Senior companion program celebrates 25 years

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The public is invited to help the Washington County Senior Companion Program celebrate 25 years of serving elderly residents.

Staff member Marcia Bernhardt reports the organization’s 25th Birthday Celebration is 2-4 p.m. Saturday, April 17, at Faith Methodist Church on Route 1 in Columbia.

The event begins with a short program honoring special guests and highlighting the organization’s 25-year history.

After the program, guests will be entertained by the Machias Community Band, joined by the Cherryfield Community Band.

The Machias Community Band, by the way, “includes members of the Machias High School band,” Bernhardt said.

The celebration naturally includes birthday cake and ice cream, and attendees can bid on several raffle items.

Senior Companions are individuals age 60 or older who provide companionship to homebound or isolated elders. They are paid a small stipend for their efforts, Bernhardt explained.

For a quarter century, the program has been serving residents of most Washington County communities.

Bernhardt said the program has 34 Senior Companions whose activities vary from just sitting down over a cup of tea with an elderly or frail individual to visiting those who don’t get out very often.

For information about how to become involved with the program, call Bernhardt or Deb Eckart at 255-3345.

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor invites you to take Basic Literacy Tutor Training from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 17 and April 24, at the Bangor Public Library.

Executive Director Mary Marin Lyon reports there is no cost for the training, and materials and lunch are provided.

However, to participate, you must register today by calling the LV-Bangor office at 947-8451.

Literacy Volunteers brings together volunteer tutors with adults who want to learn to read, improve their reading or learn English as their second language.

People interested in improving their reading can call the above number to receive information about how to get a tutor.

For the sake of Medway Middle School pupils, let’s hope it is not a wet walk they take at 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 16, from the school to East Millinocket and back as part of the March of Dimes WalkAmerica program.

This year marks the 10th time the school has participated in this project. In nine years, pupils have raised more than $20,000 for the March of Dimes, reports Judith Danforth.

In addition to raising money through the walk, the youngsters have conducted bottle drives, placed donation cans throughout the community, conducted food sales and sold candygrams.

From Betty Vandyke of Guilford, we learn April has been declared “Grange Month” by the National Grange, and that many Granges are hosting activities in recognition of the value and work of this organization.

According to the National Grange Web site, the theme for the year is “Grange: Advocating for American Values.”

To celebrate Grange Month, Valley Grange #144 of Guilford invites you to an Open House at 6 p.m. Friday, April 16, at the Grange Hall.

The event features a program on Identity Theft; the recipient of this Grange’s Citizen’s Award will be announced; you can learn about the activities and achievements of this Grange; and, for members who may have not been active recently, you can reconnect with fellow Grangers.

Ruth Perry of Clifton reports that East Eddington Grange #301 is celebrating not only Grange Month, but also its 115th anniversary with a Variety Show at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, in historic Comins Hall, 1387 Main Road, Eddington.

The 20 acts featuring performers from the Eddington, Clifton and Holden area, include dancers, singers, bands and comedy routines.

Admission is just $1 for the event, which was originally conceived to increase Grange visibility in the community and as a membership drive kickoff.

Now, however, “It has become a multipurpose event,” Perry wrote.

For example, admission fees will go to the Eddington Clifton Civic Center for maintenance of Comins Hall, and Grange members will use proceeds from concession sales to make donations to several charities.

The 50-50 raffle ticket proceeds will benefit a Holbrook School Destination Imagination team that will compete in the World Competition next month in Tennessee.

Finally, to help raise money for her People to People Student Ambassador trip to New Zealand and Australia, Ashley Nile will be selling candy bars.

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