There is much to celebrate in October for all associated with Women, Work and Community, a Bangor organization that offers education and entrepreneurial training for women in challenging life circumstances.

Formerly known as the Displaced Homemakers Program, WWC is not only moving into a new facility, but is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Maine with an open house on Thursday, Oct. 16.

That’s why WWC Regional Manager Jane Searles and Susan Russell, the Bangor coordinator of WWC, are doing their best to contact all past participants involved in training or workshops offered by either program.

Searles and Russell invite past and present participants of these programs, all collaborators, friends of the program, and anyone interested in learning about the organization to attend the open house.

They request you RSVP by Wednesday, Oct. 15, by calling WWC at 262-7840.

We congratulate WWC on a quarter-century of service to women in our area whose lives have been helped and improved by this program.

People in Greater Millinocket have until today to sign up for Maine Country Charm’s Fall D.A.R.E. to Paint Challenge, which is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at Maine Country Charm, 215 Penobscot Ave. in Millinocket.

Hosted by owner Trish Madore, proceeds from the Challenge will benefit the local D.A.R.E. program in memory of her father, following his death, “as a way to make sense of his alcohol abuse,” she wrote.

Madore, who cuts the wood and provides the paint and other supplies needed to complete the project, selects something that even a beginner can paint.

Interested individuals can register by calling Maine Country Charm at 723-3990.

The public is invited to attend an Autumn Harvest Fund-raiser to help obtain class supplies and fund field trips for the kindergarten and second-grade classes at Dedham School.

Parent Jan True, will act as host for the event, which is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the school on Route 1A.

Attendees can choose from pumpkins, gourds, corn stalks, Indian corn, hay, a variety of squash, and red, purple or Yukon potatoes.

True reports your purchases will help obtain books and games for indoor recesses, and enable pupils to take interesting and educational trips outside their school.

An e-mail from Rob Gaiser of the Southwest Harbor Fire Association informs us that organization will hold an auction beginning with a preview at 4 p.m. and the auction at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Southwest Harbor Legion Hall.

“There is a little something for everyone,” he wrote of “sports memorabilia, collectibles, gift certificates and a vacation getaway for up to six in the Bahamas.”

Admission to the auction is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend to help support the services provided by the Southwest Harbor Fire Association.

“It seems like we just started yesterday,” wrote Bobbie Fowler in announcing that The Animal Orphanage will host its 10th annual Fun Dog Show 12:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Knights of Columbus Little League Field in Old Town.

The cost is $1 for each event entered, and there are 13 classes – from musical chairs to best handshake to best trick.

Refreshments, Animal Orphanage merchandise, gift certificates from area merchants and a raffle featuring an Old Town kayak are all part of the event.

Proceeds help support the work of the organization, which provides medical care and a safe haven for lost and abandoned dogs and cats until they are adopted or returned home.

Abe and Frieda Miller of Bangor were such a team that it will be difficult to think of one without the other.

To Frieda, her family and so many friends, I extend my condolences on the loss of Abe, who died this week at age 95.

As a couple, Abe and Frieda were an integral part of this community, but I will probably associate the “Abe and Frieda” phrase most often with Camp Capella, the United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine summer facility at Phillips Lake they so generously supported for so many years.

Abe Miller epitomized the term “gentleman,” because he was a kind, thoughtful man. The Millers were most fortunate to have had 70 years together, and we were fortunate, in this community, to have had him for a lifetime.

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