Community News

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Bangor

National Adoption Month

November is National Adoption Month and Maine Adoption Placement Service is celebrating its 25th anniversary of building families worldwide through adoption and humanitarian aid. A MAPS informational evening exploring the Adoption Option was held Nov. 13 at Border’s Books, followed by a brief presentation with MAPS staff and adoptive families.

A child may come from one of MAPS domestic programs or from one of the international countries with which they partner. MAPS’ role is to guide those considering adoption through choices and set them on the right path for them.

Visit www.mapsadopt.org to learn more, or call 9441-9500 for more information. The Bangor office of Maine Adoption Placement Service is at 181 State St., Bangor.

Bangor Reads

Bangor Public Library has selected Henry David Thoreau’s “The Maine Woods” for the Bangor Reads program, which begins its second season Jan. 4.

The Bangor Reads program is an effort to entice people in Bangor and beyond to read the same book at the same time and to share the experience. The library will hold discussion groups, present special guest speakers and feature displays geared to the book.

The first Bangor Reads program book was “Killer Angels” by Michael Shaara. According to a Bangor Public Library spokesperson, more than 300 people participated in discussions about the book.

“The Maine Woods” was published in 1864. It is a collection of three essays, written during Thoreau’s trips to Maine over an 11-year period.

To learn more about Bangor Reads, or to offer an idea for a program or art work relating to “The Maine Woods,” call 947-8336, Ext. 139.

Annual turkey drive

Manna Ministries has set a goal of 3,500 turkeys for Thanksgiving, to be given to individuals in need, and to food pantries and soup kitchens in central Maine to help round out the holiday meal. Manna is serving as a central collection agency and will distribute the turkeys. This is the 11th year Manna has called for donations of turkeys. Small roasting chickens also are requested.

Manna is receiving holiday bird donations 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Manna also will accept checks marked “Turkey Drive,” and gift certificates from supermarkets.

Travel agency anniversary

Hewins Travel, the largest travel agency in the state, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In addition, the company’s Bangor location is marking its 30th year, having started as Gordon Clapp Travel Services. Hewins acquired the agency in 1987 and several years later moved it to its current location at 753 Stillwater Ave. Staff members there are Judith Carr, Holly Lancaster, Sherry Pinkos and manager Cindy Hastey.

Steve and Kathy Hewins established Hewins Travel in their Portland apartment in 1982. The company also has retail offices in Bangor, Ellsworth, Camden, Waterville, Brunswick, Lewiston, Kennebunk and Portland. The company will mark its anniversary by giving away prizes, including cruises, and by holding a one-day sale Nov. 23.

To register for prizes stop by the office at 753 Stillwater Ave., call 947-6776, or register online at www.hewinstravel.com.

Hewins Travel is affiliated with worldwide travel giant Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Honors received by Hewins include the Golden Legacy Award from Carlson Wagonlit, and the 2002 Community Achievement Award from the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Maine.

Genealogical society meeting

The newly formed Penobscot County Genealogical Society is seeking members. Open to anyone with an interest in family history, the PCGS meets every third Wednesday at Bangor Public Library. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, in the boardroom.

The purpose of the society is to encourage interest in genealogy and family history, to assist fellow family researchers, to collect and exchange genealogical information, and to assist the Bangor Public Library and other organizations to preserve and make available genealogical information to researchers.

For information, call Dale Mower at 942-9375.

Marks at NewsInMe.com

Jeffrey Marks, former vice president and general manager of WLBZ-TV, has been hired as chief operating officer of NewsInMe.com. He will work in sales, marketing, production and product development. Marks comes to NewsInMe.com from News 12 Networks, a division of Cablevision Systems Corporation. He has lived in Maine since 1983.

NewsInMe.com is a statewide news service provider on issues such as business, environment, politics, health care, economic development, the arts and entertainment.

Children’s Book Week events

Bangor Public Library is observing the 83rd annual Children’s Book Week, sponsored by the Children’s Book Council, Nov. 18-24. “Book Time” is this year’s theme.

