Agency offers seniors help with drug program

Here is a clip-and-save reminder for seniors who want help with the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit or Medicare Part D program.

Eastern Agency on Aging will host free “Help Sessions” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on four Saturdays at Bangor High School, 885 Broadway. The sessions are Feb. 18, March 11, April 15 and May 13.

Carol Higgins of EAA reports “trained volunteers will log on to the Medicare.gov Web site and help Medicare beneficiaries or their caregivers with the comparison tool online, which narrows down the drug plan options and finds the ones that are best suited to the individual. The consumer can then choose a plan.”

Preregistration is not necessary and EAA staff will be available to help explain the information generated by the computer.

Those planning to attend should bring a list of their current medications with the correct spelling, dosage and frequency, the price, name of the preferred pharmacy and a copy of any letters that have been received from Social Security, the centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and the state of Maine, which are related to this prescription drug benefit.

This free program is being offered with the help and cooperation of Bangor High School staff and participating students to whom Higgins expresses gratitude for providing this essential service.

If you need more information, call Val Sauda, EAA director of outreach, at 992-0148.

The public is invited to attend the Carl Oliver benefit turkey pie dinner from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at Monroe Elementary School.

Admission is a free-will donation.

The local, self-employed electrician has been diagnosed with cancer and is without health insurance.

Friends and community members are helping raise funds to assist Oliver through this difficult time.

If you are unable to attend but wish to help in this effort, you can make a check out to Monroe Lions Club. Write Carl Oliver in the memo line and mail the check to Monroe Lions Club, Monroe 04951.

For more information, call Dave Doak, 525-4431.

The Maine Humanities Council has selected the Orono Public Library for “Let’s Talk About It,” a free reading and discussion group, with copies of books available through the library, reports OPL librarian Katherine Marks-Molloy.

“Crossing Over: Mediating Between Cultures in Contemporary American Indian Literature” meets at 7 p.m. on five Wednesdays: Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 1 and March 29 at the Birch Street Senior Center in Orono. The April 12 session will be at the Native American Center in Room 372 of Aubert Hall at the University of Maine.

The discussion books include “The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight In Heaven” by Sherman Alexie; “Tracks” by Louise Erdrich; “The Sharpest Sight” by Louis Owens; “Ceremony” by Leslie Marmon Silko; and “Song of Rita Joe: Autobiography of a Mi’Kmaq Poet” by Rita Joe and Lynn Henry.

For information, or to register, call 866-5060.

With January comes the beginning of those “school requests” from across the country, in which young people are seeking help in preparing reports on particular states.

The first this year comes from seventh-grader Brett Ferringer, who attends Cranberry Junior-Senior High School in Seneca, Pa.

Brett wrote that he “needs some help with a project about the states.

“I am looking forward to knowing more about the scenery and historical landmarks in Maine. I have heard that Maine is quite beautiful.”

He wrote that he “would also appreciate it if you would give me some information about parks, landmarks, historical sites and other attractions in Maine” and he thanks you “in advance for your help and cooperation.”

Anyone willing to help Brett with this project can send it to him at CJSHS, One Education Drive, Seneca, PA 16346.

Gov. John Baldacci recently appointed new members to the Maine Commission for Community Service.

This organization helps set the state’s priorities for community service, service learning and volunteerism.

Congratulations to Gary Dorman, Bangor, Foster Grandparents program director for Penquis Community Action Program; Patsy Dunton, Augusta, ex-officio, Maine Department of Education; Carla Gagniel, Bernard, partner with Arden Training & Consulting; Ron Holmes, New Sharon, chief plant engineer, Wausau Papers of Jay; Kenneth Morse, Norway, director, Healthy Oxford Hills-Western Maine Health; Sara Stevens, Bangor, Rep. Michael Michaud’s office and Gilbert Ward, Leeds executive director, Rural Community Action Ministries.

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