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Bangor

Bike rodeo, safety day

The Bangor Noon Kiwanis and Bangor Breakfast Kiwanis clubs are sponsoring a Bike Rodeo and Safety Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, to get the word out about wearing bike helmets.

At the same time, the Bangor Police Department will hold its annual bike auction to dispose of bicycles collected throughout the last year. All of the Bike Rodeo and Safety Day events are being held at the Essex Street PAL Center, Watchmaker Street, off Essex Street.

Bangor Noon Kiwanis Club members also will give away helmets, and Bangor Breakfast Club members are planning to educate participants about poison prevention and other safety issues.

Children who complete bicycle safety stations at the event will be given an approved bicycle helmet, while supplies last, and Kiwanis and local Key Club members will adjust the free helmets. At the end of the stations, participants will be able to place their name into a drawing for two bicycles to be given away during the event.

For the Bangor police bike auction, approximately 70 recovered bikes will be sold to the highest bidder. Auction bikes may be previewed at 10 a.m. and the auction begins at 11 a.m.

Wabanaki textiles, clothing

Dr. Bruce Bourque, chief archaeologist of the Maine State Museum, will visit Bangor Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, in the Lecture Hall.

Bourque, author of “Twelve Thousand Years: American Indians in Maine,” will speak about his latest project, an effort to establish a traveling exhibit and book on Wabanaki textiles.

In his book, “Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing and Costume,” Dr. Bourque considers the rich archaeological record and examples of Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, Maliseet and Micmac textiles. His library presentation will offer a perspective on Wabanaki costume as a product not only of local influences, but of colonialism and trade with other far-flung confederacies.

A display of books and photos of Wabanaki history and culture will be featured in the library lobby during May.

Art at the library

The Bangor Art Society will exhibit its annual juried show during May in the Lecture Hall, Bangor Public Library. A meet-the-artists reception will be held 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, May 16. Awards will be presented at 7 p.m.

The Stairwell Gallery will exhibit the works of Ruth Wheaton of Brewer. Wheaton, who just celebrated her 90th birthday, studied at the Massachusetts College of Art in the 1930s. She put her palette and brushes aside to raise a family and help her husband run a rustic lodge in Down East Maine. Later in life, Wheaton returned to her easel and studied with Howarth, Inger Allen and Szabo. The Massachusetts College of Art, recognizing her work, presented her with an honorary bachelor’s degree in fine art. A reception in her honor will be held 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the library.

English language tutors

Literacy Volunteers of Bangor will offer English Language Learners 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 Hogan Road on at these dates:

. 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 16

. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 18

. 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 23

. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, May 25

. 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, May 30

. 6-9 p.m. Thursday, June 1

Those interested must call Literacy Volunteers of Bangor at 947-8451 by Monday, May 15, to register. Course materials are $20 and scholarships are available.

LV-Bangor links volunteer tutors with adults who want to improve their literacy skills, including learning English. In particular, adults who have moved to this area from countries in Asia, Africa and Central America are in need of English language services. Last year, LV-Bangor volunteers donated more than 11,300 hours of service.

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

Opry and gospel

The Y-Players of the Bangor Y will present “Grand Ol’ Opry and a Gospel Gathering.” Special guest stars in the guise of Minnie Pearls, Patsy Kline and Tammy Whynot will entertain. Performances will held at the Bangor Y, 17 Second St. on the following dates and times: 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 16; 7 p.m. Friday, May 19; 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21; 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 30; 7 p.m. Friday, June 2; and 2 p.m. Sunday, June 4; and at Old Town Museum at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 25. Admission is by donation. For more information, call the Bangor Y at 941-2808.

Bicycle auction, safety rodeo

The Bangor Police Department and the Bangor Noontime Kiwanis will hold their annual bicycle auction and safety rodeo Saturday, May 13, at the Bangor PAL Center, Watchmaker Street. Approximately 70 bicycles will be up for auction. Preview time is 10 a.m. with the auction beginning at 11 a.m. The bicycle safety rodeo will take place 11 a.m.-noon.

Hot line volunteers

Spruce Run Association is seeking volunteers to answer hot-line calls and work with children. Training for hot-line workers will be held Monday and Thursday evenings beginning Monday, May 15. No previous experience or special skills are necessary.

The hot line is available 24 hours a day to those who want a safe, confidential place to talk about what’s going on in a relationship or about a friend or family member who may be abused.

To volunteer, call 945-5102, or the hot line at (800) 863-9909.

Carmel

Book sale

A book sale will be held 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, May 12, and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at Simpson Memorial Library in Carmel. A large selection of hardcover and paperback books will be available.

