Recently I spoke with Ida Page, program director of Robert and Mary’s Place in Ellsworth.

Robert and Mary’s Place opened last December to replace The Ellsworth Respite Center, which was unable to continue this vital service, Page said.

Robert and Mary’s Place, using the philosophy of “the best friends approach to Alzheimer’s care,” offers an adult day program “for the purpose of social engagement, activities and caregiver respite,” she said. “Friends participate in group and individual activities designed especially for them and focused on their needs and interests.”

That includes socializing with morning coffee and snacks, structured exercises, singalongs, reminiscing and other memory-stimulating activities such as bingo, crafts and birthday celebrations.

Since the first of the year, Page said the organization has served more than 20 families.

The Hancock County Housing Foundation has generously donated space for Robert and Mary’s Place at Meadow View housing facility, where friends meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

And while all is going well with this program, it does have one major need. Until recently, a volunteer driver provided transportation for three friends, but now is no longer able to do so.

With two new referrals who also need transportation, “the only vehicle available is the extended cab pickup belonging to the program director,” she added.

If Robert and Mary’s Place had its own van “we could transport these friends and others to and from the program,” Page said.

If you, or anyone you know, has a van no longer being used, it would certainly make a wonderful holiday gift for Robert and Mary’s Place.

For more information about how you can help Robert and Mary’s Place acquire a van, call 667-5449 or 667-7034, fax 667-5491 or write Robert and Mary’s Place, 50 Meadow View Lane, Suite 35, P.O. Box 5288, Ellsworth 04605-5288.

Marketing and development director Natalie Whitehouse wants you to know that staff and volunteers of Maine Discovery Museum, located in the former Freese’s building in downtown Bangor, are offering you the opportunity to rediscover the joy of “shopping at Freese’s” this holiday season.

The museum’s holiday fair is 10:30 am.-4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 30, where you will enter through the Pickering Square doors at the rear of the building.

Sale items include evergreen wreaths and swags, ornaments, hand-knit hats, mittens and much, much more.

Among the raffle items are a wooden rocking horse and a one-year museum family membership.

For more information about the sale, or other museum activities and offerings, call 262-7200.

Anne Crowley, president of the Carmel Fireman’s Auxiliary, has announced a raffle offering a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two, which includes airfare.

Donated by Dick and Brenda Arnold, proceeds from the raffle will benefit the CFD “Eyes of Life” project.

Tickets are $5 each. They are available at the town office, Eastside Variety and Ye Ole General Store in Carmel, or from any fireman or auxiliary member. The drawing is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, at the Carmel Fire Station, where the Eyes of Life will be displayed.

The public is invited to attend the drawing, and cake, punch and coffee will be served.

Karen Hopkins of the Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf Regional Outreach Office in Bangor writes that that organization is seeking financial support for its third annual Christmas party for children in the Greater Bangor area who are deaf and hard of hearing.

More than 30 children “of all communication modalities” attended last year’s party with their families, she wrote. Contributions are needed to purchase food, drinks, prizes for games, small gifts and a book for each child. Since craft tables also will be set up for the children, funds are needed to purchase craft materials for that activity.

Checks can be made payable to Karen Hopkins, Early Childhood Consultant, and mailed to Gov. Baxter School for the Deaf Regional Outreach Office, One College Circle, Bangor 04401.

The Katahdin Area Council Boy Scouts of America has established a “giving tree” in the lobby of its 90 Kelley Road facility in Orono.

The public and all members of the KAC scouting family are invited to stop by and take a gift tag off the tree, or simply bring a donation to benefit a local food pantry.

All gifts of nonperishable food items, personal hygiene items, hats, gloves, scarves and mittens will be graciously accepted.

The “giving tree” donation deadline is Thursday, Dec. 19.

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