The Beals Hospitality House at Togus Veterans Affairs Medical Center provides temporary lodging for immediate family members of patients at the center.

On behalf of its volunteer board, former president and current treasurer Lois Worcester of Sangerville cordially invites you to attend its annual open house from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at the VA Center in Togus.

Refreshments will be served.

The facility’s 14-member board, Worcester explained, includes a representative from all the veterans organizations in Maine.

She described the facility as similar to the Ronald McDonald houses in that it allows families of veterans to stay when the vet is in the hospital.

The convenience, she explained, is that for those who must travel long distances to visit a loved one, this facility “is right on campus.”

For information about Beals House, write Worcester at 1069 Douty Hill Road, Sangerville, 04479, or call 564-8562 or 631-8585.

The award-winning Canadian musical group Leahy will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19, at Maine Center for the Arts at the University of Maine in Orono.

Presented by the MCA and Community Health and Counseling Services, the concert will feature the group of nine brothers and sisters who blend Celtic, folk, rock, pop, country and classical music with step-dancing.

For more information about Leahy, visit www.leahymusic.com. For concert tickets, call the MCA box office (800) MCA-TIXX or 581-1755.

Hairstylists, wig experts and aestheticians are invited to attend a free training session for the American Cancer Society’s Look Good-Feel Better Program.

The sessions are 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at Pierre’s School of Cosmetology, 639 Broadway, Bangor and 5-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, at Pierre’s, 30 Skyway Plaza in Caribou. This free community- based, national service helps women undergoing cancer treatment to learn to cope with appearance-related side effects of their treatment and to regain a sense of self-confidence and control over their lives.

It was founded and developed by the Cosmetology, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation in cooperation with the ACS and the National Cosmetology Association.

Interested licensed cosmetologists can call Debbie Seybold at the ACS, (800) 464-3120 and press 3, or 373-3708.

Bird lovers will appreciate the next topic of the Schoodic Audubon Society, which is the first Down East Spring Birding Festival planned for May 2004.

Mike McCabe, co-owner of Puffin Pines in Whiting, is organizing the event in the Cobscook area. He will explain how you can participate during the Schoodic Audubon meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Recreation Building of the Calais Housing Center, 10 Sunset Circle.

But, if you can’t volunteer, you are invited to attend the meeting and learn more about this new event that combines education, conservation and tourism with input from a variety of area groups, organizations and educational institutions.

The Bangor Area Visiting Nurses annual Harvest Celebration has a dual purpose this year.

Hosted by Dirigo Pines and Affiliated Healthcare Systems from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Dirigo Pines Inn in Orono, the event celebrates the 90th anniversary of the Visiting Nurses and recognizes the contributions of the Bangor Museum and Center for History in preserving the city’s history.

On behalf of the museum, board President Beth Bohnet will accept a commemorative plaque from Bangor Area Visiting Nurses board Chairman Ed Gould.

The free event features Maine wines and harvest fare. However, donations will be graciously accepted in support of the nurses programs.

Music will be provided by harpist Daryne Sandford.

For more information, call Deb Jacques at the Bangor Area Visiting Nurses at 973-6550, or e-mail djacques@emh.org.

Julie and the Bug Boys, featuring group founder and lead singer Julie Monroe, will appear in concert to benefit the Arts Enrichment Program at McGraw Elementary School in Hampden.

Presented by the McGraw Parent Teacher Organization and the SAD 22 health coordinator, the concert is 6-7:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Reeds Brook Middle School in Hampden.

Pre-sale tickets are $4 each or $15 per family, and are available until Monday, Oct. 20.

To purchase pre-sale tickets, mail a check payable to McGraw PTO, including your name and the number in your party, and mail to McGraw PTO Treasurer, 192 Patterson Road, Hampden 04444. Your tickets will be at the door.

Tickets the night of the show are $5 each.

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