. At 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, Ellen Obed, author of “Borrowed Black” and “Letter from the Snow,” will read her poetry in the story room. A choral reading will give participants a chance to join in with the rhythm and rhyme. Obed, teaches children’s literature at Husson College. Her books will be available for purchase.

. At 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, the public is invited to a Just Published party for Heather Austin, author and illustrator of “Visiting Aunt Sylvia’s: A Maine Adventure,” published by Down East Books.

Austin, who grew up in Bangor, attended Rhode Island School of Design. It was her whimsical rendition of Bangor Public Library which won the 1998 art contest celebrating the library’s renovation and expansion. Her book will be available for purchase. Refreshments will be served.

. Throughout the week there will be a scavenger hunt for children age 12 and under. It will challenge the participants’ knowledge of the children’s room and its materials. Participants may complete the hunt any time during the week. Prizes will be awarded. For information, call 947-8336.

Computer Learning Center

A grand opening party for the Computer Learning Center will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 14, at Bradford Commons, 201 Husson Ave.

Bradford Commons, which houses senior citizens, disabled people, low-income families, and other renters, was built 25 years ago by Warren Sawyer and Gerry Gouchberg, who believed that elderly and younger residents could live and work together compatibly.

The Computer Learning Center, a collaboration between the Caleb Foundation, Harbor Management and Maine Affordable Housing, was five years in the making.

Don Kimball, Harbor Management property manager, and Laurie Holmes, Caleb Foundation service coordinator, are credited for their efforts to make the computer learning center a reality. The University of Maine at Augusta donated computers, and Bradford Commons resident Steve Melidones upgraded them. The Tenant Group raised funds to buy a printer.

Jones Technology Center

Bangor Savings Bank has renamed its operations center at 19 Maine Ave. to honor former bank president Malcolm E. Jones.

The center, which houses the bank’s computer systems, deposit and loan servicing and other administrative and facilities management functions, was built in 1993 and houses more than 125 bank employees. The facility will now be known as The Malcolm E. Jones Technology Center.

Renaming the center marks the 150th anniversary of the bank’s founding and the impending 10th anniversary of the center’s completion.

Malcolm Jones served Bangor Savings Bank continuously from 1954-1995. He was the bank’s president, 1975-1995, and board member, 1975-1996.

The bank’s board of trustees praised Jones’ vision and leadership, noting “his passion for investing in the city of Bangor, for retaining quality employment in the Bangor region and for creating new employment opportunities for Maine’s young people in an increasingly complex financial services industry right here at home.”

Technology grants

The Maine Technology Institute has approved awards for eight diverse projects, according to director Dr. Janet Yancey-Wrona. They include:

. Biotechnology: Access Wellness Diagnostic Technologies Inc., of Bangor, $100,000, for a diagnostic device for soft tissue injury.

. Environmental Technology: Spill Free Oil Drainage Products, LLC, of Bangor, $67,100, for development of cast metal products. The company holds a patent for a device that makes the oil-changing process easier and spill-free on trucks.

The deadline for the next round of Development Award applications is Jan. 13.

Recipients will be announced in May. Information, the new RFP and applications may be found at www.mainetechnology.org.

Brewer

Kiwanis Club news

Past Lt. Governor Rudy Larez spoke on the history of the Brewer Kiwanis Club at a recent meeting.

The Brewer High School Key Club ran the meeting as part of Kiwanis International Key Club Week. Jen Kee, Key Club president, and her officers were the featured program.

To become a Kiwanis member, call Kathleen Harding-Heber at 825-447, or Herb Hopkins at 843-5357.

Pee Wee instructional basketball

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department is accepting registrations for the pee wee instructional basketball program open to grades one and two children.

The program begins 4-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, at the Brewer Auditorium. Participants may choose Mondays or Wednesdays. The program is designed for fun and to teach basic skills in a positive environment. The fee is $15 for Brewer residents, $20 for nonresidents. For information, call 989-5199.

City Council proclamation

The Brewer City Council issued a proclamation Nov. 7 to commend the efforts of an in-house committee formed in the Brewer Public Works Department to develop and implement a safety policy for that department. Committee members were: Ricci More, chairman; Russell Wilson, co-chairman; Tracy Drew, co-chairman; Ken Locke, secretary; Frank Higgins; Dave Cote; Charlie Bush; Ron Kidder and Pete Spencer.

