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Girl Scout Silver Award

BANGOR – Jennifer Leach, Zarin Kacer, Laura Hosmer, Hilary Sivik and Melissa Arey, all sophomores at Bangor High School, have earned the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award in Cadette Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Silver Award represents their commitment to themselves, the community, the world and their future.

The five young women combined leadership skills, career interests and personal values to serve the community in a project which benefited the Little Friends Daycare Center.

The girls surveyed the day care center to find out its needs and then set out to fulfill them. They made a dozen fleece blankets and pillows, provided paper products and wall decorations and obtained a new computer for the center.

In recognition of their achievement, they received the Girl Scout Silver Award during a ceremony held Aug. 27 at the Isaac Farrar Mansion in Bangor.

Lorna Pomelow, Abnaki Girl Scout Council staff member, attended the ceremony. Special guests included troop leaders Susan Leach and Joleen Lee, family and friends.

Leach is the daughter of Susan and Scott Leach.

Kacer is the daughter of Pauline and Joseph Kacer.

Hosmer is the daughter of Joleen Lee and Richard Hosmer.

Sivik is the daughter of Susan and Kenneth Sivik.

Arey is the daughter of Patricia and Kenneth Arey.

Voices in Reading

A free family event with music, food and fun will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21, at United Technologies Center, 200 Hogan Road. The event kicks off Voices in Reading, a free reading program for parents with young children.

Voices in Reading is for parents who want to improve their own reading skills and learn fun and easy ways to help their children develop reading skills. Voices in Reading offers free children’s books and learning materials, opportunities to improve reading skills, one-on-one visits with a Literacy Volunteer tutor, and fun family events to help families grow and learn together. Transportation and child-care assistance is provided to help families participate in activities. Families in the Bangor area with children up to 5 years of age are encouraged to participate.

Voices in Reading is funded by the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and is a collaborative effort of Penquis CAP, Literacy Volunteers of Bangor, Raising Readers, Maine Discovery Museum and Bangor Public Library.

To register for the kick-off event or for more information about Voices in Reading, call Literacy Volunteers of Bangor at 947-8451.

Youth orchestra

BANGOR – The Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestra and Symphonic Band will hold auditions for the 2006-2007 season noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Bangor Symphony Orchestra office, 51 Main St. Intermediate to advanced musicians are invited to try out. To obtain more information or to set up an audition time, call David Iverson at 379-4000 or e-mail cmel@tdstelme.net.

John Bapst Memorial High School

BANGOR – On Sept. 16, musicians from John Bapst Memorial High School will take center stage at Macy’s department store (formerly Filene’s) as they entertain during the “Shop for a Cause” event.

The high school will be musically represented starting at 5:30 p.m. as John Bapst junior soprano Kristyn Murphy sings a variety of old show tunes, classical pieces and Broadway hits. At 7:30 p.m., the John Bapst Chamber Ensemble tunes up for an hour of great chamber music.

The Chamber Ensemble comprises director Julienne Ewing and musicians: violin, Nate Lesser, Iva Bugbee, Kille Branson, Deanna Kizer and Dustin Piskura; viola, Zach Riitano; clarinet, Emily Lad and Dan Delorenzo; bassoon, Joe Fernandez; cello: John Frankland and Maren Askins; piano, Kristyn Murphy. Flute players for the evening will be Owen Firestown, Cassie Alley, Carrie Ryder and Rebecca Green.

Macy’s “Shop for a Cause Day” will start at 9 a.m. and run until 10 p.m. During this one-day shopping event, Macy’s gives back to the community through support of local nonprofit organizations.

On “Shop For A Cause Day,” guests have the opportunity to participate in a unique shopping experience including discounts, special events, the opportunity to win thousands of dollars worth of prizes and experience superb entertainment.

Bangor High School

BANGOR – Parents are invited to attend Bangor High School’s annual open house at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. Teachers will follow an abbreviated class schedule to allow parents the opportunity to meet their child’s teachers and to hear presentations on class expectations and policies. Parents may pick up a copy of their child’s schedule in the “B” lobby from 6:30 to 6:45 p.m.

Norris Nickerson will provide a brief introduction to the evening’s activities at 7 p.m. in Peakes Auditorium, followed by “classes.”

Brewer High School

BREWER – The Project Graduation committee of Brewer High School will hold a yard sale 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Brewer High School cafeteria. Those who wish to donate items for the yard sale may do so 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, at the cafeteria. No clothing will be accepted. The event benefits Project Graduation, which provides a safe and memorable graduation night experience for students. For more information, call Jeff Wright at 667-1355 or 326-2215.

Brewer Middle School

BREWER – Jobs for Maine’s Graduates has announced that Craig Allen is the new Project Reach specialist at Brewer Middle School.

Allen was an alternative education teacher last year at Katahdin High School and completed his student teaching at Hampden Academy.

He replaces Shannon Greaney, who is the Project Reach specialist for the new program at SeDoMoCha Middle School in Dover-Foxcroft. Greaney had been at Brewer Middle School for six years.

