Camp Rainbow still seeking young campers

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Monday morning I spoke with Sue Clifford of the American Cancer Society in Topsham regarding Camp Rainbow, which is held June 18-23 at Camp Jordan on Branch Lake in Ellsworth.

And while it might seem like it is too late to be making reservations for you or your child to attend this free, weeklong camp, that is not true.

“You’d be surprised how many people wait until the last minute to decide,” Clifford said. “There is still time to register for Camp Rainbow.”

For 19 years, with the support of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, the Bangor Ronald McDonald House and Bangor Y Camp Jordan, Camp Rainbow has been offering this traditional summer camping experience for children ages 4 through high school who are affected by cancer.

And this year, Clifford told me, the ACS was particularly pleased to have “applied for, and receive, a $30,000 grant from the Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation” to help cover costs of the program.

Camp Rainbow accepts children in treatment as well as those who are up to 10 years post-treatment.

A parent or guardian must accompany children 4 to 6 years old, but those 7 and older may attend camp alone. All campers must have the approval of the medical director, and the camp is open to in-state as well as out-of-state children. Siblings are welcome.

The EMMC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic staffs the camp around the clock, supervising treatments and medications, and chemotherapy and blood tests are available.

Summer camp is a great experience, no matter what your age. I hope you give it a try.

For more information about registering for Camp Rainbow, call the ACS at (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Sally Bates reports Bangor Center Corp. kicks off its 2006 Cool Sounds Concert Season 7-8 p.m. Thursday, June 15, in Pickering Square.

There are two major changes this year: The concerts will not be on the waterfront, and all will be held rain or shine. In case of rain, “we’ll simply move the performers and audience” into the parking garage, Bates explained.

The facility offers public restrooms, and the location has plenty of surface and on-street parking.

Thursday’s concert features the Queen City Big Band.

The remaining concerts, all at 7 p.m., are Aurora Jazz Project, June 22; One Five One, June 29; 195th Maine Army National Guard Band, July 6; Evergreen, July 13; and Dave Wooley, July 20.

From 4 to 8 p.m., on the same dates, BCC is hosting an Outdoor Market on the Banks of the Kenduskeag.

“The market will have food vendors, making it a snap to grab a bite to eat before the concerts, as well as a couple dozen artisans whose products range from blueberry syrup” to wearable art, Bates reported.

A list of downtown activities can be found at www.downtownbangor.com.

Connie Hughes of Brewer wrote the Bangor Daily News to thank a young man carrying a “bouquet of beautiful long-stem pink roses,” whom she passed upon leaving a local restaurant as he was entering.

Hughes asked, “Who’s the lucky girl?” she wrote, and “he immediately pulled one from the bunch and gave it to me, with a big hug.

“It made me think how lucky she is to have such a caring, thoughtful friend.

“Thanks again, young man. You made my day and restored my faith in the youth of today.”

One of Maine’s most favorite and highly acclaimed folk musicians, Gordon Bok, appears in the premier concert of the 2006 Saturday Night in Dover-Foxcroft series.

Bok takes the stage to benefit the Center Theatre and Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 17, at Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft.

Considered by Time magazine to be “the poet laureate of those who go down to the sea in ships,” organizer Russ Page is particularly pleased that this concert will be taped.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door, and can be purchased at Mr. Paperback stores in Dover-Foxcroft and Dexter and at Hudson Avenue Florists in Guilford.

More information about the show and tickets can be obtained by calling 564-8943.

Page reminds you that the series of seven concerts continues the third Saturday of each month, through December.

Programs will range from rock ‘n’ roll to big band jazz, comedy-variety, folk and Scottish Highland music and dance.

All proceeds benefit the restoration of the historic theater and programs of Piscataquis Chamber of Commerce.

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