Bangor

Genealogy talks

Dale Mower, president of the Penobscot County Genealogical Society and vice president of the Maine Genealogical Society, will give a series of beginner workshops in genealogy on Saturday, Oct. 8, at Kennebec Valley Community College in Fairfield.

His talks will be held at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m., 1:30 and 2:45 p.m.

Other topics for the day include municipal records, Native American roots, medical genetics, archival techniques, scanning genealogical documents, scrapbooking, surfing the Web, genealogical software, applying to lineage societies, research in New Brunswick, and gravestones and cemetery research.

Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the fee is $20 at the door.

Message Circle

A Message Circle will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Harrison D. Barrett Memorial Church, 114-118 Harlow St. Elizabeth Gosselin, certified medium, of Danvers, Mass., will be message medium. The cost to attend is a $10 donation.

“Healing: Practices and Methods” workshops will be held 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the church. The Rev. Bradley Gosselin will lead the workshops. Topics will cover aspects and methods of healing, history and hands on demonstration of techniques, including the methods and techniques of Mervyn Johnson of Sweden, and Al Ferency and Bob Miller.

The cost for the workshop is a $25 donation. Lunch will be served.

To obtain information, call Betty or Glenn at 848-2273.

Brown Bag Series

As part of the Bangor Public Library Artist and Artisan Brown Bag Series, Bangor artist Jan Owen will present a program on book arts. Owen, a well-known expert and instructor in calligraphy, illumination and handmade books, will talk about and demonstrate her work at noon Wednesday, Oct. 12, in the library’s Lecture Hall.

Other scheduled programs in the series are jewelry making, stained glass, rug hooking, rug braiding and wood carving.

Grantsmanship training

Penquis Community Action Program invites members of the public and private agencies to participate in a grantsmanship workshop at 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, Oct. 17-21, at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St.

Founded in 1972, the Grantsmanship Center is the world’s oldest and largest grantsmanship training group for nonprofit organizations. The Grantsmanship Training Program is an intensive, five-day, “hands-on” workshop covering the aspects of researching grants, writing grant proposals, negotiating with funding sources, and learning how to investigate funding sources for organizations. It is designed for both novice and advanced grant seekers.

After completing the workshop, graduates will receive a one-year membership in the Grantsmanship Center, which includes proposal review and many benefits and services. Participants also are enrolled in the Alumni Forum, an online discussion group for the exclusive use of center alumni, trainers and staff.

Tuition for the training program is $825. Registration is limited to 30. To register for the workshop, or to apply for a scholarship, call the Grantsmanship Center at (800) 421-9512 or (213) 482-9860. Those interested also may enroll online at www.tgci.com.

For information, call Janeen Feero at 973-3574 or e-mail jfeero@penquiscap.org.

100th anniversary

Members of the King’s Daughter’s Home board of managers will hold a 100th Year Anniversary Tribute to Dr. Thomas Upham Coe for his 1905 gift of the 89 Ohio St. property from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, at the home. Visitors will hear about one of Bangor’s most prominent and influential citizens of the early 1900s.

At 2 p.m. guest speaker John P. (Jack) Donovan, managing trustee of the Nancy Patricia Coe Trust will give a brief overview of the Coe family’s impact on the development of Bangor and their ongoing legacy through charitable organizations they supported.

Visitors may visit the 1865 Victorian house built by Charles Ginette and feel the grandeur of an earlier era.

To obtain information, call resident directors Richard and Judy Lambert, at 945-3844, or visit www.allsoulsbangor.com/kdh.

Maine Transition Network

Penquis Regional Transition, Region 3 of the Maine Transition Network, will hold its first meeting of the year 3-5 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Alpha One conference room, 1048 Union St. The program will be Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities.

Speakers for the meeting will be Dr. Elizabeth Worden of Eastern Maine Community College, Ann Smith of the University of Maine, Kate Kevit of University Maine Augusta, Bangor campus, and Stephanie Watson of the Penobscot Job Corps.

Discussion will focus on children with disabilities who want to go on to college and want to know how it will be different from high school, as well as what they can and cannot expect from those institutions.

To obtain information about the Maine Transition Network, call Cynthia Tuck at 992-2270.

Talk on discrimination

Discrimination against gays and lesbians in Maine will be the topic when Dr. Erik Steele, the Rev. Elaine Hewes and Kay Wilkins present their views on Maine’s recently passed civil rights law 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at the Bangor Public Library.

In March 2005, the Legislature passed a law that protects Maine citizens from discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, credit, accommodations and education. Maine was the last state in New England to pass anti-discrimination legislation, which faces a challenge via referendum in November.