Jobs for Maine’s Graduates was established in 1993 by the Maine State Legislature. JMG serves some 2,500 pupils in more than 50 school-based sites statewide. The vision of JMG is “to be a champion for all students who are facing challenges to education, and to guide each one on to a successful path to a brighter future. JMG measures its success one student at a time.”

For information, contact Maureen Duggan at (877) 851-2025 or mduggan@jmg.org.

Orono Alumni Association

ORONO – If you were ever a student or a teacher at Orono High School, the newly formed OHS Alumni Association would like to hear from you. They also invite you to try out their new Web site.

Programmed by Matt Clark, a member of the class of 1981, the association Web site has just been unveiled at www.oronoalums.org. It features forums, a message center, photo galleries and much more. Use of the Web site is free.

Betsy Graves Rose, class of 1981, one of the association’s founders, explained that the group plans to sponsor regular all-alumni events, maintain the Web site to keep alumni in touch with one other and the school, and support projects at the high school that will benefit current students.

“Anyone who ever attended or taught at OHS is automatically invited to OHSAA events,” Rose said. The association will ask for $10 in yearly dues from those who wish to help sustain the organization and become voting members.

The first event organized by the association, an informal pre-game welcome back party, will take place 5-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, next to the football field behind Orono High School. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the Booster Club Snack Shack.

“We are hoping to get members of classes from every decade to attend, as well as their families,” said Rose. “Though many people enjoy going to their own class reunions, having an event where all alumni can get together makes it possible to see friends in other classes as well.”

To become a voting, supporting member of the Orono High School Alumni Association, submit dues of $10 yearly. As an added bonus, if you send in dues on or before Sept. 22, you also will receive a free ticket to the homecoming football game and a complimentary meal combo from the Snack Shack.

Additional contributions in any amount also are welcome, though contributions to the association are not yet tax-deductible. Dues payments and donations may be made online at www.oronoalums.org or by mail. Checks should be made payable to OHS Alumni Association and sent to: OHSAA, P.O. Box 163, Orono, ME 04473.

For more information, write to the address above or call Betsy Rose at 866-3307, or e-mail, brose@oronoalums.org.

Colleges

Sigma Phi Epsilon University of Maine

ORONO – Braving a rainy forecast, brothers of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Maine set up camp on the UMaine Mall on Sept. 8, collecting donations for the HIV education organization, YouthAIDS.

The fraternity’s national philanthropy, YouthAIDS, is an upbeat, global initiative using music, media, fashion and sports to spread messages of HIV prevention to the world’s youth. YouthAIDS promotes abstinence, delayed sexual debut and protected sex among 15- to 24-year-olds, the generation most at-risk of infection.

The UMaine fraternity Brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon spent the day and night on the Mall, requesting $1 contributions from members of the UMaine community.

In 2005, the fraternity’s camp out collected more than $1,600 for YouthAIDS.

“Every 15 seconds, another young person is infected with HIV worldwide,” said Alex Tuck, campout coordinator. “Another child dies from AIDS every minute. Every dollar donated will help educate young people,” he said.

Bangor Theological Seminary

BANGOR – The public is invited to an open house Wednesday, Sept. 27, to explore opportunities for theological education at the Bangor Theological Seminary at Husson College. Lunch will be provided.

Open house attendees will learn about classes, degree programs and financial aid and speak with faculty, staff and students. The seminary offers small class sizes and a special commitment to commuter and second-career students.

To obtain information or to reserve a space, call Fae Gilbride, assistant director of admissions and financial aid, at (800) 287-6781, Ext. 126, e-mail fgilbride@bts.edu or visit www.bts.edu.

Bangor Theological Seminary is an ecumenical seminary in the Congregational tradition of the United Church of Christ.

University College of Bangor

University of Maine

BANGOR – Rachel Shropshire, a former University College of Bangor student, recently received the prestigious 2006 Benjamin Cumming Biology Prize. Shropshire was just one of four recipients awarded the prize from across the nation.

Shropshire was nominated for the award by Robert Klose, a UCB associate professor of biology.

“Rachel exemplifies the best that a teacher can hope for in a science student,” said Klose. “She presents a rich combination of curiosity, diligence and a self-assured grace that made her a pleasure to have in class.”

The Benjamin Cumming Biology Prize is awarded by Benjamin Cummings Textbook Publishers. Nominees for the prize must show a passion for biology, dedication to their studies and a commitment to learning. Recipients receive a $1,000 award from the company.

Currently, Shropshire is a student at the University of Maine. She lives in Veazie.

Parking at the University of Maine

ORONO – Drivers looking to park on the University of Maine campus can access current information on vacant spaces through a new telephone service. A recorded message at 581-INFO will provide information on where motorists should look for available spaces.

“The situation during peak weekday hours is fluid, and our staff members are able to assess current availability. They report that information to our central office, and we will use this new mechanism to let drivers know where they should look for space.”

The frequency of updates will depend on various factors, including traffic volume. Stormann says he’s confident that the information will be timely enough to be valuable to motorists.

More information on UMaine parking policies and practices is available at www.umaine.edu/parking/default.htm. Visitor parking permits are available at UMaine’s Public Safety Building, at Bear Necessities in Alfond Arena, and at Buchanan Alumni House’s visitor center off College Avenue.