Community News

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Bangor

Program on photography

Ron Rosenstock, master photographer, will be the speaker at an Eastern Maine Camera Club meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at Bangor Parks and Recreation, 647 Main St.

Rosenstock began his photography career in 1965 and studied with the great American photographer Minor White from 1967 to 1973. He has published three books, had his photographs collected by major museums and led hundreds of photo tours around the world. He has taught photography at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., for 30 years. His philosophy is “photography is not just a way of seeing but a way of living, a search or an exploration.”

Visit www.ronrosenstock.com to learn more about his work.

Call 942-9469 for more information about the meeting.

Garden club bus trip

The Bangor Garden Club is accepting reservations for a bus trip to the New England Flower Show. The trip is set for Tuesday, March 14. The bus will leave at 6:30 a.m. from the Broadway Shopping Center. Tickets are $70 each, including transportation cost and the price of show admission. There will be stops for coffee and dinner. For reservations, call Caroline Tully at 945-3807.

Voice talent search

The Bangor Y is gearing up for its 30th annual Spring Fair Friday to Sunday, March 24-26, at the Bangor Civic Center and Auditorium.

The fair will feature a new event, the Bangor Y Spring into Stardom Voice Talent Search. Organizers are seeking talented individuals, families and groups to compete. Prizes will be awarded. Those interested must register for the talent search by Friday, March 10.

Competition will take place Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25. Two finalists from each of the five competitions will receive a three-month Bangor Y membership and the opportunity to compete 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, March 26, in the finals.

The first place winner will receive a $100 Mark’s Music gift certificate and the opportunity to audition to perform at a University of Maine sports event. Second place will receive a $50 Mark’s Music gift certificate, and third place a $25 Mark’s Music gift certificate.

Spring into Stardom is sponsored by Mark’s Music.

For more information and a Spring into Stardom application, call the Bangor Y at 941-2815 or 941-2808, visit www.bangory.org or stop by the Bangor Y, 127 Hammond St., or 17 Second St.

Interfaith vigil in light of domestic abuse

A community interfaith vigil in support of those affected by domestic abuse, and to remember victims of domestic abuse, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at Grace United Methodist Church on Union Street.

The Clothesline Project, a display of T-shirts created by women affected by domestic abuse, will be displayed during the service.

The community vigil has been offered yearly through collaboration with Spruce Run, the Domestic Abuse Task Force, and hosted by Grace United Methodist Church.

Through the service, members of the community have the opportunity to reflect on those who experience abuse every day and work toward a climate of intolerance for violence in the community.

Don Winslow, Bangor police chief and member of the Domestic Abuse Task Force, said of the vigil: “It is important that individuals come together as a community to speak out against domestic abuse and offer a sign of encouragement to its victims.”

Information about Spruce Run, the domestic violence project in Bangor, also will be available at the vigil.

Spruce Run’s 24-hour hotline, (800) 863-9909, is available to anyone affected by domestic abuse to talk about their situation and explore their options.

Taiwan Sign Language

Lin Chungpeung, a Deaf man from Taiwan, will give a presentation in his native language, Taiwan Sign Language, at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 9, in the Lecture Hall at Bangor Public Library.

His wife, Ting Lifen, is Taiwan’s lead interpreter, appearing on a cable channel news program there and interpreting for political figures giving public speeches.

Freedom of information

On Monday, March 13, the League of Women Voters of Maine, Bangor Public Library and the Maine Freedom of Information Coalition will sponsor a Sunshine Week event 1-3:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the library.

The program will feature a live satellite feed from the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. A brief discussion focusing on Maine issues will follow the national broadcast.

The National Press Club panel will be moderated by Geneva Overholser, ombudsman of The Washington Post. Panelists are Thomas S. Blanton of the National Security Archive and Thomas M. Susman from the firm of Ropes and Gray.

Themes for discussion include “Are We Safer in the Dark,” a brief overview of why secrecy is needed, its impact on ordinary Americans and a look from the inside at how the government’s power to keep secrets has grown.

Dr. Seuss celebration

The world will mark the 102nd birthday of Theodor Geisel, also known as the beloved Dr. Seuss, on Thursday, March 2. Children from the area are invited to join the hoopla at 3:30 p.m. in the Story Room of the Bangor Public Library, where they might catch “One Fish, Two Fish,” participate in a “Fox in Socks” relay, play a Dr. Seuss trivia game or make a hat to rival Bartholomew Cubbins’ 125th. Visit www.bpl.lib.me.us on the Web for more information.

Money Options workshop

The Penobscot County Transition Team will offer a Money Options workshop 1-4 p.m. Thursday, March 2, at the Bangor Career Center, 45 Oak St.

Join presenters from USDA Rural Development, Maine-Stream Finance, Maine State Housing Authority, HUD and the Bangor Savings Bank will speak on how to avoid costly mistakes during uncertain times, including practical tips on establishing a budget and a reasonable bill payment process. Learn how to discuss your financial future with a bank or financial institution, and options to reduce mortgage payments and refinancing. There is no charge. Registration is recommended by calling 561-4050.

Art at the library

Art at the Bangor Public Library in March will look you right in the eye – with portraits.

Robert Shetterly, Maine artist and author, engaged in much soul-searching after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The result was his book and traveling art exhibit, “Americans Who Tell the Truth.” Some of Shetterly’s portraits will be on display March 8-31 in the library’s Lecture Hall. He will give talks about his work at 1 and 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at the library.

Also during March, Sarah Theriault-Cotton will exhibit “Deviant Art of Deviant Art,” her pastel portraits, in the Stairwell Gallery at the library.

To obtain more information, visit www.bpl.lib.me.us.

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 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. and is open to the public.

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

The Muscular Dystrophy Association seeks 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.

