During the stress of the holiday season, what could be better than giving yourself a greatly needed “lift” and, at the same time, helping someone else?

Philip Pouzol of Philip Pouzol Physical Therapy reports he is taking appointments, now through Friday, Jan. 2, for one of three opportunities, all for $20 each: steam packs and a neck massage, steam packs and a back massage, or a foot whirlpool and foot massage.

A percentage of all visits scheduled during this time, Pouzol said, will be donated to Operation Liftoff, a nonprofit organization based in Carmel that grants wishes to Maine children with life-threatening illnesses.

Pouzol is anxious to gauge the response to this type of fund-raiser and said that, if it proves to be popular, he would hope to continue it on a regular basis.

“It’s a good way for us to help Operation Liftoff,” he said.

The appointments can be made for yourself or given as a gift certificate to a family member or friend.

Pouzol hopes you will not only consider treating yourself this time of year but also “help support this very special charity during the holiday season.”

Appointments can be made by calling PPPT at 990-2050. The office is located at 33B Penn Plaza in Bangor’s Stillwater Professional Park.

Each of the last 12 years, through the generosity of Morrill Worcester, president of Worcester Wreath Co. in Harrington, 4,500 Maine balsam fir wreaths have decorated the graves of the honored dead in Arlington National Cemetery.

Hugh Dwelley of the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., led this year’s 21/2-hour grave-decorating effort, which took place with the help of volunteers Wednesday, Dec. 17.

Additional wreaths were placed at the USS Maine Memorial, The Tomb of the Unknowns, and the grave of Sen. Edmund Muskie.

I also congratulate Worcester, State Commander Herman Wright of Bath, and members of the American Legion, Department of Maine, for decorating graves of veterans Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the cemetery at the Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus. Worcester donated the first 100 wreaths.

The goal of the American Legion of Maine and its 170 posts statewide is to decorate every veteran’s gravesite in Maine with a wreath for the holidays.

We should all be proud of the American Legion of Maine for leading this effort, which is also being started in 10 other states – New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Nebraska, Arizona, West Virginia, Montana, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas – with the ultimate goal of decorating all veterans’ graves nationwide.

For information about this program, call the Maine American Legion at 873-3229 or Worcester Wreath at 483-6636.

To participate, visit www.worcesterwreath.com and click on Veterans Wreath Program.

While we’re on the subject of the American Legion, I’m pleased to report that Penobscot Voiture Locale 427 of the American Legion 40-8 has presented its Nurses Scholarships of $500 each to Amanda Amsden, Newport; Elizabeth Boone, Brewer; Janelle Akerson, Caribou; Renee Richards, Orono; and Shane Puiia of Hudson.

Each student achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or better, according to Penobscot Voiture’s chef de gare, Mike Lamoreau of Hudson.

On behalf of the six Roman Catholic parishes in the greater Bangor area, Sara Cox invites the public to attend a Christmas carol singalong from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28, at St. Gabriel’s Church in Winterport.

After the singalong, “everyone is invited to enjoy light refreshments,” Cox wrote. “Bring your family and friends, and your singing voice, for an afternoon of Christmas cheer.”

And, just so you know, I double-checked with Cox, and this event is being held the Sunday after Christmas!

Wondering what to do with your children, those 5 to 10 years old, during vacation week?

Why not send them to Maine Discovery Museum’s Vacation Camp in downtown Bangor?

The camp is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, and Tuesday, Dec. 30; 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31; and 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Jan 2.

The cost, including a morning snack, is $35 per child, per day, or $28 per child, per day, for Family Plus members and above.

You can send your child for one day or all four, but space is limited, so call the museum now at 262-7200, or visit www.mainediscoverymuseum.org.

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