History on agenda for Election Day in Winterport

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When Winterport residents go to the polls to vote from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the Wagner School, they will not only be fulfilling their responsibilities as citizens, they will also be able to learn about a most important aspect of their community’s history.

Members of the Winterport Union Meeting House Corp. will be there to provide information about the only public building in the town that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

“To the townspeople, it represents a proud past, especially the early part of the 19th century, when schooners sailed up the Penobscot River, bearing cargo from distant lands, and when sea captains and their crews returned to their homes along the riverfront on what is now Main Street,” wrote corporation member May Pardy.

The meetinghouse was dedicated the first day of 1834 and was active until the 1920s, she said.

The corporation was formed in 1983 “to assume responsibility for the maintenance, restoration and preservation of this historically significant building,” Pardy wrote.

During the ensuing years, the building has hosted weddings, concerts, plays, hymn sings and organ recitals. Funds to maintain the building have come from membership dues and a small trust.

Repairs have been made to its slate roof, but part of the ceiling collapsed in 2003, and $54,000 had to be raised to replace the roof.

Fund-raising chairwoman Geraldine Dodson-Smith, board members and the general membership, Pardy explained, “began the task” of raising the money, which included obtaining grants from the Narragansett Number 1 Foundation, the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation and MBNA.

Other fund-raisers and contributions from a variety of groups, individuals and organizations, plus the town of Winterport, helped fund the project.

A sizable donation was also given by the Winterport Woman’s Club, she added.

“We now must turn our attention to the next urgent project,” Pardy explained, “which is fund raising for repairs of the extensive rotting wood structural supports on the east side and in the clock tower.”

That, and any other information you need to know about what Pardy describes as “the Jewel of Winterport,” will be available to you on Election Day.

Joni Miller reports that “it’s bring a friend night” when the St. Croix Historical Society meets at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, at the Holmstead Civic Center on Main Street in Calais.

She urges you to “invite someone who enjoys learning” about local history; wants you to know “it’s a congenial group,” and that “refreshments follow the meeting.”

The guest speaker is Arthur Carter of Charlotte who “will answer the intriguing question, Who was Col. John Allan?”

As part of a community effort to refurbish the Guilford public playground and resurface the tennis court, a food sale will be held beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2, Election Day, at the Guilford Fire Station.

The fund-raiser is sponsored by the Abaris Club, a local women’s organization. Donations of food are welcome.

For more information or to contribute to the sale, call Alice Rollins at 876-3044.

Joyce Given and members of Millinocket Regional Hospital Auxiliary invite you to a “Books are Fun” book fair from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the hospital lobby, 200 Somerset St. in Millinocket.

She reports that “hundreds of books, mostly hardcover best sellers, children’s books and many others,” will be available for your purchase.

Proceeds from the sale of books offered at discounted prices up to 70 percent off the list price, will benefit the auxiliary’s scholarship fund.

Seeking fresh ideas for your holiday door?

Members of the Bangor Garden Club invite you to attend “Holiday Door Decorations” with Bert Johnson at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 4, in the Lecture Hall of Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

BGC board member BJ Bachman reminds readers that Johnson, co-owner of Johnson Florist in the Airport Mall, is an “award-winning florist with more that 20 years’ experience” who is “well-known for his stunning holiday displays.”

Janet Henry, president of the Maine Philanthropy Center, invites representatives of nonprofit organizations to “Meet the Funders” from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3, in the Machias Motor Inn Banquet Room.

Discussions will help attendees better understand the guidelines and decision-making process of awarding a grant.

Panelists will represent a broad range of organizations from the Maine Humanities Council to United Way of Eastern Maine.

The cost is $15 for MPC members and $20 for nonmembers.

Because seating is limited, you are urged to register by calling 780-5029 or visiting www.megrant.org.

Misty Twilley reports members of the SAD 4 area Abnaki Girl Scout troops are accepting applications to receive Thanksgiving food baskets.

Interested individuals can call Twilley at 876-3374 or Danielle Gray, 924-6454.

The application deadline is Monday, Nov. 15.

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