Because we are a nation at war, there is perhaps no better time than right now for women to consider becoming members of the American Legion Auxiliary.

And perhaps because the current membership of that fine organization, in our state, is an aging one, right now is a wonderful time for young women particularly to consider joining and-or helping establish a new chapter in eastern Maine.

“If you have an interest in doing something wonderful for our troops, their families and the community,” e-mailed Tammy Higgins of Winterport, “please join us for an informational meeting about starting an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary in our community.

“New branches are forming all over the state,” she added. “By joining an American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, you have the opportunity to be part of something extraordinary.”

The informational meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Victoria Grant Civic Center, 40 Park Drive, off Route 134, in Winterport.

Featured speakers will be State of Maine American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Department President Marlene Angers and state Vice President Charlotte Wing.

Refreshments will be served, and you are invited to “bring the kids,” Higgins wrote, because “baby-sitting will be available.”

Higgins’ husband, Phil Higgins, is commander of American Legion Argonne Post 138 in Winterport, which has agreed to sponsor the Ladies Auxiliary.

Now the question is, do you qualify to become a member of the American Legion Auxiliary?

According to its Web site, www.legion-aux.org, “a woman who is eligible for membership in The American Legion is also eligible to join the American Legion Auxiliary.”

“The mother, wife, daughter, sister, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, or grandmother of members of The American Legion, and deceased veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces during the listed war eras” are eligible for membership, and “step relatives are also eligible.”

Tammy Higgins e-mailed the dates of the “listed war eras,” explaining that “anyone who has served in the military during the following dates is eligible to join the American Legion,” and added that “as of Aug. 2, 1990, to the present, any military person may join [the American Legion] because it is wartime.”

Additionally, veterans serving between Dec. 20, 1989-Jan. 31, 1990; Aug. 24, 1982-July 31, 1984; Feb. 28, 1961-May 7, 1975; June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955; Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946; and Apr. 6, 1917-Nov. 11, 1918, are eligible to join the American Legion and, therefore, their female relatives are eligible to join the Auxiliary.

However, Merchant Marines are eligible for American Legion membership only if they served between Dec. 7, 1941, and Aug. 15, 1945, Higgins explained.

She added that organizers of this meeting “are really hoping people will be interested” in helping form a new American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

“It really is a good program to help support the troops,” she said.

For more information, call Higgins at 223-5733; fax her at 223-5743, e-mail thiggins@higginsbusinessservices.com, or write her at 115 Main St., P.O. Box 409, Winterport 04496.

WLBZ-TV Channel 2 meteorologist Steve McKay will be the featured speaker for the annual fall meeting of the Bangor Nature Club at noon Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the North Brewer-Eddington United Methodist Church on Route 9.

The cost of the luncheon is $10, and reservations can be made by calling Jean Rice at 942-4899.

Guests are welcome to attend.

The Bangor/Brewer Christian Women’s Club will host its Keeping Memories Luncheon from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at Spectacular Event Center, 395 Griffin Road, Bangor.

Admission is $10 and free child care is available. Reservations must be made by Monday, Oct. 9, with Alcinda Hall, 989-5796, or Beth Ross, 949-0691.

Peggy Young will share scrapbooking ideas and show samples, and Becky Watson will entertain on the flute as well as speak about “Coping with Stress.”

Gaile Nicholson of Katahdin Valley Health Center reports KVHC is sponsoring a blood drive on Columbus Day.

The American Red Cross Blood Drive is from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at Patten Pentecostal Church on Main Street in Patten.

Nicholson reminds readers that someone in our country needs blood every 17 seconds; that approximately 4 million people need blood every year; and that those suffering from major illnesses, such as cancer, need blood on a regular basis to survive.

Nicholson encourages you to take the time, on this holiday, to give the gift of life.

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