Gala concert to mark Brewer band’s 25th year

Time must be just flying by for members of the Brewer Hometown Band and its director, Jan Cox, as the band celebrates its 25th season.

If they’re like most of us, however, I’ll bet it seems like yesterday that the band played its very first concert.

In honor of their silver anniversary, band members have arranged a gala event that they planned to coincide as closely as possible, in every respect, to the number 25.

As a result, you are cordially invited to the Brewer Hometown Band Huge Gala Concert at 2:05 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Brewer Auditorium.

Cox explained the Oct. 24 date is the “closest we could come to the 25 numbers.”

However, other examples abound such as the fact that “the concert will include 25 tunes played by the entire band, ensembles and a tune with singers,” she wrote.

Dancers also will take part, “so there’s something for everyone,” Cox added.

Refreshments will be served during intermission, and door prizes will be offered as well.

“We are lucky to get Curvin ‘Chip’ Farnham to join us to conduct a few tunes,” Cox wrote. “He was the original director of a group at Brewer High School, from which our present band evolved.”

Assistant Conductor Beth Zdrojowy also will take her turn with the baton and will direct the band. Music on the agenda includes Broadway show tunes, Dixieland music, marches and much more.

“We think our audience will have a great time,” Cox wrote and will, I am sure, give the band a warm, appreciative, 25th anniversary standing ovation.

Acting on the advice of her veterinarian, Dr. Robert Feher of Brewer, Gail Cote of Clifton called to tell me that “a 6-month-old yellow tabby and coon cat, who is very cute and loving, was dropped in front of our house, and we can’t take care of him. We have too many other animals. He’s seen our vet, and been checked for feline leukemia, and had his first shot.”

The cat is “litter box trained,” she said, “and used to other animals.”

And while his name could be changed, “we’ve named him Bear,” Cote said, “because he has four double paws. He’s just a sweetheart; a low-key type of cat.”

If you are interested in adopting this cuddly bundle of fur, call Cote at 843-0670.

Members of the public are cordially invited to enjoy an evening of sacred choral music at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at Grace United Methodist Church, 193 Union St. in Bangor.

The evening features a guest performance by the Chamber Choir of St. John’s Catholic Church in Bangor.

This year marks Grace church’s 150th anniversary as well as the 150th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of St. John’s Church.

Church and choir members invite you to join them in sharing the strong spirit of ecumenism that we are so fortunate to enjoy in the Queen City.

Cathy Brown, director of communication for the Abnaki Girl Scout Council, reports the council will celebrate the birthday of its founder, Juliette Gordon Lowe, “by giving a gift of life” when it hosts an Eastern Maine Medical Center blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 25, at the Abnaki Girl Scout Council Carriage House, 156 North Main St. in Brewer.

Members of the public and friends of Girl Scouting are encouraged to help make this drive a success by rolling up your sleeve and donating blood on this day.

For more information, call the Abnaki Council at 989-7474 or (800) 464-3858.

If you haven’t heard it, you may want to tune in to one of your favorite Clear Channel radio stations and catch up with the first Children’s Miracle Network of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems’ online auction, “Bids for Kids,” which is running now through Sunday, Oct. 31.

A variety of auction items, ranging from baseballs, a hot air balloon ride and autographed photos await your bid.

According to a release announcing the event, auction partners CMN and Clear Channel promise “all proceeds generated by ‘Bids for Kids’ will stay in this area to help provide medical equipment, therapy supplies, injury prevention and wellness education programs as well as advanced pediatric training for hospital staff.”

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