Fund-raiser to support DAR patriotic activity

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Several organizations are responsible for placing flags on the graves of deceased military veterans for Memorial Day.

Among the groups which participate locally in that much appreciated act of honor and remembrance are members of the Frances Deighton Williams Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Frances Deighton Williams Chapter, said member Sandra Hutchins of Bangor, also sponsors an American History Essay Contest for high school students, supports the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens program, welcomes new citizens and offers scholarships.

To help support such activities, Hutchins said, the Frances Deighton Williams Chapter has launched a new fund-raiser which current and former Bangor residents can certainly appreciate.

At six sites locally, you can purchase two large sheets of wrapping paper depicting scenes of Bangor, representing both past and present landmarks.

One sheet of the wrapping paper is tan and the other white. In addition to being packaged and folded, flat pieces, suitable for framing, are also available.

Hutchins said researching old photos for the fund-raiser was made much easier through the cooperation of a supportive and encouraging Bangor Public Library staff.

For the chapter, she extends sincere thanks to Bacon Printing and local artist Jan Owen for the finished work which I know you will find most attractive.

The Owens sketches of Bangor include the Hannibal Hamlin House, the Standpipe, the Bangor Public Library, the River Drivers Pierce Memorial, the old City Hall, the battleship USS Maine Memorial, the Bangor Waterworks, the Husson Bell Tower, the old Union Station and the Penobscot River, complete with ships and fish.

The price is $4 for the two sheets.

The paper is available at My Maine Bag in the Bangor Mall; the Bangor Museum and Center for History, 6 State St.; the Grasshopper Shop, One West Market Square; the Gift Shop at Eastern Maine Medical Center; Miller Drug, 210 State St.; and the Bangor Theological Seminary bookstore on the BTS campus.

For information about obtaining the flat pieces, call Hutchins at 942-8188.

If you’re shopping this Memorial Day weekend, add to your list the purchase of this paper. It is not only great for wrapping gifts, but great for giving as gifts, which is what I plan to do.

More importantly, however, is the fact your purchases help this Daughters of the American Revolution chapter to continue honoring our veterans and promoting patriotism among our youth.

On behalf of the North Newport Christian Church, Evangeline Matijczyk of Newport invites the public to attend a special Memorial Day church service at 11 a.m. Sunday, May 25, at the church on Route 222 in North Newport.

Matijczyk wrote that “a list of names of those who have paid the supreme sacrifice while serving their country” will be read by William Buckland, commander of American Legion Post No. 73 of Corinna.

“All are welcome,” Matijczyk added.

John Bapst Memorial High School student council member Meghan Simonds invites you to participate in the Second Annual JBMHS 5K Memorial Day Race.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. Monday, May 26, at Saxl Park on the campus of Bangor Mental Health Institute. The race begins at 10 a.m.

Sponsored by the Student Senate, your $15 fee will help with graduation expenses for the JBMHS Class of 2003.

Cash prizes will be awarded the top finishers.

Admission is just $5 per person to the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center Silent Auction that begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at Spectacular Events Center on Griffin Road in Bangor.

Ruth Lockhart, executive director of the health center, reports items up for bid include everything from “a complete Old Town kayak outfit to greens fees and golf cart rentals, jewelry and many other items.”

Proceeds from the auction will “help provide reproductive healthcare services for women in our area,” she added.

For more information about the auction or the services of the Mabel Wadsworth Women’s Health Center, call 947-5337.

Kathy Marks-Molloy, director of the Orono Public Library, invites you to see and hear Tiana Vermette, winner of the grand prize in the Maine Student Film and Video Festival for her animated film, “The Wind Bird.”

Vermette, a member of the Penobscot Nation, will be featured at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, at the library on Goodridge Drive.

Her presentation is titled, “Ancient Stories, Youthful Storyteller: Penobscot Legends on Film.”

Vermette’s appearance is the second program in the new Orono Public Library series, “So You Think You Know Maine.”

The Bangor Memorial Day Parade and activities at Cole Land Transportation Museum and the Milo Memorial Day Parade, all take place on Memorial Day, which is Monday, May 26, and not today, as I incorrectly wrote in Friday’s column.

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