Corinth

Benefit supper

Cub Scout Pack 53, their leaders and parents will hold a spaghetti supper 4-6 p.m. Saturday, May 13, at the Corinth Methodist Church. Proceeds from the supper will be used to send 10 Cub Scouts to Camp Roosevelt Aug. 6-10. For more information, cal Shannon Bond, 949-8227.

Eddington

Bottle drive

A trailer will be parked at the Eddington Town Store to receive returnable bottles and cans to benefit members of a family that lost their home to fire recently. Drop off returnables at the trailer, or call Cub Scout Pack 23 at 843-0210 to arrange for pick-up.

Hermon

Girl Scouts, volunteers

Girl Scout volunteers and girls in grades six and above are invited to the spring 1Voice meeting designed to give Girl Scout volunteers and older girls the information and resources needed for the rest of the Girl Scout year. The District 6 1Voice meeting will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 18, at Hermon High School, 2415 Route 2.

General information will include news about the new Girl Scout program model of Discover, Lead, Take Action; helpful information on end-of-the-year financial reports; ideas for bridging activities and ceremonies, and an update on the council realignment process as well as distribution of spring registration packets.

All who plan to attend the district meeting should e-mail webmaster@abnakigsc.org to be assured of enough handout materials.

For more information about the 1Voice meeting, or to get information on becoming a Girl Scout volunteer, e-mail Amy Rouse at anrouse@abnakigsc.org, or Pam Tower at ptower@abnakigsc.org, or call the Girl Scout office, 989-7474, (800) 464-3858.

Holden

Thrift store reopening

Aunt Nellie’s Attic on Route 1A will reopen its doors for the season Monday, May 15. The thrift store, run by volunteers, sells new and used items that have been donated. Proceeds from the store fund operational and programming costs of the Hammond Street Senior Center. Store hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Old Town

Luncheon for Mom

The Old Town United Methodist Church will hold a “Souper” Mom luncheon noon-1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 14, at the church, 744 Stillwater Ave. For a $5 donation, patrons may dine on a choice of soups, sandwiches, chips and dessert. The event will benefit Alex Yates’ Eagle Scout project to build a bridge between the new Scout building and the church.

Baby items drive

A diaper and baby item drive will kick off Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 14, at St. James Episcopal Church, Center and Main streets. Those who wish may donate diapers, formula, infant cereal, baby food, baby wipes, lotion, shampoo, powders and diaper ointment. Collected items will be donated to Cross Roads Ministries at an open house 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 21, at St. James Episcopal Church. To learn more about the drive, call Paula Baines, 947-0087, or e-mail pbaines@yahoo.com.

Orono

Food co-op meeting

A food co-op general meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, at the Keith Anderson Community Center on Bennoch Road. The purpose of the meeting is to work on a mission statement and other plans to further the opening of a full service natural food store in downtown Orono, or somewhere in the surrounding area. For more information, call 866-3059.

Areawide

Letter carriers’ food drive

The 14th annual National Association of Letter Carriers National Food Drive will be held Saturday, May 13. Members of the public are asked to place nonperishable food donations in bags at their mailboxes. Donations will be picked up during regular mail delivery.

Participants donating food in this year’s food drive will have a chance to win one of many prizes through a partnership with Clear Channel radio’s Kiss 94.5 radio station. Letter carriers will leave a Thank You postcard with a unique number at the mailboxes or post office boxes of those who participate in the food drive. Cards may be registered at www.ksqfm.com for a chance to win a prize, including a pair of Bulova watches valued at $800 from Day’s Jewelers.

Volunteers are needed to help load, unload, and sort food the day of the event. Call Jamie Comstock at United Way of Eastern Maine at 941-2800, or e-mail jamiec@unitedwayem.org for more information about volunteering; or follow the Volunteer Opportunities link at www.unitedwayem.org.

Foster Care Month

The staff of Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine has thanked the foster families and professionals who attended the Hall of Flags ceremony on May 1 to kick off Foster Care Month.

Speakers at the event were Brenda Harvey, Maine commissioner of Health and Human Services; Jim Beougher, director of the Office of Child and Family Services; Chris Beerits, deputy director, Child Welfare; and representatives of congressional offices.

Harvey read Gov. John Baldacci’s proclamation designating May as Foster Care Month. The musical group, All Walks of Life, provided entertainment. Refreshments were supplied by A Family For Me, Kidspeace, Community Care, Southern Maine Recruitment Team and Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine.

Other celebrations during the month include Foster Family Day at the Fort: Bridging the Gap to a More Secure Future, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at Fort Knox in Prospect. Entertainment, prizes and a free picnic lunch will be part of the festivities.

Victoria Rowell, star of the TV soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” will be a featured speaker and honored guest. Foster, adoptive and kinship families, and those interested in supporting and celebrating foster care are invited to attend the event. RSVP by calling (800) 833-9786.