Bangor

Literacy Volunteers

Seven times as many Bangor area residents this year, versus two years ago, are volunteering to help their neighbors improve their literacy. That was one of the startling accomplishments announced recently at the annual meeting of Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, which trains and matches tutors with adult learners.

Maine recently ranked 16th nationwide in rate of volunteering, with just under a third of its citizens donating time for worthy causes. The recent expansion of LV-Bangor is a prime example of Mainers’ willingness to lend a hand.

One hundred fourteen adult students are improving their reading, writing and English-speaking skills working one-on-one with volunteer tutors furnished by LV-Bangor. Several of them addressed the gathering of 108 students, tutors and other volunteers at the annual meeting, thanking their tutors and showing off their new reading skills.

Steve Scalese, who has improved his reading skills by two grade levels since coming to the program, said he turned to LV-Bangor because he was tired of living “in a rut” of illiteracy. He urged his fellow students to “keep their goals, keep strong.”

In recent years, LV-Bangor assisted more and more speakers of languages other than English. This internationalism was reflected at the meeting place, which was adorned with flags of different countries, as well as the Stars and Stripes. A buffet dinner featured American staples and sushi, Korean pancakes and a kind of pizza from the Republic of Georgia.

One tutor performed a graceful flamenco dance accompanied by her father on guitar.

Lina Chen from China and her tutor, Elizabeth Cherneski, made a joint presentation -frequently upstaged by Jessica, Chen’s exuberant young daughter in arms – emphasizing the close relationship that develops between student and teacher. Though only working with her since February, Cherneski said she felt she’d known Lina a lifetime.

“We have fun,” they read together from the lectern. “It doesn’t seem like hard work at all. We’re learning a lot from each other.”

In addition to the huge jump in number of students served, the last two years has seen a big improvement in LV-Bangor’s finances – going from scrimping for postage to investing surpluses.

Among other awards, 26 tutors were recognized for contributing more than 100 hours to the program. The meeting elected Kim Whitmore, Newspapers in Education manager at the Bangor Daily News, to succeed Allison Cote as president of the organization.

Kristen VanDusen, Susan Hatch and Ian Prior were elected to the 15-member board.

Those interested in supporting literacy efforts may call 947-8451.

Class reunion

The Bangor High School Class of 1996 will hold a class reunion Friday and Saturday, July 28-29. The schedule is:

. Meet and Greet, 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, Classics bar, Bangor.

. Picnic, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, July 29, Cascade Park, Bangor.

. Reunion, 7 p.m. Saturday, June 29, Bear Brew Pub, Orono.

For more information, call 363-1199, or visit www.classmates.com.

Donation of U.S. flag

Local members of Modern Woodmen of America recently demonstrated patriotic pride when they presented a United States flag to the Maine Veteran’s Home in Bangor.

Each year, Modern Woodmen’s flag donation program benefits community organizations nationwide. Modern Woodmen chapters and youth service clubs donate flags to fire stations, schools, nursing homes, cemeteries and other community facilities in need of new flags. For more information, call Heidi Fairbrother at 848-3723.

Adoption speaker

Pat O’Brien, founder and executive director of You’ve Gotta Believe, The Older Child Adoption and Permanency Movement Inc., will speak about the agency’s work 8:30-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road. The agency focuses on finding permanent homes for teens and preteen children in foster care.

There is no cost to attend. To register, call Evelyn Ricker at 561-4158 or e-mail Evelyn.Ricker@maine.gov.

Simulated space mission

Challenger Learning Center is offering an opportunity to fly a simulated space mission three times this summer – at 6 p.m. Fridays, June 23, July 21 and Aug 18, at the center, 30 Venture Way. Participate as a NASA engineer or as a scientist on the Space Station or at Mission Control. The cost is $18, $15 children, who must be at least age 10. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 990-2900 to make reservations.

Bradley

Independence Day

An old fashioned Independence Day parade and Community Fun Day is shaping up in Bradley. The event is planned for Saturday, July 1.

The Bradley Fire Department’s pancake breakfast 7-9 a.m. will kick off the events of the day.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will line up at 9 a.m. on Broad Street. Veterans are still needed to ride in the parade.

Community Day events will take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. between Bullen and Cram streets. Attendees will find food, crafts, a community yard sale, a bicycle contest, a car show, canine demonstration, clog dancers, Brewer jam bands, singer Lorraine Bloodsworth and the Burlington Band.

Games scheduled for adults are log sawing, the skillet toss, a wheelbarrow race and the pit stop challenge.

Children will enjoy the two bounce houses, a cake walk, face painting, tug of war, tip-a-troll and apple bobbing.

Those interested in exhibiting a vehicle in the car show should call Jill Callela at 827-6480 to register. The fee is $5. Trophies will be awarded in various categories.

Those wishing to take part in the parade or in Community Fun Day should call Heidi Gifford at 827-1087.

The following businesses donated funds or prizes: Garden Island Cleaners, Governor’s, Burger King, Subway, LaBree’s Bakery, Old Town Canoe, Gary DeGrasse, Joey Buchanan, Spotlight Cinemas, Dairy Queen, Hannaford, Johnny’s Pizza, Chocolate Grille, Coca-cola, R.H. Foster, McDonald’s, Dawn ’til Done, Spencer’s Ice Cream, Canoe City, Pepsi and Wal-Mart.

Veterans who would like to ride on a trailer in the Bradley Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 1, should call Heidi at 827- 1087.

Brewer

Session on home buying

On Wednesday, June 28, USDA Rural Development will conduct a public informational meeting on “Obtaining Affordable Housing with 100 Percent Financing” 5-6 p.m. at the Brewer Auditorium.

Anyone who is considering buying or building a home, or who knows someone who is, is encouraged to attend.

Programs are available to assist home buyers in the very low, low and moderate income categories. In most cases, closing costs and repairs can be included in the loan amount.

Rates and terms are determined by household income, family size and location of property. Some applicants may qualify for mortgage terms as low as 1 percent interest over a 38-year repayment period.

The USDA is an agency of the United States Federal Government and is not a commissioned-based mortgage lender. For more information, contact Rob Cross at 990-3676, Ext. 140.

Castine

Young musicians’ concert

A concert given by Castine’s Young Musicians will be presented at 4 p.m. Monday, June 26, at the Trinitarian Congregational Parish, Main Street. Featured on the program will be six members of the Richard and Terri Reed family and pianist Alan Feinberg, who will accompany his daughter Maeve in a performance of Kreisler’s “Tamborin Chinois.” Her brother Milo will be heard in the first movement of Beethoven’s “Pathetique” sonata.

Collette Chilton-Carr will play “The Spinners” by William Gillock.

The remainder of the program will include works by Debussy, Handel and Prokofieff. The concert is sponsored by the Castine Arts Association. The public is invited to attend free of charge.

Chautauqua Days

The Wilson Museum will sponsor In Concert, with pianist Alan Feinberg, violinist Curtis Macomber and percussionist Bill Friederich, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2, at the Trinitarian Congregational Parish, 68 Main St., Castine. Tickets are available at the Wilson Museum, or at the door and cost $20. The concert is part of Castine’s Chautauqua Days.

The program includes works of Beethoven, Gershwin, Grainger, Copland and Schoenfield, and is an unusual mix of classical and American selections.

The American works feature pieces of the 1920s and make use of American and colonial themes – folk songs, cowboy songs and country fiddle music.

Alan Feinberg, pianist, has performed as soloist with the Chicago Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, the London Philharmonic, the Montreal Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the American Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Baltimore Symphony, the New World Symphony and many others. A summer resident of Castine, Feinberg lives in New York City.

Curtis Macomber, doctor of musical arts, has performed as first violinist of the award-winning New World String Quartet, the Apollo Piano Trio, and Speculum Musicae. As a member of a quartet, he served as artist-in-residence at Harvard. He is a member of the chamber music faculty of Juilliard and violin faculty of Manhattan School of Music. CRI has just released his third solo recording, Castine Ecstatic.

Bill Friederich, percussionist, aka the Rev. William J. Friederich, received his first master’s degree from Wheaton Graduate School, Wheaton, Ill. In 1997, he completed a master of divinity degree at Bangor Theological Seminary. He has played with U.S. Army bands in Colorado and Europe. His musical repertoire now includes jazz, blues, as well as band music.

Indian Island

Grand opening

The public is invited to join the Boys and Girls Club of the Penobscot Nation in celebrating the opening of the Lindsey Almenas Arts and Crafts Learning Center at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 28. Call 827-7776, Ext. 7355, for more information.

Old Town

Canoe Hullabaloo

Canoe Hullabaloo 2006, the annual celebration of Old Town’s cultural heritage, will be held from Thursday, July 13, to Sunday, July 16. Most events will be held in the downtown Riverfront Park except for the fly-in and breakfast at DeWitt Field at the Old Town Airport.

A cruise-in will take place 5-6:30 p.m., and the Second Chance Band will perform 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13, at the park. Also on July 13, the Old Town Elks Lodge will sponsor its “Famous Chicken Barbecue.”

The Old Town Fire Department will put on a barbecue 5-6 p.m. and The Jingos band will perform 6:30-7:45 p.m. Friday, July 14. At 8 p.m., a version of “KISS” will make a special appearance.

Saturday, July 15, will feature events all day in the Riverfront Park. The schedule is:

. Road Race Registration, 7:30 a.m.

. 5K and 10K Road Race, 9 a.m.

. Crafters in the park, a silent auction, children’s events including a YMCA carnival, Flip the Clown and more, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

. Rick Charette and the Bubble Gum Band, 1 p.m.; more fun for children with various activities, 3-4 p.m.

. Bingo, 3-4 p.m.

. Bean supper, 4 p.m.

. Live auction, 5:30 p.m.

. Bruce Nye as “Elvis,” 7 p.m.

. The Fly-in at DeWitt Field, Sunday, July 16. There will be a breakfast featuring eggs, sausage, juice, coffee, pancakes and beans. Cost is $5.

Other events include remote-controlled model airplanes, Forest Service helicopter demonstrations, weather permitting, and static displays.

Proceeds from Canoe Hullabaloo will benefit the River Coalition.