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

Winter Fun Day

The Brewer P.T.U. will hold its eighth annual Winter Fun Day 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Brewer Auditorium. Attractions include magician Bob Nixon, the University of Maine cheerleaders, Miss Maine 2006 Katee Sterns, Miss Maine 2005 Erica Commeau, Dora the Explorer, Scooby Doo and Chickadee clowns. Activities include face painting, carnival games, door prizes and a chili challenge.

Outdoor activities planned are a biathlon – cross-country skiing and archery – for children in kindergarten to fifth grade, snowshoeing, sledding, ice skating and igloo building. Snowmobile rides will be available on Doyle Field.

Admission for the day is $1. Refreshments will be sold.

Etna

Groundbreaking for home

USDA Rural Development staff and partners participated in the Feb. 28 groundbreaking for the new home of the Fields family in Etna.

Thayne and Tatsiana Fields were among those holding shovels at the event, which was held to celebrate and draw attention to the Replacement Home Program.

The family was raising a child in a 1975 mobile home with numerous problems, including mold, a leaky roof, broken heating system, and drafty windows and doors.

USDA Rural Development, Penquis Community Action Program and Ron Harriman Associates coordinated funding sources for the family to finance the home of their dreams. Thanks to substantial grant funds and a subsidized mortgage, Tatsiana Fields can stay at home to take care of the little one while her husband continues to work.

Their new home will be a ranch-style house on a full poured foundation with new appliances and landscaping.

For more information on Rural Development housing programs, applicants should contact 990-3676, ext. 4.

Hampden

Benefit supper

A spaghetti supper will be held 5-7 p.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Whitcomb-Baker VFW Post 4633, Canoe Club Road. Items to be raffled are a watercolor print, books written by local authors, teddy bears, gift certificates and much more. The cost of the supper is $7, $3 children, $20 family. Proceeds will help Donovan O’Reilly’s family defray medical expenses. Donations may be mailed to: Benefit of Donovan O’Reilly, c/o Maine Savings FCU, P.O. Box 347, Hampden ME 04444.

Children’s Day bowlathon

The Hampden Children’s Day committee is planning a fundraiser to support the 27th annual Hampden Children’s Day 2006. The fundraiser is a bowlathon in which teams of four collect pledges and compete to win various prizes. The Children’s Day bowlathon will be held at noon Saturday, March 18, at the Sports Arena, formerly known as Heritage Lanes in Bangor.

The committee invites the public to assemble a team and challenge a friend, a neighbor or a business for a few hours of fun. The Children’s Day committee will provide the lane and the shoe rental. Participants provide the pledges and compete to win one or more prizes in the following categories: Highest pledge total – individual and team, and high scores – individual female, individual male and team.

The committee has set a minimum of $25 in pledges per team member, or $100 per team. Registration is 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 18. Bowling will begin at noon. To receive more information, call Amy Lorenzo, 862-5522, or Don Darling, 947-2866.

Orland

Blood drive

The Orland Fire Department will hold a blood drive 2-7 p.m. Thursday, March 9, at the fire station. Donors will partake of the fire department’s Famous Cowboy Baked Beans and steamed hot dogs, and other goodies. ID is required of blood donors. Call Kathie at 469-2870 to obtain more information.

Orono

Food co-op meeting

A food co-op meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at the Keith Anderson Community Center, Bennoch Road. The meeting is open to those interested in establishing a full-service food co-op in the area.

A short documentary film, “Hand in Hand: A History of the Hanover Consumer Cooperative Society,” produced in 1993, will be shown. The film chronicles the story of local residents who started a food buying club in 1936. Today the co-op owns and operates a full-service natural foods grocery store in Hanover, N.H. Discussion will follow the film. Call 866-3059 for more information.

Talk by Maine author

All are welcome to attend a talk by Maine author Cynthia Thayer at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Orono Public Library. The author of three works of fiction – “Strong for Potatoes,” “A Certain Slant of Light” and “A Brief Lunacy” – Thayer teaches fiction writing.

She and her husband live on a waterfront organic farm in Gouldsboro on the Schoodic Peninsula.

The event is sponsored by the Penobscot Valley branch of the American Association of University Women of Maine.

The public is invited to hear Thayer discuss her life as an author. She will have books available for purchase and to autograph. For information, call the library at 866-5060.

Upward Bound open house

The Upward Bound Program will hold a series of Open House events at East Annex to introduce the public to the program, staff and current students. The schedule is:

. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 2.

. 2-4 p.m. Thursday, April 13.

. 5-7 p.m. Thursday, May 18.

Brief presentations will be held, leaving time for light refreshments, to ask questions and to get to know more about what the Onward Program offers. Prospective students and others interested in the Division of Lifelong Learning program should attend the session.

Onward Program services are designed to assist nontraditional students in earning a four-year degree. At the heart of the program is a small supportive learning community that involves the commitment of students, faculty and staff More information is available by calling 581-2319.

Boys, girls club dinner dance

The Penobscot Nation Boys and Girls Club fourth annual Dinner-Dance and Silent Auction will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18, at the Black Bear Inn in Orono.

Silent auction items will feature two vacation packages for two people, six days and six nights on a South African safari valued at more than $3,000. Other auction items include native crafts made by Penobscot Nation members, collectibles, antiques, services, art, jewelry and much more. Twenty door prizes will be drawn randomly throughout the event.

Corporate tables are available. Businesses that reserve a table will receive a gift along with recognition in the program that evening and the business name will be displayed prominently on the table.

Proceeds from the event will allow the continuation of a program to provide youth with a hot meal every day, and a safe place to go after school. The club will be able to continue to expand its programs. Currently the club includes youth from Indian Island, Old Town, Greenbush and Milford.

For tickets, or to reserve a table, call 827-7776, ext. 7355.