OHI hopes you’ll ‘adopt’ a child this Christmas

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OHI development director Bev Uhlenhake hopes readers will help four young people served by the organization.

“OHI currently has just one group home for kids with developmental disabilities and-or mental illness,” she wrote, “and we would like to provide them with the best holiday season possible.”

The organization supports children with mental illness and mental retardation when their families cannot, she explained of those who come from foster homes and “other sources.”

Uhlenhake thanks you for considering “adopting” one of these children, to whom you will be a true Santa.

An 11-year-old girl who enjoys puzzles and outdoor activities would appreciate a sled or gift certificates for tubing at Hermon Mountain. Generic gifts would be appreciated for a newcomer whose specific interests are unknown.

A 15-year-old girl of 6- to 8-year-old maturity and a third-grade reading level wants to begin experimenting with makeup. Uhlenhake suggests muted tones. The girl’s favorite cartoon character is Winnie the Pooh, and reading-level-appropriate books, or a Leap Pad-like activity, would be fine, as would soothing music.

A 13-year-old boy likes Matchbox cars and tiny toy animals. Frustrated because of his low reading skill, books on tape and books to follow along with the narrator would be a good gift for him.

Another boy, 15, with a low maturity level but age-appropriate reading skills, loves farm animals and fish. Books about these subjects, or plants, would be welcome. Farm-related toys also would make wonderful gifts.

If you could provide generic items for the home, Uhlenhake suggests such items as clay, beads and string, funky pens and markers, games, G- or PG-rated videos, stuffed animals, Lincoln Logs, Legos, large floor pillows and large floor exercise balls.

Should you choose to “adopt” a single child, Uhlenhake would appreciate a call to avoid duplication.

You can reach her at 848-5804, Ext. 113, or buhlenhake@ohimaine.org. OHI is located at 25 Freedom Parkway in Hermon.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church youth minister Lynn Ryan reports the Youth Ministry Christmas Bazaar is 8 a.m.-1 p.m. today at the church on Ohio Street in Bangor.

Crafts made by parishioners and community members, and a breakfast-lunch cafe are featured along with “all kinds of fun games for the children,” she said.

Purchase or cut your own tree courtesy of the Hampden Academy Boosters at its fifth annual Christmas tree sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Sunday in the academy parking lot on Main Road.

Trees are $25 to $30, and you can buy one or purchase a certificate to cut your own at Evergreen Tree Farm.

Judy Gamble reminds you proceeds support Hamden Academy’s booster organization and athletes.

Peace through Interamerican Community Action, or PICA, will hold its 17th annual silent and live auction, 6-9 tonight in the College Center Ballroom at University College, 210 Texas Ave., Bangor.

The event is free to the public and includes a short play, says Deborah Blease.

Proceeds support PICA programs, including the Bangor Clean Clothes Campaign.

Members of the Simpson Memorial Library board of trustees invite you to a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, on the lawn of the library in Carmel.

Following the tree lighting and carol singing, you are invited to the Carmel Congregational Church basement, where members will provide refreshments and librarian Dixie Carr will read Christmas stories to children.

The Good Will-Hinckley Homes for Boys & Girls 12th annual Festival of Trees open house is 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in Hinckley.

It features 30 full-size trees decorated by local designers following the theme “Christmas around the World.” Santa Claus will be the official greeter.

Horse-drawn sleigh rides from noon to 4 p.m. will pass a live nativity scene; the David Dees Band performs noon-2 p.m.; and Friends of Jazz, with pianist Thomas Mueller and vocalist Betty Grant, will perform 3-4:30 p.m.

Admission is free, but donations are accepted.

Monies raised benefit the Good Will Christmas Fund for the boys and girls who do not go home for the holidays.

The festival continues through Saturday, Dec. 13.

Members of Ave Maria Circle, Daughters of Isabella of Bangor-Brewer will not exchange gifts during their annual Christmas party, reports Margaret Tenney.

Instead, they will bring unwrapped gifts for Spruce Run, the agency providing assistance to those suffering from domestic abuse in Penobscot and Piscataquis counties.

The party begins with a brief meeting at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at Millers Restaurant in Bangor. A Dutch treat luncheon follows at noon.

If you have questions about what gifts would be appropriate, call Joyce Martin at 825-8742.

I’ll have more information on this in a later column but, for now, I’m pleased to report a community theater program based at the new Bucksport Auditorium is seeking cast members, stage crew and other volunteers for a musical production planned for early 2004.

The first organizational meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Bucksport Town Office.

For more information, call Joe Kennedy at 469-1942.

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