Steele, Hewes and Wilkins will talk about how protections for all Mainers, regardless of sexual orientation, will benefit Bangor. The forum is being held in support of the Maine Won’t Discriminate campaign, which has enlisted coalition partners including the Maine Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Council of Churches.

The Bible and sexuality

The Rev. Marvin M. Ellison will discuss what the Bible says about sexuality, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in the vestry of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St., Bangor.

His topic will be “And Who is Thy Neighbor? If the Bible Affirms and Welcomes Gay People, Why Not the Church, Too?”

He is expected to talk for about 30 minutes and will answer questions for a half-hour or more. His presentation will be open to the public.

Ellison is the Willard S. Bass Professor of Christian Ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary. He completed doctoral studies at Union Theological Seminary and is an ordained Presbyterian minister.

His most recent book, published last year, is “Same-Sex Marriage? A Christian Ethical Analysis.” It considers the role of religion and the state in intimacy, marriage and family.

Ellison founded the Religious Coalition Against Discrimination in Maine to support civil rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. He co-chairs the Maine Interfaith Council for Reproductive Choices, an interfaith network of religious leaders who support reproductive rights for women. He lives in Portland with his partner, Frank Brooks, a clinical social worker.

Advisory board meeting

The Child Development Services advisory board meetings will be held 8:30-10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17; Monday, Nov. 14; and Wednesday, Dec. 21, in the Board Room, Bangor Public Library. For information, call 947-8493.

Afghan documentary film

When Holden native Alex Smith started college, he was headed for a career in film production. He spent time studying and working in Hollywood, and did an internship with documentary filmmaker Ken Burns. But a chance overseas study assignment in 2001 working for Pakistan Television changed his life. While in Islamabad, Smith met and filmed refugees who had fled Afghanistan. Thousands were living in camps, dependent for survival in food, water and shelter the United Nations provided.

Smith’s final project at Hampshire College, where he earned a degree, was a documentary on the plight of 2.6 million Afghan people who had to flee from their homes.

Since then, he has earned a master’s degree in international law from Westminster University in London and is heading for a career in the field of international human rights.

Smith’s hourlong Afghan documentary film will be shown at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Bangor Public Library. Admission is free. Discussion will follow the film.

Proclamation

The Bangor City Council issued a proclamation on Sept. 26 to recognize the efforts of Capt. Matt Costello and firefighter Bruce Johnson, recipients of a Firehouse Magazine Award for heroism and community service.

On May 8, 2004, Costello, Johnson and crew responded to a report of a kitchen fire. They found a working fire and were informed that someone was still inside the structure. Costello and Johnson located and rescued an unconscious victim from a fully involved fire. They received the Firehouse Magazine Award as result of their efforts.

Books for the Gulf

Part of the incalculable loss for hurricane victims was the destruction of their books and libraries. The Bangor Public Library, along with many other Maine libraries, sought book donations for the refugees of the Gulf hurricane. Elizabeth Stevens, who coordinated the Bangor library’s project, reported that, thanks to the community’s caring and generosity, 118 boxes of books for children and adults were collected and shipped south.

City personnel

The Bangor Department of Human Services announced the following personnel changes:

New Employees

Police Department: Marcia McGrath, parking control aide; and Mark Perkins, dispatcher.

BAT: Leonidas Johnson and Marie Dubois, transit drivers.

Airport: Leslie Kinghorn, customer service representative.

Public Works: David Ryder, heavy equipment operator.

Health and Welfare: Katherine Mroz, WIC nutritionist; Paula Cayia, dental assistant; and Stephanie Fletcher, WIC clinic assistant.

Promotion

Michael McGrath, lead ramp attendant.

Temporary to permanent

Brian Wardwell, GSE mechanic, airport; Todd Brodeur, WIC nutritionist, Health and Welfare Department.

Retirement

Gloria Cote, public health nurse, Health and Welfare Department.

New planning officer

David Gould has been selected as the new planning officer for the city of Bangor. He served as acting planning officer for the last few months.

Gould was a staff planner for Bangor 1983-1989, and the director of planning for the town of Hampden 1990-2000. He returned to Bangor in 2000 in the planner II position. He holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a master’s degree in urban and regional planning.

In 2004 he secured a graduate certificate from the University of Maine in geographical information systems. He also holds professional certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Grand premiere

The C.L.A.E. School will hold the grand premiere of “Star Wars, Part I,” a clay animation film made by children ages 5-17 who attended C.L.A.E. camp this summer. The event is part of the school’s silent auction fundraiser set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the school, 96 Harlow St.

More than 100 businesses in Greater Bangor have donated items and services to the auction.

Last year’s auction provided funds for 15 $200 scholarships to C.L.A.E. camp.

The event will include entertainment and refreshments. DVDs of the clay animation film will be available.

