According to Bangor Band board member Bob Pentland of Lamoine, “the young, the elderly – even Grinches and elves – are invited to attend” the annual Christmas concert presented by the Bangor Band at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Bangor Civic Center.

This free performance features our wonderful, historic band, which was established in 1859 and is believed to be the second-oldest, continually performing community band in the United States.

Pentland wrote that the concert will feature “a variety of holiday music” and a special appearance by a “well-known gentleman” who has a “worldwide following, is known for his red suit, his rotund physique and an abundance of white hair and whiskers.”

“As usual,” Pentland added, “I anticipate this gentleman contributing an occasional ‘ho-ho-ho’ while he is with us.”

And, Pentland also reports, “as is our tradition, we have applied to the city of Bangor for a reindeer parking permit for the roof of the Civic Center, since the reindeer seem to prefer parking on rooftops as opposed to paved parking lots.”

Fred Heath directs this band of which we are so proud.

Cynthia Wells of the Stockton Springs Business Association is chairwoman of its second annual Enchanted Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Singing, 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, in downtown Stockton Springs.

Local businesses will feature Christmas-ornament making, 2-4 p.m., and photos with Santa Claus can be taken during those same hours at Penobscot Bay Gallery.

The Enchanted Christmas Tree will be lighted and carols will be sung at 4:30 p.m. at Veteran’s Memorial Park, then it’s on to the warmth and beauty of a holiday bonfire at 5:15 p.m. at Purple Fleece on School Street.

Throughout the celebration, hayrides and refreshments will be available and, for the less fortunate among us, those who attend are asked to bring a nonperishable food donation to benefit the Prospect Food Pantry.

Another activity postponed and rescheduled following last weekend’s snowfall is the MERI Winter Holidays Event, now to be held 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the MERI Center for Marine Studies on Main Street in Blue Hill.

Greg Williams of MERI, or Marine Environmental Research Institute, reports that Rebekah Raye of East Blue Hill will be on hand “to make ornaments with children,” and she will also be exhibiting her students’ artwork.

The ornaments will be made from shells gathered “from around the world,” Williams added, and those who attend will enjoy music provided by Frank Gotwals of Stonington, who sings “songs of the sea.”

Tours of the MERI center, refreshments and “a tree that you will be asked to help decorate” await those who take advantage of this holiday invitation.

The event is free and open to the public, but donations are always appreciated. Williams says MERI will welcome “as many as we can fit in.”

I’ll have more detailed information after the holidays about the effort to establish the Winterport Arts Center but, for the moment, Charlotte Herbold wants you to know the next movie that is helping raise funds for this project is “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” starring Gene Wilder.

Part of the “Magic Lamp Movie” series of family favorites, the show is 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Kaler Street Music Hall on Main Street in Winterport.

Tickets at the door are $2 for children over the age of 5, $4 for adults and $10 per family.

For more information about this project, call Herbold, 223-5096; Anne Tatgenhorst, 223-4921, or e-mail ancitat@aol.com.

Peggy Markson, regional executive for communications for the American Cancer Society-New England Division in Topsham reports that her organization has a holiday gift idea for people of all ages.

ACS suggests that giving to charities ensures that you can share what you have with people beyond your own circles, and it helps avoid the difficulty of trying to find another perfect tie for your uncle or another exquisite scarf for your aunt.

Instead, the ACS suggests that you make a donation, in any amount, to the ACS in their honor.

To learn more about giving options or for cancer information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call the ACS at (800) ACS-2345, or visit www.cancer.org.

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