Community News

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Bangor

Program cancelled

The Borrow a Grammy program at Bangor Public Library has been cancelled.

Field Day

The Eastern Maine General Hospital-Eastern Maine Medical Center-Husson College Alumni Association’s Field Day will be held 1:30-7 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Husson College in the G. Pierce Webber Campus Center. Activities include games, a Scotch auction at 4:30 p.m. and a barbecue dinner at 5:30 p.m. Reservations cost $13.50 per person, payable to Gloria Lee, treasurer, 238 Goshen Road, Winterport 04496.

Volunteer of the Year

Tom Conroy was named Rosscare Volunteer of the Year by the Junior League of Bangor. League member Cindy Smith nominated Conroy, who received the award at the club’s annual meeting at the Penobscot Valley Country Club in June.

Conroy volunteers two mornings a week for Telecare, where he has helped out for three years, often filling in on days when other volunteers are unavailable.

The Telecare program began in 1979 as a joint project of the Junior League of Bangor and Eastern Maine Medical Center. It is now under the auspices of Rosscare, an agency that provides health care services for the frail or elderly. Conroy and other volunteers staff telephones at Rosscare at 7 a.m. each day.

Seniors in Greater Bangor may call in or request to be called by a volunteer. If volunteers are unable to reach a program participant, they notify a family or neighborhood contact designated by the participant or emergency services in the participant’s town. The contact or emergency personnel go to the participant’s home to provide any assistance that might be necessary.

Seniors may choose to participate in Telecare long-term, seasonally if they spend some months living in another state, or short-term while recovering from an illness or injury.

There is no cost to participate in the Telecare program. For information about receiving services or to become a volunteer, call Rosscare at 973-7094.

Fund-raising campaign

George Vafiades, Penobscot Theatre’s founding director, will return to Bangor for the opening weekend of “The Fantasticks,” July 25-26, to lend support to the theater’s campaign to raise $30,000. He was at the helm of the theater 1974-1990.

He will attend meetings, press briefings and social events.

Vafiades will address theatergoers at 8 p.m. at the July 25 performance, and at 5 p.m. before the July 26 performance.

Vafiades lives in California, where he does a one-man show about Abraham Lincoln and performs in a recurring role in the HBO drama “The Wire.”

A walk in the bog

“Plants of Orono Bog,” a nature walk along the Orono Bog boardwalk, will give nature lovers a look at plants that thrive there. The walk is set for 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 19. Led by Melinda Mooney, a boardwalk summer intern, the one-mile walk will feature information about common wetland plant species and some of their unique adaptations to wetland life.

The walk begins in Bangor and crosses into Orono. The walk is free, but preregistration is required. For details on the meeting place and to register, call Ron Davis at 866-4785 before 8:30 p.m., or e-mail him at ronald.davis@umit.maine.edu.

Bradford

Bradford Day parade

The Bradford Heritage Museum and Historical Society is seeking veterans with Bradford connections to join the Bradford Day parade July 19.

Parade participants meet at 9:15 a.m. at the fire station on East Road. The parade begins at 10 a.m. and marches to Bradford Elementary School. Call 327-1246 to learn more.

Brewer

Sculpture installation

After more than three months of planning and design and nearly a year of work, the University of Maine sculpture program has installed a life-size sculpture of a fruit tree near the intersection of Wilson Street and Parkway South.

“Ascension” was selected from four concepts prepared by UMaine sculpture students in May 2002.

Since then, art students Sharon Anderson, who developed the project concept, Jennifer Chiarell and Sean George have worked with UMaine art department faculty to craft the tree from aluminum donated by Trans-Tech Industries of Brewer. Other materials needed for the project were paid for by the city of Brewer or donated by Lane Supply, Taylor Rental, Wesco and Industrial Metal Recycling.

The sculpture measures 15 by 18 feet. The base, of brick and concrete, was shaped to resemble the root structure of a growing tree.

“Our intent,” said Sharon Anderson, “was to use … metal and brick – two components critical to Brewer’s past and present – and to make something that appears organic and symbolizes growth. Brewer is a city alive with both history and current day vitality.”

Brewer Mayor Gail Kelly said, “This is the second sculpture built for our city over the past two years. It is part of our community’s commitment to the arts, and I am pleased that we are able to foster local talent.” She said that by providing such opportunities, Brewer is helping to keep university students in the area after graduation.

Bike Safety Rodeo

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department and the Brewer Police Department will hold a Bike Safety Rodeo at 10 a.m. Friday, July 18.

Brewer police and other local law enforcement and safety agencies will perform safety inspections, hand out bike helmets while supplies last and test youngsters’ riding abilities on an obstacle course. A lunch of hot dogs, chips and a drink will be available.

The program is open to Brewer residents and is free of charge.

Glenburn

Boat parade winners

Pushaw Lake residents celebrated the Fourth of July with the third annual boat parade. More than 50 boats gathered near Lakeside Landing, and there were 14 official entries in the parade.

The following awards were given to the top five participants:

. First, Carol Ryan, American Pastimes.

. Second, Karen Rustin, Proud Americans.

. Third, Parlin family, Reach for the Stars.

. Fourth, Pauline Conley, Miss Liberty.

. Fifth, Murray family, Liberty Triplets.

Parade judges were Peg Shannon of Malden, Mass., and Randy and Lori Searls of Rockport.

Holden

Swim to beat breast cancer

In an effort to fight breast cancer and honor those who have survived the disease, Eastern Maine Medical Center, the YWCA of Bangor-Brewer and Sandollar Spa & Pool invite the public to join the Beach to Beach Swim for Breast Cancer on Aug. 10.

The event encourages swimmers of all ages to participate individually or as a team of six to complete the one- or two-mile course beginning and ending at Jenkins Beach on Green Lake.

Swimmers secure pledges to benefit Caring Connections, a cooperative women’s health program of EMMC and the YWCA of Bangor-Brewer, which offers support, education and exercise programs for women with breast cancer.

Participants who are unable to swim can make donations in honor of, or in memory of, loved ones with breast cancer.

Special guest for the event is Matt Vogel, a two-time Olympic gold medalist. Vogel will help raise money for the cause.

Participants and those who make donations will be entered in a drawing to win a Hot Springs Jetsetter spa donated by Sandollar Spa & Pool and Watkins Manufacturing. It is not necessary to be present to win.

More swimmers and kayaks are needed to ensure the success of the swim. For information, call the YWCA at 941-2808.

Orono

Radio program

“From Tree to Tune,” featuring interviews with Maine musical instrument makers who will take part in the National Folk Festival Aug. 22-24, airs on WERU 89.9 at 7:30 a.m. Saturdays until Aug. 16. The Maine Folklife Center sponsors the series, and Pauleena MacDougall serves as host.