Members of BSA Cub Scout Pack No. 11 of Brewer decided to combine a community service project with their participation in the Festival of Lights Parade, which is 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in downtown Bangor, and you can help.

Nicole Hanson is chairing the event for the Cubs, who are collecting coats and toys for needy youngsters, nonperishable food items for local food cupboards and snacks, toiletries, magazines and similar items for our servicemen and servicewomen serving abroad.

As part of this project, the boys have already collected more than 60 bags of groceries, which they donated to the Brewer Christian Food Cupboard and, Hanson wrote, they “really like this theme for the parade this year,” which she believes “is really helping the kids help their community.”

That theme is “Reaching Out Near and Far” and these Cub Scouts are certainly doing that, collecting items that will benefit people at home and throughout the world.

The boys are working on their float, which they have painted, and lettered boards for the side of the semitrailer.

And how can you help?

Pack No. 11 requests you make either a monetary donation “to allow us to purchase items” or a material donation that fits one of the categories above.

“All donors will be thanked by having their name or business name on a poster that will be displayed on an accompanying truck carrying all the donations” in the parade, Hanson wrote, and the Cubs hope the truck will be full.

If you can help with this project, call Hanson at 989-9827.

Among many activities to fund Brewer High School Project Graduation 2006 is a chance to eat out at one of the city’s restaurants.

Brewer McDonald’s will donate 20 percent of proceeds to BHS Project Graduation from meals bought there 4-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1.

If you can’t participate in this or other fundraisers, checks can be made payable to BHS Project Graduation and mailed to Kirsten Gagnon, 45 Forest Knoll, Orrington 04474.

On behalf of everyone associated with Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Center, formerly Bangor Mental Health Institute, Bruce Bowman invites you to attend its outdoor Christmas pageant at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, on the front lawn of the center off State Street in Bangor.

The pageant will feature members of the DDPC community re-enacting the Christmas story, complete with live animals provided by area farmers.

You will enjoy the New Renaissance Singers, and join them in singing your favorite carols as well as enjoy good food, fellowship and fun when you warm up after the pageant with hot chocolate.

The pageant lasts approximately a half hour.

You might want to bring a flashlight for the song sheets; and you should plan to dress warmly for this outdoor holiday event.

The Kruger Brothers, the trio of guitar-lead vocalist Uwe Kruger, banjo-harmony vocalist Jens Kruger, and bass/harmony vocalist Joel Landsberg who last July performed at a sold-out concert to benefit the Winterport Union Meeting House, are collaborating with Bangor Symphony Orchestra Maestro Xiao-Lu Li in a benefit concert for the BSO Outreach Program for rural schools.

The concert is 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Bangor Opera House.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and youngsters under 12. They are available at the Opera House box office or by calling 942-3333.

This special concert features a preview of original compositions by Jens Kruger of music written especially for a planned, large-scale future collaboration of these musicians.

Here’s a reminder that the Bangor Art Society is hosting its 3rd annual art auction 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Union Street Brick Church on the corner of Union and Main streets in Bangor.

Your $5 admission includes refreshments, live music and a chance to win an original oil painting.

For tickets and information, call Rebecca Rivers, 338-4463, or Joanne Houlsen, 659-0063.

Attention faithful readers and e-mailers!

While attempting to read my e-mail from home at the conclusion of my recent vacation, I accidentally DELETED EVERYTHING.

If you e-mailed me between Thursday, Nov. 17, and Sunday, Nov. 27, PLEASE RESEND because, whatever I did, I also managed to purge everything in the deleted file!

I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused, and hope you will pass this message along to others.

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