Bangor

Panel on Maine women in the wilderness

A panel discussion about Maine women who ventured into the woods in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to educate others about recreational pursuits, wildlife and the people who lived and worked there will be presented 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, at the Bangor Museum and Center for History, 6 State St.

Panelists Julia Hunter and Pauleena MacDougall will share their research about Cornelia “Fly Rod” Crosby, Fanny Hardy Eckstorm and Cordelia Stanwood, including a slide presentation.

Admission is free thanks to the generous support of the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation.

Julia A. Hunter is the registrar and curator of textiles at the Maine State Museum. A graduate of Dartmouth College and the Cooperstown Graduate Program in History Museum Studies, she is the editor of “Anna May: Eighty-Two Years in New England.” Most recently she has co-authored “Fly Rod Crosby: The Woman Who Marketed Maine.”

Pauleena MacDougall, associate director of the Maine Folklife Center, received her doctorate in American history from the University of Maine in 1995. She is a faculty associate in anthropology at the University of Maine, where she teaches courses in linguistics and Native American folklore.

Since 1970, MacDougall has published numerous papers on the Penobscot Indian language, culture and history and a book, “The Penobscot Dance of Resistance: Tradition in the History of a People.”

She is editor of the Maine Folklife Center’s annual monograph series, Northeast Folklore, and currently is writing a biography of Maine folklorist and historian Fannie Hardy Eckstorm, and a book about Frank G. Speck and the Penobscots. For further information, call 942-1900.

Martin Luther King Jr.

An observance honoring Martin Luther King Jr. will be held 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, in Wellman Commons at Bangor Theological Seminary, 300 Union St.

The documentary, “Invisible,” about the history of Indian-white relations in Maine, will be shown at 4 p.m. It will be followed by a panel discussion with American Indian speakers sharing their experiences with racism.

Scheduled speakers include Carol Dana, Penobscot; Winona Lola, Penobscot; Dr. Maureen Smith, Oneida; Mark Ranco, Penobscot; and Betsy Tannian, Penobscot.

The documentary, “Invisible,” told from the native peoples’ point of view, uses their voices to tell individual stories. Native people talk about what has happened to them and what they see as a way out of racial disparity.

The film examines why the Wabanakis, made up of the Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot Nations, are invisible to the white community. It raises the question of racism and its role in delivering Maine Indians to their present circumstances. It forms a starting point for discussion among white audiences about what they can do to increase and deepen their own interactions and interconnections with Indian communities.

The panel discussion will be followed by a potluck supper. Call the Peace and Justice Center at 942-9343 if you will be bringing children so that a children’s program can be arranged.

The event is co-sponsored by the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine, the Maine Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty and Bangor Theological Seminary.

Tickets will be on sale at the Peace & Justice Center and at the Martin Luther King Jr. NAACP annual breakfast, Keeping the Dream Alive, 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. l7, at the Wells Conference Center, University of Maine, Orono.

New England Spring Flower Show

The Bangor Garden Club is offering its annual New England Spring Flower Show bus trip, a day trip to Boston on Tuesday, March 15.

The bus will leave the Broadway Plaza Shopping Center at 6:30 a.m., and arrive back in Bangor at 10:30 p.m.

The cost of $65 includes bus fare and show ticket. Gift certificates are available.

Make reservations by Friday, March 4. Call 945-3807 for information and reservations.

Women, Work and Community

Women, Work and Community will offer the New Ventures Entrepreneurship Training 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 15-May 4, at 216 Acadia Hall, University College.

The free 15-week training will cover all aspects of starting a small business. Topics will include marketing, record keeping, accounting and legal aspects.

Participants will write a business plan during the class, so a viable, feasible business idea is very important, as is weekly attendance.

The application process includes an application, attendance at an orientation on Feb. 8, and an interview. Applications are due Feb. 7. For an application or information, call 262-7843 or (800) 442-2092; or e-mail searles@maine.edu.

Mrs. Maine Pageant

Shamus O’Brien, the Maine director for the Mrs. America Pageant, has announced that the search is on for the new Mrs. Bangor.

