Bangor

Maine Women’s Fund grant

The Maine Women’s Fund announced its 2003 grant awards totaling $115,000, an increase of 10 percent from last year. “You the Man,” in collaboration with Spruce Run, received $12,000 from the fund. “You the Man” is a theatrical piece that addresses teen dating violence and shows young women and men how to combat abusive or violent situations.

The Maine Women’s Fund makes grants to organizations working to create systemic change for women and girls throughout Maine. The fund supports innovative approaches to address root causes of poverty, violence and discrimination. Since 1990, the fund has awarded more than $1 million in grants to eliminate gender barriers, build self-esteem, promote economic self-sufficiency, prevent violence and increase accessibility to quality health care for women and girls.

Retired teachers

Forty members of the Penobscot County Retired Teachers Association met May 15 at Geaghan’s Restaurant in Bangor. Perry Amsden of Brewer installed the group’s new officers: Mary Wallace, Mattawamkeag, president; John Baldwin, Winn, first vice president; Brenna Thornton, Old Town, second vice president; Ruth Goodwin, Lincoln, secretary; Clara Swan, Hampden, treasurer; and Rowena Russell, Corinna, assistant treasurer.

Clara Swan presented a gift to Richard Crouch, the immediate past president, and thanked him on behalf of the members for his sincere dedication and faithful service to the organization. Clayton Rogers of Brewer entertained at the keyboard with songs from the 1950s and conducted a sing-along.

Redesigned

The newly redesigned downtownbangor.com Web site is up and running. A new feature is the essay section by writer and artist Annaliese Jakimedes, who will write about the experience of living in downtown Bangor. Her opening essay is “Patten in a Box.” The design work for the Web site was done by Sephone Internet Solutions.

Evensong

The Parish Choir of St. John’s Episcopal Church, with organist Dr. Fred Jones, will conclude its annual series of choral evensong services at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 25. Monthly evensong will resume at 4 p.m. Sept. 28.

Child abuse prevention

The Child Abuse and Neglect Councils of Penobscot and Piscataquis counties are offering a series of workshops on violence against children, “Our Children’s Future.” The monthly series continues with “Violence in Media, Internet and Games” at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St., and via videoconference, 50 North St., Dover-Foxcroft.

Officer Dan Frazell of the Bangor Police Department will teach parents how to critique the violence that plagues the media, the Internet and video games. He also will offer techniques parents can use to show children how to identify and reject the violent images.

Continuing education units are available. The cost is $40 and includes a light supper. Registration is required. To register, call 973-3575.

Episcopal ordinations

Jessie Cookson Drysdale of Weston and Joan Nelson Preble of Ellsworth were ordained by the Right Rev. Chilton R. Knudsen, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Maine, at St. John’s Episcopal Church on May 3.

Drysdale, who has served as lay reader, lector, preacher, choir member and member of the Baptismal Ministry Covenant Group, will serve as a deacon at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Houlton.

Preble, head teacher at the child-care center of the James Russell Wiggins Downeast Family YMCA and co-owner of SunShine Nursery School, will serve as a deacon at St. Dunstan’s Church in Ellsworth.

Brewer

Brewer Days Festival

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, in the upper-level conference room in the Brewer Auditorium for those interested in participating in the Brewer Day Festival. Many activities are planned for the celebration; volunteers are needed for a wide variety of duties, including program planning, event staffing and activity supervision. To learn more, call 989-5199.

Kiwanis, Key clubs

The Brewer Kiwanis Club inducted new officers at a recent meeting of the Key Club: Brett Rees, president; Peter McGuire, vice president; Laurin Green, secretary; Vanessa Michaud, treasurer, Ryan Goodin, points and projects; Ryan Riley, public relations; James McLeod, bulleting editor. To learn more about Brewer Kiwanis, call Kathleen Harding-Heber at 825-4477.

Carlton King, Glen Rand, Wes Archer, Bill Newberry, Jane Newberry, Andy McPhee and Herb Hopkins attended the 65th anniversary party of the Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club.

Eddington

Town business

The Eddington town office will be closed Memorial Day, Monday, May 26. Roadside trash pickup will be Saturday, May 31.

Kenduskeag

Planning board

The planning board will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the town office.

Spring cleanup

Kenduskeag will hold a spring cleanup Friday and Saturday, June 21-22. The drop-off site will be on the Kenduskeag-Levant Road. Call the town office at 884-7947 for directions and a list of materials accepted.

Old Town

Library art exhibit

Oil paintings of Maine landscapes by JoAnne Houlsen will be shown until June 12 at the Old Town Public Library, 46 Middle St.

“The Maine landscape has intrigued me since I came here nearly 30 years ago,” Houlsen said. “The immensity of natural space speaks to me, and I attempt to communicate in art the impressions of my experience.”

Her interest in art began at an early age when she set up her first “studio” in the basement of her home, where she copied photographs of Audubon birds. She earned degrees in education and studio art at the University of Maine.

Compiled by Ardeana Hamlin