To obtain information, call 664-4734, or 827-5169.

Brewer

Adult art classes

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department has announced a new adult intro to acrylic painting class with Bev Langley instructing. Classes will be held 7- 8:45 p.m. Monday evenings at the Brewer Auditorium. Classes will meet for an eight-week session beginning Oct. 17.

Classes are designed for the true beginner painter who has been interested in painting but hesitant to take the first step.

Participants will learn color basics, selection and use of materials and tools, canvas stretching, painting techniques and methods. Class space is limited. Registrations are accepted on a first registered, first entered basis. Fees are $40 per session for Brewer residents and $45 for others, plus an additional project fee of $10. For more information, call the recreation department at 989-5199.

Dog obedience trials

The Penobscot Kennel Club will hold indoor obedience and rally trials 7:30 a.m-7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15-16, at the Brewer Auditorium. To obtain more information, call 843-7018.

Bucksport

Socks for veterans

Heidi Hoffmann Coghill doesn’t always carry around a bag of 40 pairs of white socks when she serves as a personal page at the fall meeting of the Maine Daughters of the American Revolution.

But Sept. 24 was a special occasion. Hoffmann Coghill was delivering Ramassoc Chapter’s contribution to Donna Farnham of Oakland, state chairman for DAR Service for Veterans.

Farnham issued a call to chapters to donate one pair of white socks per chapter member, or the purchase price of $1 per member, to help the state DAR provide socks to homeless veterans during the upcoming “Stand Down Day” at the VA Hospital in Togus.

The fall meeting was presided over by Donna Dunbar Hoffmann of Orland, state regent and member of Ramassoc Chapter.

Guests at the state meeting included Recording Secretary General Linda Calvin and the Rev. Ron Hutchins of Penobscot, a descendant of Revolutionary War soldier William Hutchings.

Glenburn

Bottle drive

Glenburn Brownie Troop 535 will hold a bottle drive 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. Proceeds will go toward a sleepover trip to the Museum of Science in Boston. To make a donation, drop off cans and bottles at B&L Redemption, Lakeview Road in Glenburn, which offers nonprofit organizations 6 cents per can or bottle.

Hampden

Garden Club

The Hampden Garden Club will meet for a fall bazaar workshop 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Oct. 12, 13 and 14, at Harmony Hall, Kennebec Road.

Old Town

Y-Players

The Y-Players will present a one-hour show at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at the Old Town Museum to raise funds for a replacement heating system and repairs to the museum roof. Admission is by donation.

Refreshments will be served after the performance.

Orono

Women of the World

Women of the World will celebrate Poland at noon Monday, Oct. 10, at the Church of Universal Fellowship. A menu of Polish soups, salads and bread was designed by the hostess, Susan Wishkoski of Bangor, who is of Polish origin. She will give a presentation on Polish folklore and fairy tales.

Volunteers are needed to help set up 11:15 a.m.

Women of the World is a group of international women, including Americans, who gather once a month around an ethnic lunch and a cultural program.

The cost of lunch is $4, $2 children 6-10, no cost to children under 6 who attend with their mothers.

To obtain information, call Mireille Le Gal at 581-3423.

Actors’ workshops

Orono Community Theatre will sponsor a series of free actors’ workshops 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays at the Keith Anderson Community House on Bennoch Road.

Workshop leader Chris Newcomb asks that participants bring any scenes or monologues they would like to work on. A wide variety of scripts and monologues will be provided. Newcomb has experience as an actor, writer and producer for stage, television, film and radio. For information, call Newcomb at 866-4866.

Contra dance

The Marsh Island Band will continue its 26th season of contra dances at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Keith Anderson Community Center, Bennoch Road. A beginner’s session takes place at 7:30 p.m. just before the dance. Partners are not necessary, and all dances will be taught during the evening. The price of admission is $6. Call Kyle Dupere at 866-3126 to obtain information.

Orrington

Carry the Light Tonight

The East Orrington Congregational Church, 38 Johnson Mill Road, will hold Carry the Light Tonight, a worship celebration, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the church. The event will feature a concert and CD release party by Modern Day Jeremiah, a praise and worship band. The church choir also will perform. Admission is free.

More information is available by calling 989-2809.

Bottle drive

The town of Orrington will hold a bottle and can collection to benefit that victims of the hurricanes 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Oct. 16. Drop off bottles and cans at the recreation building, Center Drive and Tupper Drive. Monetary donations also will be collected at that time. Those who wish to volunteer should call Reina at 825-9023.

Veazie

Homeland Security grant

The Veazie Fire Department received $37,905 in the latest round of grants to fire departments from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant will be used for the town’s fire department operations and safety programs.