Since 1991, the New Renaissance Singers have been performing at senior centers, care facilities, Bangor Mental Health Institute and the Maine Veterans’ Home, among other sites in this area.

Member Bill Shook reports that the “small, but enthusiastic group of men and women with a love for early classical as well as more traditional music” are preparing for their annual Christmas show, which is Sunday, Dec. 12.

New Renaissance Singers invite “anyone who loves to sing and has a basic familiarity with music,” to attend one of their rehearsals, “and share in the special magic that singing together can produce,” Shook wrote.

“We need persons in all vocal ranges,” he added, “but we presently have a need for additional tenors and altos.”

The singers rehearse from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. each Tuesday, at St. Joseph Church on North Main Street in Brewer.

If you have questions, you are welcome to call 942-2292.

Friends and customers are invited to drop by Bangor Dodge today and wish salesman Derald Cochran Sr. a happy 70th birthday.

Cochran holds the distinction of being the longest-serving salesman at Bangor Dodge, celebrating 30 years with that Hogan Road business.

Music director and conductor Xiao-Lu Li will lead the Bangor Symphony Orchestra in a pops concert at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, in the Camden Amphitheater at the Camden Public Library.

The program highlight will be Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

The program also features music from several Broadway shows, and the concert will conclude with a patriotic theme.

Advance tickets for adults are $20, or $25 at the door.

Youth tickets are $10, and children under age 12 are free.

Tickets can be reserved by calling the BSO box office (800) 639-3221 or 942-5555; the Camden Public Library, 236-3440; or at Harbor Audio Video in Camden.

If it rains, the concert will be in Strom Auditorium at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport.

Venora Cote of Bucksport has organized a Support the Troops Campaign.

She will be at the Bucksport Open Air Market during the day Saturday, Sept. 11, on the Bucksport Waterfront.

Cote will be collecting items to send to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and will gratefully accept donations.

She reports area churches also will accept donations during weekend services.

The 22nd annual Run for Hope Run-Walk begins at 11:30 a.m. Sunday Sept. 12, at White House Inn off I-95 Exit 180 in Hampden.

Registration is $10 per person, and shirts are $5 each.

Joan Merriam of Bucksport will accept this year’s Terry Fox Award for her late husband, Fred Merriam, who died of cancer in June.

Peggy Youngblood of Brewer, the 2000 Terry Fox Award recipient, also will be honored for her continued courage fighting this devastating disease.

Proceeds benefit cancer prevention studies and clinical trials at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

For information, call 862-8008, Ext. 122.

The 1st Annual 4-Wheeler Ride for Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare in Bangor begins at 9 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the Airline Snack Bar, Route 9, Beddington.

A $10 donation per wheeler is asked, and a free cookout will be provided on the trail.

Several prizes are being offered for the ride that is sponsored by Bangor Motorsports, Clear Channel Radio, Friend & Friend and Acadia Area ATV’ers.

For information or to preregister, call Carol Lackedy, 299-5186 or 848-7313.

Registration can be made the day of the ride, which will be held rain or shine.

Bangor Museum and Center for History offers a 25-mile bicycle tour stopping at five area cemeteries on Sunday, Sept. 12.

“Midday in the Garden of Good & Evil” will be guided by Sara Martin, Ryan King and John Frawley.

Bikers will meet at 9 a.m. at the Kirstein Cemetery on Webster Avenue, next to Bangor Municipal Golf Course.

Helmets are required, and there is a limit of 25 participants.

There is no charge for the tour, which is supported by the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

For reservations, call 942-1900.

Wellesley College Alumnae in Eastern Maine invite you join their fifth annual fall fund-raising coach trip, Canterbury Shaker Village-Lake Winnipesaukee Cruise on Sunday, Oct. 17.

The cost is $119 per person, and the reservation deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Call Nancy Ziegenbein, 947-7965, for reservations or information.

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