Inns offer half-price stays for Habitat donation

How pleased I was to talk with Marian Burns, owner of Bar Harbor’s Mira Monte Inn and a member of the Maine Innkeepers Association, who originated its Hospitality for Habitat program.

Now through May 15, participating Maine inns offer several rooms at half-price for anyone staying one or two nights and writing a $25 check to Habitat for Humanity.

I’ve written previously about the participation of Days Inn in Bangor, but Burns guided me to the Maine Innkeepers Association Web site listing all participating inns, and I was pleased to find many in our area.

Burns originated the idea of half-priced rooms to benefit a nonprofit when she was helping raise money for windows for her church in Bar Harbor.

That was so successful she suggested it to fellow innkeepers to benefit Habitat for Humanity, a volunteer, Christian organization that builds homes with qualifying partner families.

“This is our second year,” she said of the Hospitality for Habitat program that raised $3,000 last year in Maine.

“It’s a chance for people not only to help Habitat,” Burns said, “but if someone wants to know what a local inn is like,” this is that opportunity at a reasonable price.

To view the list of all participating Maine inns, visit www.maineinns.com, scroll down, and click on Hospitality for Habitat.

For those without access to a computer, here is a list of participating inns in our area.

Pleasant Bay B&B and Llama Keep, Addison; Days Inn Hotel and Ramada Inn, Bangor; Atlantic Oakes by-the-Sea, Bar Harbor Hotel-Bluenose Inn, Black Friar Inn, Graycote Inn, Holland Inn, Manor House Inn and Mira Monte Inn, all in Bar Harbor; and Londonderry Inn and Mad Captain’s House, Belfast.

Also, Blue Hill Inn; Brooklin Inn; Oakland House Seaside Resort, Brooksville; Camden Riverhouse Hotel & Inns, Captain Swift Inn and Inns at Blackberry Commons, Camden; Eagle’s Lodge Motel, Ellsworth; Blair Hill Inn and Evergreen Lodge, Greenville; Eastland Motel, Lubec; 1794 Watchtide-by-the-Sea and Wildflower Inn, Searsport; and Tidewater Motel, Vinalhaven.

Wet, soggy ground conditions have forced the 4th of July Corp. to relocate its Carnival featuring Smokey’s Greater Shows today through Sunday, May 15, to Godfrey Boulevard at Bangor International Airport, reports chairwoman Angelia Levesque.

The Carnival opens at 11 a.m. today and tomorrow, noon Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday and noon Sunday.

Bangor attorney Leigh McCarthy and Stacie Sparkman of Eastern Agency on Aging will discuss Advance Healthcare Directives and Changes in Medicare as part of the celebration of National Nursing Home Week at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12, in the Residential Care Center of Westgate Manor, 750 Union St. in Bangor.

To learn how to assist your family in making decisions relative to your health care wishes, and to learn how to maximize benefits under the new Medicare prescription plan, RSVP to either Kristie Miner or Liz Grantham, 942-7336.

The Brooksville Elementary School Iditarod travelers are presenting two showings of “North to Alaska” at 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12, at the Alamo Theater in Bucksport.

Their teacher, Nada Lepper, reports admission is free and refreshments will be on sale.

“Our goal, all along, has been to share the adventure with as many people as possible,” she wrote of what is also “an opportunity to celebrate our accomplishment, and thank everyone who helped us.”

Senior citizens are invited to a free preview of the Annual Spring Concert 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Friday, May 13, at John Bapst Memorial High School Auditorium, 100 Broadway, Bangor.

Doors open at 11:15 a.m.

This concert precedes the John Bapst Musicians Annual Spring Concert at 1 and 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at that site.

Tickets for Sunday’s concert are $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, $6 for families, and are available 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. when school is in session or at the door if seats remain.

The concerts feature the Concert Band, Concert Choir, Chorale, Chamber Ensemble and Jazz Band.

For more information about either concert, call Carol Robb, 947-0313.

Leslie Lizotte of Eastern Agency on Aging will offer outreach assistance to seniors at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 13, at Dean Park Apartments, Greenville; 11:30 a.m. Monday, May 16, at Milo Town Hall; and 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 17, at the American Legion Hall in Dover-Foxcroft.

For more information, call her at 564-7376.

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