The community representative will compete in the Mrs. Maine-America Pageant May 28 at the City Theater in downtown Biddeford.

City and county title-holders will compete for prizes, including an all-expense-paid trip to the nationally televised Mrs. America Pageant in Palm Springs, Calif. Mrs. Maine 2004 was Alison Troyer of Cumberland County.

Interested applicants must be at least 18 years old, live or work in the Bangor area, be married during the time of competition, and be a Maine resident for six months and a U.S. citizen.

While beauty is a key element, Mrs. Maine contestants are also urged to voice their opinions on marriage and important issues of the day.

Those interested may call (860) 514-1907, or visit www.mrsmaine.org.

Hawaiian Beach Party

A warm, sunny day is coming to Bangor at the Project Atrium Mardi Gras Charity Ball 7-11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at Spectacular Event Center.

This year’s theme is “Hawaiian Beach Party,” and costumes are encouraged – whether that means a grass skirt or loud Hawaiian shirt.

Entertainment will be provided by a DJ, and will include limbo, dance and costume contests. Tickets are $50 each, part of which is tax-deductible.

Project Atrium is the only residential treatment program in northern and eastern Maine serving adolescents who are struggling with both substance abuse and their mental health.

Project Atrium operates two group homes in Bangor, helping youths learn and practice the skills needed to be productive community members.

Holiday cheer

Just before Christmas, the Bangor TOPS 311 members sent boxes filled with goodies to the troops fighting overseas. The group sold Support Our Troops magnets and pins to raise more than $200 to buy items for the boxes. Some members contributed home cooked goodies to include in the boxes.

Bangor TOPS – Take Pounds Off Sensibly – meets 4:15-6:15 p.m. Thursdays at the Hammond Street Congregational Church vestry. To learn more about the organization, call Vicki, 990-9370, or 825-9061.

Brewer

Winterfest event

The Winterfest committee is seeking volunteers to help with the Feb. 18-19 event. Call D’Arcy Main-Boyington, deputy director of economic development, 989-7500, to obtain more information.

Winterfest, an annual frolic in celebration of ice and snow, will include an ice carving demonstration, a juried ice carving competition, a dinner dance with live music at the Muddy Rudder Restaurant, a chili cook-off, a snow creations contest for children and families, a cappella singing performances, band performances, children’s games and entertainment, food, and hot chocolate and coffee at the Muddy Rudder.

Local businesses interested in sponsoring Winterfest have several levels of support to choose from:

. Black Tie Sponsor, $2,500. One sponsor will have the opportunity to underwrite the Winterfest Gala on Feb. 18, which will include a banquet, a live band and dancing.

. Diamond Sponsors, $1,500.

. Platinum Sponsors, $500.

. Gold Sponsors, $250.

. Crystal Sponsors, $25.

To learn more about Winterfest and how to provide support for the event, call 989-7500. Donations may be mailed to Winterfest, c/o City of Brewer, 80 North Main St., Brewer 04412.

Bucksport

Legislative appointment

Sen. Richard Rosen of Hancock County has been appointed to the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services for the 122nd Maine Legislature.

Rosen previously served on the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee while a member of the Maine House.

The Health and Human Services Committee will deal with the creation of the new Department of Health and Human Services, budget problems and accounting reforms, the development of the State Health Plan and the implementation of the Dirigo Health Plan.

Frankfort

Fire department grant

The West Frankfort Fire Department has been awarded a $143,529 grant from the Department of Homeland Security as a part of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. The funds will be used for the Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program, which includes equipment such as pumpers, brush trucks, tankers and tenders, rescue vehicles, and ambulances.

Orono

Benefit concert

The folk music group Generations will give a concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, in Room 100, Donald P. Corbett Business Building, University of Maine.

Proceeds will benefit the Michele Alexander Scholar Award Fund. Alexander was a psychology professor who died in a car accident in December 2003.

Tickets for the concert are $10 for adults, $5 for students. For information, call 581-2030.