Bangor

History of UM campus

Sara Martin will give an illustrated presentation titled “The Better Education of our Working Young Men: The History of the University of Maine Campus” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, at the Bangor Museum and Center for History, 6 State St.

Martin will trace the history of the campus from its inception as the Maine State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts during the Civil War to its growth following World War II due to the GI Bill.

She also will discuss national and local firms involved in campus and building design, such as the eminent landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and his successor firm, Olmsted Brothers, and the Bangor architectural practice of Thomas and Crowell, which later evolved into WBRC Architects/Engineers.

The lecture accompanies a temporary exhibit currently on display at the museum, “Buildings, Traditions, Students,” which focuses on the history of student life on campus. The includes photos of campus buildings and student activities; memorabilia from alumni, such as college banners and tickets to sporting events; and copies of The Prism, the campus yearbook, dating to 1895.

Martin is the education coordinator of the Bangor Museum & Center for History. She served as an architectural historian on the University of Maine Campus Heritage Project, funded by a UM grant from the Getty Foundation in 2004 to prepare a preservation plan for the campus. Martin wrote the narrative history of the campus for that project.

Parent and child art

Interact with your child and build artistic skills, using traditional and nontraditional sculpture materials, during the Parent and Child Art Workshops, 1:30-3 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 28, and Feb. 4 and 11, at the Maine Discovery Museum.

While discovering basic sculpture techniques, and with no pressure to become the next Michelangelo or Rodin, kids and their parents will build and create together unique objects with 3D qualities. No experience is necessary.

Anette Sohns, an instructor at the museum, and an art student from The University of Maine, will instruct the class. She will provide materials and give step-by-step instructions.

The class is recommended for children in grades two to four. The cost of $10 for members, $12 for others, includes parent and child. Museum admission is not included. Call 262-7200 to register.

Literacy volunteers

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will offer tutor training for volunteers interested in helping adults to speak English and understand American culture and customs. The 18 hours of training will be held at United Technologies Center on the Hogan Road:

. 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7.

. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.

. 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14.

. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16.

Call Literacy Volunteers of Bangor at 947-8451 by Friday, February 3, to register. Course materials are $20. Scholarships are available.

LV-Bangor is an organization that links volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve their literacy skills, which include learning English. In particular, adults who have moved here from Asia, Africa and Central America are in need of these services. Last year, LV-Bangor volunteers donated more than 11,300 hours.

LV-Bangor is accepting applications from adults who want to improve their English speaking skills. They may call LV-Bangor at 947-8451 for more information.

Maine Speakout

Maine Speakout will present a panel discussion on bisexuality 1-2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 120 Park St. The event will include a question-and-answer session.

The mission of Maine Speakout, officials said, is “to create a society that is inclusive and respectful of people of different sexual and gender orientations by providing opportunities for non-divisive dialogue.”

For information, contact Bill Carlin at 945-0069.

1VOICE meeting

Girl Scout volunteers in District 6 are invited to the next 1VOICE meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at First United Methodist Church, 703 Essex St. This is a change from the original meeting place at Hermon High School.

Discussion will include last minute updates on the 2006 cookie program, specific age level training, an opportunity to network with other volunteers from around the district and a hands-on activity to learn to make Girl Scout SWAPS.

Attendees will have a chance to buy items at a discount from the Girl Scout Shop in the Road.

For information, call Pam Tower at 683-2006, Amy Rouse, 474-8269 or e-mail ptower@abnakigsc.org or anrouse@abnakigsc,org, or call (800) 464-3858.

Adoption information

The Bangor office of the Department of Health and Human Services will hold a public informational meeting about adoption and foster care at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Bangor. To learn the location of the meeting, call A Family For ME at (877) 505-0545.

Volunteers needed

Spruce Run Association, the domestic violence project serving Penobscot County, is seeking volunteers to answer hotline calls.

Hotline training begins Monday, Jan. 30, and will give volunteers the skills they need to provide support, validation and information about options to people affected by domestic abuse. Hotline volunteers can work from home or from Spruce Run offices. For more information, call Margo at 945-5102.