‘Fowl shooting’ contest

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department will hold the first Thanksgiving Fowl Shooting Contest at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Brewer Auditorium. There will be divisions for adults, children in grades 6-8 and children in grades K-5. Participants will be charged a $1 fee to benefit the Brewer Food Cupboard.

Participants will get 10 free throws, plus three more “fowl” shots with a special rubber chicken basketball. Turkeys and other prizes will be presented to division champions. For information, call 989-5199.

New business

Lorraine Colpitts has introduced her new business, Safe and Sound Youth Transportation Inc., to the area. The company’s focus is transporting at-risk youth by car, airplane or train. The company also offers transport to the elderly.

Staff will drive and accompany anyone, anywhere, Colpitts said, adding that staffers have training in CPR, first aid and crisis intervention, hold current Maine drivers licenses, and have undergone criminal and child abuse background investigations.

Office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. For information, call 989-4200.

Marriage annulment workshop

Monsignor Paul F. Stefanko of the Diocesan Tribunal staff will present a marriage annulment workshop at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at St. Joseph’s Parish, 531 North Main St. in Brewer.

The purpose of the workshop is to better acquaint participants with an overview of the concept of marriage as taught by the Catholic Church, to give an overview of the various reasons for and processes used in granting an annulment and to address the myths regarding annulments in the Church.

There will be time for questions and discussion. Refreshments will be served. For information, call Pat Elliott at 825-4078.

Hermon

New business park

The town of Hermon conducted a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 6 to kick off the opening of the town’s third business park. Pinewood Business Park is owned by Wood Associates Inc. and will comprise six lots ranging in size from one to five acres.

Ron Harriman, Hermon’s economic development director, described the park as the perfect location for any business requiring exposure or the easy and convenient access afforded by being next to Bangor and I-95. He said Pinewood offers municipal water, sewer and 3-phase power. In addition, the town of Hermon provides free Internet service to businesses and has streamlined the approval process to require only a building permit for permitted uses.

Levant

Preschool screening

A free developmental screening for all area 3- and 4-year-old children, as well as 5-year-olds not yet eligible for kindergarten, will be held for SAD 23 at 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Levant Elementary School; and 8:30 a.m.-12:20 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22, at Carmel Elementary School. To make an appointment, call 947-8493.

Orono

Country garden calendar

Need advice on planting vegetables, selecting roses or protecting the garden from deer? The illustrated 2003 North Country Garden Calendar from the Cooperative Extension offers tips on those and other topics for the year.

The calendar includes information about how to find Extension publications by phone or on the Internet. Sources of advice on soil testing and pest problems also are included.

UMaine Cooperative Extension staff members Cindy Eves-Thomas, Kyle McCaskill, and Lois Berg Stack helped produce the calendar.

Maine residents may order the calendar by sending a check for $6 to Garden Calendar, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, 495 College Avenue, Orono ME 04473-1294.

AFS holiday auction

The Orono AFS will hold its annual auction at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the Orono High School cafeteria.

Items include a baseball autographed by Winterport’s Mike Bordick of the Baltimore Orioles on the day he broke the major league record for errorless games. Other items are a U.S. flag that flew over the nation’s Capitol, a cross-stitched “Children of the World,” University of Maine hockey tickets and items made by artisans.

A silent auction is set for 4:30-5:30 p.m. George Gonyar will serve as auctioneer during the live auction 5:30-6:30 p.m.

A chili and cornbread dinner will be served. The auction benefits a fund to help defray costs incurred by Orono area students who wish to spend an exchange year abroad.

Vietnam Memorial

Orono dedicated a Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day at the Nadeau Savoy Park at Gould’s Landing on Pushaw Lake.

The memorial honors Sgt. 1st Class Clayton Savoy, who was killed in action May 29, 1970; and Pvt. 1st Class Larry Nadeau, a paratrooper killed in action Jan. 2, 1966. Both soldiers were Orono natives, and family members still live in the Greater Bangor area.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin