Bangor

Celebrating Dakin Pool

The city’s first public swimming pool opened on Bangor’s East Side on June 30, 1956. Fifty years to the day the pool opened, the Friends of Dakin Pool will hold a special 50th birthday celebration.

“We hope everyone who swam at Dakin Pool at any time over the past 50 years will come back to the pool to celebrate with us on June 30,” said Mike Robinson, president of the Friends of Dakin Pool. The free community celebration recognizing 50 years of summer fun in the city is planned for Friday, June 30, with a barbecue at 5 p.m. at the pool, and a special family swim 6-7:30 p.m.

The pool was constructed on land left to the city by Eugene Dakin, founder of a Bangor bicycle shop. According to the Bangor Daily News, the Lions Club, Junior Chamber of Commerce, American Legion and others raised funds to build the pool.

For the past 50 years, Dakin Pool has provided summer recreation for tens of thousands of residents on Bangor’s East Side.

Earlier this month, the Friends of Dakin Pool announced a $100,000 capital campaign for Bangor’s first public swimming pool – Summer in the City. The campaign for Dakin Pool will support enhancements and improvements to the area around the pool, which opened for the season this summer on June 19. Plans include construction of a new pool house and expanding the complex to include a grassy picnic and play area.

The Dakin Park swimming pool is located at the end of Pine Street just past Stillwater Avenue, across from Broadway Park.

Former Bangor mayor W. Tom Sawyer Jr. is the honorary chairman of the fundraising campaign. Sawyer, who grew up on Bangor’s East Side, has a personal connection to the project, having spent many summers at Dakin Pool, eventually becoming a lifeguard and swimming instructor.

“I am thrilled to lead this effort to not only celebrate Dakin Pool’s 50th anniversary, but also to restore and renovate such a venerable piece of Bangor history, hopefully, for another half-century of benefiting Bangor youth,” Sawyer said.

The Friends of Dakin Pool is a nonprofit organization run by community volunteers. Their mission is to raise funds to enhance and improve the Dakin Pool complex. To obtain more information about Summer in the City: The Campaign for Dakin Pool or to contribute, visit www.dakinpool.com.

Barbara Francis Day

Wednesday, July 5 has been designated Barbara Francis Day at the Bangor Public Library. Francis, a nationally known master basket maker, will give a demonstration of the art of basket making for adults at noon. She will show and explain her skills in a program for children at 10 a.m. in the Story Room.

At 1 p.m. also on July 5, the library will show Jim Sharkey’s highly acclaimed documentary about Barbara Francis, her life and her art, “The Penobscot Basket Maker.” Videotapes of the film will be available for purchase.

Francis’ demonstration is part of the library’s noontime Meet the Artist lecture series.

Cathy Cook will give an introduction to ceramic sculpture at noon Wednesday, July 12, in the Lecture Hall.

Artists from Yesterday’s Scraps will introduce the art and skills of scrap-booking at noon Wednesday, July 19.

There is no cost to attend these programs. Bring your lunch and enjoy the lectures. Friends of the Library will provide cold drinks.

Summer children’s programs

The Bangor Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is in full swing. Celebrating the library’s 100 years of providing free services to the community, the theme “Time Machine” was chosen for this year’s reading and activities. Children who are the future are invited to explore the region’s exciting past.

Martin Swinger is a pro at introducing children to songwriting, and he did that on Wednesday.

A celebration of everybody’s favorite mouse will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29. Mickey made his film debut in 1928, and his many fans can count on mouse-inspired games, crafts and revelry.

Nutrition Story Time will be offered at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 29. On six consecutive Thursdays, Gail Lane of the Penobscot County Co-operative Extension Service, will tell stories, do crafts and serve healthy snacks to preschoolers. Each week will develop a different theme, such as grains, milk or breakfast, with the idea of making healthy food choices.

A Pet Show takes place at 10 a.m. Friday, June 30. Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to bring a pet to the library – on a leash or in a cage or container – for a parade of animals and a chance to tell about the pet. Registration is required and will take place before the show. Judges will award ribbons in various categories. Only live pets will be admitted.

Pick up a calendar for July and August events in the Children’s Department.

In honor of Henry Page

The Bangor Noon Kiwanis recently pledged $20,000 to support the activities of 4H clubs in Penobscot County, establishing the Henry Page-Bangor Kiwanis Penobscot 4-H Fund. The fund honors Bangor dairyman Henry Page, who was supportive of UMaine Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program and the Kiwanis throughout his 40 years of farming.

“Henry was very dedicated to his community” said Chris Patten of the Bangor Noon Kiwanis. “He would be very happy to see youth 4-H projects carried out in his name.”

The Henry Page-Bangor Kiwanis Penobscot 4-H Fund will help Penobscot County 4-H clubs complete various projects throughout the year, as well as participate in educational trips and national 4-H events.

“The generosity of the Kiwanis is very much appreciated by the 4-H members and volunteers in Penobscot County,” said Fred Schlutt, executive director of the Pine Tree State 4-H Foundation. “The funds will help support community service projects, trips to Washington and the many other great initiatives of the clubs.”

The Maine 4-H program grew out of early 20th century boys and girls clubs, which were folded into the University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s work in 1914. Since that date, 4-H has continued to set the standard in youth development, helping Maine’s young people acquire the knowledge, life skills, leadership abilities and attitudes necessary for lifetime success. Young people can become involved in 4-H through school enrichment programs, 4-H camps, and county UMaine Cooperative Extension offices.

A ‘rolling fast’ for peace

For those who have been wondering what else they can do to stop the war on Iraq, officials from the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine will coordinate a “rolling fast” on Tuesdays in Bangor, July 11-Aug. 6.

The fast will be a time for personal, moral and spiritual reflection and for connecting to the extreme suffering of innocent Iraqi civilians, as well a U.S. troops, PJC officials said. The fast will help demonstrate commitment to ending the occupation of Iraq as well as engage more people in a dialogue about the urgency of bringing the troops homes safely and supporting their medical and other needs.

Diane Wilson of Code Pink: Women for Peace, declared at the Code Pink Mother’s Day Peace Vigil in Washington, D.C., that she planned a hunger strike calling to bring the troops home. Information is available at www.codepinkalert.org

A rolling fast is planned in Bangor where individuals or groups may decide to fast for one day or more. Individuals could choose to participate in a variety of ways.

A person could choose to do a 24-hour water fast, a 24-hour juice fast or a shorter daytime fast from early morning or evening one day or each week.

Those planning a longer fast are advised to check with their physician first.

In order to invite participation and encourage dialogue, some fasters will hold a vigil in front of the Federal Building on Harlow Street 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays and again at the weekly peace vigil 5-6 p.m. Tuesdays, July 11-Aug. 1.

The fast will end on Sunday, Aug. 6, with a Hiroshima Day commemoration.

The weekly fast vigils will be coordinated by the Peace & Justice Center of Eastern Maine and are co-sponsored by Veterans for Peace, the Maine Peace Action Committee, Peace & Justice Group of Waldo County, staff of h.o.m.e. and other peace organizations. Concerned members of the public and organizations are invited to participate.

To learn more, call 942-9343.

Bradford

Town’s 175th anniversary

March 12, 1831, marked the day that Blakesburg Plantation’s name was changed to Bradford through an act of incorporation by the Maine Legislature.

Alvin P. Trask carried the petition for incorporation to Augusta the preceding fall. To commemorate this act, Alvin “Al” P. Trask of Brewer, fifth generation descendant of the courier, will be the Grand Marshal of the Saturday, July 15, parade, which will kick off a day of 175th anniversary celebrations in Bradford.

Celebration schedule:

. The Bradford Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual auction at 6 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the fire station on East Road.

. Saturday, July 15th will bring a full day of activities, beginning with the 10 a.m. parade and ending with a 9:30 p.m. display of fireworks at the Bradford Elementary School on Main Road.

. Activities at the school throughout the day will include old-time crafts, kids’ games, quilt show, petting zoo, food, contra dance, ATV pull, pedal-tractor pull, manure pitch-off, pig scramble, mini-music festival and talent show, chicken barbecue and more.

. The John B. Curtis Free Public Library will hold a book sale in the morning on Saturday, and Bradford Heritage Museum and Archives will be open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the library.

. The Bradford United Baptist Church will hold a tent meeting at 10:30 p.m. Sunday, July 16, on the school grounds, and a horse show will be in progress throughout the day. For more information, call 327-2121.

Glenburn, Old Town

Pontoon boat ride for Pushaw Lake residents

Pushaw Partners, a collaboration of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension, the Greater Pushaw Lake Association, and the Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District invites Pushaw Lake residents to take a cruise on the Maine Lakes Conservancy Institute’s pontoon boat, Melinda Ann, on July 4 and 5.

The Melinda Ann is a 30-foot customized pontoon boat that sports a variety of equipment enabling those who take the cruise to explore under the surface of the lake and gain a greater appreciation for Pushaw Lake.

While on the cruise, guests will learn about the tools used to measure lake water clarity, look at samples through the Ken-a-Vision projector, take a look around with the underwater camera, and more.

Cruise times are 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, departing from Lake Side Landing in Glenburn. Cruise times are 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 5, departing from Cook’s Point in Old Town.

Registration is required and space is limited. To register, call Michael Dennett at University of Maine Cooperative Extension at 581-3213.

Orrington

Theater time for children

Orrington Public Library will host the University of New Hampshire’s The Little Red Wagon touring theater troupe at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, at the Center Drive School cafeteria for a performance of “Arrgh, it’s a Pirate’s Life for Me,” a 45-minute show for children.

The entire audience will participate as members of the ship’s crew. Come on and join them in “A Pirate’s Life.” The fun will be long remembered. For more information, call 825-4938.