Certified municipal clerk

Patti Dubois, city clerk of Bangor, has been awarded the prestigious designation of certified municipal clerk from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks for achieving its high educational, experience and service requirements. Dubois joins 18 other Maine municipal clerks who hold the certification.

The Certified Municipal Clerk Program was launched in 1970 to aid municipal clerks and deputy clerks in improving job performance, and recognizes professionalism in the municipal clerk’s office. Completion of a program approved by the institute or a baccalaureate degree in public administration or related field, responsible experience in local government, and participation in conferences, meetings and educational seminars are required.

The International Institute of Municipal Clerks is a professional association with 10,000 members in the United States, Canada and 15 other countries.

Brewer

Cabin Fever Auction

The Maine chapter of the Muscular Dystrophy Association, in conjunction with the Hampden Fire Department and the Brewer Eagles Club, will hold its first ever Cabin Fever Auction to benefit MDA 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Brewer Eagles Club. The auction begins at 1 p.m.

Lt. Frank Coombs of the Hampden Fire Department will be the auctioneer. Surprise entertainment and refreshments will be available.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is seeking donations of items for the auction. Auction items include gift certificates to restaurants, gift baskets such as Avon or Mary Kay, handmade blankets or quilts and other home furnishings.

Anyone interested in donating an auction item or volunteering should contact Kim Mancini, district director for central and northern Maine, 854-3749.

Corinth

Town history project

The Corinth Historical Society is busy researching and writing the history of Corinth, a job which has not been done since 1883, according to James Wilson.

“We are interested in collecting artifacts and data on the history of the town: old letters, farm journals and receipts, town reports, diaries, photos, school memorabilia, anecdotes you have to share. We are able to copy and return materials if need be.

“We are also very interested in genealogical information on any present or former resident of the town,” he wrote. “We are especially interested in hearing from descendants of some of the earlier settlers of the place. If you have any information that you could contribute, you may contact us at jamesrwilson@charter.net, or by mail at Corinth Historical Society, P.O. Box 541, Corinth, ME 04427.”

Dedham

District attorney candidate

A veteran lawyer from Dedham has announced his candidacy for district attorney of Hancock and Washington counties. Steven A. Juskewitch, a prosecutor and defense lawyer for the past 30 years, is running against Michael E. Povich, the local district attorney since 1973, in the November 2006 election. The men are familiar opponents; they competed for the same office four years ago.

The 57-year-old challenger worked as an assistant district attorney under Povich from 1989 to 2000, then went into practice as a defense lawyer in Ellsworth. He ran against his former boss as a write-in candidate in 2002 but lost by about 19,000 votes. Juskewitch said he plans to go about his campaign differently this year.

Old Town

Valentine dance

The Old Town Parks and Recreation Department’s 18th annual father-daughter Valentine dance will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Gilman Falls Avenue. Tickets for Old Town residents went on sale Jan. 4. Tickets for others go on sale Monday, Jan. 30.

The hall will open at 6 p.m. for those who want to have pictures taken. The event will include dancing, snacks and door prizes. Tickets are $15 per couple for residents, $25 for others, with a cost of $5 per extra daughter. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Pre-event registration is required and tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8. For more information, call the recreation department at 827-3961.

Penobscot County

New refrigerators

Those who receive fuel assistance and own a refrigerator that is more than 10 years old may be eligible for a new, energy-efficient refrigerator at no cost. The Appliance Replacement Program, funded by the Public Utilities Commission, replaces high energy-consuming refrigerators with new energy-efficient ones.

The new refrigerators typically use less than one-third of the energy used by refrigerators manufactured more than 10 years ago.

The replacement results in a significant cost reduction on monthly electric bills. Individuals must currently receive fuel assistance and own a refrigerator that is more than 10 years old to qualify for the program.

For information, note the make and model number of your refrigerator and call Lynn Holmes at 973-3557.