind and visually impaired people who use a white cane or a guide dog.

October has been declared Iris Vision Awareness Month.

Physical Therapy Month

The City Council has proclaimed October as Physical Therapy Month. Husson College was cited for providing high-quality physical therapy education to its students and the community.

Area physical therapists were cited for their dedication to the promotion of health maintenance and treatment.

This year’s Physical Therapy Month theme is, “The science of healing. The art of caring.”

Casting call

Penobscot Theatre Company-Maine Shakespeare Festival will hold open auditions for “A Christmas Carol” 1 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Penobscot Theatre, 183 Main St.

Auditions are for all ages and by appointment only. Actors should be prepared to present one memorized monologue, no more than one minute long, from a play, book, movie or poem, and a short verse from a favorite Christmas carol or holiday song. Actors are encouraged to bring a current resume and a photo. To schedule an audition, call 947-6618.

Those who have auditioned for Penobscot Theatre in the past need not attend, but are encouraged e-mail collene@maineshakespeare.org, or write 183 Main St., Bangor 04401.

Candidates night

Bangor Public Library will hold a candidates night for those seeking election to the Bangor City Council and the Bangor school committee at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the lecture hall.

Mike Gleason, a Maine Air National Guard retiree, will serve as moderator as candidates John Cashwell, Frank Farrington, Richard Greene, Dan Tremble and Torvic Vardamis speak for five minutes each about why they chose to run for City Council, and the issues the city faces.

Susan Carlisle, Phyllis Guerrette and Christine Szal, candidates for Bangor school committee, will each have five minutes to talk about the challenges facing the Bangor School Department. After the candidates make their statements, they will respond to questions from the audience.

After the formal presentation, refreshments will be served and there will be time for conversations with the candidates.

Bangor Public Library Director Barbara McDade said she thinks the races for state and federal offices are overshadowing the local elections.

“This is a chance for Bangor residents to see and hear who will be helping to shape the future of our city,” she said. “This is a way for city residents to learn what the issues are so they can make an informed vote. It’s also a chance to thank these people for caring about the city. Serving on City Council or the school committee is a major commitment of time and energy. I’m always glad we have good people willing to run for office.”

Gubernatorial debates

Maine Public Radio and Maine PBS will air two separate, live gubernatorial debates beginning Oct. 25.

Maine Public Radio will air a debate between the candidates for governor from its Portland studios at 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Fred Bever, Maine Public Radio state house bureau chief, will moderate the general topic, 30-minute debate in which candidates will address questions posed by Bever in the studio. After the debate, he will take questions from callers for another half-hour.

The public also may listen to the debate, live, on Maine Public Radio’s Web site, www.mainepublicradio.org.

A separate gubernatorial debate will be televised on Maine PBS from the ballroom at the College Center at University College Bangor at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The television debate will be rebroadcast on Maine Public Radio at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.

Fred Bever and Don Carrigan, executive producer of public affairs for Maine PBS, will moderate the debate.

“Election Day is right around the corner and the campaigns are working at full throttle,” said Carrigan. “Holding these debates so close to the election will give the public a vital glimpse at the candidates’ final push to become our next governor.”

The candidates, U.S. Rep. John Baldacci, Jonathan Carter of the Green Party, Republican Peter Cianchette and independent John Michael, have committed to participate in both the radio and television debates.

For an opportunity to ask a question during the debates, or to obtain a comprehensive look at all of the issues of the election, visit Maine Public Broadcasting’s Web site, www.mpbc.org, and click on Election 2002.

The Election 2002 Web site contains information, provided by Maine Public Broadcasting, Maine Public Radio and many others, about the elections. The Margaret Chase Smith Center for Public Policy and the Edmund S. Muskie School of Public Service, which have partnered with Maine Public Broadcasting to cover the election, have provided extensive policy briefs on Maine issues.

Links to several other election resources, including the Maine secretary of state’s home page and “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” also are available.

Internet safety workshop

BANGOR – A free Internet Safety workshop will be offered at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, at Penquis CAP offices in Bangor, Dover-Foxcroft and Lincoln.

Lt. Scott Arno from the Dover-Foxcroft Police Department will present information on Internet safety issues, including programs to use and not to use, Web sites and how to protect yourself and your children.

The workshop will be held at 50 North St. in Dover-Foxcroft, and offered through video conferencing at 262 Harlow St. in Bangor and 119 Main St. in Lincoln.

To register, call 564-7116 in Dover, 973-3575 in Bangor, or 794-3093 in Lincoln.

Brewer

Senior fitness classes

Brewer Parks and Recreation Department senior fitness classes are now in session. Classes meet 9-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Classes are open to all older adults who are interested in increasing flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness through low-impact exercises.

The fee is $2 per class. Call 989-5199 for information.

Howlin’ Halloween

Tickets are on sale for Brewer Parks and Recreation’s annual Howlin’ Halloween Family Costume Party and Dance 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at the Brewer Auditorium.

The party will feature music by Dana Wilson and treats, games, door prizes and costume judging in individual and family categories.

Tickets are $3 for Brewer residents and $6 for nonresidents. Call 989-5199 for ticket information.

Proclamations

In a series of proclamations, the Brewer City Council has recognized:

. Artist Emma Gray and the University of Maine art department for creating a bronze sculpture of Buffy, the mascot of the Brewer Public Library. The life-size statue was unveiled Oct. 17.

