Alton

Poker run, silent auction

LA Sledders Snowmobile Club will hold its annual poker run and silent auction 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the clubhouse on Bennoch Road. Call 394-2981 to obtain more information.

Snowmobile safety course

LA Sledders Snowmobile Club will hold a snowmobile safety course 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the clubhouse on Bennoch Road. Woody Thompson will be the instructor. The course is for adults and children, and is free of charge. For more information, call 394-2981 or 394-2500.

Bangor

Seminary Convocation

Bangor Theological Seminary will hold its annual Convocation Monday-Wednesday, Jan. 23-25, at Hammond Street Congregational Church. Featured speakers for Convocation 2006 are:

Marilynne Robinson, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for her novel, “Gilead,” the story of an elderly Congregational minister in Iowa who, preparing for his imminent death, sets down to write his “begats” to his young son.

“Housekeeping,” Robinson’s first novel, was published in 1980, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award. Robinson also has written two works of nonfiction: “Mother Country: Britain, the Welfare State, and Nuclear Pollution,” and “The Death of Adam: Essays on Modern Thought.”

The Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo, founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education.

The Rev. Dr. Wilson Yates, founding editor of ARTS (Arts in Religion and Theological Studies.)

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, the 15th woman in history to be elected to the Senate. She has been present for every roll call vote that has occurred in the Senate since she was sworn into office in 1996. She is now serving her second term.

During the Base Realignment and Closure hearings, Collins lobbied to keep Northeastern naval shipyards open. She also has authored successful legislature on making health resources, such as dental care, accessible to more Americans, service for which she has won many awards.

Her lecture is free and open to the public at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at Hammond Street Congregational Church.

For further information, or to register for Convocation lectures and activities, call Sue Davenport at (800) 287-6781, ext. 124, or e-mail sdavenport@bts.edu. Read more about Convocation and register on the Web at www.bts.edu.

Choir, chorale concert

The Bangor Area Children’s Treble Choir and Youth Chorale will present to the community its winter concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St.

The Treble Choir is composed of 31 youths, and the Youth Chorale 20 young people. Michele Hall is the director, and Yvonne Drake the accompanist. The concert is open to the public. Donations will be accepted.

Boot Camp for New Dads

The Penquis Community Action Program Parents Are Teachers, Too program is offering Boot Camp for New Dads, a free workshop designed for first-time dads-to-be, who are in the last trimester before the baby’s birth. The next workshop will be held 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, at Penquis CAP, 262 Harlow St., Bangor. Pizza and drinks will be provided.

New babies don’t come with owner’s manuals. Lots of first-time fathers have questions: How do I hold, feed, talk to or play with a baby? Boot Camp for New Dads offers first-time fathers-to-be a chance to talk with experienced dads who bring their own babies to the gathering.

There is no cost. To register or to obtain more information, call Wendy Pace at 973-3674 or (888) 389-3610.

Tsunami relief worker

Area resident Robert Sypitkowski just returned from a five-month stint as a relief worker in tsunami ravaged Southeast Asia. He will give a PowerPoint program on his experiences at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library.

Assertiveness training

A free seven-session assertiveness training course will be offered 9 a.m.-noon beginning Monday, Feb. 6, at Women, Work & Community.

Participants will learn to meet challenges at work and in personal life by developing effective techniques that allow one to be direct, open and honest while respecting the rights of others. Learn to handle barriers of anger and fear that block appropriate communication. To register for the course, call 262-7842 or (800) 442-2092.

Proclamation

The Bangor City Council issued a proclamation Jan. 9 recognizing the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis for its contribution to the Bangor Police Athletic Recreation Center, which allows youth to participate in structured sports and recreational activities in a safe environment.

The proclamation pointed out that the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis has committed to a contribution of up to $15,000 and is developing fundraising strategies to sustain the police recreation center long-term. The club also has volunteered thousands of hours to the community and has provided financial and other support to hundreds of organizations.

Valentine’s Ball

The Bangor Fire Department and Hose 5 Fire Museum invite area firefighters and the public to the 10th annual Firemen’s Valentine’s Ball 6 p.m.-midnight Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Bangor Banquet and Conference Center, Hogan Road.

The Chocolate Grille of Old Town will cater the dinner and serve baked stuffed haddock, baked glazed ham, chicken Marsala, red and sweet potatoes, tossed salad, bread, vegetables and assorted desserts.

Clear Channel’s Ric Tyler will emcee the evening’s events.

Tickets for the ball are $60 per couple and may be purchased at the Central Fire Station on Main Street. Proceeds benefit the Hose 5 Fire Museum. Call 992-4700 for more information.

Old Town

Honor for Kiwanis Club

The Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club will be recognized by the Old Town City Council on Thursday, Jan. 19, for its contribution to the Old Town community. The resolution to be adopted by the City Council details some of the club’s contributions to the community during its 70-year history.

These have included contributions to: the Animal Orphanage, the Boy Scouts, Old Town High School Senior Scholarships, the Old Town Library, the Old Town-Orono YMCA, Project Graduation, Old Town Hockey, Old Town Police Department, Crossroad Ministries and Manna Ministries.

The club has distributed food baskets to less fortunate residents of Old Town, and has driven for Meals for ME. It has sponsored “K-Kids” at the elementary school, the first such club in the state; and sponsored Builders Club, a service club in the middle school.

Over the past two years, club members have read to more than 3,000 children in 300 sessions of the Read and Leave Program.

The primary source of income for the club is the annual auction, raising funds for more than 55 years. The Orono-Old Town Kiwanis Club has raised more than $1 million, and has donated back to the community of Old Town more than a quarter of a million dollars.

Kiwanis clubs raise funds and sponsor community service projects with the motto “Serving the Children of the World.”

Rabies clinic

The Animal Orphanage will sponsor a rabies clinic for cats and dogs 10-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at the temporary fire station on Airport Road. The cost is $10 per animal. Animals must be leashed or well-secured. For information, call 827-8777, 827-2658.

Orono

Adult education classes

Orono Adult Education announced classes for the spring semester. Most classes begin the week of Jan. 23.

Courses offered are basic reading and math skills; English as a second language; diploma classes in biology, contemporary issues, English, math and orientation seminar; vocational courses in career counseling, SAT preparation, sign language, woodworking; and personal enrichment courses in adoption, basket weaving, ballroom dance, certified nurse assistant and many others.

Call 866-4119 for more information.

Family Valentine dance

The Orono Parks and Recreation Department will hold its annual family Valentine dance 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Orono Middle School. The dance is open to children in grades one to five. Admission is $15 per family and an RSVP is required. A photographer will be available to record the moment for an additional cost. Call 866-5065 to make a reservation.

Little Master Chefs

Three- to 5-year-old children can become Little Master Chefs 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 7, 9, 14 and 16, at the Orono Parks and Recreation Department. Children will learn how to work in the kitchen safely and, with the help of an adult, make fun and tasty treats. The cost is $15 for Orono residents, $19 for others for all four classes. To register, call 866-5065.