. Brewer Public Works employees Ron Kidder and Pete Spencer for their outstanding work helping residents solve sewer-related problems, and for receiving the Charles Perry Award at the Maine Waste Water Control Association annual convention in Sept. 20.

. Spatial engineering graduate students Nicholas Spurling, Danielle Donovan and Justin Maloney for their work this summer with the Brewer Public Works Department. Using the Trimble Global Positioning System, the students located manholes, catch basins and hydrants, and assessed the infrastructure of those fixtures.

. The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department for making Brewer Day a success. Recreation department staff coordinated and oversaw the events and activities.

. The late Cary Butterfield with a resolution of respect. Butterfield was the owner and operator of Butterfield Insurance Agency since 1981, and was involved in community service organizations, including the Bangor Kiwanis Club, YMCA and Little League. Butterfield, who served as a bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died Sept. 22.

. The city of Bangor and its partners, Eastern Maine Development Corp. and the Bangor Convention and Visitors Bureau, for serving as hosts to the 64th National Folk Festival held Aug. 23-24, which more than 80,000 people attended.

Business opening

Seasonal Supply Center owners Dan and Tina Lufkin will hold a grand opening 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 162 Parkway South.

The company sells bulk rock salt and sand-salt, bagged rock salt, calcium chloride and ice melt blends.

The store is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended hours during storms. For information, call 989-2300.

Kiwanis officers, directors

New officers and directors of the Brewer Kiwanis Club for 2002-03 are Herb Hopkins, president; Jane Newberry, secretary; and Andy McPhee, treasurer. Directors are Barney Thompson, Paul Cook, Manley DeBeck, Kathleen Harding-Heber, Rudy Larez, Clay Hardy and Debbie Roy.

Activities planned are a casino night at the Samoset and a children’s Christmas party. In addition, the Kiwanis and Brewer Key Club will sponsor a food drive and Thanksgiving baskets in November.

For information about becoming a Kiwanis member, call 825-4477.

Nomination papers

Six residents met last week’s deadline for submitting nomination papers in the annual city elections, which will be conducted in conjunction with the statewide election Nov. 5.

Open are one seat on the City Council, two positions on the school committee and one post with the high school district trustees. Unlike last year, which featured no contests, this year’s city elections will feature two races.

Incumbent Councilor Donna Thornton, whose term is expiring, is not seeking re-election. Candidates for the three-year position are Joseph Ferris of 91 Wintergreen Way, who now serves on the school committee, and Jerry L. Hudson, a former city councilor.

Candidates for the school committee seats, both for three years, are incumbent Mary Ann McGuire of 37 Nottingham Way, Mark S. Farley of 66 Birchwood Blvd., and Gary Briggs of 9 Prospect St., a planning board member recently named to the Brewer Water District board of trustees.

Philip Griffin of 83 Canterbury Road, a member of the high school district board of trustees, faces no opposition in his pursuit of another five years with that panel.

Corinth

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel

The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have appointed Catherine Kelly to the new nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. Kelly, the only representative from Maine, will join 101 other members to listen to taxpayers, identify issues and make suggestions for improving IRS and customer satisfaction.

Kelly is a former U.S. Postal service employee, has served as the state coordinator for the American Association of Retired Persons Tax-Aide Program and has worked for H&R Block. She also has served two terms on the local school board of directors, two terms on the town budget committee and election clerk and registrar.

Asked why she wanted to be part of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, Kelly said, “In my position as state coordinator for AARP tax-aide, I have been involved in many facets of helping the public resolve tax problems. TAP is another opportunity which I feel can help me live up to my goal of people helping people.”

Panel members are U.S. citizens who devote 300 hours during the year working with IRS executives on priority topics. Members also serve as a conduit for grass-roots issues from the public.

Hampden

Hot topics forum

The Hampden Business Association will hold a Hot Topics forum with elected officials 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in the community room of the municipal building.

Hot Topics is designed to create greater communication between businesses and elected officials. The forum is for casual discussion about suggestions and concerns of businesses in Hampden. Hot Topics will be patterned after Hot Stove League sponsored by the Bangor Region Chamber of Commerce.

Some officials are only available 8-9 a.m., so the session with start promptly at 8 a.m. All business owners, managers and others interested in the Hampden business climate are welcome to attend.

The Business Association’s goal is to promote Hampden business and all Hampden business owners. Managers and residents are welcome. For information, call Betsy Chapman at 944-3264.

Meet the candidates

The Hampden VFW and Auxiliary will sponsor a Meet the Candidates Night at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the VFW Post home on Canoe Club Road.

Candidates for Town Council, SAD 22 school board, water district, and for the state House and Senate will be present.

This is an opportunity for Hampden residents to ask questions of the candidates.

Refreshments will be served.

Orono

Yoga studio opens

Full Circle Yoga will hold an open house 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 78 Stillwater Ave. Sandy Cyrus, certified Kripalu yoga teacher, will offer free 20-minute yoga classes on the half-hour during the day.

The public is invited to visit the studio and register for beginner yoga classes. Students may choose from two 90-minute Saturday classes, one at 7:30 a.m. and one at 10 a.m.

A six-week introductory session will begin Nov. 2. For info, call 866-4103, or e-mail fullcircleyoga@yahoo.com.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin